Portugal 2025

[felix2566]

Hi All,

Another trip through Portugal, cant get enough of it, so accessible and fun!

Today was the first proper day, we started from Miranada Do Duro and finished in Fermoselle, Spain, 63km
The route is on Wikiloc, we followed some one elses. It was really good, pretty much all off road. Just a fee bits we missed out as it was a long day, 5hrs, of driving.

 

[felix2566]

Day 2

Trabanca to Saucelle.

Was a bit of a harder one this one, the route we were following had not been driven in a while, so there where quite a few dead ends where the trail was either too overgrown to drive or there were in one case locked gates blocking the original way.

The highlight for us was the waterfall at Pozo de los Humos. Can view it from the portugese and spanish sides, both very different views.

On the Portuguese side I hiked down to the bottom was more like flowing a goat trail than a proper path but worth it for the views!

 

[felix2566]

Day 3

We tried some off road trails in the first half of the day, but I decided not to save the recording of it as some I'm not sure how legal it was. Felt like we were passing through a lot a farm land, many gates to open and close etc. It was a previously recorded trail, but I'm not sure what the rules are in Spain.

We stopped off at what we thought might be a good swimming spot at a river, but the gorge was too deep to get into safely and the water too fast, the historic bridge was fun to walk over. San Felices de los Gallegos

We then headed to Lake Meimao for some wild camping and swimming. It was properly lovely, no one else around, clear refreshing water, just what we needed!

 

[felix2566]

Day 4

We left the lake to head up into the hills to follow a line of wind turbines, had seen the dust cloud the night before from some other drivers. It was only a short one ending up in Sabugal. The early part of the trail was probably the steepest and longest climb I've ever done, was slightly nervous untill we got to the top, haha!

We then headed cross country to meet up with a friend in Santo Andre on the coast. Was quite some kms as we avoided using the motorway, but the scenery was incredible!

 

[felix2566]

Day 5

North of Sines to Zambujeira.

Was a really fun day, driving with my friend and his lad, just having a laugh in the sand dunes and stopping off at gorgeous beaches! Just have to keep your toe in on the deep sand and hope it stays floating!

 

[felix2566]

Day 6
Zambujeira to Pria do Amado

We followed another trail along the coast line keeping as close to the sea as possible. It started a bit tame but got better and better as the day went on. The route we were following finished at the other end of the beach we are staying at for the night. We then carried on and did a big loop inland and back again to the south end of the beach. Awesome track down to a lovely secluded spot where we have decided to camp for the night. Whole beach to ourselves!!

Spotted some other LCs too which I was very happy about! Haha

 

[felix2566]

Day 7
Pria do Amado to Sagres then,
Bordeira to Ribeira de Odiaxere reservoir.

The trails down to Sagres were very pleasant but nothing too taxing. The area around where we stayed the night is heaving with good trails in the forestry plantations, could spend days exploring.

As we got closer to Sagres it got more busy, loads of hikers. Didnt spend too much time there before heading NE.

We then picked up and followed a route, starting north of Bordeira that went round and finished south of Ribeira de Odiaxere reservoir. Who ever made the route enjoyed some challenging climbs and descents!! There was one decent that I couldn't make myself do, was much longer and steeper than anything I've ever done. We were following the route in reverse, but I'd still not have wanted to drive up that section. We drove round another way to the bottom just to have a look, it was pretty daunting. Will save it for another time, preferably with some other more experienced drivers. In the description for that section it was written that it was 30 degree climb....

We carried on to a camp site near Budens and Salena, very nice place if your passing.

I think we're having a beach day tomorrow, was a lot of miles today, be nice to not be moving for a bit!

 

[felix2566]

Day 8

Algarve race track to Azilheira

We had a day off from driving and spent most of it down at Salema beach. Was less than 20 mins walk from the camp site. Which I would highly recommend to any one who is looking for a place to stay. Really nicely laid out, plenty of space and good food if you dont want to cook! Haha.

Was a big group of french trucks at the camp site, 80, 100 and hilux plus some Ford offerings. Had a bit of a chat with the owners of the 80, but my French is negligible and so was their English! Looked like it had seen some action!

We packed up and drove up to the race circuit Autodromo International de Algarve where we picked up a route that took us essentially west.

It was a really fun drive, plenty/mostly off road, few little river/stream crossings. Some quite steep climbs and descents through the eucalyptus plantations.

On top of one of the mountains we came across a group of off road safari tours, long wheel base 40 was my favourite! Turns out he lived not far from where we are staying with friend, north of Vilamoura, we saw him driving the other way that afternoon, we were about 3hrs away from where we met him. Haha

It feels very strange driving along dirt roads to then see sign posts for the villages that are around. Some are properly in the middle of nowhere, real different life being lived by some of these people.

 

[Macanoise]

Well done what a wonderful achievement and stunning images, problem is once the internet gets hold of this information it will become overcrowded and the damage to this lovely tracks will follow, it happens all the time, we have experienced this situation here in Scotland too the point where it is so busy it has set the locals against the traffic, people are now racing round to see how fast they can travel, others are parking up with no consideration for the locals who have to live and work there, some say it’s good for tourism, but it’s unfortunate that the internet has highlighted the area so much that there are just too many tourists. There a a few places here in Scotland that have totally lost their charm of remote Beautiful and peaceful . I hope that this doesn’t happen to your country