Mountain Adventure Holidays
Get to know the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Nature Parks on our spring break to Portugal - the finest preserved stretch of European coastline. Over three moderate level walks explore not only the coast but also the small towns Odeceixe, Monchique and Ajezur and the mountains of the northwest Algarve.
Alentejo offers miles of wild and often secluded beaches carved into cliffs. Large areas of the coast and countryside are protected as natural parks and reserves where some of the most precious flora and fauna can be found.
Far from the hustle and bustle of other more touristy areas of the Algarve visit the heart of the Costa Vicentina. This protected area includes 100 rare species of plant life, 30 certified habitats a number of endemic species, birdlife and fish that play an important role in the biggest marine park on Portugal. Many rare bird species can be seen, such as rare fishing eagles as well as white storks that build their nests in the seashore rocks which is unique to this area.
The meeting point for this trip is Faro Airport, Portugal then transfer to Odeceixe where we will stay for two nights. For more details consult the 'Arrival & Departure' section under 'Trip Information'. The transfer time is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Situated on the Seixe river Odeceixe is a small village in the west Algarve. That river is the natural border between the Algarve and the Alentejo region. The village sits on the Algarve side of the border and is particularly photogenic with an old windmill at the top and typical whitewashed houses with terracotta rooftops that graduate down the hillside to the river. There is a small square, church and a few shops.
Due to arriving early we have time to check in to our accommodation and take a short walk through the town and then visit the beautiful Praia de Odeceixe where the river meets the sea. Our welcome meeting will be at our accommodation at 1800hrs followed by our evening meal in a local taverna.
Our first hike starts by the mouth of the Seixe River where we step on to the Fishermen's Trail on a point-to-point route. Arguably one of the best coastal hikes in the world that connects Cape St Vincent, Portugal's most south-westerly point, to Porto Covo. Today's walk is said to be the most beautiful section of the entire 13 day fishermen's route. Through cliffs and dunes covered with vegetation the trail soon reaches the natural fishing port of Azenha do Mar where we can stop for refreshments at an impressive view point. Then we hike up and down through a series of incredible beaches accompanied by butterflies and wild flowers until we reach Carvalhal for our picnic stop. It's then onto Alteirinhos beach and our destination for today - the village of Zambujeira do Mar which means 'Seaside Olive'. Here the 'must do' things are to relax on the main beach Praia da Zambujeira—famous for its rugged cliffs and golden sand and sample the local ice cream before taking our taxi back to our accommodation in Odeceixe.
Distance: 10.5km (6.5 miles) Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Descent: 300m (984ft)
Leaving Odeceixe we drive a short way to reach the historic town of Aljezur where we stop for a short tour of the town and dive into the history of the region. The town is surrounded by steams that join as the Ribeira de Aljezur making it very fertile land. The old village is set on a hill and dominated by a castle on top which is represented on the Portugese flag.
It's then onto Arrifana village which really exemplifies the wild west Algarve and with it a surfers paradise. After a quick coffee we start another section of the fishermen's trail. We first come to fishermen's huts and the remains of a Fort Arrifana - which was originally constructed in 1635 with the intention of protecting fishing grounds for tuna as well as defending the coast. Our path then heads onto the coast and winds up and down the dunes and connecting rivers where if we are lucky we can spot nesting stalks along the way. Our trail passes through the Ribat of Arrifana, an Islamic fortress-convent, occupied by warrior monks in the 12thcentury. This is the only known Ribat in Portugal, founded by Ibn Qasî, a political leader and spiritual guide of Islam’s. It was a fortress convent, dedicated to prayer and watching over the coast and there's no wonder why it's location was chosen.
After crossing yet more impressive cliff tops we reach Monte Clérigo beach another surfing spot where we wait for our taxi to drive on to the mountains (45 minutes) and check into the family run Montalma guesthouse where the views of the Algarve at sunset are amazing.
Distance: 13km (8 miles) Time: 4.5-5 hours Ascent: 178m (583ft) Descent: 223m (731ft)
We wake this morning to the sound of the birds and see the sun rise from our balcony windows. After a delicious homemade breakfast made with produce from the garden we head out to explore trails from the accommodation door. Todays' walk is in two parts a walk up Fóia (902m/2953ft), the Algarve's highest peak, and later a hike up Picota (774m/2539ft), the second highest peak! Yes that's right, as we are close to the top we can gain two summits in a day!
We are already close to the top of Fóia so it doesn't take us long to gain the summit plateau for fabulous early morning views of the entire Algarve coastline and surrounding countryside and well worth the effort. We then return back to our accommodation via a panoramic trail (5km/3.1miles). We then transfer down to the colourful town of Monchique, situated between both Foia and Picota mountains. Monchique is made up of white washed building that wind up the hill to a ruined convent, passing galleries and workshops that sell wood, ceramics and embroidered handicrafts. After a coffee in the square we make our way to the start of our second hike for today for our ascent of Picota - summit number two! The Picota trail, which is all on good paths, it a circular route that rises steadily first passing farms, then through cork, chestnut and then a eucalyptus forest where the smell is simply divine! Enjoying the view of Monchique and Foia behind we climb steadily then onto rock for a short section to gain the top for stunning views which are all worth the effort. We return down via a different route to Monchique where there will be time to do some souvenir shopping before heading up to Montalma 'our cozy retreat on the mountain" for our last night.
Distance: 10-12.5 km (6.2 - 8 miles) Time: 4-5hours Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Descent: 300m (984ft)
Today is departure day. Your airport transfer is included in your trip price and it's at the airport where the package ends. The journey time is about 1 hour. Depending on the flight times it's possible that we will have time to visit Lagos on our way to the airport.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On this trip we will spend two night in each hotel listed below. We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The Casas do Moinho offers accommodation in old village houses that have been converted into contemporary bed and breakfast style accommodation.
Situated at the top of the villages with fabulous views each accommodation has access to access to the outdoor pool, pool towels, and bikes (subject to availability). Enjoy a wonderful breakfast and easy access to the village, shops and tavernas for evening meals.
Montalma is located at Montes da Foia, a short walk away from Fóia the highest point of the Algarve. Escape from everything and enjoy the view from this fabulous vantage point.
Montalma has 5 ensuite rooms with balconies facing the coast which provides fabulous sunsets. There is a garden and small pool for a post walk dip and a delicious and nutritious breakfast using seasonal produce from our the garden, organic eggs, home-made jams and juices and artisanal breads.
The meeting point for this trip is Faro Airport, Portugal at 12h45 in the Arrivals hall on Sunday 10th May 2026.
Train Travel from the UK to Portugal
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. Times and options can be viewed on rome2rio. You can also choose to arrive the evening before and meet the group at Faro airport.
Flights
Faro has flights from various European destinations and many UK airports. Skyscanner can help you to source the best option.
Arrival at Faro Airport
We have included one single-timed transfer from Faro Airport to Odeceixe on the trip Arrival day.
Our departure/pick up time from Faro airport is scheduled to meet the Ryanair flight from Birmingham arriving at 11h55 on Sunday 10 May 2026.
Departure from Faro Airport
We have included a single-timed transfer from Monchique to Faro Airport on the trip Departure day in order to take the Ryanair flight to Birmingham leaving at 14h25 on Thursday 14 May 2026.
If you wish to extend your trip to Portugal please let us know so that we can assist you with your planning.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
It is entirely your own responsibility to ensure that any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and for the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks and Trails cannot advise on insurance policies and cannot be held responsible if in the event of a claim your insurance is inadequate.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are limited in supply on this trip (maximum 3) so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £260.
For this trip we will be staying in two accommodations. As you will be collected from the airport and your luggage will be moved along the route by our guides vehicle we ask that you keep your luggage weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some Euros however credit cards are accepted in most places.
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
If any of the accommodation has a problem with their water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink water from the tap. Hotels - In some countries it is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
In the mountains the 'waste water' in refuges (huts) often runs into the nearby streams and rivers with potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.
You can read our full policy here.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 10 May - Thu 14 May Code: POR |
Price: £1480 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1480 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 5 Days |
| Group Size | 5-12 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 892m (2926ft) |
| Countries Visited | |
| Meet In | Faro Airport |
