Walk Thursday 23 November 2017 : Montes de Cima
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:38 am
I suspect that the Monday walk this week will still be a bit easy, so here's an extra one with a bit more challenge.
This is a new(ish) variant on a new walk... an added hill with beautiful views.....whilst I thought the original walk was a Grade 2 Difficulty and Bruce thought it was a 3, this is definitely a grade 3.
When we did the walk in May 2016, parts ( about 200m) were a bit overgrown , so perhaps shorts are not advised!......but the fires last year cleared a lot of this away, though the regrowth was quite strong earlier this year, so...?
Probably about 2 hours 30mins, mainly flat(tish) but with a steep climb at the start and a couple of moderate slopes later.
Degree of Difficulty ( scale 1:5) : 3 Energetic
Start : 10.00am
Directions: From Lagoa, turn left on the N125 and go past the turn-off for Alvor. After a few hundred yards, there is a BP station on your right and a road signposted " Senhora do Verde, Vidigal, Casais, Alcalar, Torre" : turn right here. IF you go past the Hotal Penina on your left, you have gone too far.
Please note there were a lot of roadworks here last week, and the signpost was missing......but it's first right past the BP station
Go up this road ( M532). After going through a single lane tunnel and after about another 1/4 mile, make sure you follow the road bending left signed Alcalar ; do NOT go straight on.
You should then soon be crossing the motorway. Carry on, passing A Taberna Nicola cafe on your right, and Cafe Andre a bit later on your left. Carry on past O Tasco, on the left. Just past O Tasco, bear left and follow the Monchique sign.
About 5 minutes after O Tasco, you will see a building on the right that used to be a cafe bear left here ( signposted Montes de Cima, Marmalete, Casais ) and drive on for about 3kms till you get to Montes de Cima. Follow the road round to the right to the cafe Taberna da Manel ; park opposite, or a bit further up the road.Please do not park just outside the cafe.
GPS : 37.241448, -8.611435
Alternatively : wait just past the turn off on the N125 at 0920, just before the winery, and follow us!
Usual caveats: all walks are at your own risk, and we do not walk if it is pouring with rain.....I will endeavour to put any cancellation note on this site by 0830 on the day of the walk.
Walking boots/stout trainers , walking pole(s), hats and water recommended. No charge, of course.
The cafe has a good range of sandwiches/tostas etc and sells honey in jars of all shapes and sizes.
Please advise if:
(a) you are intending to come
(b) whether you will want to meet us at the N125 turn-off
As these walks were quite popular , we may have to limit numbers to about 20 , so it is important to say if you intend to come.
Any questions , please ask below or PM me or ring 282 380015 preferably between 0800-0900 or 1800-1900 .
Lunch (optional) : with Amadeus Gardens closed and O Tosca not being what it was ( in my opinion), we MIGHT try Fontes de Pedra , but it was closed in Feb with a sign saying ( I think ) opening in March...we will try & check it out!! Otherwise, we can go to the Arao , about a 10mins drive : we went there last year and it was good,(prata de dia about 8€) but need to book...watch this space please.
change of plans...we won't be organising lunch...see post below
This is a new(ish) variant on a new walk... an added hill with beautiful views.....whilst I thought the original walk was a Grade 2 Difficulty and Bruce thought it was a 3, this is definitely a grade 3.
When we did the walk in May 2016, parts ( about 200m) were a bit overgrown , so perhaps shorts are not advised!......but the fires last year cleared a lot of this away, though the regrowth was quite strong earlier this year, so...?
Probably about 2 hours 30mins, mainly flat(tish) but with a steep climb at the start and a couple of moderate slopes later.
Degree of Difficulty ( scale 1:5) : 3 Energetic
Start : 10.00am
Directions: From Lagoa, turn left on the N125 and go past the turn-off for Alvor. After a few hundred yards, there is a BP station on your right and a road signposted " Senhora do Verde, Vidigal, Casais, Alcalar, Torre" : turn right here. IF you go past the Hotal Penina on your left, you have gone too far.
Please note there were a lot of roadworks here last week, and the signpost was missing......but it's first right past the BP station
Go up this road ( M532). After going through a single lane tunnel and after about another 1/4 mile, make sure you follow the road bending left signed Alcalar ; do NOT go straight on.
You should then soon be crossing the motorway. Carry on, passing A Taberna Nicola cafe on your right, and Cafe Andre a bit later on your left. Carry on past O Tasco, on the left. Just past O Tasco, bear left and follow the Monchique sign.
About 5 minutes after O Tasco, you will see a building on the right that used to be a cafe bear left here ( signposted Montes de Cima, Marmalete, Casais ) and drive on for about 3kms till you get to Montes de Cima. Follow the road round to the right to the cafe Taberna da Manel ; park opposite, or a bit further up the road.Please do not park just outside the cafe.
GPS : 37.241448, -8.611435
Alternatively : wait just past the turn off on the N125 at 0920, just before the winery, and follow us!
Usual caveats: all walks are at your own risk, and we do not walk if it is pouring with rain.....I will endeavour to put any cancellation note on this site by 0830 on the day of the walk.
Walking boots/stout trainers , walking pole(s), hats and water recommended. No charge, of course.
The cafe has a good range of sandwiches/tostas etc and sells honey in jars of all shapes and sizes.
Please advise if:
(a) you are intending to come
(b) whether you will want to meet us at the N125 turn-off
As these walks were quite popular , we may have to limit numbers to about 20 , so it is important to say if you intend to come.
Any questions , please ask below or PM me or ring 282 380015 preferably between 0800-0900 or 1800-1900 .
Lunch (optional) : with Amadeus Gardens closed and O Tosca not being what it was ( in my opinion), we MIGHT try Fontes de Pedra , but it was closed in Feb with a sign saying ( I think ) opening in March...we will try & check it out!! Otherwise, we can go to the Arao , about a 10mins drive : we went there last year and it was good,(prata de dia about 8€) but need to book...watch this space please.
change of plans...we won't be organising lunch...see post below