Discover the Via Algarviana (II/IV)

In other parts of Europe, this has been known for some time. In Germany, for example, there are more than 1.600 walking associations – registered officially – organising walks all over the world: across the Himalayas, in the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, New Zealand. In Britain, there are hundreds of thousands of nature lovers who have, for generations, dedicated their spare time to bird watching. And the ancient pilgrimage route of the Via Algarviana is a great deal superior when compared with the much-travelled paths of its Spanish counterpart in Santiago de Compostela.

But apparently in Portugal, walkers are known for arriving ‘empty handed’ – with not much more than their transpirant anatomic boots and well-trained leg muscles to show for themselves. They don’t spell ‘profit’. No clothing industry catering for their needs is raking in the dosh – and, on top of this, walkers are not mass-market consumers. Neither are they rally drivers or golfers. A walk isn’t about emerging ‘the winner’, or winning a prize. It isn’t about getting there first, either. It’s simply about “returning to Nature”.

But the Via Algarviana isn’t an easy way of doing this. For many, walking the whole 340 kilometres over a 14-day period is a real test of their physical and mental capacities. Daily sections of 15-30 kilometres don’t give a true perspective of the real task ahead – and the bottom line is that those who are tobacco/ alcohol dependent, or who walk in gym shoes, should stick to walking simply on Sundays, and spread the walk out in separate daily sections over 14 weeks.

After the first three days of walking – which is intensive training – and after covering the first 80 kilometres between Alcoutim and Cachopo, the nature lover will know what he or she is in for, and what to expect for the next 11 days. The climb up to the Serra de Monchique is certainly the high point of the tenth day. But, one thing’s certain for all the sections: the walk is the objective – and it starts in Alcoutim and finishes in Cape St Vincent. You need perseverance to get there.

Thus, the walker needs to eat well and regularly: lots of proteins and vitamins. «Algarve 123’s» team made sure of this by taking with them on the journey a lot of dried fruits: figs, dates, raisins, nuts and almonds. We made an assortment of everything we found at the market – and packed water, glucose, fruit and the indispensable cheese sandwiches, alongside it all in our knapsacks. Everyday, before and during each walk, we’d replenish our stocks. But another important prerequisite for a long walk is a comfortable bed – so that muscles and tendons can relax while one sleeps, in order to walk again the next day. As we travelled the Via Algarviana, we tried out various guesthouses and restaurants, spoke to several people and met many dogs. See below for the results of our ‘market research’.