Via Algarviana
Description
- Name Via Algarviana (GR13)
- Length of trail 300 km, 186 miles
- Length in days 14 days
- Start of trail Alcoutim
- End of trail Cabo de São Vicente
- Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail


Alcoutim – Cabo Santo Vincent, Algarve, 300 km, 14 days
The Algarve is a popular holiday destination in the South of Portugal. It differs from the Mediterranean in the influence of the Atlantic.
The Via Algarviana is a popular trail. It runs inland, not along the coastline.
The trail starts at the Spanish border in the village of Alcoutim. The first half of the trail runs through rather depopulated hills and villages. The second half of the trail is nearer to the popular tourist destinations along the coast. The villages the trail passes thrive on tourism and the hills gradually flatten out. During the last stage, the ocean is approaching from both sides, the landscape drastically changes to open grassland and the walk ends in Cape São Vicente.
The area is still full of remains of the old rural life. When you pay attention, you will find many traces of old farms, bakeries, even bath houses. Nowadays, large areas consist of Eucalyptus plantations, thriving on the poor grounds. Wind farms are another obvious or obtrusive new element in the landscape. You will have to deal with that.
Still, there is so much to enjoy. In March and April the air is saturated with Nightingales‘ songs and Citrus smell. Best time to walk is October till May. June to September is too hot. In autumn, the fields will turn green with the first rains. In spring flowers and weeds break out everywhere.
The trail is very well marked (as of 2017), better than almost any other trail in Europe. On the airport of Faro you can obtain a free copy of the guidebook and maps. Otherwise, download them from the trail’s website.
The trail is easy, consisting of small roads, gravel tracks and paths. Main challenge are some very long stages between villages. Alternatively carry a tent; good camping spots are easy to find. Or improvise a little with busses and taxi’s. In the villages, ask for lodging. There are more opportunities than those popping up on the Internet.
Opinions

- Nanda December 2015
- Rate 9
- Positive Beautiful views, small villages, friendly people, easy going paths, good signing.

- John P February 2016
- Rate 7
- Positive The path has good way-marking and takes you through a part of the Algarve less visited by tourists. There are hills, and eucalyptus and pine trees, Mediterranean scrub and little towns with cobbled streets. It is an excellent walk in winter when footpaths in more northerly and easterly parts of Europe are affected by rain and snow, I would not do it in the heat of summer.
- Negative The scenery is pleasant rather than dramatic.

- Oranginas, long distance hiking trails Europe March 2011
- Rate 9
- Positive Well marked trail through the original Algarve, far away from the tourist-coast. If you want to prepare your trail contact Almargem: to save and support the original Algarve, with her partially abandoned villages, the original architecture (water wheels, fountains, ovens), walled almond- and olive groves, cork oaks, the great panorama’s from the hilltops.
- Negative In case of rain the water level of the rivers can be very high. So, ask the locals.
Links
Facts
- The Algarve Way
Yes, there is a trail across the Algarve. And it is waymarked too! Home page.
- Via Algarviana Home page
Find the guidebook here, as well as tracks and maps.
- Blog of walking the Via Algarviana
Blog of a couple walking along the Via Algarviana
- Correct link for Via Algarviana site
This is a working link to one of the two main Via Algarviana sites
- Doch womit beginnen?: VIA ALGARVIANA (I/IV) - Jornal Algarve 123 (German)
Four seperate stories to explain what Via Algarviana is like.
- Hiking trails walking routes Portugal
Five stages of the Via Algarviana through the countryside of the Algarve
- Via Algarviana (German)
- Via Algarviana - Home
Home page of the trail.
- Via Algarviana, The Algarve from East to West
Another home page. They offer some 11 leaflets describing the different stages of the walk.
Reports
- Blog of walk on Via Algarviana
Blog of walk on Via Algarviana in February 2016
- Via Algarviana pictures from cycling photos on webshots (Portuguese)
Pictures from a cycling tour
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books

United Kingdom
2019
- Walking in the Algarve
- 33 walks in the south of Portugal including Serra de Monchique and Costa Vicentina Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2019
- Algarve Walking
- This guidebook presents 33 walks in Portugal`s beautiful Algarve. Boasting good weather, easy access via Faro airport, stunning scenery and some great hiking trails, the region is a perfect destination for a walking holiday.Ranging from 3.5 to 17km, the routes cover the rugged Vicentina Coast and sun-kissed south coast, the Monchique mountains... Read more

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Walking in the Algarve | Cicerone
- Guidebook to 33 day walks in the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region. The selected routes offer both coastal and inland options, including the Serra de Monchique and Costa Vicentina, the south and west coasts, the central region and East Algarve. The Algarve benefits from a mild climate, fine scenery and easy transport access. Read more

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids 5916 Wanderführer Algarve mit Fernwanderweg Via Algarviana | Kompass
- Die Vorteile des Wanderführers auf einen Blick:- Von KOMPASS-Experten erwanderte Touren- Jede Tour mit Höhenprofil und Kartenausschnitt- Ausflugs- und Übernachtungstipps- Kostenloser Download der GPX-DatenDie Vorteile der Extra-Tourenkarte auf einen Blick:- Unterstützt die Tourenauswahl- Kartografische Gesamtübersicht- Touren können einfach... Read more
Maps

Netherlands
2017
- Wandelkaart Algarviana - Hiking the Via Algarviana | MapSite Verlag
- Wandelkaartset van 6 kaarten van de Via Algarviana. The Via Algarviana (GR13) is a long distance trail in Portugal, running 300 km from Alcoutim at the Spanish border across the entire length of the Algarve to Cape St. Vincent at the Atlantic Ocean. A scale of 1:50.000, accurate relief presentation, 25-m contours, UTM-grid and -projection (for... Read more
Walking holidays
Netherlands
- Portugal - Via Algarviana
- 'Barrocal', zo noemen de Portugezen in de Algarve de streek tussen kust en gebergte. Verbonden door een schitterende lange-afstandsroute, de met Europees geld zorgvuldig aangelegde Via Algarviana, ligt hier een aantal verstilde bergdorpjes bijeen. Geurende kruiden, kurkeiken, olijfbomen en johannesbroodbomen markeren het landschap. Bijzonder... Read more
Netherlands
- Portugal - Algarve
- De Algarve scoort hoog als het op zon en zee aankomt. Ver weg van de drukke stranden in het zuiden is de beduidend stillere westkust een verademing. We trekken zuidwaarts over de Rota Vicentina, een langeafstandspad dat langs woeste rotspartijen, doodstille duinpannen en imposante zandstranden krult. Zo wandelen we door de beschermde natuur van... Read more