The Long Distance Path (GR13) Via Algarviana connects Alcoutim to Cape Saint Vincent, stretching over

about 300 kilometres and running inland across the entire Algarve region, from east to west, through
the mountains, the craggy “barrocal” subregion, the hills and part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicen-
tine Coast Nature Park.

Since 2011, a set of complementary infrastructures has been implemented, increasing the diversity
and attractiveness of this walking path. The “Via Algarviana” includes a network of 12 complementary
Walking Paths, 10 Audio Guided Routes, 9 Connections and 4 Themed Routes.

You are here.

Key:

Starting point Health Centre Church

Refreshment Facilities Castle Viewpoint

Thermal Spa Museum Lighthouse

Fortress

GR13.7 - Connection 7 - Albufeira to the Via Algarviana (Alte) - 29.30 km

GR13 - Via Algarviana (Sector 7) - 16.20 km
GR13 - Via Algarviana (Sector 8) - 19.30 km
PR1 ABF - Paderne Castle Path - 11 km
PR2 ABF - Cerro de S. Vicente Path - 11.30 km
PR3 ABF - Cerro Grande Path - 11.40 km
Routes Intersected (PR/GR) – Short/Long Distance Path

Cartography
Route mapped on Portuguese Military Maps Nos. 580, 581, 588 and 589, provided by the Army Geospatial
Information Centre (CIGeoE), with a scale of 1:25,000.

Connection 7
Albufeira
Via Algarviana (Alte) » 29.30 km
 Connection 7 Description of the Itinerary
This connection starts next to the Albufeira Tourist Information Office, heading
Albufeira through the Green Urban Park, a fun place to connect with nature, for about
one kilometre. Once you reach the end of the park, turn right and then, about
Via Algarviana (Alte) » 29.30 km 350 m later, turn down a road on the left. You’ll come across a rural area filled
with carob trees which will make you forget you’ve just left the city of Albufeira!
STARTING POINT Albufeira Tourist Information Office
Follow a gentle path down to Ferreiras Train Station. Keep following the road
GPS COORDINATES OF
STARTING POINT N37°05’43.07’’ W8°15’19.78’’ until you turn down a dirt track towards the village of Centieira. You’ll find
yourself heading down more rural paths, and this is where the connection
FINISHING POINT The bridge over the stream in Alte
converges with the PR1 – Castle Path, taking you all the way to Paderne. The
routes will then diverge and the connection will now follow the PR2 – St Vin-
LENGTH 29.30 km
cent’s Hill Path, until you leave Paderne. Enjoy a stop in Paderne to re-energise.
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY V - Hard The village of Paderne is worth a visit.

TIME REQUIRED (APPROXIMATE) 7h The connection follows the PR3 – Big Hill Path from here to Parral, taking you
past the iconic Algibre Stream. From this point on, you’ll be able to take in
MINIMUM ALTITUDE 24 m the typical landscapes of the “barrocal” (a natural sub-region of the Algarve,
located between the mountains and the coast, characterised by the pres-
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE 252 m ence of several irregularly shaped limestone elevations called “barrocos”,
which sometimes stand at heights of over 400 m). Here, along with general
CUMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN 596 m
scrubland, you’ll be able to spot small groves of carob, almond and fig trees.
CUMULATIVE ELEVATION LOSS 392 m You’ll be at Esteval dos Mouros before you know it. The route continues on
from there towards Rocha Amarela. You’ll then come across the small Rocha
WATER AVAILABLE Amarela settlement, which is now abandoned.

LOCAL CORNER SHOPS You’ll find yourself walking through dryland orchards populated with carob
and almond trees as well as scrubland.
RECOMMENDED SEASON: September to May, although the best weather is in the
spring, which is also when the flowers are at their most attractive.
The itinerary continues towards the hamlet of Júlia, which provides a pan-
Visit our website or download our app to find out about the complementary services available. oramic view over Alte. Go down to Bairro da Boavista and the end of this
connection, at the Alte Stream.
TOP OGRAP H Y

300
Altitude (m)

240
180
120
60
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

Distance (km)

Photo credit
José Pedro Monteiro

What will I see?

Historic, Archaeological and Religious Heritage Crafts Rest stops and support services along the route
ALBUFEIRA ALBUFEIRA » Ferreiras;
» Chapel of Mercy; » Regional confectionery; » Paderne.
» Chapel of Our Lady of Orada; » Palm weaving;
» Saint Sebastian’s Chapel (16th Century); » Wooden miniatures; Cash machine
» Sant´Ana Church (18th Century); » Carved beach stones; » Albufeira;
» Albufeira Main Church (18th Century); » Shale and tile paintings. » Ferreiras;
» Municipal Archaeology Museum (former Town Hall); ALTE » Paderne;
» Clock Tower (the city’s main landmark). » Traditional confectionery; » Alte.
PADERNE » Soaps made using local products;
» Paderne Castle (Property considered to be of Public Interest); » Esparto grass, wood and ceramic products. Useful contact information
» Paderne Fountain (18th Century); » Almargem Association +351 289 412 959
» Castle Bridge (Mediaeval). Recreation and Leisure » Algarve Tourism Bureau +351 289 800 403
ALTE » Big Fountain and Small Fountain in Alte; » In Loco Association +351 289 840 860
» Saint Louis Chapel (15th Century); » Queda do Vigário Waterfall in Alte; » Loulé Municipal Firefighters +351 289 400 560
» Alte Main Church (13th Century); » Quarteira Stream (within a Special Protection Area); » Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters +351 289 586 333
» Cândido Guerreiro and the Counts of Alte Museum, Tourist Information » Signposted walking paths: » Albufeira Town Hall +351 289 599 500
Office and exhibition space;
· PR1 ABF - Paderne Castle Path - 11 km » Loulé Town Hall +351 289 400 600
» Rua dos Pisadoiros;
· PR2 ABF - Cerro de S. Vicente Path - 11.30 km » Albufeira Health Centre +351 289 598 400
» Traditional architecture.
· PR3 ABF - Cerro Grande Path - 11.40 km » Loulé Health Centre +351 289 401 000
» Paderne Health Centre Branch +351 289 368 853
Nature Cultural Events » Albufeira and Olhos de Água Civil Parish Council +351 289 513 895
This connection covers the area classified as Sítio da Ribeira de Quarteira ALBUFEIRA » Alte Civil Parish Council +351 289 478 200
(PTCON0038) for about 600 m. Along the margins, you’ll spot tamarisk (Tamarix » Almond Blossom International Cross Country Running Event (usually » Ferreiras Civil Parish Council +351 289 572 806
sp.), oleander (Nerium oleander), narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) and February); » Paderne Civil Parish Council +351 289 367 168
in some cases, Mediterranean dwarf palms (Chamaerops humulis). » Al-buhera Festival (July); » Pólo Museológico de Alte (Alte Museum) +351 289 478 058
The route also runs through the “Barrocal” Site (PTCON0049) of the Natura » Fishermen’s Feasts (September); » In the event of an emergency, call 112
2000 Network for 12 km, one of particular importance due to its endemic flora » New Year’s celebrations (December). » If you see a fire, call 117
and the natural habitats within it. The species of orchids that can be found PADERNE
here are particularly notable: Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera); yellow bee orchid » Paderne Carnival (February/March);
(Ophrys lutea); mirror orchid (Ophrys speculum); naked man orchid (Orchis » Folar (traditional Portuguese Easter bread) Fair (weekend before Easter);
italica) and green-winged orchid (Orchis morio). The most commonly found » Barrocal Art Exhibitions (1st weekend in June);
agricultural crops in the area are dryland orchards populated with almond, » Saint James’ Feast Day (25th July);
carob and olive trees. » White Night – End of Summer celebration (August);
Once you reach Alte, the Grande and Pequena (Big and Small) Fountains are » Dried Fruit and Nut Expo (September);
the perfect place for a rest. This is a very popular location due to the natural » Paderne Mediaeval Festival (December/January).
pool and the Vigário Waterfall, which falls from a height of 24 metres. This ALTE
waterfall was created on the orders of Duarte de Melo Ribadeneyra, the 18th » Alte Carnival (February/March);
Lord of Alte, in the late 17th century, to divert the stream from higher land, » Alte Culture Week (25th April to 1st May).
therefore creating a pool just waiting to be bathed in.