Guided walking
East Algarve Trails: Via Algarviana Experience
Eight days walking the quieter eastern Algarve with a local guide, from the Guadiana valley to the Ria Formosa coast, with boat trips and a cooking class along the way.
Reserve with a 30% deposit. Balance due 30 days before you start.
Licensed
Track record
On Google
The walk
What is this walk like?
This is the quieter, eastern end of the Algarve, away from the resorts. Over eight days, a local guide leads you along the Via Algarviana and the coast, from the Guadiana river border at Alcoutim, through the barrocal hills around Salir and Alte, to the tidal lagoons and sandbank islands of the Ria Formosa.
The walking is moderate and the days are varied: woodland and farm tracks inland, flat sandbank walking on the coast, a boat trip down the Guadiana, a train to the shore and a cataplana cooking class in between. Groups are kept to a maximum of 12, so the pace stays relaxed. Accommodation is in small hotels and rural guesthouses, with breakfast daily and several dinners included.
- Hike along the Via Algarviana trails
- Sandbank hiking to Tavira
- Boat tour in Ria Formosa
- Smuggler trails in Alcoutim
- Portuguese cataplana cooking class
- Stroll along the sandy beach on Culatra Island
At a glance
The numbers
Trail detail
The route at a glance
Is this walk right for you?
This is a moderate guided walking tour, not a long-distance trek. The days are varied: some are half-day walks, others a full day on foot, and several are broken up by a boat trip, a train ride or a cooking class. The ground is mostly easy, on woodland and farm tracks inland and flat sandbank paths on the coast. If you walk regularly, you will be comfortable. Groups are kept to a maximum of 12.
Practical
What's included
Included
- Guided tour from Faro and back
- 7 nights in selected hotels and rural accommodations
- 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Transfer from Faro airport to Alcoutim and back
- Cataplana cooking class with a local chef
- Sightseeing and cultural immersion activities
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Personal Accidents Insurance
Not included
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Additional meals and drinks (approx. €150)
- Individual excursions and sightseeing equipment
Your guide
Walking with Paulo
Paulo is the founder of Farol Discover and is often the lead guide on our walking programmes. He knows Portugal's long-distance trails intimately and works with small groups to keep the experience personal.
Our guided programmes are conducted in English, Portuguese and German. Farol Discover is a licensed tour operator (RNAVT 10982 / RNAAT 148/2024), so every departure meets Portuguese legal standards for guided tourism.
Our walkers
What people say about walking with us
Why book with Farol
A licensed, local operator
Founded in 2019 · 300+ trips organised · 1,000+ walkers hosted.
Licensed & insured
Registered travel agency (RNAVT 10982) and tourism-activities operator (RNAAT 148/2024).
Official trail partner
Partner of Rota Vicentina and Via Algarviana. Registered with Visit Algarve and Visit Alentejo.
Independent & supported
Walk solo, as a couple or a small group at your own pace. We arrange everything and stay reachable.
Portuguese-owned
Run from Lisbon and Tavira by a small team who know every stage first-hand.
Getting there
Arrival & transfers
Fly into Faro
Your tour starts and ends here, with a group transfer to Alcoutim and back, included.
Where you'll walk
East Algarve: the Guadiana valley, the barrocal hills and the Ria Formosa coast.
Getting around
Transfers between bases, a boat trip on the Guadiana and a train to the coast are all included.
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