Algarve Cliff Trails Hiking Tour 7d, 6n, 5d hiking 2016
Hiking Tour Algarve Cliff Trails Overview: Algarve Cliff Trails is an incredible hiking program along the most beautiful golden cliffs in the Algarve coast, where you can admire the natural beauty of the limestone cliffs carved by the sea and the wind, offering stunning coastal views along the way. You will discover some small fishing villages and some abandoned fortresses which remind us of the time when this coast was ravaged by pirates! The trip finishes at the Western-most point in continental Europe, Cape São Vicente which adds a dramatic and historical end to this wonderful trip. Highlights: 1) Sagres - the southwestern-most town of Continental Europe 2) Cape S. Vicente - the birds and the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean 3) The amazing cliffs in Ponta da Piedade 4) Beautiful sceneries and wild nature 5) Quiet trails overlooking the blue ocean 6) Salema a picturesque traditional small town 7) Paradise-like beaches and the beautiful coast of Algarve 8) Nature surrounds you and fills your senses 9) Traditional food and fresh fish from the Atlantic Coast 10) Lagos - the cosmopolitan and oldest town in the Algarve Tour Description: Day 1: Arrival Welcome at FARO / LISBON airport and transfer to Lagos (1h from Faro or 3h from Lisbon). Lodging in a typical Algarve building 4* Hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomizes the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar. Day 2: Hike Lagos to Luz Beach (13km, 450m elevation gain). Start your walking in Lagos by the old and narrow streets getting to the sea. You can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. You follow an amazing coast line to Ponta da Piedade where you will find fantastic sceneries of cliffs, caves and rocks with an amazing mixture of colors! From above the sea you will see the small town of Luz where there is a
beautiful beach of fine and golden sand. Lodging in nice 4* Hotel with swimming-pool and gardens, close to the sea and to the beach. Day 3: Hike Luz to Salema village (13km, 400m elevation gain). On this day you will find some small fishing villages and some abandoned fortresses which remind us of the time when this coast was ravaged by pirates! In Salema you can enjoy the beach and the tasty local gastronomy based on fresh fish from the ocean. Lodging in a cozy guest house at the typical village of Salema and beach Day 4: Short car transfer and Hike from the typical inland villages to Salema (9km, 150m elevation gain) or (16,5km, 300m elevation gain). This is your rest day in Salema, or not; you have the possibility to discover some typical inland villages and an amazing stone pine wood. Night on the same hotel as day before. Day 5: Hike Salema to Sagres (16,5km, 700m elevation gain, difficult terrain) or transfer by car to Zavial and hike to Sagres (11km, 300m elevation gain). This day is the most spectacular in natural beauty! Deserted secret beaches with lagoons and a coast line almost untouched by Man, a landscape of rare beauty which is discovered while you walk along trails on the cliffs. Finally you get to beautiful Baleeira Bay, with an amazing beach of fine sand and five small islands which give this place a unique charm! This is where you will stay the last two nights of your program. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with swimming-pool and beautiful views over the sea. Day 6: Hike Sagres to Cape S. Vicente (14km, 200m elevation gain). Transfer back by car to Sagres. On the last walking day you will walk along the high cliffs of Sagres and to Cape S. Vicente - the place where the land ends and the sea begins! Sagres is the south-westernmost point in continental Europe and the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents five centuries ago! Lodging in the same 4* new hotel. Day 7: Departure Farewell at FARO/LISBON airport. (1:30h to Faro or 3:30h to Lisbon).
Tour Profile: Type: Cliff/Coastal Hiking Tour Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days hiking (or 4 days hiking and 1 day resting) Begin: Lagos (Algarve) End: Sagres (Algarve) Difficulty level: Leisurely (2 optional day level FIT) Distance: 9 to 14 km per day Dates: September to June; Summer months of July and August can be extremely hot, making walking quite uncomfortable, and the coastline can get quite crowded with tourists. We would therefore advice against travel during these months. Any date subject to hotel availability.
Accommodation: Superior 6 nights (4 nights 4* Hotels; 2 night Guest House). A number of dining options exist in or within short walk of each property (some exceptions). All accommodations include private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Day 1 Lagos Hotel Tivoli Lagos 4* www.tivolihotels.com/en/our-ho... Day 2 Luz Beach Luz Bay Hotel 4* www.luzbayhotel.pt/index_en.html Day 3 and 4 Salema Casa da Praia www.tripadvisor.com/hotel_revi... Day 5 and 6 Sagres Memmo Baleeira Hotel 4* www.memmohotels.com/baleeira/h...