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“I never mind taking the same trail over and over,” stated Joana Almeida, kneeling beside a group of blossoms. “Each time, there are new things – these weren’t in this spot the day before.”

Growing on stems no less than a couple of centimeters tall and adorning the ground with snowy flowers, the reality that these delicate blooms emerged overnight was a beautiful proof of how rapidly life can grow in this undulating, inland area of the Algarve, the public forest of Barão de São João.

It was also comforting to find out that in an zone swept by forest fires in September, species such as strawberry trees – which are less flammable due to their reduced sap – were commencing to regrow, in proximity to highly flammable eucalyptus, which hinders other fire-retardant trees such as oak. Community members were being enlisted to assist with reforestation.

Traveler Numbers and Upland Appeal

Tourist arrivals to the Algarve are rising, with the current year showing an rise of 2.6% on the previous year – but the majority visitors go directly to the seaside, despite there being so much more to discover.

The coastline is undoubtedly wild and stunning, but the area is also eager to showcase the appeal of its upland zones. With the establishment of all-season hiking and cycling paths, in addition to the launch of outdoor events, attention is being drawn to these similarly captivating sceneries, including peaks and thick forests.

The Algarve Walking Season runs a series of several hiking events with broad topics such as “aquatic elements” and “archaeology” between late autumn and April. It’s anticipated they will inspire visitors throughout the year, boosting the regional economy and aiding reduce the outflow of young people leaving in search of employment.

Culture and The Outdoors Merge

The excursion to the protected parkland overlapped with a two-day event with the theme of “art”, based around the traditional community in the northwest of Barão de São João.

As well as led walks, starting at the local hub, complimentary activities extended from learning how to make organic pigments, to drama classes, meditative movement and artistic rendering. There were several photography exhibitions running as well as several other kid-focused pastimes, such as leaf safaris and creating seed dispensers.

Even before our informal daytime printmaking workshop at the cultural centre, our hike into the forest with Joana had the vibe of an sculpture walk. Signposted at the outset by monoliths adorned with images of local farmers, it was studded along the way with more modest, installed stones depicting types of fauna, featuring spiny creatures and feline predators – the latter’s community recovering, because of a rescue facility located in the historic town of Silves.

Scenic Paths and Natural Splendor

As the path ascended to its summit, the menhir (standing stone) on the Pedra do Galo path, it became more densely vegetated with the aromatic fragrance of pine. There was a fullness to the breeze and hard, golden-colored globules protruded from bark. Chalky rock glistened underfoot and small amphibians sat by pool margins, throats pulsing. In the distance, wind turbines rotated against the horizon.

Francisco Simões, the local expert the following day, was once more keen to highlight that these interior zones can be discovered throughout the year. Designated walks, established in the last decade, are extensions of the Via Algarviana, a path that extends from the Spanish boundary for 186 miles, the entire route to the Atlantic, and many are now connected to an app that makes navigation even easier.

Sustainable Travel and Cultural Activities

Francisco set up ecotourism outfit Algarvian Roots in the recent past and offers experiences from birdwatching to all-day led walks, all with the similar objectives as the AWS: to showcase the area by way of involvement, learning and local understanding.

The art connection is evident, also – his parent, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had taught us to design azulejos, the characteristic cerulean and ivory glazed tiles observed all over the country, previously on a festival workshop. Excursions to her atelier, as well as to a area ceramicist, can also be scheduled through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco advised us to contribute for the trade by consuming generous quantities of good wine sealed with cork

After an superb dining experience of pork cheek and cabbage in A Charrette in Monchique, a pretty hill settlement bordered by the Algarve’s tallest mountains, the 902-meter Fóia and 774-meter Picota, Francisco took us down precipitously stone-paved lanes and into a side lane, where an senior duo sunned themselves at the doorstep of their house.

A inclined track led us into the forest, the earth scattered with oak nuts. In this location, Francisco was enthusiastic to show us protected species, Portugal’s national tree and safeguarded by law since the 1200s. Not only are they inherently slow-burning, but their malleable outer layer is a means of income for inhabitants, who harvest it to sell to other {industries|sectors