Armação de Pêra to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha (circular)

Tracy Burton

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This short circular walk starts at Armação de Pêra and heads west to meander through the low-rise holiday resort of Alporchinhos where, for a while, you will follow the terracotta-roofed perimeter wall of the exclusive five-star Vila Vita Parc Resort with its beautiful landscaped gardens.

Leave Alporchinhos to join a track which descends to the beautiful and very tranquil valley above Praia do Barranco. This narrow, wooded valley stretches inland towards Porches; however, our route heads directly towards the ocean on a level track.

When you reach a fork in the track, there is the option of continuing down to the beach, one of the least touristy along this section of coast.

After a short climb out of the valley, join a well-defined clifftop path with fantastic views towards the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha and its surrounding fortifications. You cannot enter the chapel; however, there is a glass window which allows you to see the shrine inside.

Take time to walk out to the end of the rocky promontory and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

A tunnel links the beaches either side of the promontory and is easily accessible from Praia Novo Praia Novo (west). Do not attempt to leave the tunnel at Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha (east) except at low tide.

After the chapel, head briefly inland to avoid the landscaped, clifftop gardens of several resorts. Rejoin the coast just west of Armação de Pêra to pass above several small coves with steps leading down to them.

This section of clifftop walking is more vertiginous than the previous stretch and there is not always fencing.

Portugal - South Portugal - Central Algarve - Lagoa