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“I never mind taking the same walk over and over,” stated Joana Almeida, crouching near a group of blossoms. “On every occasion, there are fresh discoveries – these blooms hadn’t been in this spot the day before.”

Growing on stalks no less than 2cm tall and dotting the soil with white petals, the reality that these delicate blooms sprung up in a single night was a striking testament of how rapidly nature can grow in this hilly, interior area of the Algarve, the protected woodland of Barão de São João.

It was also encouraging to find out that in an region swept by forest fires in the autumn, types such as fire-resistant trees – which are fire-resistant thanks to their low resin content – were beginning to regrow, together with highly combustible eucalyptus, which impedes other slow-burning trees such as oak. Local helpers were being enlisted to help with rewilding.

Tourist Statistics and Interior Interest

Visitor numbers to the Algarve are increasing, with the current year registering an increase of over two percent on the previous year – but the majority visitors go directly to the beach, despite there being a great deal more to explore.

The beachfront is undoubtedly untamed and stunning, but the region is also eager to promote the charm of its inland areas. With the creation of all-season trekking and cycling paths, along with the addition of nature festivals, focus is being drawn to these similarly engaging sceneries, showcasing peaks and thick forests.

The Algarve Walking Season runs a set of five hiking events with loose themes such as “rivers and streams” and “ancient ruins” between November and April. It’s expected they will inspire tourists in every season, strengthening the local economy and contributing to slow the exodus of young people moving away in search of opportunities.

Creativity and The Outdoors Blend

The trip to the protected parkland overlapped with a two-day event with the focus of “expression”, based around the white-washed community to the northwest of Barão de São João.

In addition to organized treks, departing from the community center, free events ranged from discovering how to make natural coloured inks, to drama classes, meditative movement and artistic rendering. There were several image galleries available plus several other child-friendly pursuits, such as leaf safaris and crafting wildlife feeders.

Prior to our casual daytime art printing workshop at the cultural centre, our hike into the woods with Joana had the atmosphere of an creative path. Marked at the beginning by standing stones painted with images of local farmers, it was dotted along the way with more modest, permanently placed stones showing types of animals, such as hedgehogs and wild cats – the latter’s community increasing, because of a rescue facility located in the fortified settlement of Silves.

Scenic Paths and Outdoor Beauty

As the path climbed to its highest point, the menhir (monolith) on the Pedra do Galo walk, it became more densely vegetated with the piney aroma of conifer. There was a fullness to the atmosphere and solid, honey-toned bubbles bulged from bark. Chalky rock sparkled on the ground and minute frogs rested by pond edges, throats vibrating. In the distance, energy generators rotated against the horizon.

Francisco Simões, our guide the next day, was similarly keen to emphasize that these interior zones can be experienced throughout the year. Waymarked hikes, developed in recent years, are offshoots of the Via Algarviana, a path that extends from the Spanish boundary for a significant distance, the entire route to the coast, and several are now connected to an digital tool that makes navigation simpler.

Ecotourism and Cultural Activities

Francisco founded nature tour operator Algarvian Roots in a few years ago and organizes activities from avian observation to day-long led walks, all with the similar goals as the AWS: to promote the region by way of immersion, learning and local understanding.

The art connection is evident, as well – his mother, ceramicist Margarida Palma Gomes, had instructed us to design azulejos, the characteristic traditional colored decorative panels observed across the nation, previously on a festival workshop. Tours to her workshop, as well as to a area ceramicist, can also be scheduled through Algarvian Roots.

Francisco encouraged us to do our bit for the sector by enjoying plenty of good wine sealed with cork

Following an delicious lunch of pork cheek and greens in A Charrette in Monchique, a quaint mountain town bordered by the Algarve’s most elevated summits, the 902-metre Fóia and high Picota, Francisco took us down precipitously stone-paved lanes and into a alleyway, where an older couple relaxed in the sun at the front of their house.

A steep path guided us into the woods, the earth covered in tree seeds. At this spot, Francisco was eager to point out protected species, Portugal’s symbolic plant and legally protected since the 13th century. Not only are they naturally flame-retardant, but their malleable bark is a origin of livelihood for residents, who gather it to market to other {industries|sectors