São Lourenço Trail
Parish – Municipality – Location
Almancil – Loulé – Quinta do Lago
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – No – 3,4km (there and back) – 1h30
Type of path – when to go?
Earth path – All year round
Special Features
The trail can sometimes be submerged due to the fact that the salt-marsh is an area affected by tides. Be careful of stray balls when walking near the golf.
Natural Interest
Salt-marsh wetland area and freshwater lakes. Birdlife. Trail located in the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
At the Start of the side of the ri, the dune system, the lagoon and the salt-marsh cn be seen. The trail runs alongside the golf course, next to an are of housing located in the pine wood. In these areas of pine trees (stone pines and maritime pines) there re interesting animals such as the azure-winged magpie, and the chameleon, a reptile species which only exists in Portugal on the coastal strip of the Algarve.
When you rech a small patch of pine trees, you can find other types of shrubby vegetation such as sage-leaved rockrose, Genista hirsute gorse-heaths and mastic trees.
A few metres further on, you get to a lake on the São Lourenço golf course, where the common reed, reed mace and rushes are the dominant species. At this artificial lke, there is an observatory for bird watching with a wide range of aquatic birds, the main ones being the purple swamphen, the little bittern, the little grebe, different species of terrapin that are native to Portugal.
On the way to the Roman ruins, you once again enter n area with a view over the ria, where birds including limicoline birds and colourful flamingos can regularly be seen.
Trails Zone:
A. Salt-marsh and view over the dune system
B. Beginning of the pine wood
C. Freshwater lakes and observatory for bird watching
D. View over the ria and the sait-marsh
E. Roman ruins / Special Snack
Price:
1 Person 18 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
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10 Persons 5%
15 Persons 10%
20 Persons 15%
Rocha da Pena Trail
Parish – Municipality – Location
Salir e Benafim – Loulé – Rocha da Pena
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average Duration
Walk – Yes – 6,4km – 2h00
Type of path – when to go?
Stony path and footpaths – Not during summer or on the hot days.
Special Features
Huge rocky outcrop. Karstic Landscape.
Natural Interest
Scenery. Vegetation. Birdlife. The trail is located in the Rocha da Pena Classified Site and in the Barrocal site of Natura 2000 Network.
The trail stars up a steep slope to the plateau, which is 479 metres above sea level at the Talefe viewing point.
Rocha da Pena is located in a transitional area between the barrocal nd the Serra, which means that it display a high degree of biodiversity. Mixed wood of holm-oaks and juniper trees, areas of kermes oaks and species such as rosemary, the western peony, the while-leaved rockrose and the European fn palm contribute to the high degree of diversity in plant life in this classified site. In terms of fauna, the highlight is Bonelli´s eagles, which nested here regularly in recent times, at well s some species of cave-dwelling bats, which have an important hibernation and breeding colony here.
During the trail you will be able to see a significant number of the typical flora and fauna of the wide lndscpes all around is another of this tral´s main attractions. Also on the plateau, it is especially interesting to see the rock wall, which is thought to date back to the iron Age.
The trail then descends to the village of Penina, and from there most of the south-facing escarpment can be seen.
Trails Zone:
A. Mediterranean Vegetation
B. Panoramic View (North)
C. Panoramic View (South)
D. Rock Wall
E. Talefe viewing point and panoramic view / Special Snack
F. Villege of Penina
G. View over the escarpment
Price:
1 Person 20 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
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10 Persons 4%
15 Persons 8%
20 Persons 10%
Fonte Benémola Trail
Parish – Municipality – Location
Querença – Loulé – Fonte Benémola
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – Yes – 4,4km – 1h30
Type of path – when to go?
Earth path – All year round
Special Features
Springs
Natural Interest
Riverine vegetation. Springs. The trail is located in the Fonte Benémola Classified Site and in the Brrocl site of Natura 2000 Network.
The trail begins at Fica Bem, and you walk along n earth path through valley with a number of agricultural fields and orchards. On the slopes of the vlley, the vegetacion is typicl for the Brrocal, although at the end of the walk there ia an area of schistone soils dominated by cistus and cork-oaks.
Along the Ribeira da Fonte Menalva the riverine vegetation is dense and diverse, consisting of species such as narrow-leaved ash, tamarish, white, willow, oleander, laurustinus and European white poplar.
The river is the habitat of some important species from a conservational point of view, suchas terrapins, otters, and the common kingfisher, long with mny species of vertebrates. The areas adjacent to the river are also of great importance as they contain a large number of Algarve species of flora and fauna.
The Ribeira da Fonte Menalva flow ll year round because of a number of springs.
This is even the case in the summer, especially downstream from Fonte Benómola.
There is also picnic site on the trail.
Trails Zone:
A. Lime Kiln
B. Agricultural fields and orchards
C. View over the plain of the Ribeira de Fonte Menalva
D. Riverside vegettion
E. Springs
F. Picnic area / Special Snack
G. Basket-maker and sales of handicrafts
Price:
1 Person 18 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
---
10 Persons 5%
15 Persons 10%
20 Persons 15%
A walk to the Spring
Parish – Municipality – Location
Mesquita – S.Brás – Fonte d Mesquita
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – Yes – 9km – 3h00
Type of path – when to go?
Country paths and tarred road – All year round
Special Features
There is a point of geological interest and a water-mill
Natural Interest
Diferent types of habitat. Landscape.
The trail starts on old rural paths flankedy fields. The descent on the path from Bugia leads to a place where there is a panoramic view over countryside of great diversity.
Between the Typical dryland orchards which dominte the landscape, you can find areas of the natural vegetation of the Barrocal, with the main species of hydraulic equipment can be seen as well as a wide range of riverine vegetation. In the adjoining fields, much of the landscape is dininated by olive trees and by dryland orchards and vegetable plots. When you head south, there is an area of cork-oaks along the whole length of the stretch of the trail, which is convered on a road. At Monte das Favas there is a panoramic view over the adjacent valley and you can also see a wide range of species which re typical of agricultural res, especially passeriform birds.
The trail continues s far as the point of geological interest, where there is an information panel on which limestone brecci is high-lighted, an ornamental rock of great beauty. At the end of the tradicional dryland orchards gradually make way for areas of carob trees, cork-oaks and holm-oaks.
Trails Zone:
A. Panoramic view
B. Valley of the Ribeira do Bengado
C. Sobreiral
D. Panoramic view / Special Snack
E. Point of geological interest
F. Water-mill
Price:
1 Person 30 euros
2 Person 50 euros
---
4 Persons 72 euros (For person 18 euros)
-
10 Persons 4%
15 Persons 8%
20 Persons 10%
NOTE: Prices with transport not included…
Parish – Municipality – Location
Almancil – Loulé – Quinta do Lago
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – No – 3,4km (there and back) – 1h30
Type of path – when to go?
Earth path – All year round
Special Features
The trail can sometimes be submerged due to the fact that the salt-marsh is an area affected by tides. Be careful of stray balls when walking near the golf.
Natural Interest
Salt-marsh wetland area and freshwater lakes. Birdlife. Trail located in the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
At the Start of the side of the ri, the dune system, the lagoon and the salt-marsh cn be seen. The trail runs alongside the golf course, next to an are of housing located in the pine wood. In these areas of pine trees (stone pines and maritime pines) there re interesting animals such as the azure-winged magpie, and the chameleon, a reptile species which only exists in Portugal on the coastal strip of the Algarve.
When you rech a small patch of pine trees, you can find other types of shrubby vegetation such as sage-leaved rockrose, Genista hirsute gorse-heaths and mastic trees.
A few metres further on, you get to a lake on the São Lourenço golf course, where the common reed, reed mace and rushes are the dominant species. At this artificial lke, there is an observatory for bird watching with a wide range of aquatic birds, the main ones being the purple swamphen, the little bittern, the little grebe, different species of terrapin that are native to Portugal.
On the way to the Roman ruins, you once again enter n area with a view over the ria, where birds including limicoline birds and colourful flamingos can regularly be seen.
Trails Zone:
A. Salt-marsh and view over the dune system
B. Beginning of the pine wood
C. Freshwater lakes and observatory for bird watching
D. View over the ria and the sait-marsh
E. Roman ruins / Special Snack
Price:
1 Person 18 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
---
10 Persons 5%
15 Persons 10%
20 Persons 15%
Rocha da Pena Trail
Parish – Municipality – Location
Salir e Benafim – Loulé – Rocha da Pena
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average Duration
Walk – Yes – 6,4km – 2h00
Type of path – when to go?
Stony path and footpaths – Not during summer or on the hot days.
Special Features
Huge rocky outcrop. Karstic Landscape.
Natural Interest
Scenery. Vegetation. Birdlife. The trail is located in the Rocha da Pena Classified Site and in the Barrocal site of Natura 2000 Network.
The trail stars up a steep slope to the plateau, which is 479 metres above sea level at the Talefe viewing point.
Rocha da Pena is located in a transitional area between the barrocal nd the Serra, which means that it display a high degree of biodiversity. Mixed wood of holm-oaks and juniper trees, areas of kermes oaks and species such as rosemary, the western peony, the while-leaved rockrose and the European fn palm contribute to the high degree of diversity in plant life in this classified site. In terms of fauna, the highlight is Bonelli´s eagles, which nested here regularly in recent times, at well s some species of cave-dwelling bats, which have an important hibernation and breeding colony here.
During the trail you will be able to see a significant number of the typical flora and fauna of the wide lndscpes all around is another of this tral´s main attractions. Also on the plateau, it is especially interesting to see the rock wall, which is thought to date back to the iron Age.
The trail then descends to the village of Penina, and from there most of the south-facing escarpment can be seen.
Trails Zone:
A. Mediterranean Vegetation
B. Panoramic View (North)
C. Panoramic View (South)
D. Rock Wall
E. Talefe viewing point and panoramic view / Special Snack
F. Villege of Penina
G. View over the escarpment
Price:
1 Person 20 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
---
10 Persons 4%
15 Persons 8%
20 Persons 10%
Fonte Benémola Trail
Parish – Municipality – Location
Querença – Loulé – Fonte Benémola
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – Yes – 4,4km – 1h30
Type of path – when to go?
Earth path – All year round
Special Features
Springs
Natural Interest
Riverine vegetation. Springs. The trail is located in the Fonte Benémola Classified Site and in the Brrocl site of Natura 2000 Network.
The trail begins at Fica Bem, and you walk along n earth path through valley with a number of agricultural fields and orchards. On the slopes of the vlley, the vegetacion is typicl for the Brrocal, although at the end of the walk there ia an area of schistone soils dominated by cistus and cork-oaks.
Along the Ribeira da Fonte Menalva the riverine vegetation is dense and diverse, consisting of species such as narrow-leaved ash, tamarish, white, willow, oleander, laurustinus and European white poplar.
The river is the habitat of some important species from a conservational point of view, suchas terrapins, otters, and the common kingfisher, long with mny species of vertebrates. The areas adjacent to the river are also of great importance as they contain a large number of Algarve species of flora and fauna.
The Ribeira da Fonte Menalva flow ll year round because of a number of springs.
This is even the case in the summer, especially downstream from Fonte Benómola.
There is also picnic site on the trail.
Trails Zone:
A. Lime Kiln
B. Agricultural fields and orchards
C. View over the plain of the Ribeira de Fonte Menalva
D. Riverside vegettion
E. Springs
F. Picnic area / Special Snack
G. Basket-maker and sales of handicrafts
Price:
1 Person 18 euros
2 Persons 30 euros
---
10 Persons 5%
15 Persons 10%
20 Persons 15%
A walk to the Spring
Parish – Municipality – Location
Mesquita – S.Brás – Fonte d Mesquita
Type – Circular trail – Distance – Average duration
Walk – Yes – 9km – 3h00
Type of path – when to go?
Country paths and tarred road – All year round
Special Features
There is a point of geological interest and a water-mill
Natural Interest
Diferent types of habitat. Landscape.
The trail starts on old rural paths flankedy fields. The descent on the path from Bugia leads to a place where there is a panoramic view over countryside of great diversity.
Between the Typical dryland orchards which dominte the landscape, you can find areas of the natural vegetation of the Barrocal, with the main species of hydraulic equipment can be seen as well as a wide range of riverine vegetation. In the adjoining fields, much of the landscape is dininated by olive trees and by dryland orchards and vegetable plots. When you head south, there is an area of cork-oaks along the whole length of the stretch of the trail, which is convered on a road. At Monte das Favas there is a panoramic view over the adjacent valley and you can also see a wide range of species which re typical of agricultural res, especially passeriform birds.
The trail continues s far as the point of geological interest, where there is an information panel on which limestone brecci is high-lighted, an ornamental rock of great beauty. At the end of the tradicional dryland orchards gradually make way for areas of carob trees, cork-oaks and holm-oaks.
Trails Zone:
A. Panoramic view
B. Valley of the Ribeira do Bengado
C. Sobreiral
D. Panoramic view / Special Snack
E. Point of geological interest
F. Water-mill
Price:
1 Person 30 euros
2 Person 50 euros
---
4 Persons 72 euros (For person 18 euros)
-
10 Persons 4%
15 Persons 8%
20 Persons 10%
NOTE: Prices with transport not included…
