This activity proposal aims to provide a weekend in the Algarve, taking advantage not only of a part of one of our country's beautiful coastal areas, but also getting to know a part of the interior, through a walk in Paderne that will take us to discover the Castle, as well as the Ribeira de Quarteira and finally the spectacular 24-metre high Vigário waterfall in Alte. Come and join us for another event not to be missed!

TIME: Departure from Lisbon at 7am
RETURN: Arrival in Lisbon at 7.30pm

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Saturday 15th November

10am - Planned start time of the walk

Walking in the 7 Hanging Valleys - Between Praia de Centeanes and Praia da Marinha

Points of interest:

- Vale de Centeanes Beach
- Suspended Valley Viewpoint
- Alfanzina Lighthouse
- Vale Espinhaço Picnic Park
- Espinhaço Valley Beach
- Oak Beach
- Benagil Beach
- Algar de Benagil
- Corredoura Beach
- Mad Dog Beach
- Mesquita Beach
- Marinha Beach
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 12 Km (round trip)

Difficulty: 3.5 (Scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the easiest)

Expected duration: 5h

Walking in the 7 Hanging Valleys - Between Praia de Centeanes and Praia da Marinha

The Seven Hanging Valleys walking route is one of the most beautiful trails in the Algarve,  and it wasThis is the best hiking destination in Europe. This walk has breathtaking views. This route descends and ascends ravines that almost always end above sea level - the hanging valleys. In the distant past, each hanging valley was associated with the mouth of a stream, and its formation was due to a rapid retreat of the coastline that was not accompanied by the carving of the waterline. The action of fresh and salt water results in the formation of a lacy pattern on the coast, known as a karst landscape, with a remarkable diversity of geoforms that can be seen at Praia da Marinha: arches, caves, algares and leixões. At Praia do Carvalho, you can access the sand through a tunnel carved into the soft Miocene limestone, where you can see a profusion of seashells aggregated in the rock matrix. Praia de Benagil Beach is associated with the mouth of a torrential stream that has carved a narrow ravine into the cliff. This beach was once home to a fishing community dedicated to handicrafts; nowadays, the boats mainly visit the sea caves.

Lunch will be in the form of a picnic, which is the responsibility of each participant

Tour suggestion: Boat trip to Benagil Cave (price not included)

16h00-Walk along Carvoeiro Beach with a visit to the Algar Seco

Algar Seco is a true ex-libris of Lagoa, a natural amphitheatre with an almost wild setting and one of the most pleasant spots on the entire Algarve coast. Earth erosion and the onslaught of the sea have moulded the limestone rocks into graceful shapes. As you descend the steps, you can enjoy a close-up view of the sea caves and nooks and crannies where nature has done what man has barely managed to destroy, lulled by the whisper of the waves. The rocks form “porches”, authentic balconies and romantic windows onto the sea, such as The Doll, You can feel the light breeze blowing from it. This is a highly recommended spot for visitors to Carvoeiro, photography lovers and more. The 570-metre-long wooden walkway and rest areas from here have redeveloped the stretch of coastline up to the Fort and Chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation.

20h30 - Group Dinner Suggestion

16th November (Sunday)

9.30 a.m. - Scheduled start time for the walk

Walking along the Ribeira de Quarteira to the Castle of Paderne

Points of interest:

- Paderne Fountain
- Azenha do Castelo
- Paderne Castle
- Quarteira Stream
- Castle Bridge
- Cerro do Leitão Mill
- Natural landscapes

Distance: 11 Km

Difficulty: 3 (Scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the easiest)

Walking along the Ribeira de Quarteira to the Castle of Paderne

This walk is 11 kilometres long and, in addition to the healthy contact with nature, we'll get to know all the surroundings of Paderne, especially the 13th-century castle, the 16th-century castle bridge over the Quarteira stream, the Cerro do Leitão mill and the Azenha do Castelo, a rotary mill that is so characteristic of these areas, harnessing the power of water as a form of energy.

13:30 - Lunch in a restaurant (suggested)

15h00 - Tour of Alte with highlights at the Vigário Waterfall and River Beach

The Queda do Vigário waterfall is one of Alte's hidden treasures. From a height of 24 metres, this waterfall, which is part of the Ribeira de Alte, falls with great force into a beautiful lagoon with clear waters. In summer, many people go there to bathe. Next to the waterfall, the surrounding area has been redeveloped with the creation of a green space where picnic tables and support facilities are available.

Alte is a village at the foot of the Serra do Caldeirão, in the far north-west of the municipality of Loulé, in the district of Faro. It is a typical Algarvian village with a well-preserved historic centre, full of whitewashed residential buildings and narrow streets and staircases paved with Portuguese pavement.

What is included in the programme:

- Bed and breakfast in a 3/4 star hotel
- 3 Walks
- The proposed accommodation option includes various room types
- Guided Walks
- Compulsory insurance

Price in double room: 150€
Price in single room: 175€
Seat reservation fee: 50€

Transport included:

Price in double room: 200€
Price in single room: 225€
Seat reservation fee: 50€

- Praia do Carvoeiro - Algar Seco - Praia do Vale de Centeanes - Vales Suspensos - Farol de Alfanzina - Praia do Carvalho - Praia e Gruta de Benagil - Praia da Marinha - Castelo de Paderne - Azenha e Ponte de Paderne - Ribeira de Quarteira - Cascata do Vigário - Aldeia de Alte - Praia Fluvial - Natural landscapes -