Two weeks when we enjoyed a repeat run of the glorious Almond Walk (PR8) I spotted that PR7 had fresh signs, and so suggested to MrB we tried it last week. It isn’t much longer than the almond trail, and it looked rather interesting when we checked it out on our maps. However I should have taken more notice of the trail name – Caminhos da Cabra Algarvia – as not only were the paths extremely narrow at time, the gradients were very steep and there were lots of them! So be warned you might find this a strenuous hike, but we think you will like it.
Officially the walk commences in Cruz de Alta Mora before making its way across the Beliche and onto Cortelha. From Cortelha you then return to Cruz de Alta Mora via Marroquil, Amendoeira and Magoito. You might though prefer to start in Cortelha where there are two cafes, or do what we did and start in Arraia which is slightly closer to the IC27.
It wasn’t long out of Araia that we experienced our first ‘which way’ moment. The trail markers were clear but the path was so overgrown we were hesitant. We found however our inner goats and persevered.
And phew we had gone the right way! It was very cloudy at the start but we didn’t mind as the birdlife between Arraia and Cruz de Alta Mora was wonderful.
Not that I was able to photograph much of it as they were either flitting about too quickly amongst the olive trees or performing incredible aerial displays. However I did manage the odd bird shot, and I also spotted some goats.
It didn’t take us long to walk through Cruz de Alta Mora, it is a tiny village so if we had followed the goats we would have passed through even more quickly. However I rather liked taking the longer way round as the views are fabulous.
It was a steady climb down to the Beliche, so thank goodness we had not attempted this last year as I think we might have struggled at the ford crossing. I really wouldn’t want to attempt this walk after heavy rains or even during a winter with average precipitation as the ford crossings on the Beliche are very wide and there are no stepping stones. There are also two streams to cross and since they have water even in a dry winter they must also be a challenge after rain.
Leaving the streams and river behind we started to climb again. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves under blue skies and back on the road that the goats had used. We were now heading into Cortelha. We only saw one vehicle on the road, and I can easily imagine walking this without seeing any. You do not stay on the road for long as the trail soon takes you off onto another goat path. If it hadn’t been for the trail markers though we wouldn’t have known which way to go.
Apparently there are two cafes in Cortelha, not that we spotted them. However I must admit we weren’t really looking for them as we had a big picnic in the rucksacks. Food though was dominating our thoughts, I think it might have been all the wonderful vegetables that had reminded us of our lunch!
We began looking for a place to stop, however the only picnic spot we found was right at the bottom of the next valley and the climb out looked enormous! So we decided it would be more sensible to stop at the top of a hill than at the bottom, which meant we found ourselves having lunch just outside Marroquil and Amendoeira. Lovely spot despite the skies turning grey again.
We didn’t stop for long as it was feeling chilly under the grey skies and we knew there were some steep gradients to come. As we began to climb the sun returned, and we were rewarded within more glorious views.
But what goes up must come down! Can you see the dry river bed in the picture below? That’s where we are heading for!
And then once we have crossed the river it is time to climb up again. We looked back after we were close to the summit of the next hill and our earlier descent to the river was rather noticeable!
By now we were on the outskirts of Magoito and less than 2km from our car in Arraia. As this was the first time we had attempted the walk we duly followed the trail markers through Magoito. This hamlet is dominated by hunting dogs and gaming, and what isn’t under the control of the game farm looks rundown. We’ve since discovered that if you take the path to the left shortly before the huge kennels you can bypass Magoito and head straight for Arraia. Next time we will definitely take advantage of this.
I do hope you have enjoyed this hike as much as did. The legs may have noticed the hills but the views and the smell of the almond blossom was wonderful. It will look even more beautiful in a few weeks when the cistus is in flower, but I cannot stress enough that it might be difficult after heavy rains. We’d also recommend not attempting it on a hot day.
PS I am sure Jo has hiked this 14km trail as I recall her mentioning dogs in a kennel and lots of hills, but I can’t find her post! Jo if you are reading this do send me the link and I will add it here.
Looks like and amazing walk. Well presented.
Thank you so much – there was so much to fit in so delighted to receive this feedback 😊
What an up and down one this is, it would kill me, but the views are amazing.
Our legs were certainly complaining by the end –
if it hadn’t been for the views I think they would have gone on strike!!
Great scenery made much nicer with the eventual blue sky and sunshine. Love the photo of the shuttered window and the roses, that one is definitely my favourite 🙂
Blue skies certainly make all the difference!
Hmm, “lovely walk” and “lots of hills” don’t necessarily go together in my book! I agree it’s beautiful though, and I too like the shot with the door and the roses .
Hee hee . . . not normally with us either but the views were so outstanding that it was well worth the muscle ache 🙂
and so glad you like that one, I should do something with it.
Thanks for another exhausting walk Becky. I haven’t had my breakfast yet so it has made me a bit hungry. Lovely photos. Pity about the birds being “No paparazzi” A goat encounter would have spiced up the day for sure. 🙂
Enjoy your brekkie….. was a real shame about the birds but I had better success today. Photographed owls and there were goats 😊 post to follow at weekend.
Fabulous 🙂
PS there was even a snake sunbathing today and I immediately thought of you!
I am taking that in the best way LOL Did you get a photo?
ooh sorry just realised how that could have come across!!! Definitely meant in the best way, and yes got a photo 🙂 will try and get post written today ready for weekend.
LOL
The thought of you finding your inner goat made me laugh! And if I started with a café, that might be as far as I got. This walk sounds very long and tiring but the views are beautiful. Becky, I love your photo of the yellow wall, shuttered window and rambling rose.
That’s my favourite shot 😊 Fortunately I’d left my inner goat behind at this point otherwise I may have eaten them rather than photographed!
I think I shall just sit here and smell that lovely almond blossom! If the rivers are so dry what impact is the lack of rain having on the wild flowers in the district? I imagine the threat of fires is going to be high in the summer heat too if the rains don’t come.
Is this the same one by Jo?
https://restlessjo.me/2016/02/15/jos-monday-walk-amendoeira-almond-trail/
No but thanks so much for looking. This is the one adjacent – no8! Also very beautiful but less hills.
Aah, I remembered Jo writing about the dogs barking.
Thanks, Jude 🙂 🙂 I did have a look because I thought we’d done it too. Some of the walks look very similar and certainly we’ve done the Almond Blossom a time or two. We passed that goat farm just the other week. Our walks don’t always correspond exactly with Becky as we get lost more. 🙂
I can still recall you telling me about all the dogs in the kennel – was so sure you’d done PR7. Maybe you’ve not posted on it?
As I said to Jude, our walks often don’t exactly correspond, Becky. When I searched for ‘goats’ I got a couple of options, but I’m not sure that we ever did the whole thing. Quite happy just to read yours. Indian meal tonight with the neighbours. Needing my bed. See you soon! xxx
I have noticed quite a few of the seedlings have already died back, the larger plants though seem ok. Not yet in flower but budding up beautifully. So hopefully they will be ok.
However fire wise it is really scary. Portugal had awful fires last year and that was after a wet winter. They are asking everyone already to create fire breaks around housing. We’re hoping March will be wet.
Is spring when Portugal gets the rains? It seems to have changed all over the world now. I would never have expected Cape Town to have such a devastating drought as it always rained (pretty much continually) between May and September.
The wettest months are meant to be December and January, but sometimes the Spring can be wet so fingers crossed this year!
What wonderful pictures! And a lovely post in which I joined you on your walk and enjoyed every picturesque moment. I was disappointed though, as I was sure you would have bumped into a herd of wild, antagonistic goats who would have barred your way. So no excitement on that score, then. I can almost smell the blossom. My neighbour’s flowering almond is in blossom (a bit early for here) and as it’s right under my window I benefit greatly from the perfume. I’ve got a camellia in blossom but not much perfume, so I’m waiting for the hyacinths to bloom. Enjoy your Portugal.
Oh wow you’re so lucky to be able to to smell Almond Blossom. I wish I could capture it!
And yes sorry we were hoping to see a few more too! Certainly followed their droppings the whole way rouns!
I especially liked seeing all those trees and bushes in blossom! Thanks for sharing this lovely, rigorous walk!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed 😂