Best bird watching trails in Algarve, Portugal

Note: As of October 2020, users report that a lot of the trail is closed off or impacted by erosion making it difficult to traverse.Show more

Ecovia do Algarve is a coastal route that links Cape St. Vincent (Sagres) in the west point of Algarve and the city of Vila Real de Santo António (V.R.S.A.) in the east border with Spain. It is part of EuroVelo route 1 that links Sagres to the North Cape, in Norway, and is also known as the Atlantic Coast Route. This route combines trails in protected areas with linking stretches mostly on traffic calmed or car-free routes and it is marked in a number of ways: a blue line on the road, white bicycle symbols painted on the road, yellow-topped grey poles and taller pillars with a map of the route in the locality. But there are long stretches with no way-marking at all, either because the road has been resurfaced, obliterating the on-road signs, or simply the linking between different sections is not complete. The National Road (EN) 125 is a good alternative if no other way is available. This road crosses the Algarve and is well-surfaced with a hard shoulder wide enough for a cyclist, but with intensive traffic and speedy drivers. About 50% of the route is on unpaved and gravel trails. Sometimes you will also find short sandy and rocky sections or even a couple of single-tracks (beware if you bring a wide trailer). Show more