Great Guadiana Route Walking Holidays

Your first day is spent among the historic surroundings of the Moorish town of Mértola, perched on the rocky hills that overlook the Guardiana River. This is a great opportunity to explore the cobbled streets of this village further, delving into the old buildings and romantic atmosphere of this quintessential old Portuguese village.

Following an old smugglers route out of Mértola, today’s trail introduces you to some of the wildest parts of the Guardiana River, a region teeming with flora and a wide array of migratory birds. Follow your trail through the Guardiana National Park before eventually coming across the picturesque medieval town of Alcoutim, overlooking the banks of the Guardiana River.

Your route re-joins old smugglers routes, with amazing views stretching across the river. All around is the cultural heritage of the area, with the beautiful castles of Alcoutim and its Spanish neighbour, Sanlucar, sat just across the river.

Discover the landscape and topography of the Alcoutim area, on a walk that takes you through the fields and forests of the National Park, offering far-reaching views over a scenery in bloom with the region’s flowers. Nestled among the course of your trail today are the ruins of an old mine, a reminder of the long history of mining activates in the area. Along the way to your hosts for the evening you can stop at the spectacular river beach, where you’ll find an expanse of pristine white sand before you.

Today’s route takes you alongside the river to the charming agricultural village of Junqueira. Yachts cruise down the Guardiana, and Roman ruins, as well as the River museum are open for discovery along the way, before meeting your hotel transfer.

Start your walk today with a route that follows quiet backroads lined bordered by orange, fig, olive and carob trees through the scenic lakes that occupy the foothills of the Guardiana. Here you’ll find a landscape characterised by verdant valleys thick with orchards and gardens as well as vast swathes of pine forest as your route ends at the last accommodation of your journey in Castro Marim.

The final leg of your journey takes you through the historic town of Castro Marim, with its medieval hilltop castle overlooking the landscape before you. Your route takes though the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Natural Reserve, an area earmarked for protection on account of its rich diversity in birdlife. From here, the route takes you to the Vila Real Santo Anotonio, where you can stroll along the coastline to some of the most spectacular beaches of the Algarve. Here you can soak up the temperate waters of the Mediterranean before wandering through the charming white-washed farm houses back to your hotel.

Following breakfast, meet your transfer to Faro for your flight back home.