Are you looking for the best hikes in the Algarve? You have come to the right place!! We have all the best and most picturesque hikes right here for you to find. The Algarve is home to so many beautiful beaches, but there are numerous breathtaking cliff walks in the Algarve that is worth spending your time at too.
Most of these hikes are right on the coastline. Some lead you to ancient castles or hidden caves and others are inside beautiful lush parks full of succulents and palm trees. You will not regret lacing up your hiking boots and spending the day on one of these walks in the Algarve.
One of the best places to stay is in Albuferia. It is a beach town that is close to everything in the Algarve!
If you are visiting and looking for the best hikes in the Algarve in the warmer months of the year you must make sure to bring lots of water and wear sun protection, either a hat or sunscreen if you burn easily.
The Prettiest and Best hikes in the Algarve for All Ages to Enjoy
Where can I Walk in Portugal?
Portugal is full of so many walking, hiking, running, and biking paths. The Algarve is one of the best places to walk in Portugal. It is on the southern coast so most of the time you will see the sparkling blue turquoise water, and the unbelievable coastline, and get to enjoy the sunshine while working up a sweat.
The Algarve is so Good for Walking
There are so many Algarve hiking trails because this southern region gets over 300 days of sunshine, has stunning cliffside landscapes, and has the most exquisite turquoise blue seas. So when you put all of those factors together, it makes the Algarve the perfect place to hike in Portugal.
Ponta da Piedade Cliff Walk
The amazing Ponta da Piedade cliff walk in the Algarve will take you along unspoiled landscapes and seasides. This is one of the best hikes in Lagos and it is located only 1.8 miles (3 km) south of the city center.
There is a long wooden walkway on the coastline that starts in Praia do Barranco and ends at the Paria Canavail beach. This is one of the best hikes in the Algarve for children because the boardwalk is far enough away from the cliffs that they will be safe to explore on their own.
The address to Ponta da Piedade is Estrada Da Ponta da Piedade 8601 Lagos, Portugal.
You can expect walking this 1.8 kilometers (1.2 miles) trail to take about 30 minutes.
And this is one of the Algarve hiking trails that is out and back.
Pro-tip, this is where the heart-shaped rock formation is in the Algarve, walk just a few hundred feet and you will find it.
Castelejo Environmental Hike
This is one of the best hikes in the Algarve if you are looking for a shady trail in the woods. This trail is in the beautiful Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park.
This is one of the best walks in the Algarve because here you will get the chance to walk in the forest surrounded by lush pine trees. Plus you will walk by ponds full of animals, and if you are lucky you might see woodpeckers do their thing in the forest.
The address to the state of the Castelejo Environmental Trail is at the picnic area.
It is 3.3km (2 miles) long and should take about an hour and a half to complete.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
The Seven Hanging Valleys walk is 7.4 miles (almost 12 kilometers) one of the most popular hikes in the Algarve. Try to start your hike early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the stunning coastline all to yourself. You can do this hike many different ways but it is an out-and-back trail.
To get to the Seven hanging Valley trail you need to start at Praia da Marinha and it ends at Praia do Vale. The address to Praia da Marinha 8400 Lagoa, Portugal. There is plenty of parking so no need to worry about that. You can expect to see the jaw-dropping vibrant orange, yellow and white cliffs and the see-through turquoise blue water on this wonderful and easy cliff walk. Plan for the Seven Hanging Valley Trail to take about 4 hours total to complete.
This is the Bengali Caves hike, but you can not get down to the cave from the trail. You can take a SUP paddleboard cruise with a guide, or by yourself, if you are a talented SUP rider. There are boat cruises that will take you out on a day trip and make a stop at the caves, or if you are a strong swimmer and the water is warm enough you can also swim there. Although, it is not recommended to do so by the locals.
Rocha da Pena Hiking Trail
The Rocha da Pena Trail is perfect for nature lovers visiting Faro and looking for the best hiking trails in the Algarve. There are 450 different types of plants and flowers here. Some people come here to experience the wonderful bird watching.
During your walk along you will visit the traditional village of Penina country towards the end of the hike, and keep your eye out for old ruins and fossils. The start of the hike is the hardest part, but just keep in mind that the magnificent mountain views at the end will be worth it.
The address for Rocha da Pena Trail is Run dos Compadres 5, Portugal
Give yourself two hours during this 6.4 km (4 miles) long circle route, this is known to be one of the harder hikes in the Algarve.
Hiking boots are a must for this trail, and walking sticks may be helpful too.
Don Quixote Walking Trail
When you embark on one of the most beautiful walks in the Algarve you will see apple orchards, wine vineyards, and maybe even some almond trees. One of the most special features here is the Odeleite River which they call the “Blue Dragon River” because If you see this river from above it looks like it is a long skinny dragon.
The views here are unbelievable and once you get to the top of the trail you will feel so happy that you decided to embark on one of the best hiking trails in the Algarve. Head to the town of Casa Baixas and this trail will start at the Discovery Centre in town.
This is one of the hardest Algarve hiking trails it is 17km or 10.5 miles long and should take you about 6 hours to complete.
The address for Don Quixote Trail starts in the small town of Casa Baixas and it is a loop trail.
Venta Moinhos Wetlands Trail
This is one of the prettiest and easiest walks in the Algarve. Along this walk, you will see so much nature and wildlife along the Guadiana River. This is the path that separates the wetlands in the south and the drylands in the north.
If you are lucky and visit during the right time of the year you may be able to see flamingos in Portugal here. The annual number of species of birds here is 170 so keep your eye out for rare ones. The black-winged stilt bird is the face here at one of the best hikes in the Algarve.
The address to get to the Venta Monihos Wetland Trail is 6HJF+38 Castro Marim, Portugal.
This Algarve hike is 7km (4 mi) and it is a round hike that should take you about 2 hours.
Ria Formosa Natural Park Walks
Here is one of the easiest walks in the Algarve, Portugal for the whole family to enjoy. This walk is right in the heart of Faro and will take you no time at all to complete.
There are only 500 steps along this circle path and would be a great way to get outside and enjoy the sunshine by the water for a little while. There are many other hikes near this one for you to check out also.
To get to the Ria Formosa Natural Park you need to go here.
There is also a place where to rent kayaks, bikes, and bird-watching tours. You could spend a whole day here and never get bored.
Conclusion
If you enjoy walking, hiking, or even running the Algarve is perfect for you. There are so many more hikes in the Algarve that you will discover on your own if you just get out there and explore. Let us know down below if you have any favorites that we may have forgotten!