Fonte do Bispo

After PR11 (TAV) Telheiros do Barro Route

The starting point of this walk is at the corner of sidestreet of the ER270. Coming from Santa Catarina along the ER270 it is the first street to the left after the road to Varzea do Vinagre. A parking place may be hard to find. We kindly asked the manager of the tire business whether we could use his parking.

At the corner of the ER270 you turn left towards Tavira and another 150 m further another left turn allows you leaving this busy road behind. The view of nature makes you forget the traffic. The path gently climbing until you take a sharp turn downhill after Hortas. The road takes you down to the Eiras Ruvia river to follow it until you get on the M513-1 road to Morenos. We follow this road away from Morenos towards the ER270 and turn to the right (km 4.3) after the hairpin turn. Attention is required on this gravel road as the next left turn after another 800 m doesn’t look very obvious. Just after the left turn there is as small river that had a little water when crossing it. Here I expect no issues even shortly after rainfall.

The path is now more difficult than the typical gravel tracks until now. Also a height difference of 50 meters needs to be achieved over 500 meter, so on average 10%. Once more we join the ER270, for 600 meter this time. Then you turn left for a climb toward Boavista (lterally “good view”). The building at this summit is a ruin but the view towards the coast is indeed good. Continuing along the track brings you to the same river we crossed at the starting point.The bridge over the river can give a view of blossoming arum lilies.

For the third time we need to follow the ER270, for about 250 m towards Santa Catarina to take a right turn for the last 3 km of this walk. This part takes you to Corte do Peso along gentle gravel paths. In Corte do Peso you join the main road from Fonte do Bispo to Varzea do Vinagre to the South for about 200m to make a left turn. The path goes briefly but steeply uphill but the nice landscape makes it worthwhile. The descent takes you to the starting point.

Recommendations:

- along busy roads walk on the left hand side so you can see oncoming traffic

- be in good shape

- wear decent footwear (sturdy walking shoes recommended)

- bring food and water along