Hikes in Albufeira

Around the famous village of PaderneThis circular hike takes you through a typical Barrocal cultural landscape, characterized by gardens and small-scale farming: First, we pass through the scattered settlement around Paderne with its many gardens, then we climb Cerro Grande to enjoy the view toward the southern coast. Finally, we wander through the fertile Algibre Valley, a region with a long history of farming.

Along the Ribeira de Quarteira to the famous ruins of Paderne CastlePaderne Castle is one of the seven castles depicted on the red band that surrounds the coat of arms on the Portuguese national flag. The hike is well worth it just to visit this famous fortress. But aside from that, this loop hike offers other highlights: the Quarteira River valley with its dense band of reeds is just as impressive as the garden landscape north of Boliqueime.

Nice ascent on and between old retaining walls, then down again to the formerly Roman bridge, from there up to the castle open only on Wednesdays, and then back to the village without another descent and on a different path past gardens and olive groves back to the village.

3HB Falésia Mar - Olhos de Água 11km circular route

Our hike starts from the parking lot of the Praia de Sao Rafael beach and passes about 10 coves, some of which are accessible on foot. If you follow the direct path, the tour with the return trip takes only 1 hour, but if you branch off to the viewpoints or the coves, you can easily spend half a day there. Absolutely fantastic!

On the pier to Armacao de Pera and back on the beach

Along the cliffs and back through the village

A unique bathing spot

Beautiful beach walk from Olhos d'Agua to Vilamoura. The best starting point is at Falesia Beach, below the PortoBay Falesia Hotel, and walk eastwards along the beach towards Vilamoura. It is nicest at low tide. Finally, you can enjoy a cool drink or a small snack at Luis Figo's bar.

On this hike, we’ll experience the typical cultural landscape of the Barrocal: the fertile land with its orange, olive, and carob groves.▶ On the green space in front of the Credit Agricola in Paderne 01, we’ll find the first signpost for the PR3 trail, “Percurso do Cerro Grande.” We follow the main road uphill and turn right onto Casal Sabino. After a short distance, we return to the main road and pass the town sign for Cerca Velha. We take the first road to the right and, after passing the last houses, turn left onto a dirt road. We hike along above the village between stone walls. After passing a large white house, we turn left and walk downhill, continuing straight across the main road. The path leads us uphill through the houses. Then we keep to the right, walking downhill along a stone wall. We follow the yellow-and-red markings between white houses through narrow alleys, turning right twice, then leave the village. At a modern estate, we turn left and walk downhill along a small road. Passing scattered houses, the road turns into a dirt path. From Plateau 02 at the top, we can enjoy a magnificent view all the way to the sea.The path becomes a bit bumpier and leads us steeply downhill to a signpost 03. There, we keep to the left toward Casas do Poço. The path is somewhat overgrown, and at a fork, we take the left branch. We pass a few houses and, walking alongside olive trees, reach a country road 04, which we cross. A dirt road takes us uphill to a few houses. Passing beautiful old olive trees, we branch off onto a dirt road to the left. The trail leads us downhill between old stone walls. We keep to the side of a wall and turn right in the valley. The next path to the left takes us over Bridge 05, and we come upon the Via Algarviana, marked in white and red. We turn left onto the path and walk among olive trees on red, sandy soil. A very beautiful stretch of trail follows through the fertile, cultivated valley. The trail takes a detour up a hill, and we come to a small road, which we follow for about 100 m to the left until we reach a signpost. We continue to follow the PR3, heading toward Paderne through the valley and under a power line. We cross the stream bed again and follow the road straight ahead. Several signposts show us the way back to the starting point 01.