This walk starts next to the Lagoa Pequena Bird Observatory, and from there goes along various trails, roads and sandy beaches, with beautiful scenery over the entire coastline on the south side of Lagoa de Albufeira, Lagoa Pequena and Lagoa da Estacada. It's a very beautiful route that allows you to walk almost all the time with the water at your side, not forgetting a visit to the Lagoa de Albufeira Sea Beach and the Interpretive Centre's birdwatching walkways. This is definitely another event not to be missed!

Albufeira Lagoon

Lagoa de Albufeira is located on the western edge of the Setúbal Peninsula, in the Caparica - Espichel coastal arc, about 20 kilometres south of Lisbon. It is a place of unusual beauty, where the sea, the lagoon and extensive pine forests combine. The lagoon has unusual characteristics and is ideal for sport fishing, sailing and windsurfing. It is made up of two main lagoon bodies connected by a narrow, sinuous and shallow channel: Lagoa Pequena, which is more inland and shallower, and Lagoa Grande, with maximum depths of around 15 metres.

Lagoa Grande is separated from the sea by a sandy barrier. At the spring equinox, a single bar is usually artificially opened. In winter, during strong storms, the bar can open naturally. In the coastal areas there is an area of dunes. The shores of the lagoon have relatively gentle slopes, steeper in the north. A large part of the lagoon's water mirror is free of vegetation.

Upstream of the lagoon is a palustrine area formed by a relatively extensive patch of reed bed, known as Lagoa da Estacada. This area is currently separated from Lagoa Pequena by a dyke and is essentially fed by the Ribeira da Apostiça. Next to the dyke is a patch of willows and some poplars.

Surrounding practically the entire lagoon is a vast pine forest, where stone pine, maritime pine, some eucalyptus and cork oaks stand out. Sometimes there is a shrub layer. The agricultural land is usually found in the flood valleys of the streams that flow into the lagoon: Ribeira de Aiana, Ferraria and Apostiça.

The Small Lagoon

Lagoa Pequena is the largest wetland on the Setúbal Peninsula and plays an important role in the movement of various birds. It is classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC, which gives it a decisive role in ensuring a network of wetlands that allows individuals to move between nesting areas, particularly for the Purple Heron Ardea purpúrea, Little Egret Ixobrychus minuts, White Egret Egreta garzetta and Shrimp Porphyrio porphyrio.

The diversity of bird species, the beauty of the landscape and the welcoming conditions create ideal conditions for lovers of birdwatching and nature photography.

- Lagoa de Albufeira Beach - Lagoa de Albufeira - Lagoa Pequena - Lagoa da Estacada - Lagoa Pequena Interpretive Area - Bird Observatory - Vala da Salgueirinha - Cabeço da Flauta Estate - Natural landscapes -