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I don’t object to doing the familiar walk over and over,” commented Joana Almeida, kneeling near a cluster of blossoms. “On every occasion, you’ll find new things – these blooms were not here previously.”

Standing on stems at least 2cm in height and starring the ground with snowy flowers, the observation that these star of Bethlehem flowers sprung up overnight was a remarkable demonstration of how quickly life can regenerate in this hilly, interior section of the Algarve, the national forest of Barão de São João.

It was also reassuring to learn that in an area ravaged by blazes in September, types such as strawberry trees – which are less flammable thanks to their low resin content – were beginning to recover, together with highly combustible eucalyptus, which obstructs other fire-resistant trees such as oak. Local helpers were being enlisted to participate with reforestation.

Visitor Numbers and Upland Appeal

Travel figures to the Algarve are rising, with the current year showing an increase of 2.6% on the previous year – but most guests head straight for the seaside, although there being a great deal more to experience.

The coastline is undoubtedly untamed and dramatic, but the area is also eager to highlight the charm of its interior regions. With the creation of all-season walking and cycling trails, along with the addition of outdoor events, interest is being shifted to these just as captivating landscapes, including hills and dense wooded areas.

The Algarve Walking Season hosts a set of multiple hiking events with general topics such as “water” and “historical sites” between late autumn and early spring. It’s anticipated they will inspire visitors year round, boosting the area’s finances and aiding slow the exodus of younger generations leaving in search of opportunities.

Art and Nature Blend

The trip to the national forest coincided with a cultural gathering with the subject of “art”, centered on the pale-colored community to the northwest of Barão de São João.

As well as organized treks, departing from the local hub, no-cost workshops ranged from learning how to make natural coloured inks, to performance sessions, meditative movement and sketching. There were several photography exhibitions available plus several other family-oriented activities, such as leaf safaris and making wildlife feeders.

Before our casual afternoon art printing session at the community space, our walk into the woods with Joana had the vibe of an sculpture walk. Signposted at the start by monoliths adorned with images of traditional agricultural folk, it was studded along the way with smaller, permanently placed stones illustrating types of animals, featuring small mammals and lynxes – the lynx’s numbers reviving, thanks to a rescue facility situated in the fortified settlement of Silves.

Breathtaking Trails and Wild Charm

As the trail wound up to its highest point, the menhir (ancient rock) on the Pedra do Galo walk, it became more densely vegetated with the resinous scent of evergreen. There was a fullness to the air and hard, golden-colored bubbles protruded from bark. Limestone shone underfoot and tiny toads perched by pond edges, throats pulsing. In the distance, energy generators rotated against the horizon.

Francisco Simões, the local expert the subsequent day, was once more enthusiastic to emphasize that these inland areas can be discovered in every season. Designated walks, established in the past few years, are branches of the Via Algarviana, a trail that stretches from the Spanish boundary for 186 miles, the entire route to the coast, and several are now connected to an digital tool that makes wayfinding more straightforward.

Nature Tourism and Artistic Experiences

Francisco founded sustainable travel company Algarvian Roots in 2020 and organizes tours from birdwatching to full-day guided hikes, all with the same goals as the AWS: to showcase the locale by way of involvement, learning and traditional knowledge.

The artistic element is present, too – his parent, artist Margarida Palma Gomes, had instructed us to decorate azulejos, the characteristic traditional colored ceramic tiles observed across the land, previously on a festival workshop. Visits to her atelier, along with to a local potter, can also be arranged through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco advised us to play our part for the sector by enjoying plenty of quality vintage sealed with cork

After an delicious dining experience of local specialty and greens in A Charrette in Monchique, a quaint mountain town flanked by the Algarve’s tallest mountains, the 902-meter Fóia and high 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 track guided us into the forest, the earth scattered with tree seeds. In this location, Francisco was keen to show us cork trees, Portugal’s national tree and safeguarded by law since the 1200s. Not only are they naturally flame-retardant, but their pliable bark is a source of livelihood for locals, who harvest it to market to other {industries|sectors