I hope you don't mind my contacting your forum. We are coming to the area on Monday for 5 days and are looking for some routes to walk/run/bike. I'm training for a marathon and we are also hiring mountain bikes. I will run up to 15 miles and shorter runs and my husband will cycle alongside. The cliffs look beautiful and have lots of paths. Is there access all along? Are the roads busy? Is it safe to run inland?
Thank you so much for any help you can give.

There are several miles of beautiful clifftop walks around Carvoeiro, especially going east towards Centiannes, Mahrinias, as far as Senora-de-Rocha
These are not suitable for running or cycling as there are several "hanging valleys", that require some scrambling up and down much of it graded as medium difficulty walking.

You can run and cycle in circular routes, we regularly do a circle of about 12 miles on roads and tracks. Sadly it is a case of experimentation. There are road maps, but not to OS standard for running or mountain biking.

I might suggest going out of Carvoeiro toward Lagoa. Turning right, at Poco Partido, just before Intermarche, go east toward Salicos, then continue generally easterly towards Albanderia, or even Amacao-de-Pera, then cut back along the coast road going via Benagil, Rocha Brava and back to Carvoeiro.

I would recommend avoiding the N125.

We found these routes by trial and error. Enjoy your runs, but enjoy the scenery and wild flowers, as well.

The roads Bruce mentions are good cycling roads and there are many more towards Portimao and Silves. I've found them all by trial and error. If you don't like hills I'd avoid Benagil!

You can pick up the 'cycle route' through Lombos to Lagoa and beyond, it is all mainly well signed and fairly even.

Are you doing the London Marathon? My eldest daughter is doing it this year for the first time.

Thank you all so much. I'm entered for the Edinburgh marathon end of May. I don't mind running in loops several times as we don't have much time to explore in only 5 days. What is the Estrado do Farol like and the M530 and the M1273 and the Rua dos Pescadores? I can see lots on Google Earth but of course no idea of the traffic.

What google doesn't show is how hilly it is around Carvoeiro.

I'm not too worried by hills. It's more traffic and the safety of running on the roads.

I don't think traffic will be too much of an issue if you keep away from the town centre etc - trouble is the potholes in the roads and the state of the pavements - would advise strong ankle strappings.

If you go into the official tourist office in Carvoeiro I think they can give you a couple of guides to both walks and rides.

I can't remember the url but they can also be downloaded from their web site.

The route suggested by Bruce is pretty quiet and interesting to boot. Enjoy!

Bruce Wallis wrote:There are several miles of beautiful clifftop walks around Carvoeiro, especially going east towards Centiannes, Mahrinias, as far as Senora-de-Rocha
These are not suitable for running or cycling as there are several "hanging valleys", that require some scrambling up and down much of it graded as medium difficulty walking.

You can run and cycle in circular routes, we regularly do a circle of about 12 miles on roads and tracks. Sadly it is a case of experimentation. There are road maps, but not to OS standard for running or mountain biking.

I might suggest going out of Carvoeiro toward Lagoa. Turning right, at Poco Partido, just before Intermarche, go east toward Salicos, then continue generally easterly towards Albanderia, or even Amacao-de-Pera, then cut back along the coast road going via Benagil, Rocha Brava and back to Carvoeiro.

I would recommend avoiding the N125.

We found these routes by trial and error. Enjoy your runs, but enjoy the scenery and wild flowers, as well.

Thanks Bruce. I've planned out the route. I hope the weather is good now and we're all set.

My husband and I are both runners, and he is a mountain biker. We run the cliffs often when we are in CVO. Depending on where you are staying, you can enter the cliffs in many different places. Then, head west to your hearts content. If you go from CVO Clube to Ferragudo area, RT it is about 15 kms (shorter by road). But it is a hard run due to the up and down. You also need to be sure footed but the work out is wonderful. There are paths down where it dips so you don't need to ''climb'' or scramble.

traveler wrote:My husband and I are both runners, and he is a mountain biker. We run the cliffs often when we are in CVO. Depending on where you are staying, you can enter the cliffs in many different places. Then, head west to your hearts content. If you go from CVO Clube to Ferragudo area, RT it is about 15 kms (shorter by road). But it is a hard run due to the up and down. You also need to be sure footed but the work out is wonderful. There are paths down where it dips so you don't need to ''climb'' or scramble.

Many thanks for this. Off-road is meant to be tough

traveler wrote:My husband and I are both runners, and he is a mountain biker. We run the cliffs often when we are in CVO. Depending on where you are staying, you can enter the cliffs in many different places. Then, head west to your hearts content. If you go from CVO Clube to Ferragudo area, RT it is about 15 kms (shorter by road). But it is a hard run due to the up and down. You also need to be sure footed but the work out is wonderful. There are paths down where it dips so you don't need to ''climb'' or scramble.

Somebody else who thinks that the Algarve is Monte Carvoeiro.....and all points west??

I dunno Bruce, I'd say that Carvoeiro is right in the middle of The Algarve

traveler wrote: Then, head west to your hearts content..

Bruce Wallis wrote: especially going east towards Centiannes, Mahrinias, as far as Senora-de-Rocha...