WFA 2026 Walking Trails

Walking between Nature and Cultural Heritage

See in detail all the hiking options of different types, lengths and intensities, suitable for people with different motivations and interests.

P Trails; CE Specials; CT Themed; CF Family

Walking legend

Trails (P)

Ameixial (P)

The route starts in the village of Ameixial, next to a small rest park next to the ‘Casa de Pasto Ameixialense’. It crosses the main centre of the village, passing by an old wood oven on Rua da Laje, and runs along Azinhaga do Ribeiro towards the football pitch. This trail crosses an area of eucalyptus forest, descends to a water line, crosses it and climbs until it reaches a wider path that connects to the municipal road no. 504 for access to Corte de Ouro. At this point, turn right and return to Ameixial.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 4.6km | Duration: 2h
Difficulty: Easy | Guide: to be confirmed

Azinhal dos Mouros (P)

One of the classics of this festival. The route is signposted and passes several points of natural and cultural interest, including the beautiful village of Azinhal dos Mouros, the Chavaxã Mill and Monte dos Vermelhos. The walk will take you along rural paths, little-used tracks and several crossings of the Ribeira do Vascão. One of the most beautiful routes in the region, but also one of the longest and with several climbs in between!

25 and 26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 17km | Duration: 5h | Difficulty: Medium/Difficult
Guide 25: Francisco Simões Parceiro: Algarvian Roots; Guide 26: António Cotão

Corte de Ouro (P)

The name of this village is possibly associated with an old rural practice that colored the landscape golden: the cultivation of wheat and/or barley. Today, few fields are still cultivated with these cereals, but the beauty of the region still lives on. The route starts in this village and heads south along forest paths, next to cork oaks and cistus, passing by water lines and various interesting heritage features such as the Beringel dolmen, the Pé Corso fountain or the Eira da Palha landmark. On the way back, to the north, you'll pass by the Azenha dos Pizões, in ruins, another point of interest, and in Corte de Ouro you can admire one of the last circular barley huts with a conical roof in the Algarve.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 11.5km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Medium
Guide: to be confirmed

Revezes (P)

Monte dos Revezes is located next to the Vascãozinho, a tributary of the Vascão, along which the route will run for a few kilometers. This route is a classic of the Walking Festival. The route is signposted and offers close contact with the Vascão and the associated natural and heritage values: the Cascalheira water mill, almost uninhabited mountain villages such as Vale da Moita and the beautiful landscapes of the Vascão valley.

25 e 26 de Abril (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 15km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Medium/Difficult
Guide 25: Matilde Cardoso; Guide 26: Paulo Gonçalves

Specials Trails (CE)

Sunset Walk in the Caldeirão (CE)

This is already a tradition of this festival: an easy late afternoon walk to admire the sunset, relax and, of course, enjoy some fine wine! A circular walk, around the village of Ameixial, in the company of some guests to talk about this village, the mountains and its rich heritage.

24 April (17h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 6km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy | Guide: João Ministro

Night Walk (CE)

After a good dinner, what's better than an evening walk? On this walk you'll follow some rural paths unknown to most people that give access to various points of interest, such as: a dam, a watercourse and a viewpoint. A simple and quick route to visit the village of Ameixial under a stellar sky!

Note: This walk is preceded by the Cine WFA activity, which starts at 9.30 pm*.

24 April (21h30*)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 8km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: João Ministro | Partner: Proactivetur

Via Algarviana - Ligação 6: Figueirinha ao Ameixial (GR13.6)(CE)

On this walk, we will cover part of Section 6 of the Via Algarviana, between Ameixial and Barranco do Velho, walking in the opposite direction and starting at Monte da Figueirinha. Along the way, we will pass through several beautiful hills, springs, streams and even some megalithic dolmens. The route forms part of one of the many links connecting the Via Algarviana to various points in the region, allowing walkers to explore other places off the main route of this great trail.

25 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 12km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Difficult
Guide: Anabela Santos e Ana Gomes | Partner: Almargem Association

Walking with a Shepherd (CE)

Leonel is from Monte dos Vermelhos, Ameixial. He's a shepherd, knows the mountains like few others and can only guide himself with the references he's established during the thousands of hours he's spent in the countryside with his goats, sheep and dogs! He knows the wild plants, the sounds of the birds, where the fox's den is and recognises the trail of the wild boar. He even knows where a spring with good water is and where to take shelter in case of a storm.

He has volunteered to lead walks through the hills and to show how special the life of a shepherd is.

25 April (17h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 5km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: Leonel (Shepherd and native of Vermelhos)

Radical at Vascão (CE)

An extreme journey full of adrenaline and fun along the crystal-clear waters of the Vascão stream. This watercourse lies in a valley surrounded by gentle ridges, with constantly changing natural landscapes and traces of human presence, one of which is an archaeological site where people linked to the writing of the Southwest lived over 2,500 years ago.

The walk includes crossings within the stream, with water up to your waist, so you'll need to be prepared for these water crossings!

Recommendations: This walk involves wading in water, sometimes in deeper areas, so you should bring towels, shoes that can get wet, a change of clothes and protection for mobile phones.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 9km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Very Difficult | Guide: Deni Vargues e Pastor

Along the trails of Ribeira do Vascão (CE)

This is one of the new features of 2025! We'll be riding along unique trails created by the Ameixial Mountain Bike Club, which a few weeks before the WFA organizes the well-known “Rota do Vascão” event. The excellent work they put into this event every year has made it very well known at national level and will allow us to hike through very beautiful places that we wouldn't be able to otherwise. So let's walk the Vascão trails and get to know a few more corners of this territory.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 30km | Duration: 6h | Difficulty: Difficult
Guide: João Ministro | Partner: Proactivetur

Almodôvar to Ameixial (CE)

These two villages are about 20 km apart. One is in the Alentejo and the other in the Algarve! Yet they are closely linked by their connection to the mountains, the Vascão basin and the theme of ‘Escrita do Sudoeste’. There is something else that unites them: the Way of St James. This route follows part of those paths and offers walkers beautiful views of the Caldeirão and Vascão mountains, close encounters with some of the hills and plenty of nature!

25 April

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 25 km | Duration: 5h | Difficulty: Difficult
Guide: Deni Vargues e Pastor

Themed Trails (CT)

Illustration Walk with Urban Sketchers: Drawing the Nature of Ameixial (CT).

In this activity, we will be joined by a group of illustrators from the Urban Sketchers collective and will take a walk around the village to sketch and paint the mountainous landscape surrounding Ameixial.

Urban Sketchers Algarve is an informal group of people who meet regularly to sketch from life in a spirit of sharing. We welcome all personal styles of drawing.

Important: Please bring your own drawing/painting materials, preferably portable ones to make it easier to get around.
We’ll be drawing more and walking less, but please bring water and some food for a mid-morning snack.

25 de Abril (09h00)

Ponto de encontro: Escola Primária de Ameixial | Distância: 3-4 km | Duração: 4h
Dificuldade: Muito Fácil | Guia: João Pinto (Urban Sketchers Algarve)

Horta da Mina - Geological Walk (CT)

In the heart of Ameixial, a chapter of its history remains hidden: a copper mine, once throbbing with activity, now dormant. The scars of extraction remain, witnesses to stories that echo from times gone by. Each stone whispers stories of other times, a fascinating legacy waiting to be rediscovered.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: To be announced | Distance: 8.5km | Duration: 3h30 | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: Bruno Rodrigues

From Ameixial to Besteiros (CT)

A circular walk, starting and finishing in Ameixial, with a stop in the village of Besteiros. This is one of the best-known villages in the parish of Ameixial, not only because it is located on the N2 highway, but also because it is home to a famous distillery producing medronho brandy. On this walk, we'll go to Besteiros and find this distillery. Along the way we'll hear stories and explanations from Ameixialenses.

25 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 15km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Medium | Guide: Filipe Anastacio

From Ameixial to Lourencinho (CT)

This is one of the most beautiful walks in the area. It runs along old forest paths and narrow trails, through beautiful cork oak and holm oak forests, along streams, including the Vascão. The route starts in Ameixial and ends in Lourencinho (or vice versa), the village at the northern end of the municipality of Loulé, which once belonged to Alcoutim. It's an easy walk, full of nature, passing an old water mill and small isolated hills.

25 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 13km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Medium
Guide: João Ministro | Partner: Proactivetur

Flora of the Algarve Mountains - Uses and Knowledge (CT)

We'll walk with a botanist and nature conservation enthusiast, who will tell us about the region's plants and the most special ones from a conservation, medical and even food point of view. Orchids, cistus, thyme and rosemary, among many others, will be present on this short, easy and very informative route!

25 and 26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 8km | Duration: 3h | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: José Margarido (Agronomist and Botanist)

Southwest Script (CT)

This is one of the traditional walks of our festival. On a new route, between the valleys and farmland of the Vascanito and Vascãozinho streams, the walk is dedicated to the writing of the Southwest and the Iron Age in the Algarve mountains. We'll visit three of the archaeological sites where stars with this writing have already been found and along the way we'll also get to know the natural beauty of the place and some of the ethnographic heritage that has shaped the landscape and reveals the importance that this territory had in other times.

25 and 26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 7km | Duration: 4h | Difficulty: Medium
Guide: Pedro Barros (Archaeologist) | Partner: ESTELA Project

Walking and Observing my Surroundings (CT)

Short interpretive walk of the surrounding fauna and flora using technological applications to enable us to learn more about the biodiversity that surrounds us and to carry out activities in nature in a more harmonious way.

25 April (9h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 6km | Duration: 3h | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: António Cotão

The Sound of Birds (CT)

This trail runs around the village of Ameixial. A walk in the company of an experienced ornithologist to listen to the sounds of nature, where birds dominate. You'll learn to spot starlings, swallows, tits and the beautiful oriole. The birdlife richness of the region is high and the symphonic orchestra produced by these beings is fascinating!

25 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 4km | Duration: 3h | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: Marcelo Dias (Ornithologist)

Butterflies and other pollinizators from Algarve hill area(CT)

Countless insects are in decline, either because of climate change or loss of habitat. We'll go in search of these indicators of biodiversity such as colourful butterflies, bees, beetles or flower flies and discover how their decline is worrying the maintenance of our biodiversity.

25 April (9h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 4km | Duration: 3h | Difficulty: Very Easy
Guide: Horácio Costa, biodiversity specialist.

Walk with Chat GPT: Your new pocket guide (CT)

In this activity, we aim to demonstrate in a practical way how artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool for route planning, identifying flora and fauna, and creating personalised itineraries, combining technology with the experience of nature in Ameixial.

Nota: Participants should bring their smartphone with a fully charged battery and a Wi-Fi connection.

26 April (09h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: to be confirmed | Duration: 3h | Difficulty: Very Easy | Guide: Márcia Santos e Edgar Francisco

Biodiversity at your door, discover and register - Citizen Science (CT)

How often have you wondered what a plant, bird or insect is called, right on your doorstep or whilst out for a walk? Have you ever noticed the connections between animals, plants and rocks?

Join us on this short walk to discover how easy it can be to identify the biodiversity around you, record it and share this data with naturalists and researchers. We can all be citizen scientists and help increase our knowledge of living things – all we need to do is share our photos!

Note: Minimum age 8 years. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tip for participants: download the iNaturalist app and sign up to this citizen science platform.

25 de Abril (9h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 4km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy | Guide: Miguel Rodrigues (A Céu Aberto)

Biology at Sunset: The World of Bats (CT)

Bats, often misunderstood and stigmatized, are remarkable creatures that play a crucial role in maintaining the natural balance. By consuming insects in large quantities, they contribute to the suppression of agroforestry pests, reducing the need for pesticides and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. In addition, they act as disease vector control agents, helping to prevent the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria.

The walk begins with a presentation in the secretariat building on the characteristics, ecological role and importance of bats. Then we'll start the walk to the Seiceira stream to “listen” to the activity of the only flying mammals.

25 April (19h30)

Biology at Sunset: Spiders and other Serra Algarvia night invertebrates (CT)

An interpretive walk that invites participants to explore the hidden biodiversity of the Algarve Mountains, focusing on the small but significant variety of species, insects and spiders. A small step towards overcoming your fear or learning to identify different species as daylight fades. The walk focuses on the diversity, ecology and importance of these fascinating species, turning sunset into a unique window between the daytime and night-time worlds.

25 April (19h30)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 5km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy | Guide: Sérgio Henriques, Biologist and specialist in invertebrate fauna, particularly arachnids.

Family Trails (CF)

Biodiversity of the Ribeira do Vascão (CF)

In a fun field trip, participants will be able to understand the relationship between living beings and water and how its physical and chemical properties can influence the presence or absence of organisms. This is a first step towards realising the endless web of dependence between organisms and the environment they inhabit. This activity is the result of a partnership with APA/ARH.

26 April (10h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 1km | Duration: 2h | Difficulty: Easy
Guides: Paula Vaz, Horácio Costa e Miguel Rodrigues | Partners: Portuguese Environment Agency

Branches and Twigs – Characters of Nature (CF)

“Branches and Twigs – Characters of Nature” is an artistic and sensory experience that invites participants to immerse themselves in the natural world through imagination and creativity. The journey begins with a walk of discovery, searching for forked branches — simple elements of nature that later become the protagonists of unique stories. Each branch takes on an identity: it is adorned with lines, hair and tiny eyes, becoming a living character, with expression and purpose.

26 de Abril (10h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 1km | Duration: 2h30
Difficulty: Very Easy | Guide: Jeannine Trévidic | Partner: Picada Cultural Association
Audience: Activity aimed at families with children over the age of 6.

Family Meditation Walk: “Whispers of Nature” (CF)

Be free to walk, be, and feel. On this walk, we invite families to listen to what the hills have to say through sensory activities, storytelling and moments of mindful pause. A gentle journey to explore freedom and listen to the whispers of nature, strengthening bonds between generations and with the earth beneath our feet.

25 April (10h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 1km | Duration: 2h30 | Difficulty: Very Easy
Guide: Rita Cavaco (A Mochila da Rita)

Reading and Movement Workshop: Yoga through Stories (CF)

Using a picture book as our starting point, this will be a really fun session where children and adults alike can listen, watch and experience, through their own bodies, the animals and elements of nature featured in the story. From the initial warm-up to the moment we wind down, we’ll experience a perfect blend of joy, connection and relaxation.

26 April (10h00)

Meeting point: Ameixial Primary School | Distance: 4km | Duration: 2h00 | Difficulty: Easy
Guide: Rita Cavaco (A Mochila da Rita)

Quando o Ameixial era Mar - passeio de geologia (CF)

Esta iniciativa constituirá uma boa oportunidade para dar a conhecer o património geológico e a paisagem do território, reforçando também a ligação entre o festival e os valores naturais e culturais do Geoparque.

25 de Abril (10h00)

Ponto de encontro: Escola Primária de Ameixial | Distância: a conf. | Duração: a conf.
Dificuldade: Muito Fácil | Guia: Hugo Campo | Parceiro: Geoparque Algarvensis

Experimental Archaeology Activity (CF)

In this activity, we will gain a better understanding of the world of archaeology through hands-on activities! The aim is to promote our local archaeological heritage through a participatory and scientifically grounded approach, enabling participants to understand the prehistoric communities that once inhabited this area, their technical skills, artefacts and symbolic practices. Experimental archaeology is used as a key tool, providing hands-on experience with raw materials, techniques and processes documented archaeologically.

25 April (10h00)