Provisional Programme

Ride the Algarve Way
Provisional Programme


Sunday May 13th

Leave QPA riding stables at lunchtime to transport horses and supplies to Alcoutim. Any riders still to arrive from the UK will be collected from Faro on the way. Fit horses to riders, settle horses, take riders to Pousada do Guadiana. Dinner at local restaurant.

Monday May 14th

Alcoutim – Ribeiro 48kms

Transport back to horses and set off at 09:30hrs. Congregate in centre of town, right alongside the R. Guardiana, marking the eastern border of Portugal with Spain. Photo shoot before departing.
Lunch will be in the picturesque village of Soudes.
Arrive at night stop near village of Cachopo, approx 17:30hrs.
Settle and feed horses. Transport to residencia Tia Bia, in Barranco Velho, who will also provide dinner.
This is a long day’s ride, approx 48kms of hills and river crossings, passing through the tiniest villages.

Tuesday May 15th

Ribeiro – Barranco do Velho 32kms

Transport back to horses after breakfast. Riders will be returning to Tia Bia, so no need to pack up. A shorter day of approx 30kms. Lunch stops will be on the banks of the Rio Odeleite near the village of Castelão. An easier day ending at Barranco do Velho besides the residencia Tia Bia where there is space for the horses.

Wednesday May 16th

Barranco do Velho – S.B. Messines 42kms

Starting at 500m above sea level with great views to the west, this day is mostly downhill, with some road work going through villages. Lunch will be by the historic fountain at Alte.
Riding through the town of Messines towards the end of the day, we may be met by a group of children from the RDA in the Algarve. The day’s riding ends just to the west of Messines. Accommodation will be divided between Messines and Silves where a great dinner will be served.


Thursday May 17th

Messines – Monchique 40kms

An early start today as it is probably the hardest day’s riding in terms of ascents and descents; from virtually sea-level to almost 700meters. It finishes high in the Monchique mountains. Lunch will be high up amongst the eucalyptus trees with stunning views towards Monchique. Accommodation will be in Monchique village with dinner a short walk away.

Friday May 18th

Monchique – Carrapateira 48kms

Breakfast in a local café before setting off on a long days ride, first to the very summit of Foia (at 902meters, the highest point in the Algarve), where we are invited to a coffee break at the highest private home in the Algarve. Then the descent starts, first to the village of Marmelete, then on through the woodlands and over the Espinhaco do Cao (Dog’s Backbone!) with more fantastic views and a stop for lunch. Then down to sea level and our final overnight stop at Carrapateira. Accommodation will be in the village and dinner at the famous restaurant Sitio do Rio.

Saturday May 19th

Carrapateira – Cape St. Vincent 32kms

Final day!! Riding all down the coast to Cape St Vincent. There will be time to ride on a beautiful west coast beach and gallop in the surf to complete the crossing of the Algarve. Lunch will be at an old coastguard’s look-out with wonderful views of the rugged Costa Vicentina before the final leg out along the barren promontory towards the Cape. It is hoped to arrive early afternoon at the Cape St Vincent lighthouse for a reception.

It will then be time to return horses to their homes and prepare for the big closing party.

Riders: A Bit of Advice from the Wise

Dear riders,

We have created a list of tips that you may find useful prior to commencing Ride the Algarve Way charity ride. If you have any questions regarding the ride, please contact one of the organizers!

Jinny Harman: 917563050
Rod Frew: 282 443284
Nathalie Baart: 914248714

What to Bring – Tips and Information


1. The Algarve weather can vary in May. We often get warm sunny days but the evenings can be cool. Ideally, several layers of clothing are better rather than bulky jumpers and jackets. Lightweight rain jackets are a must just in case we get caught out in a rain shower! If you have one, a small saddle bag with waterproof lining would be very useful or alternatively a bum bag to clip around your waist. All personal belongings such as sunglasses and mobile phones are the responsibility of the rider.

2. No smart clothes will be needed, jeans and a jumper will do! We will be carrying bags for 20+ people so please travel as light as possible and bring your belongings in soft bags/holdalls.

3. Most of the days rides have been sponsored by a company and you will be requested by some to wear their corporate logo T-Shirt on that day. Hope you won't object!

4. Most days the rides will be in excess of 40kms.You will be in the saddle for 6-7 hours a day over some quite hilly and tough terrain and you may well get a sore backside! You may wish to bring saddle savers, sheepskin or other. If you don’t have one, we suggest you buy these beforehand as tack shops are rare on the Algarve!

5. A support 4X4, which can carry limited essentials, water and first aid etc. will follow for most of the way. Other bags will be carried in the main transporter.

6. Lunch will be provided en route each day; however, you may wish to bring extra sustenance and water so means of carrying these should be provided by you. On some days there are long stretches where access to a horse transporter will be quite distant.

7. What to wear. Please bring you own hard hats, we would suggest the lightweight type. Jodhpurs or short chaps and don’t forget when deciding on footwear that you may actually be walking over some difficult terrain to help your horse.

8. Accommodation is mixed. The eastern, interior Algarve is short on accommodation, so lodgings are not always entirely conveniently located and comfort is not always 4star! It will be clean and adequate and you certainly won't go hungry, or thirsty! But don’t forget this is a Charity Ride!

9. Smokers please note that no smoking is allowed while on horseback!

10. The Algarve sun is very powerful so sunscreen is a must and perhaps a baseball cap to wear at lunchtime.

11. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures so you may wish to bring a camera. Please remember you will be carrying the cameras so the smaller, the better. Disposable cameras would be ideal. If you decide to bring a digital one, don’t forget a spare battery!

12. Horses overnight at pre-selected stopovers, not always near riders' accommodation. Feedstuff and equipment will be carried in the main transporter, which also has accommodation for those responsible for the horses overnight. Feeding horses will be arranged by the organizers but preparing, grooming, saddling, washing down, tack cleaning, etc. will be the responsibility of individual participants. There won't, therefore, be much chance of a morning lie-in!

13. Please ensure you read and sign the liability waiver/ insurance letter.

14. Although we are doing this for PSP sufferers and for RDA children, you will be enjoying a fabulous ride through countryside that few have had the pleasure of seeing and over a route, which to our knowledge, has only ever been covered before in its entirety, on horseback, during the previous 2001 Charity Ride.