Step off the beaches and into the Algarve’s hidden world of trails, cliffs, and villages. Most visitors know the Algarve for its resorts. But as I discovered with my boots on the ground, the real Algarve lives along its trails. From the Via Algarviana’s inland ridges to the Rota Vicentina’s wild Atlantic cliffs, every step tells a story of history, nature, and tradition waiting to be experienced. In this guide, I share the routes I walked, the villages that welcomed me, and the lessons the trails taught me. You’ll find stage-by-stage breakdowns with distances, terrain, and highlights, plus advice on short day walks, cultural detours, and the best places to taste the Algarve’s food and wine. Here’s what makes this guide different: Clear, practical details drawn from real trail experience - Tips on where to resupply, stay overnight, or take hidden side trails - Local insights that connect you with the Algarve’s people and traditions - Essential preparation advice: gear, fitness, safety, and responsible hiking - Stories and moments that bring the Algarve to life beyond the map Whether you dream of hiking the entire 300 km Via Algarviana, following the coastal cliffs of the Rota Vicentina, or simply adding a hike or two to your Portugal trip, this book gives you both the tools and the inspiration. I wrote this guide to be more than a manual. It is a companion for the trail, written in the same rhythm as the footsteps that carried me across southern Portugal. Pick up this guide and let the Algarve show you its cliffs, forests, villages, and people—the Algarve that lives beyond the postcards.