Ecoland Walking Portugal

Portugal Alentejo Mertola

Website: http://www.ecoland.pt Accommodations: BandB, Guest House, Village Accommodation Activities: General nature, Hiking, Walking Introduction: For a hiking holiday with with beautiful countryside walks an unknown region is waiting to be discovered by you. Between Serpa and Mértola, in southern Alentejo lies the Natural Park Vale do Guadiana situated around 150 km from the west coast of Portugal. The Park is particular beautiful when carpeted in spring flowers. With us you will discover trails off the beaten path and the beauty of unspoilt countryside whilst enjoying peaceful walks along the banks of the river Guadiana.
Full Description:

Accommodation is in a small village guesthose near Mértola, where you can profit from the countryside and enjoy nature after a pleasant hike. You will also have dinner at Ecoland where meals will be prepared specially for you.

PROGRAMME

On Day 1 there will be youir Individual arrival at Lisbon Airport. We shall have a group transfer to your accommodation late afternoon. Oarrival at your accommodation you can relax before our group dinner later that
evening.

Day 2 SMUGLERS ROUTE
This trek offers the chance to be among the first of a tiny handful of explorers to discover this beautiful, remote, unspoilt, uninhabited wilderness, whilst treading in the footsteps of history. Up against the border to Spain is a valley, in which the river Rio Chança runs, that was a traditional smugglers route for the inhabitants of the scatted villages along its banks. We begin our hike at the old village of Corte do Pinto. The trek twists and winds its way along the river banks until we reach Moinho dos Florista. With some luck, when passing through Monte da Eira Queimada we might spot some deer and finish the trail at the mines of S. Domingos (12 km; 4 ½ hours).

Day 3 MINE DE SÃO DOMINGOS
Today we will go back in time. During the last century the English mining company “Sabina” built, through extraordinary hardship, an incredibly picturesque railway track from Mina São Domingos to Pomarão to transport the sulphur they excavated. This extraordinary trail, spiced with a pinch of adventure leads us through picturesque typical Alentejo villages, along the old railway tracks, and through dark tunnels until we reach the last quay to England (19 km; 5 hours).

Day 4 MÉRTOLA
We take a short drive to Mértola to discover its beauty and heritage. The guided tour gives us an insight into life during the Roman and Islamic periods. In the afternoon we wander along the Guadiana from Corte Gafo de Baixo to Moinho dos Canais, where we will find the last mill deactivated for traditional fishing (8 km; 2 hours).

Day 5 SERPA AND CULTURAL VISIT TO ALVITO
This day leads us on an incredible tour through Serpa and Alvito, traditional villages from Alentejo where we will learn about its culture heritage.

Day 6 VASCÃO
Ribeira do Vascão divides the Alentejo from the Algarve, considered the last river of Guadiana where we can appreciate nature in its pure state. During this precious hike we will be able to see several water mills along the river where farmers ground the cereals during winter time (11 km; 4 hours).

Day 7 BOMBEIRA
This outing will follow the southern banks of the river Guadiana and represents a classic hike through wonderful scenery. From the surrounding heights we enjoy great views over to Spain and over the rolling meadows of the Alentejo (23 km; 5 ½ hours).

Day 8 DEPARTURE TO LISBON AIRPORT

NOTES ON FITNESS
All walks require health condition allowing for walks between 8 and 20 Km. All days are full days starting at 09:00 and ending at 16:00. level 2-3.

GROUP TRAVELLING
From 4 to 16 participants.

TRIP DATES