Portugal Active Walking Experience

This is a relaxed short break walking holiday in Portugal. This self guided, centre based walking holiday offers the most laid back program of all our walking holidays.

It is designed to allow for rest days and to give you time to relax. Staying the whole week in Casa Da Eira, there are four days walking when you will walk circular routes all starting and ending in Vila Nova de Milfontes.

“Great week of hiking! Beautiful weather, beaches, cliffs, vegetation. It was all fantastic. Delicious food, friendly people.  Thank you Miguel, Ricardo, Sónia and Lúcia.” Alix Noga, Jean Burris, Grande Praini, Alberta – Canada

For further enquiries click here

Portugal Active Walking Experience

Price:
390E - 499E per person Group size dependant
Holiday Type:
Self Guided Circular Routes
Hotel:
Centre based in Casa da Eira
Duration:
7 nights
Walking Days:
5 days
Meals:
3 evening meals
Difficultly:
Easy/Moderate
Routes:
Average 13km to 25 km a day
Departs:
From 15th September - 15th June

The Programme

Day 1:
Welcoming dinner
Day 2:
Porto Côvo and Peach Island - the Alentejo coast is shaped by high cliffs alternating with beautiful coves of fine sand. Porto Covo was founded on top of these cliffs, in 1780, with only four houses. Ilha do Pessegueiro is a consolidated dune, measuring 355 metres long and 235 metres wide, only 250 metres distant from the tidal line of the coast, famous as a pirate refuge.
Day 3:
Cabo Sardão Lighthouse- The cliffs here are very high and the metamorphic characteristics of the rocks are obvious. The folds in the dark grey schist are fantastic! This area boasts various species of Rockroses including the rare and protected Cistus palhinhae with its sticky heavily aromatic dark green leaves and big white flowers. Good chance to see a White Storks nest almost under your nose. If the nest is occupied please move slowly and quietly. There are various nests on that rock outcrop, also choughs, seagulls and crows.
Day 4:
Free day
Day 5:
Rural Landscape – pass through a traditional farm with is neighbours: chickens, ducks, maybe a few sheep or a donkey, and the family pig complete the household. Annually the pig is killed in a big party with family and friends. Visit a rural hotel and have dinner in a traditional.
Day 6:
Odemira Village and Torgal Stream - Odemira is situated on a hill on the River Mira. It is an old town and used to be an important river and sea port when the Mira played a vital role as a link to the outside world. It’s name – Odemira – reveals that intimate and old relationship with the river and the successive rule of different peoples. The element ode means “river” in Arabic. “Pego das Pias”, where the Torgal stream forms a deep pond made by rocks. It is a perfect spot to swim or play in the water, and is a family favourite in the hottest months. On the other side, the Torgal stream ends up in the River Mira, through a cool and shady valley, where shy terrapins dive under the water lilies while the kingfishers fly almost touching the river surface.
Day 7:
Troviscais and Mira River - an undulating landscape you will take you through the Montado Ecosystem, a traditional way to maintain semi natural pastures under a sparse canopy of trees, generally cork oak, Quercus suber, and holm oak, Quercus ilex. Usually established on poor soils and hills, they are a good example how to balance rural resource conservation with human exploitation. Areas where montado stands were once covered with Mediterranean forest dominated by the holm and cork oak. Goodby dinner.

What's included?

  • 7 nights (breakfast included)
  • 3 traditional dinners
  • Dossier trip (routes, notes and maps, mobile phone)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Logistic support during the trip
Not included:
  • Transfer from airport
  • Other meals not mentioned

Highlights

  • Diversity of habitats to explore (from coast to inland)
  • Diversity of places: village on the coastline, village inland, rural hotel.
  • Accommodation: personalized guest house and rural hotel
  • Gastronomy: Mediterranean flavours
  • Sparsely populated region
  • Untouched landscape
  • Interaction with nature
  • Interaction with local people and habits.