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.