Finding a new Hiking spot here on the Algarve, in the south of Portugal is quite easy as there are more than 100km of hiking trails across the coast. Yesterday we covered another part of these hiking trails in the south east Algarve.
As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I will try to cover as much of these trails as possible, but step by step. Many do this in one hike, over several days. Since I´m not a good hiker I do this when ever I got time and the desire to one part again.
Yesterday we did another small part of it by walking from a little village called Salema to Praia Santa.
We actually went there because we wanted to see the footprints of the dinosaur that were discovered in 2001 by geologists from the University of Lisbon. But due to a very high tide we were not able to see them from close up but from the stairs leading to the hiking trail. It also was a bit tricky to get on to the stairs as we had to wait for the right time when no waves come in.
And this is how they look like from a closer perspective.
Just above the stairs we realised that there is the start of another part of the hiking trail so we started walking. We could already see the fog coming from the ocean towards the beach. The weather here is quite strange at the moment and changes between foggy and warm sunny weather. Yesterday it felt almost like summer.
The good thing is, due to the rain and the fog, plants finally start to grow and flower and everything looks much greener than weeks ago.
The further we walked, the thicker the fog became, which made for a really great atmosphere and light. At some point you could barely see the beach of Salema.
At some points the path is pretty narrow and due to the slippery ground you have to watch your steps. Especially if you´re walking with normal sneakers like we did. :)
But the views you got from up there are well worth the small risk. It was especially nice because of the fog yesterday and as soon as the beach is no longer visible you notice a sudden silence.
We had absolutely no idea where this hike will lead us to or where it will end but thanks to google maps we figured out that we´re on the way to Praia Santa further west.
I always had to stop and soak up that incredible atmosphere, the fog got even thicker and created a mytsic picture.
We finally saw a beach and something like a Forte in the foggy distance. We figured out that it has to be Forte de Vera Cruz/ Figueira behind Praia Santa. So we decided to not walk any further and keep it for next time, when we cover the way from Praia das Furnas that is even more west to here.
The view from here was absolutely breathtaking. Lush green, foggy sky and a mysterious old fort in the distance...simply amazing.
On the way back I realised that I´ve lost my sunglasses, so we had to go walk back. Thanks to some selfies we did on the way we could narrow down where I must have left it and finally found it. :)
Back at the car park I noticed a beautiful wall painting. What would be a day on the Algarve without some new StreetArt.
