Tag: hiking

el caminito del rey

we’ve wanted to do the caminito del rey ever since we heard they had restored it after being closed for years… and so last summer we finally hiked it, as part of the andalusian roadtrip we were doing with our friends. though we arrived horribly late and almost missed our turn, the nice people there still let us through for the last trip of the day, and it was well worth it!

the views of the gorges are truly spectacular, and the photos our little phone cameras captured don’t do them justice. the walkways are all sound and sturdy, though in some places you can still see the old paths, rusting away.

the original path was built to connect 2 hydropower dams, so that workers could transport the materials between them. it was finished in 1905, and a few years later, king alfonso xiii walked it to inaugurate the dam and voilà — the name stuck.

it’s not recommended for people who are afraid of heights though…

… but if you can stomach it, it’s truly stunning! :)

festa das chouriças

the early months of the year are our hiking season. the days are bright and blue, and the sun is just warm enough that after a few kilometers on the hills, your coat or sweater ends up tied around your hips. by mid-january, the fields are covered in clover, and almond blossoms explode in white and pink confetti all around. it’s the perfect time to tie the shoelaces and do some wandering.

the season needs a start though, and for the past few years we’ve embraced the “festa das chouriças” (smoked sausage fair) in querença as the launch of our hiking season. on the third sunday of january, the little town gets together to celebrate their culinary heritage with a barbecue in the church square. they bring out the sausages, wine and cheese, and people from all around algarve (including tons of foreigners) climb up the hill to taste all the deliciousness. it’s great!

this year’s event took place last sunday, and there we were for the calories and motivation. the hiking season is off to a good start!

algarving analogue wednesdays in portugal

analogue wednesday #92

the view from cape st. vicent at sunset.

algarving in portugal

hiking in sw algarve

hiking on the west coast is different from hiking on the hills around here. there’s the sea, obviously, but it’s the cliffs that make it all somewhat more adventurous, a little bit more challenging. there’s a lot more wind too — and colours!

the photos are from a sunny day last november. seems like the only time we go that way is when the sweet potato festival is on in aljezur… but i’ll tell you about that in another post! :)

algarving analogue wednesdays in portugal

analogue wednesday #90

winter — time to hike all the things!