Lagos is known for walled old town, cliffs with great views to the Atlantic, and gorgeous beaches. There are two noteworthy runs in Lagos: a tour of the marina/waterfront, and then a series of paths along the cliffs. As for the beaches, they’re very pretty, but the sand tends to be fine. Running might be OK near the water at low tide. (Praia=Beach)
Lagos Marina. pigorek (pixabay.com)
Marina Tour. 3.8 km one-way. There are nice promenade paths around the marina and along the water to Pinhao Beach. Start near the train station and wind your way around the marina, passing several museums and a Science Center. Continue west, paralleling the N125, past the Arco/Porta de São Gonçalo, and the Praia da Batata viewpoint. The route ends at the Pinhao Beach walkway.
Lagos Cliffside Paths. There is a series of scenic cliffside paths, featuring great views of beaches and the Atlantic from a high perch. These paths are generally wide and have good footing. There are two ‘sections’:
From the parking lot at Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse. Trails go for ~1 km east toward the Praia do Camilo and for ~1 km west to the Playa de Canavial. From here, there’s 1 km on-road to connect to the section that starts at Praia de Porto Mós (use R. do Canavial and M1263.
From the parking lot at Praia de Porto Mós. It’s 2.5 km along gorgeous cliffside pths from Praia de Porto Mós west to Rocha Negra. Add-on: trails inland in the Atalia area.
Lagos is known for walled old town, cliffs with great views to the Atlantic, and gorgeous beaches. There are two noteworthy runs in Lagos: a tour of the marina/waterfront, and then a series of paths along the cliffs. As for the beaches, they’re very pretty, but the sand tends to be fine. Running might be OK near the water at low tide. (Praia=Beach)
Lagos Marina. pigorek (pixabay.com)
Marina Tour. 3.8 km one-way. There are nice promenade paths around the marina and along the water to Pinhao Beach. Start near the train station and wind your way around the marina, passing several museums and a Science Center. Continue west, paralleling the N125, past the Arco/Porta de São Gonçalo, and the Praia da Batata viewpoint. The route ends at the Pinhao Beach walkway.
Lagos Cliffside Paths. There is a series of scenic cliffside paths, featuring great views of beaches and the Atlantic from a high perch. These paths are generally wide and have good footing. There are two ‘sections’:
From the parking lot at Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse. Trails go for ~1 km east toward the Praia do Camilo and for ~1 km west to the Playa de Canavial. From here, there’s 1 km on-road to connect to the section that starts at Praia de Porto Mós (use R. do Canavial and M1263.
From the parking lot at Praia de Porto Mós. It’s 2.5 km along gorgeous cliffside pths from Praia de Porto Mós west to Rocha Negra. Add-on: trails inland in the Atalia area.
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Essentials
Marina tour: 3.8 km one-way; Cliffside paths: Can do up to 10 km, but not contiguous
Flat -- except for some paths/stairs to the beach
Marina: near train station; Cliff paths: Parking lots at Ponta da Piedade and Praia de Porto Mós
Parking lots at Ponta da Piedade and Praia de Porto Mós
Best running in this small town east of Faro is a ~5 km route along a waterfront promenade and marina; a nearby 3 km nature trail from the HQ of Ria Formosa Natural Park; and a wooden boardwalk trail on Ilha da Culatra, reachable by ferry.
This large natural park spread over 18,000 hectares is considered one of Portugal's seven natural wonders. It's a tranquil estuary of fresh and saltwater lagoons, islands and marshes. We recommend a few of the nature trails for running. VIDEO EXCERPTS!
An 8 km route skirting the historic section of Algarve's capital, including some nice promenades along the waterfront, around the marina, and out to the Parque Ribeirinho de Faro, which has some paths around an estuary. VIDEO EXCERPTS!
Reservoir set in 400 hectares of protected land near Loulé. The 4 km loop trail is a rustic landscape of meadows, woodland and rural farmland. Sights include freshwater springs, damns, watermills, old lime kilns and ancient waterwheels.
The resort town of Vilamoura is known for its large marina, golf courses, sandy beaches, and gorgeous red cliffs that extend west of town. This 7 km one-way route includes a waterfront promenade, Vilamoura Beach, marina tour.
Just west of the Vilamoura Marina, a series of enjoyable and scenic trails ride along the red cliffs above the beaches. You can stick close to the edge for ~4 km west, or meander along inland trails for many extra km.
The signature run in this former fishing village is a route incorporating Alemães Beach, waterfront promenades, and the modern marina. There are also several km of cliffside paths that are runnable but a bit more hilly and rugged.
Some lovely and unique running in this area. Most interesting is a 5+ km network of wooden boardwalks that go around the estuary or down to the beach. The A Rocha Delicada has lovely trails along the water. Beaches in area are also runnable. VIDEO EXCERPTS!
Sagres, located at the far western end of the Algarve, is known for the Sagres Fortress. A scenic path around the fort's perimeter features a lighthouse and the Cape Sagres Viewpoint. Option for longer waterfront run in Baleeira.
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Essentials
Marina tour: 3.8 km one-way; Cliffside paths: Can do up to 10 km, but not contiguous
Flat -- except for some paths/stairs to the beach
Marina: near train station; Cliff paths: Parking lots at Ponta da Piedade and Praia de Porto Mós
Parking lots at Ponta da Piedade and Praia de Porto Mós
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