Walk Saturday 4 January 2014 : Vale de Fuzeiros

[Geoff]

The first walk of the New Year...by special request....the restaurant is well recommended so some of you may want to plan to have lunch there as well as the usual post walk coffee/beer! I understand that the restaurant prefers prior knowledge for groups of more than 10, but it should be sufficient to do this prior to the walk...hence, please come prepared to decide if you want to eat there after!

A circular walk of about 8 or 9 kms, so approx. 2 hours.

Directions : drive from CVO to Silves, go over the bridge and turn right and follow the N124 for about 7 kms until you see a turning on the left signposted "Barragem do Arade 3 kms".......the signpost is in a small triangular traffic island, which has a large palm tree on it.

It may be easier to meet here at 09:45.....the start of the walk is another 10 minutes drive away.

If you want to meet at the start of the walk itself, then drive in the direction of the Barragem for 1km when there is a cafe on the left: turn right, signposted Canestros and Gregorios.

Drive through both Canestros and Gregarios for 3kms then make a sharp left turn, almost doubling back on yourself.

Drive for 2kms until you come to a T junction at the top of the hill, turn right for about 2kms and park in the village by O Gralha cafe, which is on the left.

There are a couple, or so, of uphill stretches...actually, about 6....some quite steep, with loose shale. Walking boots/stout trainers recommended and walking poles.

Beautiful views, ancient menhirs & tombs!

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 0900 on the day of the walk.

Please advise if you are intending to come.

Any questions , please ask or ring 282 380015 preferably between 1800-1900 or 0800-0900....but not before 3 January 2014!!

[Geoff]

the restaurant on U Tube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg57eJHjDzE

[Alison]

Happy New Year to everyone - photos attached of the first (?) cvo.com walk for 2014 - a great morning's walk in the hills followed by delicious lunch at O Gralha restaurant: 9 euros a head including drink, main course, pudding and tea/coffee.
Nice to meet up with Gerad (hope I've spelt it right?!), Karen and Caroline again.

Many thanks Geoff for showing us this walk - it is well signposted, as you say, but always easier to go with someone who can lead the way!

Hope you had a good walk today. After 7 days of glorious weather culminating in 17degrees yesterday, we arrived back to the UK in a blustery wet storm last night so a bit of a shock to the system.

Look forward to our next catch up when ever that ends up being.