Whatever time of year you visit Algarve there is always so much to do and see. Unsurprisingly, outdoor activities are the most popular with hiking and cycling vying for first place. For cyclists one route that stands out is the Ecovia Litoral.
This is a route that is part of EuroVelo1 (EV1), also known as the Atlantic Coast Route, which is over 8,186kms long stretching from North Cape in Norway to southern Portugal.
The route takes cyclists along the west coast of Norway, through Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, France, Spain ending in Portugal at its most south-westerly point.
It is this last stage of the EuroVelo1 that the Ecovia route takes over, connecting Vila Real de Santo António in the east of the region to the west, Cape St Vincent.
The Ecovia, some 214kms long, uses roads with low traffic density and also biking/hiking paths. This means that visitors can enjoy the beautiful vistas, the region’s flora (see here for an article on cork, nature’s leather) and fauna (see here for information on migratory birds visiting Algarve), its villages and towns and of course local gastronomy.
For those of you that enjoy hiking, the Via Algarveana is incorporated within the Ecovia. It is around 300kms long and runs again from the west coast to Algarve’s border with Spain.
Both routes take in historical gems, national monuments, national parks such as South-west Alentejo and Costa Vicentina National Park, numerous rivers/streams, towns and villages plus the opportunity to see traditional farming practices and cottage industries – medronho stills in Monchique, basket weaving and pottery to name a few.
Just another reason to visit Algarve – for a reminder of the wonderful place that it is, to share in the secret, click here.
Image: ddzphoto | Pixabay