The Walking Festival Ameixial (WFA) is back for its 11th edition, offering three days of unforgettable hikes in the parish of Ameixial, in the interior of Loulé municipality.
From April 26th to 28th, get ready for an experience of connection with nature, where you can explore stunning landscapes and enjoy unique moments of socializing and adventure. Dozens of diverse hikes will take place in this region of the Algarve mountains, suitable for different audiences, as well as other complementary activities such as workshops and thematic talks, in addition to plenty of entertainment and socializing moments. The program includes successful hikes from previous editions, such as the always-special Shepherd’s Hike, on the Vermelhos mountain, and the Southwest Writing Hike, this year in a new version. However, as usual, there will also be some new activities.
One of the novelties to be highlighted is the involvement of villages and mountains in the parish that were less present in previous editions, such as Cavalos or Besteiros, as well as some thematic hikes focused on traditional mountain activities, such as cork extraction.
Another highlight of the festival are the various hiking options aimed at families with children, ensuring that participants of all ages can enjoy this event in a creative and nature-friendly way.
In terms of workshops, there is always a relevant theme for those who have to manage hiking trails: trail maintenance. On April 27th, the Rota Vicentina Association will talk about their experience in maintaining their large network of trails and how they involve volunteer teams in this mission. The workshop will take place at 3 pm and is open to all interested parties.
This edition also renews the partnership with Domo Camp Portugal, which will set up a glamping village near the village, offering an additional lodging option on site and adding another differentiated experience to the festival. Reservations are already open to those interested.
Registration is available on the event’s website – wfameixial.qrer.pt – where you can find detailed information about the programme, with a description of the walks, accommodation options, meals and transport.
Admission to the festival is a symbolic €10 and entitles you to take part in all the activities on the programme, subject to prior registration for each of them and according to their specific capacity. Entry for children up to the age of 12 is free, but is also subject to compulsory registration for insurance and activity management reasons.
The WFA returns every year to the Algarve mountains, promoted by QRER – Cooperativa para o Desenvolvimento dos Territórios de Baixa Densidade, jointly organized with Proactivetur, our cooperative company, and the Estela Project.
As usual, it has the support of Loulé City Council, the Ameixial Parish Council, the Ameixialense Sports Club, and the Algarve Tourism Region, through the Algarve Walking Season brand, as well as other local partners, namely Decathlon, VisaCar, and Ana Aeroportos.