Walking Portugal's Wild Algarve

This was our sixth Exodus trip (and overall one of the best). The walks were interesting with spectacular scenery and varied wildlife (both flora and fauna), and we learnt a new definition of the term 'more or less flat'. The hotels were all good, the first two full of character and the final one in a great location with magnificent views over Sagres harbour and with extraordinarily helpful staff. The hotel breakfasts offered great variety and were excellent fuel for the mornings’ walking. The non-walking activities were well-chosen and interesting. There were visits to a ceramics workshop and an artisan olive oil presser which were fascinating and the tasting at the high tech Vicentino winery very near the Alentejo coast offered a different dimension. The wines were very good, with a noticeable salty tang. The walks were on paths that were generally good or very good, other than about 1km on day 6 which is over broken rock, but trail shoes or boots should have good treads as some short sections were quite loose and eroded (and could have been slippery if the ground had been wet). We were a little late for the best of the wild flowers on the dunes but they were still very varied and attractive. We saw storks nesting on rock pinnacles just offshore (apparently the only place in the world where they nest on sea stacks) and were lucky enough to see three peregrine falcons on one of the coastal walks. Overall, this was a great week with friendly and amusing companions from Canada, Scotland and England and superlative guides. If we did it again, we would probably go in the late Spring rather than the early Summer, both to have slightly more varied wild flowers and (perhaps!) to avoid walking in 34 degrees in the hills, but we would thoroughly recommend the trip.

A great trip with fantastic guides and superb walks

Rafael and Francisco from Algavarian Roots made this a memorable hiking,cultural and special experience. They were a fountain of knowledge and the visits to the olive making facility, the winery and the distillery added to the trip. Great hikes in various locations from the Monchique highlands to the coastal trails. But it was the caring guides who did it all. Driving safely, briefing us and Rafael helping and looking out for my wife on the steeper parts. They both were proud of this region and they and their families were connected to the land.

Walking the wild Algarve is a wonderful intro to Portugal's coastal landscape and culture. The trip offers a good balance of sightseeing, experiencing the area's culture and tasting local food and drinks

This trip to the coast of Portugal was the best. I have travelled all over the world on different trips and this one ranks at the very top of my list. The scenery, the daily hikes, the hotels and the food - all wonderful. We were fortunate to have spectacular weather. I highly recommend this trip for anyone wanting to experience truly amazing scenery and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Just returned from a fantastic week exploring the beautiful, flower covered mountains and stunning coastline of western Algarve. Francisco and Rafael were wonderful guides sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the local culture, history and especially nature and its conservation. … all with good humour and patience. There was a great mix of walking and visiting local artisans. Also the food was delicious!

This was my third trip with Exodus. The group was both diverse & lovely, with everyone bringing their own flavour & experiences along. Our guides, Francisco & Rafael were just fantastic. As well as organising the beautiful walks there were many other activities on this trip, including some not on the itinerary, and there was clearly much planning behind the scenes. The mix of inland & coastal walks was perfect, and the abundance of flowers unexpected & breathtaking. We were blessed with perfect weather throughout.

What a terrific trip! Francisco and Raphael were both great. They were so knowledgeable and helpful all along the way. I loved walking through the villages and learning about the culture. It was my first Exodus trip, and I see more in the future.

Our trip leaders Francisco and Rafael were amazing, they genuinely wanted the best experience for us. For me, however, some of the food was not so great… Maybe it was just the time of year that there wasn’t much produce available. Ham and cheese sandwiches every day… And I don’t eat processed ham. Some of the restaurants weren’t so great either. So my only real complaint is the quality of the food… The first night in Monchique dinner was almost inedible with the only a choice of three items and one being tofu which was quickly ruled out, lol. I found it very disappointing as I’ve heard from others that Portugal has such great food… One night I ordered the local prawns and they were these tiny teeny little shrimp that I couldn’t even peel and very mushy… I wish there would’ve been an option that I did not have to go to the wine tasting because it was very late before we got to dinner… I would’ve liked to have just gone off on my own and had dinner a little earlier instead of it 9 o’clock at night and getting in so late and having to get up early the next morning. It didn’t help that that dinner that night was not very good, steak very tough and being overcooked was not even edible….and by then the rest of the food was cold… I try not to think of the food because everything else was incredible except that food is a really big thing for me.

Thanks again for another excellent trip. Yet again the guides are the local knowledge and the key to all the knowledge. They went out of their way to show us places that you would never find on your own , explained local customs and took us to local restaurants.

I highly recommend this holiday. Daily walks through beautiful and varied countryside in the hills and along the fishermen's coastal path. Time to stop and admire the views and wild flowers in full bloom, watch the seabirds and learn about the environmental challenges from our 2 wonderful guides Francisco and Rafael.

I really enjoyed this holiday, and would recommend it to others. I would confirm (in my opinion) that this is a level 2 walking holiday, however I do need to caveat that with I missed the day 4 walk, which was apparently the hardest. I liked the mixture of inland and coastal walks, as a whole week of just coastal walks may have been a bit "samey". I was quite rainy (off and on) for the week we went in March, sunglasses for 5 minutes, then hood up for 5 minutes, but this didn't spoil the holiday at all (but bring waterproofs if coming early or late in the season). Even though we stayed in 3 different places, this tour did not feel rushed.

We spent 5 Algarve hiking days with two wonderful tour leaders. Each day provided an authentic hiking experience through local forested trails and breathtaking costal paths in the Algarve. Many other unique Portugal experiences were included and at the end you will definitely want to see, taste, and hear much more of this warm friendly country.

The hike combined a holiday, a historical introduction to the Algarve, active coastal sustainability and a promotion of local businesses.

Excellent mixture of some hill walking for the first three days and then some spectacular Atlantic coastal scenery for the rest of the trip. A very nice group who got on well together.

My first group tour walking holiday and I enjoyed it immensely. Every walk was different - a really nice mix of mountains and coast - and the scenery was stunning. Interesting bits of history, geology, and biology from Francisco, the trip leader, who is from the area, added a lot to the value of the experience for me. Perfect amount of walking each day, peppered with rest stops at cafes (the best parts of the trip, in my opinion) and visits with local artisans, plus a couple surprises that made the experience more memorable. Francisco and Raphael were great guides and it was awesome to just relax and let them take care of all the logistics.

An amazing trip to share a spectacular area of Portugal with 10 others and 2 exceptional guides. The Tour was well organized; flowed well; prompt; lovely hotels each quite diverse. Appreciated the “eco” focus of our guides and also the introduction to local artisans and businesses. My first trip to Portugal and I learned so much! Really appreciated the guides providing poles to hike with as I couldn’t bring in hand luggage from Canada. Guides worked well together and were well attuned to what was happening and knowledgeable. Amazed at the differences of each hike despite the proximity and being a “mountain girl” I also appreciated our start there. Highly recommend this tour for anyone who love nature and hiking!!🥾

Francisco & Rafael delivered a perfect flavour of the Algarve. Just the right amount of walking, visiting artisans and local producers & restaurants serving delicious regional specialities and wines as well as sharing their knowledge and passion for their country in a fun, safe environment.

A fantastic tour with two knowledgeable, engaging, caring and highly professional tour guides, Francisco and Rafael. The mix of hillside and coastal walks interspersed with some visits to local industries and artisans gave us a real insight into the rich culture of the Algarve. Grade 2 is right but definitely moderate rather than leisurely with a couple of more challenging stretches during the walks - take walking poles if you are thinking about using them. The 3 hotels were all very good. Like previous Exodus trips we clicked with enough of the group to have some great conversations and a lot of laughs. Highly recommended.

Roberta Johnson September 2024 We have been on many Exodus trips and this one was one of the most beautiful places I have visited. The varied scenery on our coastal walks and paths were breathtaking. This is a very unspoilt, tranquil, cultural region with passionate local people. Each hotel we stayed at was lovely, especially the Aljezur as it was set in a peaceful, uncrowded location with very friendly, fun staff. Francisco and Rafael guided us throughout this wonderful trip doing their utmost to make our holiday special and enjoyable. They were very passionate in every way and extremely knowledgeable. They explained things to us in a kind, caring, relaxed and fun way. They always made sure we were comfortable and happy with what we were doing each day. They worked very hard and well together. I felt privileged to share this trip with inspiring people, exploring the region and making this a magical holiday.

This was a brilliant walking holiday for me. Always wanting to be near the sea, and not disappointed this time! The walks were well chosen, a mixture of easy and slightly more challenging bits. Our brilliant guides, Francisco and Rafael made sure the pace was right for all of us, pointing out interesting features of nature or history along the way. They seemed to go the extra mile, treating us to a glass of bubbly at sunset on the Castle in Aljezur, a lovely touch!

This was one of my favorite activity vacations. The Algarve region of Portugal lives up to its reputation--gorgeous, unspoiled, uncrowded, and wonderful seafood. I sing the praises of our guides Francisco and Rafael who made the trip so special. They were knowledgable, passionate about the region, always good-natured, and extremely patient. The daily walks were easily managed, just challenging enough for those who are very casual hikers. The daily visits to various local craftspeople who introduced to local traditions were all interesting, and the food uniformly excellent. One of the three hotels we stayed at was a bit rundown, but the other two were quite lovely. We had a great, international group, small enough to get to know everyone, and they certainly were a big part of why the trip was so enjoyable. A special shout-out to Jess, an Exodus employee who also came on the trip. She was so much fun, and her energy was infectious. Plus she agreed to take a surf lesson with me on our day off from hiking--try it, you'll like it!

The itinerary offers a wide experience of Portuguese history and culture as well as an education on the biodiversity and the landscapes of the Algarve. The hikes provided beautiful scenery and views that just kept getting better and better. Our guides Francisco and Rafael were beyond helpful and happy to share their passion and knowledge everywhere we went. I would certainly recommend this trip to anyone who loves walking and being out in nature as well as eating delicious seafood and drinking local wines.

Excellent break from miserable UK weather

One of the best trips I have been on. We were blessed with good weather and the walking conditions were great. April is definitely the best time of year and the flowers were in full bloom. Fransisco was an excellent guide, friendly, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to be with. His local knowledge was invaluable and it was a pleasure to see the local crafts and artisanal trades. An extra bonus, not on the agenda was to his home town, Silves, on day 1. We walked to the old fort via the local market where we bought figs and almonds from his farm with Grandma doing the marketing. He gave good advice on local restaurants with possibly the best sea-food place in the region. I would strongly recommend this trip with Fransisco

Such a lovely holiday on the Portuguese Atlantic coastline. Walking along beaches and cliff tops, beautiful scenery every day. The guides Ines and Luis, were very knowledgeable, professional and helpful. The hotels were good. Transfer by mini bus to walks and hotels, all included. Would highly recommend.

I nearly didn't go on this trip as I prefer longer walks with more challenge, however I'm really glad I went! Who can fail to enjoy themselves where there's a beautiful view everywhere you look, the weather is wonderful (22 degrees on average over Easter when I was there) and the paths and walking is varied. Even if you're used to doing level 4 or higher graded walks I still think there's much to enjoy and yo'd be missing out by omitting it because it's a level 2. The guides (Luis and Francisco) were helpful without being bossy, knowledgeable without labouring the point and just really easy company.

Hikes along the coastline provided stunning views, coastal breezes, sounds of waves and pristine beaches. Francisco shared his extensive knowledge of the fauna and birds of the region and engaged the group in discussions on the environment. We enjoyed great food and wine and the visits to the Vicentino Vineyard and Junior Jacques Distillery were highlights!

Having spent a couple of days in Lisbon arranged by ourselves prior to the start of the holiday, we joined up with the group tour back at Lisbon Airport at the start of the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the week walking along the cliff tops and down to the beaches; the group was so friendly and dynamic. This was a full group with 15 people which really added something with people from other parts of the UK, US, and Canada. Francisco and Ines were amazing and probably two of the best leaders we have ever had on a group holiday; they were very thorough with their briefings and couldn't do enough for us all. Their knowledge of the flora and fauna was very extensive, and what they weren't sure of they looked it up instantly in a reference book! The three hotels we stayed in were all very good quality. The weather was fantastic, sunshine every day with a cooling breeze.

A really enjoyable holiday in a beautiful location. It was fun to have the opportunity to visit different areas and staying in multiple locations meant that we got to see more of the area. The organisation was super smooth in every aspect. The coastline is very unspoilt with the most amazing views, and the beaches seemed never ending; one more beautiful than the next. The storks perched on the ends of the rocks are just amazing and with binoculars and zoom lens we could get really close to them. Our expert guides were passionate and enthusiastic about this lovely region and brought it to life with their knowledge of the landscape and history.

An excellent week walking down the south west coast of Portugal. The views were stunning, hotels were comfortable and food was amazing. A special mention for our guides Francisco and Ines who were friendly and knowledgeable, going above and beyond to ensure we all had a wonderful time. The walking is mostly straightforward, but there is some walking across soft sand dunes. Would thoroughly recommend this holiday.

The coast of Portugal offers varied terrain and great opportunity for hiking and to be guided by Francisco and Ines made it even better. Their knowledge about the area is extensive and they took time and effort to ensure everyone achieved what they wanted from the trip. I cannot recommend this trip enough - it truly was an amazing week.

A brilliant week hiking Portugal's stunning south-west coast! Spectacular cliff-top views and fascinating wildlife - from swifts and storks to peregrine falcons. Transport, food and hotels all excellent (especially the hotel in Sagres, wow!). But all made that much more enjoyable and memorable thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our fantastic guides: Ines and Francisco. Their knowledge, professionalism, efficiency and attention to detail was exemplary, going way above and beyond all expectations. Thank you!

You can’t imagine how beautiful Portugal’s coast is until you do this trip. The beaches are so scenic and uncrowded. The trails were not difficult and everyone in our group was able to keep the pace. There were adequate stops to enjoy the views and take a swim in the water. Our guides Francisco and Ines were absolutely wonderful. I have a special interest in birds and plants; both were very knowledgeable. They even carried a bird book and a plant ID book. The guides brought a camera with a very long lens, so they were able to share close-ups of the baby storks with our group. The guides were always available on WhatsApp if we had any questions (during our free time). The trip was very well organized; the guides did a lot of work behind the scenes coordinating our drop off and pick up locations. I also really enjoyed the smaller villages we passed through and I was able to get some wonderful photographs. Portugal’s food is fantastic, and the guides helped me to find a restaurant to sample barnacles (highly recommended). The wine and distillery tastings were very enjoyable. I combined this trip with the Highlights of Portugal; it was easy to take a public bus from Lisbon and back again. This was one of my favorite Exodus trips (and I’ve done many) thanks to the competent guides and lovely scenery.

What a stunning coastline to walk, combined with amazing food, wine tasting and brilliant company. The hotels were great too, way above my expectations. What more could you ask for! Our guides Francisco and Ines were fantastic, so knowledgeable and making sure we were safe on our walks. Would definitely recommend this holiday.

This trip went beyond my expectations. I mean I was hoping for a lovely week given that we were walking along the wonderful Portuguse coastline but it delivered beyond my expectations. Seeing the incredible coastline, the huge pristine beaches and the STORKS nesting on the rocks knocked my socks off. And each day was different - different terrain, different flora and fauna - it was a feast for the senses. But what made the trip so very special for me were our two guides - Francisco Simoes and Ines Monteiro - they were incredible! I can't praise them enough for their care, friendliness, patience and knowledge. They're a massive asset to the trip!

We both had a wonderful week in May 2023, Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches, guided by Francisco and Ines. It was theses guides that made a good walk into a fantastic walk. They are a great team, passionate about the history, nature and conservation of the area. They complemented each other like 2 pieces of a jigsaw. We were briefed each preceding evening on the appropriate clothing, type of terrain, difficulty and interesting features to expect. At the end of every day, they encouraged feedback to gauge if we were happy with the speed and terrain. The lunch packs were made up by local bakeries and were appropriate to everyone’s needs. Their choice of hotels and restaurant recommendations were excellent. The coast line is both scenic and dramatic, with every bay and cliff top being pristine and litter free. We visited a vineyard and a Medronho distillery with tasting and snacks provided. We also visited a reconstructed castle in Aljezur, an abandoned village, Aldeia Da Pedralva, which has been restored to its former glory and a huge wall mural dedicated to Amalia Rodrigues a famous female Portuguese melancholic singer. All these visits were very informative. On the first day Francisco and Ines had asked us to share our particular interests and unusually I said “Rocks”. To my surprise and delight both Francisco and Ines made a point of showing me some unusual geological features everyday. They were both careful and courteous and drivers. Had we opted for a self-guided tour we would not have seen, enjoyed nor learnt so much about the region and its excellent well priced eateries. With their local, inside knowledge they were able to tailor the walks, activities and suggestions to take account of the most up-to-date information. All in all, an excellent week of walking rendered outstanding because of the ethos of these 2 guides.

We are both in our mid-sixties and this was our first walking tour. We loved it. We always felt safe (even when going up a very daunting slope) and knew that our guides really, really wanted us to have a brilliant experience. Luis was extremely knowledgeable, energetic, friendly and always in good spirits. We were impressed with how the local restaurant, bar, and hotel people interacted with him; there was genuine mutual respect and appreciation. Francisco was also so knowledgeable and patient, and his grandmother makes wonderful Easter Bread. We will never forget our joy at seeing Luis and Francisco drive up to us at 10 p.m. to offer us a ride back to our hotel after another late-in-the-day Portuguese Dinner. Together, our two guides set a very upbeat, positive tone for our week together. They constantly and sincerely listened to our feedback and adjusted to our idiosyncrasies.

A2z travel and Exodus exceeded my expectations!!! Portugal is an amazing country and our tour guides took us to spots we definately would have missed if we traveled on our own. This was my first guided tour- I was nervous it would be very basic and boring. Our trip was the farthest thing from boring! We hiked, toured, ate and ate and ate some more, drank great wine and port and more unique spirits. So many laughs shared with very fun people! I will go in more trips with Luis and his team of exceptional guides. If you are on the fence-go for it!!!! I will return to Portugal for sure. Thanks Joao, Carlos, Luis and Hanne and the amazing women on the tour! Shawn H North Vancouver, BC Canada

This trip was the ultimate de-stressor. Fantastic walks along deserted beaches and cliff top paths with breathtaking views of hidden bays and waves crashing against the rocks, expertly led by Luis and Alex who could not have done more to make this such a fabulous and fun holiday. The accommodation was well chosen and of a good standard and with the help of our guides, we ate in style every evening. We would highly recommend this trip and are pleased to have had yet another excellent Exodus experience.

This is a great trip if you enjoy the sea air with great views over the clifftops.

Expectations were high after a two-year delay from our original booking. It was worth the wait! The scenery was spectacular, the weather was perfect and our conditioning didn't let us down. This is a relatively unknown gem for many people - and one not to be missed. Popular with hikers and cyclists alike, hiking definitely gives you the best cliff views. The sea views and fresh breezes, coupled with the dune walks, made the trip. You'll walk across beaches and dunes, through small bush and forest areas, and across trickling brooks and boardwalks, with plenty of local flora and fauna. If you are a photographer or bird watcher, this is the trip for you. This was my first trip to Portugal - I'm already planning the next Exodus Portugal trip!

A very well organised trip, superb scenery, stunning views on all of the walks. The two guides were very knowledgeable and lead the group in a pleasant and professional manner. They found great venues for meals in each location.

A few days since our wonderful week walking Portugal’s coast and beaches and missing it already. Luis and Alex were the perfect guides, with exceptional local knowledge and a phenomenal work ethic! Breath taking scenery and unspoilt beaches, and great way to get fit! Nesting storks and peregrine falcons were such a bonus! Fine hotels throughout, topped off with a touch of luxury in Sagres, restaurants and food excellent all shared with a great group of like-minded travellers.

Relaxing walking in a relatively undiscovered part of Portugal - beautiful coastal scenery, great food (lots of fish!), great company. Our little group was SO happy to get away post-pandemic! The walking was highly enjoyable, and relatively undemanding for an Exodus trip - though some of the sand dunes can be good for the thighs! The first two hotels were fine, but the Sagres place is a REAL treat - a fabulous place to end the trip. I really did not want to come home.