Authentic Southern Portugal: Uncovering Portugal Past the Shoreline

I don’t mind repeating the same walk over and over,” commented Joana Almeida, bending next to a patch of blossoms. “Every visit, you’ll find new things – these hadn’t been here the day before.”

Rising on stems no less than a couple of centimeters in height and starring the ground with snowy flowers, the fact that these star of Bethlehem flowers sprung up suddenly was a remarkable testament of how rapidly things can develop in this rolling, inland section of the Algarve, the public forest of Barão de São João.

It was also reassuring to learn that in an region swept by forest fires in September, species such as arbutus trees – which are flame-retardant thanks to their low resin content – were commencing to regrow, alongside highly inflammable eucalyptus, which obstructs other fire-resistant trees such as oak. Local helpers were being enlisted to participate with ecological restoration.

Tourist Numbers and Inland Interest

Visitor numbers to the Algarve are rising, with 2024 showing an increase of 2.6% on the prior year – but the bulk of guests make a beeline for the coast, even though there being far more to experience.

The coastline is definitely wild and dramatic, but the area is also keen to showcase the attraction of its upland zones. With the creation of throughout the year hiking and biking routes, plus the addition of ecological celebrations, interest is being drawn to these similarly captivating landscapes, including peaks and thick wooded areas.

The Algarve Walking Season runs a program of five guided walk programs with general themes such as “aquatic elements” and “historical sites” between late autumn and April. It’s expected they will inspire visitors year round, strengthening the area’s finances and contributing to slow the exodus of the youth leaving in quest of work.

Culture and Wilderness Combine

Our visit to the national forest coincided with a weekend festival with the focus of “expression”, centered on the white-washed community to the northwest of Barão de São João.

As well as guided hikes, starting at the cultural centre, free events included discovering how to make plant-based dyes, to drama classes, meditative movement and drawing. There were several photography exhibitions on show together with several other child-friendly pastimes, such as nature hunts and crafting seed dispensers.

Even before our informal midday printmaking workshop at the community space, our stroll into the woods with Joana had the feeling of an creative path. Signposted at the beginning by upright rocks adorned with images of rural workers, it was studded en route with compact, fixed stones depicting instances of fauna, featuring hedgehogs and wild cats – the latter’s community increasing, because of a conservation center situated in the fortified settlement of Silves.

Breathtaking Routes and Outdoor Charm

As the trail ascended to its highest point, the menhir (standing stone) on the Pedra do Galo path, it became more densely vegetated with the piney aroma of pine. There was a richness to the atmosphere and solid, golden-colored droplets bulged from tree trunks. Limestone shone beneath our feet and small amphibians rested by pond edges, throats throbbing. In the distance, wind turbines cartwheeled against the blue expanse.

Francisco Simões, the tour leader the next day, was once more keen to highlight that these upland regions can be experienced year-round. Waymarked hikes, established in recent years, are extensions of the Via Algarviana, a route that extends from the Spanish boundary for 300 kilometers, continuously to the coast, and a lot are now linked to an digital tool that makes route planning more straightforward.

Ecotourism and Artistic Activities

Francisco established ecotourism outfit Algarvian Roots in 2020 and provides activities from wildlife spotting to full-day led walks, all with the similar goals as the AWS: to highlight the locale by way of engagement, learning and local understanding.

The creative link is here, too – his parent, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had taught us to paint azulejos, the iconic traditional colored ceramic tiles observed throughout the country, two days earlier on a event class. Tours to her atelier, as well as to a local potter, can also be arranged through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco advised us to contribute for the trade by drinking plenty of quality vintage capped with cork

Following an excellent midday meal of pork cheek and cabbage in A Charrette in Monchique, a pretty mountain town bordered by the Algarve’s two highest peaks, the 902-metre Fóia and 774-meter Picota, Francisco led us down precipitously cobbled streets and into a narrow path, where an elderly pair basked outdoors at the entrance of their home.

A inclined track took us into the forest, the terrain covered in tree seeds. At this spot, Francisco was enthusiastic to show us protected species, Portugal’s emblematic species and legally protected since the 13th century. Not just are they naturally slow-burning, but their flexible outer layer is a source of revenue for locals, who collect it to market to other {industries|sectors