The Algarve is rapidly gaining popularity as a year-round hiking destination, thanks to its diverse landscapes, peaceful trails and pleasant climate. Keen hiker Tracy Burton explores how the free Via Algarviana app continues to transform the outdoor life for residents and visitors alike.
In May 2015, my partner Harri and I arrived in the Algarve for the first time to hike the GR13-Via Algarviana. We hadn’t yet embraced digital navigation tools, so relied entirely on a downloadable PDF guide and the red and yellow waymarks to backpack from Alcoutim to Cabo de São Vicente. Miraculously, we only lost our way once when, somewhere between Salir and Alte, we picked up waymarks going in the opposite direction and ended up walking back on ourselves.
Things have progressed dramatically since then. The Via Algarviana website has been continually updated and revised, and last year, an app was launched to assist hikers. To date, there have been around 4,700 downloads – around 50% from Portugal, with the rest from Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands.
One of the biggest enhancements is the availability of downloadable GPX and KML mapping, along with a visual map and guide highlighting points of interest, refreshments, ATMs and useful contacts for each section.
Something which would have helped us tremendously in 2015 is the new booking section, which lists accommodation providers, places to eat, transport, guide services, luggage carriers, etc. In the more remote eastern villages, we relied on the kindness of local hosts to ring ahead and arrange our bed for that night.
The app also means no hungry walker now needs to throw themselves on the mercy of a bar owner’s wife to make them cheese sandwiches – and teach them a few basic words of Portuguese (like pão and queijo).
The Via Algarviana isn’t just popular with hikers; the 300-kilometre trail attracts mountain bikers seeking a challenge. The app recognises this and provides mapping and a breakdown of the topography for five longer sections. Though, at 76.1 kilometres, the stretch from Marmelete may leave you feeling rather saddle-sore!
Of course, not everyone wants to tackle the full distance, be it on foot or bike, and the app provides plenty of other opportunities to explore the Algarve, including:
- 12 connections or link routes (ranging from 7.3km to 29.3km)
- 18 short-distance paths (4.7km to 18km)
- 4 themed routes (smugglers, water, monumental trees and geology)
- 11 audio-guided tours in MP3 and MP4 format
It’s continually being updated, e.g. PR15 LLE – Entre o Barrocal e a Serra, PR5 ABF – Entre Aldeias, PR2 SLV – Nos Passos do Património and Connection 12 are recent additions
You can follow the routes offline using the app’s mapping; however, you will need to download them online.
Katie Slater, who set up Hiking Algarve, said: “This nice handy app not only helps with the main route but offers shorter and interesting routes for other walkers. It’s very easy to download a GPX file and upload it to an app like Outdoor Active. The PDF leaflets are well-written and it’s nice to read more about the area, its history, geology and vegetation.”
Hike leaders Sonia and Charly Strohl find the app a good way to provide details like distance, elevation and difficulty to would-be participants. They sometimes merge two hikes together.
“I love the descriptions of the hikes, which I find are pretty accurate,” Sonia added. “I especially like the idea of the audio-guided routes, but haven’t tried one yet.”
Hiker Karen Soars agreed. ‘The Via Algarviana app has been great as I hike on my own a lot, and it has made me more confident about going out by myself. Sometimes there might be missing signs, so the app gives me an extra bit of reassurance I’ve not missed a turn!”
While the app was designed for hikers, it’s a valuable resource for everyone, with local history, cultural insights and practical details about amenities and services.
The Via Algarviana app is available in Portuguese, English, French, German and Dutch. You can download it: viaalgarviana.org/en/menu/133/download-our-free-app
