The Algarve is loved by holidaymakers as the home of the best beach in the world and globally-renowned golf courses.
But a trip to the south of Portugal doesn’t just have to be about soaking up the sun or lounging around by the seafront, you can also get your daily steps in.
Festivals and hiking might not immediately spring to mind for your next getaway, but nature lovers visiting Portugal this year are literally spoiled for choice with not one but four hiking festivals on offer.
The events are taking place between March and December 2024 as part of theAlgarve Walking Season, created with the goal of attracting thousands of hikers to the region.
What does a hiking festival involve, you ask? Walking isn’t the only thing on the agenda. There are more than 200 activities planned across the quad, including workshops, stargazing, food tastings and history lessons for the 3,000 visitors expected to stomp alongside each other.
The four locations chosen will also help with the ‘preservation of natural and cultural heritage,’ according to João Ministro, who is in charge of the walking project, which should hopefully attract tourists and locals longer term.
Where is the Algarve Walking Season 2024 taking place and what are the walking trails?
Alcoutim – March 15-17
Four separate festivals have come together as a network under the Algarve Walking Season brand. The first to festival will be the Alcoutim Sanlúcar Hiking Festival and its participants will take their first steps on March 15.
Activities teased by Alcoutim City Council’s Júlio Cardoso include experiences linked to goats, beekeeping, bread making, stargazing and ‘gastronomic heritage’, which translates to lots of delicious local food. Last year’s festival included walks ranging from 3K to 13K, so expect similar routes again or explore solo to truly tailor your trip.
Ameixial, Loulé – April 26-28
The multi-day festival in Ameixial, Loulé will be taking place in late April with walks ranging from 5K – 26K in distance. The website says it’s intended to bring people together and to raise awareness about the ‘values of the region’ and support the local economy.
Guests will be able to soak up the local music during their walks and walk away with knowledge about local archaeology. There will also be talks with experts about the region as well as workshops and food tasting.
Barão de São João, Lagos – November 1-3
There are no hiking activities planned as part of the walking festival during the summer months, which is the most popular time to visit the Algarve because of the scorching hot temperatures.
During the height of summer, temperatures reach 29 °C according to the Met Office.
Nature fanatics will have to wait until November for the Barão de São João in Lagos in Portugal. This festival will have a strong link to the arts, as well as hiking, with a whopping 48 different walks available to join starting at just 3K in distance. It’s often referred to as the Walk & Art Fest.
The walks involve geology and botany lessons, bird watching and drawing designed for the whole family.
Monchique – November 29-December 1
Last but not least, the Monchique Walking Festival will take place in the winter with routes spanning 3-15K.
Temperatures are still expected to be fairly warm as the average temperature in December is mild and pleasant, even though it’s considered winter, with the average daily temperature ranging from 8°C to 17°C and during the day, temperatures can reach up to 20°C in some areas.
This festival has a focus on water-themed walks and will take hikers to areas where they can search for mushrooms and edible plants. How tasty!
You can find out more about the Algarve Walking Season here.
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