Walk is still open as have had a couple of cancellations

Having just started the Easy Thursday Strollers, this one is a bit more energetic. It's a slightly longer walk than usual at just over 2.5 hours and it has a couple of steady inclines, but is otherwise predominantly flat(ish)......unless you want to detour to the trig point.....and gives great views of the barragem.

Difficulty ( on a scale of 1:5) : most is 2 (moderate) but a short part is 3(energetic) .

Directions : drive from Carvoeiro 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.......if you like, we can meet you here at 0925 and you can follow us to the start point, but please indicate below if you want us to do this.

Drive in the direction of the Barragem for 1km where there is a cafe ( A Rainha) 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 2/2.5 kms and park on the right , opposite and just past the O Gralha restaurant which is on the left.

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.

Please advise if you are intending to come. Due to the increase in numbers on these walks last season, we are having to restrict the numbers to the first 20 people who state below that they intend to come.

Any questions , please ask below or PM me or ring 282 380015 preferably between 1800-1900 (but not before 30 October).

Please note :The O Gralha has a nice sunny terrace for a pre/post coffee/beer. It also does a good lunch for about 9€. We will need to know , at the start of the walk, how many want to stay for lunch. (Our usual watering hole in Fuzeiros, the Casa de Vinha, is closed on a thursday.)

GPS : 37.253135, -8.346341 or 37°15'11.3"N 8°20'46.8"W

Yes please for Helen & Nigel

Yes please for Babaliz and 2 guests.

Yes please Russell only, will be stopping for lunch of course.

Yes please Geoff, and lunch too.
Mary & Paddy

.........and this one, plus lunch


Willie & Carol

Yes please for Brian & Janice - and lunch too

Ray and Annie too please ... as well as lunch.
Many thanks - Annie

...& probably Mary M.

Hi Geoff, Nigel and I can't do this one. Helen

walk is still open as we had a couple of cancellations...

Yes please Geoff & we'd also like lunch.
Sue & Steve

Hi Geoff.
Sandy is away and I have come down with a cold so won't be joining you. We should both be on for next week though.
Cheers
Gordon

Will be just me, Goeff, Paddy is not well. Probably won't now stay for lunch.
Mary

Lovely sunny day, air a little cool, and we welcomed Brian & Janice back : unfortunately, Willie & Paddy were still convalescing. Barbara brought her 2 sisters, Fiona and Susan, 17 in all.

We took the hill/incline/slope at a steady pace and all reached the first barragem viewpoint safely:

(Sorry, can't get Wendy & Brian in this photo!)

Whilst was a Thursday Stroller(ish) walk, 5 of us thought a scramble up to the trig point would be fun, whilst the others gently perambulated around the barragem;



Now, that climb was a grade 4!!

But the views were worth it:



Both groups met up at the cross-roads and walked back to O Gralha for a well deserved beer/coffee/orange/water/whatever:



with 12 staying for a very good value prata de dia (9€)....bread/olives/pickled pepper/pickled carrot/sardine paste, suckling pig/fish/baccalau/lamb chops, choc mousse/cream tart, coffee...oh, and wine/water.

Distance about 11kms, 2h 45mins.

A great day, thanks for your company.