It first began in 2017 and now, after a short break, the Algarve Walking Season is back and bigger than ever. The return of the project was announced last week and includes four hiking events and over 200 activities throughout the year.
The Algarve Walking Season is actually a network of four different hiking festivals that now come together under the same brand: Caminheiros – Alcoutim Hiking Festival; Walking Festival Ameixial (Loulé); Walk & Art Fest in Barão de São João (Lagos); and Monchique Walking Festival.
The initiative aims to showcase the diverse hiking opportunities available in the picturesque landscapes of the Algarve. Expected to attract over 3,000 hikers, it represents a concerted effort to draw tourists in the off-season and also encourage locals to explore their surroundings and be more active.
Originally conceived by the QRER Cooperative and the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA), the return of the initiative was prompted by the RTA, chaired by André Gomes. Investing in the brand, he said, would provide “motivation to visit the region year-round, particularly during the low season and thus combating seasonality”.
The first event will be Caminheiros – Alcoutim Hiking Festival (March 15-17) and will include 12 planned walks and other experiences, such as beekeeping and bread-making demos and star gazing.
Then in April (26, 27 and 28), dozens of walks will take place at the Walking Festival Ameixial, along with workshops, educational activities and entertainment, and glamping options.
The Walk & Art Fest in Barão de São João (November 1-3) will feature dozens of activities, with hiking and art going hand in hand. Finally, the Monchique Walking Festival (November 29-December 1) will include themed walks and other experiences, such as foraging and learning about the local heritage.
The initiative is just one of many trying to promote the Algarve in the low-season. Whether it’s wine tasting, cycling or golfing, wintertime in the region has its very own charm.