About 30 kilometers of our house there is the magnificient and highest mountain of the Algarve, the Foia, 902 meters high. You are starting at the village Monchique. There is a central square called "Largo 5 de Outobro", with some terraces where you can buy a " bica" before you are starting to climb. At the square you see in front of you a busstation and your are turning right, uphill. About 50 meters you are finding on your left side a small ally, (signed Barlovento). It is a steep climb passing a cafe and afterwards the ally is covered with flowers. At the top of the ally you follow the signs of the "Convento" and since a short period also the signs of the Algarviana official GR13 (www.viaalgarviana.org). Before you get into the forest you look behind you and will see the wonderful town of Monchique within the distance the terracces against the mountains. When you starting to walk into the forest it is a small distance to the old Convento, the path to this place is very simpel and easy to find. Pay a visit to this old monestery, if you are lucky you can pick up and buy honey with the local alcohol madronho. The alcohol is fermented from the fruits of a plant which grows on the mountain of Monchique. If you follow the way up after visiting the monestery, you turn left and follow the footpath. It is easy to find and follow this path until you cross a paved road. You can cross this road directly but it maybe safer to follow the path is just a little to the left, about 30 meters. There is a more easy path. When you reach the crossing of woodpaths, follow the sign of the GR13, marked in colours on a stone. From now on the only thing you have to do is follow the path, which from now on is not very steep. Enjoy during your walk the magnificant sight on your left hand of the Algarve delta where on a clear day you can see from Albufeira to Vila do Bispo. As you reach the end of the forest watch carefully that you mark the sign of the GR 13 on your right hand. You can see where most people have been walking by the erosion. From that point it is very easy because when you reach the top of that hill, you can already see the masts of the Foia. From there you walk over a paved road towards the top. In summer there is a restaurant where you can treat yourself on a refreshment. Because there is no busline connection to the Monchique, maybe you can order a taxi if you don't want to go downwards on foot. If you want any information please react on my weblog.
