Trilho da Várzea da Cova

I’m starting this blog with a photo of Fred, my hiking guide, and companion for the day. He and Debbie had done this particular trail a couple of weeks ago (when we had company) and he offered to take me today. Truly, what a treat it was on so many levels.

The Várzea da Cova Trail is a small circular route of approximately 7.2 km (Fred and I clocked in at exactly 8 km when finishing, but who walks exactly the trail without veering off to check out one thing or another) located near São Brás de Alportel, just above the village, easily we could have walked to the start of the trail. On a couple of websites this route is considered easy, on others, difficult and takes about 2 hours to complete. I would say that parts of it were challenging, especially one very steep hill, straight up, and obviously, straight down the other side. You need to pay particular attention during that portion. The trail crosses a transition area between the Barrocal and the Serra, and it offers hikers breathtakingly beautiful rural landscapes, cork forests, and in places, views as far as the eye can take it in.

At one point we walked into, and through, a magnificent cork forest. Very large, and from the looks of the colouring of the trees, harvested about a year or so ago. I can’t help but be in awe of these gigantic oaks and what they contribute.

The quietness on parts of this walk was incredible, if you blocked out the barking dogs! What I really mean is other than birds, people working in their fields, it was tranquil and peaceful. I’m certain at night it would be completely silent absent of any vehicle sounds. Fred and I kept oohhing and aahhing over the views, the beauty, and our luck in being here and living in this for a few months. There is nothing boring about being here if you are a nature lover, hikes and walks are readily available, at almost any level of complexity.

Suddenly Fred told me to turn right and I thought he might be kidding…….it was a tiny path, clearly marked, and straight up! As the earth is very dry at the moment, and this path is quite rocky, you had to pay attention to each spot you placed your foot and ensure it was solid before lifting the other. The soil and rocks rolled away at times but, for me it was a good thing because it forced us to go a bit slower, and given the incline, that was a good thing. The views from the top…..180 degrees of breathtaking beauty…..mountains, the sea off in the distance, etc.

Once down the other side we crossed a small valley and ended up in a tiny enclave with just a few houses. How I would love to stay in a setting like this for a few days and nights.

I totally appreciated and enjoyed Fred leading me though this hike. I didn’t have to pay any attention to trail markers, or think about which was to turn as he took all the guess work out of it for me. Twas a real treat.

We wound our way back to the car, noticed a lovely old chapel (Capela da Quinta Fonte da Pedra) tucked away near us but couldn’t find a way into the property, it seemed to be locked up for some reason. In any case, a little exploring, a few photos and we called it a day…..a VERY GOOD DAY!