The Alentejo is a picturesque and tranquil region bound by the Algarve coast to the south, and by the Atlantic to the west. It has a gently rolling landscape ideal for easy or moderate walking. Largely agricultural, it is renowned for its traditional cork plantations scrub oak, olive groves, vineyards, beautiful whitewashed hill towns and extensive coastline of untouched sandy beaches. Only a few, more adventurous, walkers have discovered this beautiful area. 

This beautiful tour starts in Vila Nova de Milfontes on the Mira estuary which is well worth exploring. After breakfast a coastal walk will take you along sand dunes and cliffs to the village of Cavaleiro where cliff-nesting storks can be watched from the lighthouse. The night will be spent in a rural guest house. Continuing south the route will pass by the tiny fishing port of ‘Entrada da Barca’ and on to the bay of Zambujeira do Mar where fresh bream and sea bass can be sampled in the local restaurants. After spending the night in Zambujeira, a coastal path starting at the beach will lead us on to Carvalhal bay. We then cross over the river into the town of Odeceixe, the first town in the Algarve, where we will stay the night in a ‘Pensão’. Heading into the interior through traditionally farmed agricultural land the walk takes us to the market town of São Teotónio where we will overnight. Heading east from here, we take paths through fields with cork oaks grazed by black pigs leading us onto the tributary of the river Mira. We will follow the route into the county town of Odemira to spend the night in a guesthouse in the heart of the town. We finally follow the river Mira along its banks passing the villages of Troviscais and the working windmill of Vale Bejinha. The tour finishes back at Vila Nova de Milfontes for a well-earned rest at the hotel. All along the way there is a plethora of flora and fauna, all seen from the single track roads, tracks, trails and paths that constitute the route. The local people are incredibly friendly and provide warm hospitality and fresh food from the locality to sustain you on your way.

Inn to Inn 8 days	Click here  detailed dossier
Duration: 7 nights/8 days Tour Code: JPA Grade: Easy but some long moderate graded stages Day Stages: Minimum 10km, max 30km.
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2008	Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
February - December. July and August can be very hot.