HIKE OR BIKE AROUND
Whether you prefer hiking or cycling, Portugal’s the place to leave the rat race behind and explore the great outdoors.
This is a destination where the landscape is as striking as it is varied. With rugged coastline, soaring mountain peaks and volcanic terrain, there are countless trails and routes to choose from.
Discover the wild beauty of the west coast on the Rota Vicentina, 400km of hiking paths through the Algarve and Alentejo that take you along jagged cliffs with ocean views and across meadows of wildflowers. Complete the whole route, or just try one stage, before stopping off to relax on a beach or surf some epic Atlantic breaks.
Head high into the mountains in the heart of the country and discover Portugal’s best-kept secret, the schist
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villages. Here, traditionally built stone houses cling to mountainsides, and rural ways of life have hardly changed for hundreds of years. A network of trails through forests and alongside crystal- clear streams links these 26 villages, with dedicated centres providing support for mountain bikers, plus there’s the option to try canoeing, climbing and abseiling.
aldeiashistoricasdeportugal.com/en
Or fly to the volcanic Azores and trek on the shores of crater lakes, across ancient lava flows and by tumbling waterfalls – stopping for a dip – as you island-hop around this far-flung archipelago.
And this is just the start. Discover more at the new
portuguesetrails.com website, a database of nationwide walking and cycling routes, with new destinations being added all the time.
OF THE BEST ACTIVE EVENTS
1. TRANS-MADEIRA: June 5-9
Over five days and more than 200km, this mountain bike group endurance adventure will take riders all over the island of Madeira.
trans-madeira.com
2. GRANFONDO – ALDEIAS DO XISTO, FUNDÃO: September 30
The seventh edition of this long-distance road cycling race follows a new route, winding through the epic mountain scenery of the schist villages.
granfondopremium.com
3. TRIANGLE TR ADVENTURE: October 5-7
This 100km, three-part trail run travels around the Azores, with a different stage every day on the islands of Pico, São Jorge and Faial.
azorestrailrun.com
4. LAGOS WALKING FESTIVAL: November 1-4 This series of organised hikes is part of the new Algarve Walking Season, an initiative with events through the region in spring and autumn.
algarvewalkingseason.com
Can’t Skip Portugal World’s Leading Destination
WWW.VISITPORTUGAL.COM
00 Month 2015
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