Algarve: Coast hiking is pure nature
The beautiful Algarve is not only a paradise for beach lovers and partygoers. Nature lovers like me
will also be pleased. Actually „hot“ countries like Spain, France, Italy or Portugal are rather known for
ists sparse landscape. However, the Portuguese Coast surprises me. My flora-app is a big help here
and is very busy. There a many for me unknown plants to be discovered. Such as Spanish salsify,
castor oil or bird-of-paradise flower – there is much to learn on the Portuguese Coast. Today I take
you on a trip to the South European nature.
At the West Coast
On the first day we get to know the „Wild West“ of Portugal. We start at the Praia do Martinhal, the
beach of Martinhal, which is located in the East of Sagres. It quite cool this morning. The wind
coming from the atlantic sea is strong. It will accompany us the next days. At first we walk alongside
the beach for a while and come across a gree-blue signposting which will guide us today. We walk
upcountry. Upon spotting an abandoned farm we take our cameras out. We are surprised by the
different blooming plants. A lot of Spanish salsify is spreading here next to „Cardy“, some kind of
artichoke. It is a wonderful gaudy picture. I did not expect that.
Praia da Ingrina
Still impressed by the unexpected flowerage, we arrive at the most hefty point of the hike. The wind
almost sweeps us off the path. However upon reaching the turning point of the hike it suddenly gets
more calm and cosy. At midday we arrive at the beautiful beach of Ingrina. It is just the right place for
a lunch break. The shandy, also called Panaché in Portugal, tasts just great. The moment and the
enviroment are so wonderful that we would love to stay longer. However we will be picked up at 5
o’clock at Figueira and have to push along. The village of Figueira, our endpoint today, is quite
unspectacular.
Flowerage at Burgau
The second day starts adventurous: we take the public from the market square at Lagos to Burgau.
The village close to the national park Costa Vicentina has a nice beach. Moreover it offers a wide
frange of flowerage. The clematis wafts over the boundary walls like curly hair. Once again we can
hardly take our eyes out of this. Today we hike close to the sea. The further we walk the more
beautiful the scenery is.
The villas of Luz
After five kilometres we reach the town of Luz. At the city limits we are fascinated by the splendid
viallas with its lavishly blooming gardens. One again we pull out our plant-app to glean information.
We are surrounded by spurge, true bear’s breech, grey yucca, castor beans, canary creepers and
yellow Indian beans. What a magnificence!
We go for a shandy. The restauran „Fortaleza da Luz“ makes a fantastic offer to us: a terrace above
the Sea. From here we observe the action on the beach for a while. When we realize that some dark
clouds are sneaking up we set out for the rest of the hike. Outside the city wall we have a steep climb
in front of us on top of the Atalaia, the closest hill to the city. It is effortful though, but the view from
the peak is worth it. By reaching the Praia do Mos we are back at Lagos. Still the most spectacular
part of our hike is still in front of us: the timber plank way of Ponta da Piedade. I am absolutely
excited about this place. We see so many fantastic rock formations and beaches – I can hardly
believe it. I can only recommend this magnificent place.
Finally the arrive at the old town of Lagos. He visit the ruins of the fortification, the church Igreja de
Santo António and the former slave market. Then we are looking for a shower at our hotel.
The proud parents of Albufeira
We experience our next natural wonder in a hotel at Albufeira. More precisely opposite our balcony.
The is a pair of seargulls taking care of its „kids“. I must admit that this is the first time that I see just
eclose birds. Therefore I did not know, that young seafulls are grey. The parents practice job sharing:
whereas one of it feeds the kids, the other one watches out for danger.
Ria Formosa
The next day we walk in a nature reserve called Ria Formosa. This time it is not the plants but the
wildlife that fascinates us. We observe crabs, stilts, flamingos, Eurasian spoonbills and lizards. At the
end of the timber plank way and the dam we reach the Praia de Faro. Over there we catch a bus that
takes us to the city centre.
At Faro we are surprised how many storks have a nest on a church tower. We are also surprised by
its size and firmness of the hatchery.
