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I don’t object to taking the familiar walk over and over,” commented the local guide, kneeling beside a group of plants. “On every occasion, you can spot fresh discoveries – these weren’t in this spot yesterday.”

Standing on stalks a minimum of two centimetres in height and adorning the ground with snowy flowers, the observation that these star of Bethlehem flowers sprung up in a single night was a beautiful proof of how quickly life can develop in this rolling, central part of the Algarve, the public forest of Barão de São João.

It was also comforting to find out that in an area affected by wildfires in last fall, species such as fire-resistant trees – which are less flammable thanks to their minimal resin – were commencing to recover, together with highly combustible eucalyptus, which obstructs other fire-retardant trees such as oak. Local helpers were being recruited to help with rewilding.

Tourist Figures and Upland Interest

Visitor numbers to the Algarve are increasing, with 2024 registering an increase of 2.6% on the last year – but the bulk of guests go directly to the seaside, although there being far more to experience.

The beachfront is definitely rugged and dramatic, but the area is also enthusiastic to showcase the appeal of its upland zones. With the establishment of year-round hiking and cycling routes, plus the launch of outdoor events, focus is being directed to these similarly compelling landscapes, showcasing hills and lush forests.

The Algarve Walking Season organizes a set of several walking festivals with loose topics such as “water” and “archaeology” between late autumn and early spring. It’s hoped they will motivate visitors in every season, strengthening the regional economy and aiding reduce the outflow of the youth departing in pursuit of work.

Art and Nature Blend

The excursion to the national forest coincided with a cultural gathering with the theme of “art”, centered on the pale-colored community north-west of Barão de São João.

In addition to guided hikes, setting off from the local hub, complimentary activities included mastering how to make natural coloured inks, to drama classes, mindful exercise and drawing. There were two photo displays running as well as several other family-oriented activities, such as botanical explorations and crafting bird-feeders.

Before our drop-in daytime art printing class at the local venue, our hike into the forest with Joana had the feeling of an creative path. Indicated at the outset by standing stones decorated with representations of rural workers, it was decorated along the way with smaller, fixed stones illustrating examples of animals, featuring spiny creatures and lynxes – the lynx’s numbers recovering, due to a rehabilitation centre situated in the historic town of Silves.

Breathtaking Paths and Outdoor Charm

As the path climbed to its peak, the menhir (monolith) on the Pedra do Galo path, it became more lushly forested with the aromatic fragrance of evergreen. There was a fullness to the atmosphere and hard, amber-hued bubbles protruded from bark. Calcareous stone shone underfoot and small frogs rested by water’s edge, vocal sacs pulsing. In the background, windmills rotated against the blue expanse.

Francisco Simões, the tour leader the next day, was similarly keen to emphasize that these inland areas can be discovered throughout the year. Waymarked hikes, developed in the last decade, are offshoots of the Via Algarviana, a route that extends from the Spanish boundary for a significant distance, the entire route to the coast, and many are now tied to an app that makes route planning even easier.

Ecotourism and Artistic Activities

Francisco founded nature tour operator Algarvian Roots in the recent past and provides experiences from wildlife spotting to day-long led walks, all with the similar objectives as the AWS: to showcase the area by way of immersion, learning and traditional knowledge.

The artistic element is here, too – his family member, artist Margarida Palma Gomes, had guided us to paint azulejos, the distinctive traditional colored decorative panels observed throughout the nation, previously on a event class. Excursions to her atelier, along with to a regional artist, can additionally be scheduled through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco encouraged us to contribute for the industry by drinking generous quantities of fine wine capped with cork

After an excellent midday meal of meat dish and vegetable in A Charrette in Monchique, a charming upland village bordered by the Algarve’s tallest mountains, the tall Fóia and 774-meter Picota, Francisco led us down sharply historic roads and into a narrow path, where an senior duo relaxed in the sun at the doorstep of their house.

A sharp trail took us into the woodland, the ground covered in oak nuts. Here, Francisco was enthusiastic to introduce us to cork trees, Portugal’s emblematic species and legally protected since the medieval period. Not just are they naturally slow-burning, but their malleable bark is a means of revenue for inhabitants, who harvest it to market to other {industries|sectors