Steps & Stones

The Balcony of East Algarve

Cerro de São Miguel

What will we see? The landscape shaped by dry stone walls. The Geodiversity of the Cerro de São Miguel area, one of the highest elevations in the Algarvian Barrocal. Former lime kilns. The vast panoramic view from this Balcony of East Algarve.

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 6.2 km; expected duration: between 3 and 4 hours. Circular route on mountain paths, trails and gravel and tarmac road (with vehicle circulation), with strong height differences particularly at the descent (total: 331 meters).

What is the best season for the walk? Mid-September to mid-June.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (12-17 year olds); free for children under the age of 12 (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or 50 €.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection.

A breath-taking fossil coral reef

Cerro Grande

What will we see? The landscape of the Algarvian Barrocal in the East of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo. The Geodiversity of the Cerro Grande area. A geological time line. A spectacular fossil coral reef. The panoramic view of the coastline and the Serra do Caldeirão.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (12-17 year olds); Free for children under 12 years old (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or €50.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).

Lost oceans and the super-continent Pangea

Marco

What will we see? Deposits from the ancient Rheic Ocean, from the supercontinent Pangea and from the Téthys Ocean. Clay, raw material for the ceramic industry. The traditional manufacture of bricks and tiles. Fossil corals. A major geological fault..

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 4,3 km; expected duration: 3 hours. Circular pedestrian route, in a rocky path and tarmac way, with some car traffic and a total height difference in the ascent and descent of about 160 meters.

Is there a cafe or similar on the way? No.

What is the best season for the walk? Mid-September to mid-June.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (young people aged 12 to 17); free for children under 12 years old (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or €50.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).

The Legendary Mountain

Rocha da Pena (Salir)

What will we see? Phenomena of weathering in limestone. Rocky cliffs. A time line. geological Panoramic views of the Algarvian Barrocal and Serra do Caldeirão. Karst phenomena. An iron age stone wall. The village of Penina. Volcanic rocks.

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 6.5 km; expected duration: between 3 and 4 hours. Circular route on mountain paths, trails, paved and dirt road, with steep slopes in the ascent and descent (total height difference: about 270 meters).

Is there a cafe or similar on the way? At Penina and at the beginning/end of the way.

What is the best season for the walk? Mid-September to mid-June.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (young people aged 12 to 17); free for children under 12 years old (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or €50.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).

The decay of Pangea and a karst spring

Fonte Benémola and Pirinéu (Querença):

What will we see? Deposits of the ancient Rheic ocean. The surface and sediments of the supercontinent Pangaea. A geological discordance. Volcanic rocks. Limestones formed in the Tethys sea. The protected landscape of Fonte Benémola and a karst spring (if there is enough water…).

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 7 km; expected duration: 3 hours. Circular pedestrian route, in a rocky path and tarmac way, with some car traffic and a total height difference in the ascent and descent of about 240 meters.

Is there a cafe or similar on the way? No.

What is the best season for the walk? Mid-September to mid-June.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (young people aged 12 to 17); free for children under 12 years old (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or €50.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).

At the bottom of the Jurassic Ocena

Escarpão Plateau

What will we see? Deposits of the ancient Jurassic Ocean. Fossils of corals, rudists and others. Limestones formed in the sea Tethys. The course of Ribeira de Quarteira along a fault. A so called Roman bridge.

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 7 km; expected duration: 3 hours. Circular pedestrian route, in a rocky path, with some car traffic and a total height difference in the ascent and descent of about 210 meters. The path is not viable during or after times of heavy rain.

Is there a cafe or similar on the way? No.

What is the best season for the walk? Mid-September to mid-June.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? €25 (adults), €15 (young people aged 12 to 17); free for children under 12 years old (must be accompanied by at least one parent or an adult). Minimum: 2 adults or €50.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).

The Rock, the Sea, the Sun and the Wind

Mareta and Tonel Beaches (Sagres)

What will we see? Deposits of the ancient Jurassic Ocean. Coral fossils on a mid-Jurassic reef. Ichnofossils. Phenomena of
phenomena (slumping). A volcanic dyke. Tectonic faults and folds. In addition to the geological tour, it is recommended to visit the Fortress of Sagres and the Cape of São Vicente.

What is the length, duration and type of the route? Length: 3,5 km;
expected duration: 3 hours. Linear pedestrian route, on the beach and
rocky areas, partially on road with car traffic, with
descents and ascents (total height difference: about 80 meters).
The tour can only be done during low tide; even so,
some points may be inaccessible.

Is there a cafe or similar on the way? Yes.

What is the best season for the walk? All the year long.

Is the tour suitable for persons with reduced mobility? No.

How many people can participate? Up to 10 persons.

What are the prices per person? € 25 (adults), € 15 (young persons aged 12 to 17); free for children under the age of 12 years (must be accompanied by, at least, one parent or adult). Minimum: 4 adults or € 100.

What should I bring? Good shoes, water, some snacks, sun protection (there is very little shade).