The walk starts at Alcoutim, where we stay at the Hotel Estalagem do Guadiana for three nights. This is a four star hotel looking out across the Ria Guardiana to Spain, with an excellent restaurant serving local dishes.

Next we move on to Alte. Here we stay in a three star hotel located in the interior next to the hills of the Serra do Caldeirao. Alte is a typical inland Portuguese town with local craft shops. The hotel also boasts a fine restaurant with regional dishes and one of the best views in the Algarve; we stay for two or three nights depending on the group's schedule.

We next stop in Silves for one or two nights, if this is selected as a rest stop. Silves is a large old town with lots to see and do with a well-preserved castle. We stay in a modern three star hotel overlooking the town.

Now we start to climb north towards the two highest peaks in the Algarve. The first one we head for is Picota -- up and over and then down into Monchique where we will stay at the Spa Hotel, Caldas de Monchique. Again, for one or two nights depending on your schedule. Caldas de Monchique is a spa resort dating back to Roman times; the Monchique water is bottled and sent all over the world from here.

Next we head up and over Foia, the highest peak in the Algarve, and then head west for the coast and Aljezur where our stop is the Hotel Vale de Telha. This is a comfortable hotel -- no restaurant but!! in Aljezur is one of the best local restaurants in the whole of the Algarve. We stay two nights here.

It's these days in the west when we crack this walk and head for the finish line at Cabo de Sao Vicente. If you are flying home the next day we will spend the last night in Alte or, if you have a day to spare, you will be in Loule which is a good place to relax and have a well-earned rest.

We do this walk in the cooler, off-peak months so we can stay in the best hotels at reasonable cost. Our aim is to provide you with a great experience of the Algarve Way -- you will work hard the ten or fourteen days you are with us, so our aim is to give you the best accommodation and the best food (so you can do the hard bit!)