HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5
based on 14732 customer reviews on Feefo.
Feefo Platinum Award Feefo logo

Walking the Algarve - the Via Algarviana way

Posted by Jonathan Broom on 13 June 2018
Related property: Rocha Brava
Walking the Algarve - the Via Algarviana way

Portugal’s Algarve is famous for many things. Just three examples: golf; a benign year-round climate; a fabulous coastline. And holidaymakers at Rocha Brava have many of the area’s glorious beaches (and golf courses) on their doorstep.

But it’s not all about sun, sea, sand and hitting the perfect drive. Walkers find the Algarve much to their liking too – and as well as the region’s many coastal paths, there’s an opportunity to discover the Algarvian hinterland, by walking just part of the Via Algarviana.

The Via Algarviana is a Great Pedestrian Route (GR13) which connects Alcoutim, near the Spanish border in the north-east of the region, to Cabo de São Vicente in the south-west. Its total length is some 300kms, much of it traversing the Serra do Caldeirão mountains that border the north of the Algarve.

The route is divided into sectors, ranging in length from just over 14kms to around 30kms. The sector that should interest Rocha Brava holidaymakers is Sector 9, starting in São Bartolomeu de Messines, about 50kms north-east of the site, and finishing at Silves, a beautiful city just 15kms to the north of Rocha Brava.

Starting point: São Bartolomeu de Messines

The 27½km, eight-hour walk, best tackled between September and May when the weather is not so hot, starts by the main church (Igreja Matriz), in the centre of São Bartolomeu. The route follows the street where the birthplace of João de Deus Ramos, one of Portugal’s greatest poets, is to be found, and then traverses the village to the railway station. After crossing the train track at Bairro do Furadouro, the path passes to the south of a cork-oak forest; but once you get to the small hamlet of Barradas the terrain changes significantly and the Via Algarviana follows the course of the Rio Arade, one of the Algarve’s major rivers. The valley, the river and its tributaries, and the surrounding hills, all add up to a beautiful landscape.

The majestic Rio Arade

As you approach the Funcho Barragem (dam, in English), stop for a breather at the picnic place. Stroll around the reservoir if you like; or go ‘off-piste’ for a brief foray into the nearby hills, where you’ll likely spy some interesting archaeological sites. But you may want to conserve your energy, because after crossing the dam the trail’s upward gradient increases significantly.

The Via Algarviana continues along the Rio Arade for a time, before turning right (west) a little further along, deep into the hilly countryside. You’ll ascend into the hills of Fontaínhas; and then, turning south, you’ll pass the Monte do Barranco da Casa; walk through the Barranco das Águas Belas (‘the Ravine of the Beautiful Waters’), a lovely valley covered with eucalyptus trees and dotted with small lakes (and the occasional manmade orchard), pass the hill called Cavacas; and back towards the Rio Arade – to Enxerim, on the outskirts of Silves.

Journey’s end.

The end of the road: Silves, with its red fortress

An attractive town on the banks of the Rio Arade, Silves is worth a visit all of its own: especially for the red castle – one of the best-preserved in the Algarve – that dominates the town. But that, perhaps, is for another time.

Jonathan Broom

Jonathan Broom

How can I find out more?

The Holiday Property Bond could do as much for your quality of life as it has done for many thousands of families who have already invested. That's why we invite you to get in touch with us in any of these 3 ways and please don't forget our unique 'Money back promise' and 'interest free loan' options.

Request our brochure Speak to a representative Explore one of our UK sites

Please request our fully illustrated holiday property brochure

Please read "How HPB works" and then we will be delighted to send you our brochure, including our property portfolio, and your FREE copy of Insight Magazine. See the beautiful holiday homes and magnificent locations where you can spend your holidays as a Bondholder and learn how impressed Bondholders have been by our handling of the problems caused by coronavirus.

Please complete and submit the form or, alternatively, telephone our FREE brochure request line on 0800 230 0391

Request a brochure
Title *
First Name *
Surname *
Email address *
Postcode *
Telephone number
How did you hear about us?

We will use the details you provide above to send you our detailed HPB brochure and keep you updated about HPB holiday offers. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SUBMIT
* Indicates required fields
HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 14732 customer reviews on Feefo.

You can speak to one of our representatives

Your local HPB representative will be happy to call or video call you at a convenient time for an informal chat. Simply fill in your details and we'll do the rest.

Most of our representatives are Bondholders themselves and all have visited a number of Bond sites.

The representative will give you all the information you need and then leave you to make up your own mind. He or she will talk to you about your holiday requirements and what level of investment is needed to secure the kind of holidays you want.

Video chat now available with a local representative

This request is for new enquiries only, if you are an existing Bondholder please contact us via myBond.

How should we contact you? *
Title *
First Name *
Surname *
Email address *
Telephone number *
Post code *
Preferred Date/Time
Preferred Date/Time 2
Preferred Date/Time 3
OR
Please contact me to arrange a date

Your local representative will contact you to confirm the date and time.

Date/Time *
How did you hear about us?
Chosen date (choose above) *
Chosen time (choose above) *

We will use the details you provide above for a representative to contact you. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SIGN ME UP
* Indicates required fields


See our stunning holiday properties for yourself

Having a Private Tour at an HPB holiday location is an enjoyable way to see the high standards of furnishings and facilities you could enjoy with HPB. One of our representatives will show you around the site and answer any questions you may have.

Alternatively, you are welcome to book a Personal Presentation at a hotel near you. You can chat to one of our representatives, ask your questions and view the complete portfolio of HPB locations.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR OR PERSONAL PRESENTATION

This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited (HPBM), the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM. HPB is issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, registered at Jubilee Buildings, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH. The Securities Adviser is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London W1H 6LR. No medical examination is required.

HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA. Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies.