Algarve’s Via Algarviana walking trail will celebrate its 10th anniversary next week with a series of talks and walks.
The festivities begin on Wednesday, May 29 with a free-to-attend event that will see several high-profile figures from around the Algarve discussing the past, present and future of the popular trail.
The event – ‘O papel da Via Algarviana no Ecoturismo do Algarve’ (Via Algarviana’s role in the Algarve’s Ecotourism) – will begin at 9.30am at the Espaço Guadiana in Alcoutim and will continue until after 4.30pm.
A welcome ceremony will be held before panel members get together to discuss the beginning of the Via Algarviana project followed by local entrepreneurs talking about how the trail has had an impact on their businesses.
A presentation called “I travelled the Via Algarviana” will see hikers and athletes who completed the 300km trail talking about their experience.
Following a break for lunch, the panel will resume to discuss the current projects being developed by the Almargem association, which manages the route, as well as the future of the beloved trail before a cake is cut to mark the route’s 10th anniversary.
But if walking the actual route sounds more like a fitting way to celebrate the occasion, a series of hikes will be taking place later that weekend (June 1 and 2).
There will be 10 to choose from, all starting at 8.30am, with five taking place on Saturday – Vaqueiros to Cachopo; Parises to Cachopo; Alte to Messines; Romeiras to Bensafrim; and Marmelete to Aljezur – and the others on Sunday – Balurcos to Furnazinhas; Barranco do Velho to Salir; Vila do Bispo to Sagres; Monchique to Mexilhoeira Grande and Alte to Paderne.
The event is sponsored by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal with the support of the partnering municipalities, the Cachopo parish council and the companies GeoWalks & Talks, ProActiveTur, Walkin’Sagres and Zen Trekk.
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Alcoutim takes part in Tenerife Walking Festival
Alcoutim is taking part in the fifth Tenerife Walking Festival, which is being held in in Spain until Saturday, May 25.
In a communiqué to the press, Alcoutim council says the goal of its participation is to build a link between the Tenerife Walking Festival and the town’s own Walking Festival and learn from it in terms of environmental sustainability.
The Tenerife Walking Festival is “an event open to hikers from all over the continent, combining different types of hikes and trails”. It is described as one of the most reputable events of its kind in Europe.
