A 7th Crossing of the Via Algarviana started this Saturday, April 5th, in Cabo de S. Vicente. On April 18, hikers and betetistas will arrive in Alcoutim, in full harmony and party atmosphere, marking the end of another 14 days of adventure. José Brito, reader of Sul Informação, is one of the participants and every day – if all goes well, as expected – he will chronicle the journey here.
Day 1 - Saturday, April 5th
Sagres-Vila do Bispo, 17,65 km
A small step for the man…let's go, which only 300 kilometers to go! And so began the 7th Crossing of Vila Algarviana.
To give you an idea of how far our group of hikers will walk, 300 kilometers is the same distance from Portimão or Faro to Lisbon, while the Rally de Portugal, which is being disputed in areas where we will pass in a few days, has just over 300 kilometers. But we are going on foot!
In the morning, a gathering of people at Cabo de S. Vicente. It was the reunion of old friends, but there are also many newcomers, like me, for whom this is the first crossing. "Good luck!" they wish each other.
There are also those who are only part of the crossing: "It's just today and tomorrow", some say, "We're just going to do a week", say others.
Altogether, there are about 20 people, a multifaceted group, some younger, some less, people from all over the country. And we don't lack, to give the international touch, a Spaniard, Paco.
The Travessia began with two presidents – Adelino Soares, president of the Vila do Bispo Council, and the new president of Associação Almargem. With us they walked the nearly 18 kilometers from Sagres to Vila.
With some regret, we turned our backs to the sea and started out through the bushes and endemic flora of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina.
The highlight was the visit to Vale Santo, closely watched by cows and sheep.
Today was a relatively easy walk – 17,65 km, leaving at 9:30 am and arriving at 14 pm. Tomorrow it will soon be seen…it will be about 30 km from Vila do Bispo to Bensafrim. It seems that with many climbs in between…
We ended the day, in Vila do Bispo, with imperials, you know, octopus salad and a fried moray eel to eat and cry for more!
Today the overnight stay is on the gymnasium floor of Escola EB 2,3 in Vila do Bispo. And tomorrow we continue!
Veja here the photos of the crossing.
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