writing and hiking in the sun
For a hiker, there is no better feeling than completing a long-distance trail.
Knowing you are literally following in the footsteps of many others who are also passionate about walking, the satisfaction of knowing that each day’s miles bring you closer to your end destination.
Long-distance trails are best tackled – and enjoyed – in one continuous trip. If you can spare the time, walking a linear route in its entirety is logistically easier than returning to various points mid-route. This is how we walked O Fôn i Fynwy and the Via Algarviana.
We completed the Pembrokeshire Coast Path over several weekends, but found this approach difficult when we decided to tackle the South West Coast Path (which we have yet to finish).
Most long-distance trails are marked on maps and there are often guidebooks available. Harri has written one of the guidebooks for the Wales Coast Path.
After a much-needed ten-hour sleep, we woke feeling refreshed and raring to go. Fortunately, today’s section of the Via Algarviana promises to be shorter and less demanding than yesterday’s baptism of fire. Although it felt like we were trekking up … Continued
I couldn’t suppress my excitement as I opened the shutters of our Sanlúcar room and gazed across the Rio Guadiana to Alcoutim. Yesterday’s grey clouds had disappeared and the morning sky was clear and blue. It seemed strange that in … Continued
The Via Algarviana starts from the quay at Alcoutim, some distance from the coast on the left bank of the Rio Guadiana. We hadn’t done ourselves any favours by arriving in Portugal on a Sunday, so Harri thought it best … Continued
Unlike the Spanish, the Portuguese are not known for their great love of walking. In fact, until we headed to the Algarve, our only experience of walking in the country was back in July 2011 when we were staying in … Continued
