4 days circular trek on Rota Vicentina route
From the donkey farm at the feet of Monchique Mountains you start your donkey hiking mainly on a section of the long distance trail GR Via Algarviana http://www.viaalgarviana.org/index.php/ligacoes-a-via-algarviana/ligacao-5-marmelete-aljezur/?lang=en to the typical small town Aljezur reigned over by a 10th century fortress.
From here you head off on GR Rota Vicentina http://de.rotavicentina.com/route-aljezur-arrifana-2.html towards the fantastic Atlantic coast.
From now on, In the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, fishermen trails lead your way northwards along the fantastic coastline with cliffs, unspoilt beaches and sand dunes. Another singular beauty – especially in blooming spring – the endemic and Mediterranean vegetation.
An archaeological treasure, Ribat de Arrifana, the 2nd on whole Iberian Peninsula, welcomes you on the third day. This 12th century convent fortress was placed on a headland, right on top of the cliffs, metres high above the sea. Once perfect strategic location, the Ribat offers us again an endless, stunning coastline view. Fascinating the adventurous placed stork nests, right upon the steepest cliffs – unique worldwide!
In the inland you walk through valleys or on plain land, with cattle pastures, pine woods, eucalyptus forest, wilder areas where you can admire the natural vegetation, with dense scrub arbutus, white heather, scotch heather, viburnum tinus, cistus, lentiscus, wild asparagus, laurel and furze are in abundance. You will walk through the alleys of historic Aljezur and cross with locals who all remember the time when donkeys made part of their life as well as you cross with hikers.
And whoosh! Warm hearted talks arise. Yes, that is it, the beautiful effect of donkey trekking: your long eared travel companion opens our hearts and the ones of people you meet.
Trekking is suitable for adults and for children used to walking.
Duration: 5 days
Departure: 01.02. - 30.06. & 15.09. - 15.11.
Price: from 557,00 eur per person, min. 2 pax
- accommodation – 1 night with breakfast in hostel, 3 nights in guest house
- donkey for luggage transport (1 donkey for 2 persons)
- meeting with a local guide on day 2
- road book, maps and information material
- assistance during the trekking
- transfers as per program
- costs of transportation for getting to Aljezur
- meals
- insurance
- anything not mentioned under “the price includes
Itinerary
Arrival in Aljezur
Check-in in a modern and cosy Hostel in the old town of Aljezur and free time for dinner in a restaurant near by or self catering (Hostel has a kitchen for guests).
Shopping on this tour only in Aljezur!
From donkey farm to Aljezur
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 50 |
Breakfast.
10h00 Transfer to the donkey farm.
After introduction to the donkey handling (2,5h); grooming and packing the donkeys you start your 4 days donkey trekking in the direction of small town Aljezur, first through a little valley with dense vegetation, then along a crest always the impressive Monchique mountain to your left and Aljezur nestled on two hills hill to your right. Descent to the fertile riverbed, to Aljezur. Down-town will be time for everybody to satisfy their own needs and curiosity, by perhaps visiting tourist office, museums, chapel, grocery or pastry shop.
Transfer to Monte Clerigo and overnight in a friendly family guest house.
Dinner at one of two restaurants or at the snack bar or self catering in your apartment.
From fertile riverbed to spectacular coast line view
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 224 | 184 |
Breakfast at the beach café, payment on spot in cash.
Transfer to the donkey, to Aljezur.
The exit of the village allows you to admire the valley of the Aljezur river which extends to the Amoreira beach. Moving closer to the coast, you will cross the sierra with a predominance of eucalyptus trees, whose progressive plantation, due to the growing need for paper, has altered the character of the region’s forest. When the sea appears on the horizon, in a landscape swept by salty winds, where hardly devolved undergrowth predominates, you can already foresee your arrival at the incomparable Bay of Arrifana.
Transfer to Monte Clerigo, to your guest house
Overnight in a family guest house in Monte Clerigo.
Dinner at one of two restaurants or at the snack bar or self catering in your apartment
Cliff line hike, archaeological dig Ribat de Arrifana
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 161 | 190 |
Breakfast at the beach café, payment on spot in cash.
Transfer to your donkey, to Arrifana.
You will walk on a narrow bush trek till the cliffs which you then follow heading North the rest of the day, always safe. In the middle on a spit the Ribat de Arrifana (arab convent fortress, 12th century), the 2nd on the Iberian Peninsula. Once the cliffs end, you arrive at a picturesque ensemble of holiday beach houses, Monte Clerigo.
Overnight in a family guest house in Monte Clerigo.
Dinner at one of two restaurants or at the snack bar or self catering in your apartment
On the trace of former times
| Km | Mt | Mt | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 |
Breakfast at the beach café, payment on spot in cash.
You pass pasture land, a semi-wild valley, Aljezur riverbed and through the alleys of historical Aljezur crowned by a fortress ruin (10th century) with majestic view to the Monchique Mountains. Now your final trail is leading donkeys and you back to the donkey farm.
Transfer to Aljezur.
