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I don’t object to repeating the familiar trail again and again,” commented Joana Almeida, bending near a group of blossoms. “Every visit, you’ll find fresh discoveries – these flowers were not here yesterday.”

Rising on stalks no less than two centimetres high and adorning the ground with pale blossoms, the fact that these star of Bethlehem flowers appeared in a single night was a striking demonstration of how swiftly nature can regenerate in this undulating, central section of the Algarve, the public forest of Barão de São João.

It was also reassuring to learn that in an area swept by wildfires in September, varieties such as arbutus trees – which are fire-resistant thanks to their minimal resin – were starting to recover, together with highly flammable eucalyptus, which obstructs other fire-resistant trees such as oak. Volunteers were being recruited to help with reforestation.

Tourist Numbers and Inland Appeal

Tourist arrivals to the Algarve are growing, with the current year recording an rise of over two percent on the last year – but the bulk of guests make a beeline for the beach, even though there being a great deal more to experience.

The shoreline is undoubtedly untamed and dramatic, but the region is also keen to highlight the attraction of its interior regions. With the creation of year-round trekking and biking paths, along with the launch of nature festivals, attention is being shifted to these equally compelling vistas, featuring peaks and thick wooded areas.

The Algarve Walking Season runs a program of several guided walk programs with general subjects such as “water” and “archaeology” between November and April. It’s hoped they will motivate visitors in every season, boosting the regional economy and contributing to reduce the outflow of younger generations moving away in search of opportunities.

Art and Nature Merge

The trip to the national forest coincided with a two-day event with the focus of “creativity”, based around the white-washed community to the northwest of Barão de São João.

As well as organized treks, setting off from the cultural centre, no-cost workshops ranged from learning how to make plant-based dyes, to performance sessions, meditative movement and drawing. There were a couple of photography exhibitions on show together with several other kid-focused pursuits, such as nature hunts and crafting wildlife feeders.

Even before our casual afternoon printmaking workshop at the community space, our stroll into the woods with Joana had the atmosphere of an creative path. Indicated at the start by upright rocks painted with images of local farmers, it was decorated en route with more modest, permanently placed stones showing instances of fauna, such as hedgehogs and wild cats – the latter’s population recovering, because of a rescue facility located in the historic town of Silves.

Breathtaking Routes and Natural Beauty

As the trail ascended to its summit, the menhir (standing stone) on the Pedra do Galo path, it became more densely vegetated with the piney aroma of evergreen. There was a ripeness to the breeze and hard, golden-colored globules protruded from tree trunks. Limestone shone beneath our feet and minute toads sat by water’s edge, necks vibrating. In the background, wind turbines rotated against the sky.

Francisco Simões, our guide the following day, was similarly keen to point out that these upland regions can be explored in every season. Designated walks, created in the past few years, are extensions of the Via Algarviana, a path that extends from the frontier for a significant distance, all the way to the Atlantic, and many are now connected to an application that makes navigation simpler.

Nature Tourism and Local Activities

Francisco established nature tour operator Algarvian Roots in 2020 and organizes activities from avian observation to full-day accompanied treks, all with the similar aims as the AWS: to promote the locale by way of involvement, learning and traditional knowledge.

The creative link is evident, as well – his parent, artist Margarida Palma Gomes, had taught us to decorate azulejos, the characteristic cerulean and ivory glazed tiles seen throughout the nation, previously on a cultural activity. Excursions to her studio, in addition to to a regional artist, can further be arranged through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco encouraged us to contribute for the trade by enjoying ample amounts of fine wine capped with cork

After an excellent midday meal of local specialty and cabbage in A Charrette in Monchique, a charming upland village bordered by the Algarve’s two highest peaks, the tall Fóia and 774-meter Picota, Francisco took us down sharply historic roads and into a alleyway, where an senior duo basked outdoors at the entrance of their home.

A inclined track led us into the woodland, the earth strewn with oak nuts. At this spot, Francisco was eager to point out cork trees, Portugal’s symbolic plant and safeguarded by law since the medieval period. Not only are they naturally slow-burning, but their flexible covering is a origin of income for locals, who harvest it to trade to other {industries|sectors