This connection starts at Lagos train station, taking you past the marina. Once you’ve crossed the footbridge, turn right onto Avenida dos Descobrimentos and then go straight ahead at the first roundabout (Praça D. João II), along the EN125 national road, until you see the next roundabout. Cross at the zebra crossing (next to the GALP petrol stations) so that you’re on the left side of the road, then go left until you reach Avenida da Fonte Coberta. Down this avenue you’ll reach a roundabout where the route heads right along a path that will take you past Falfeira and over the national road, towards Monte Judeu.

The path now winds between houses with small gardens and vegetable patches. Once on the road in Monte Judeu, turn right and then immediately left. You will now walk among almond trees fenced in by walls that section off the land – landscape characteristic of this area of the western Algarve (the “Barrocal”).
You’ll reach Colégio easily, then continue towards Bensafrim from there, through a tunnel under the A22 (Via do Infante Motorway). When you get to Bensafrim, cross the Machada Stream to reach the end point of this connection. 

» HISTORIC, ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

Lagos

• São Gonçalo Archway;
• Regimental Warehouse;
• Governors’ Castle;
• Fort of Ponta da Bandeira;
• Saint Mary’s Church;
• Saint Anthony’s Church;
• Saint Sebastian’s Church;
• Slave Market and Museum;
• Ponta da Piedade;
• Barroca Road.

Bensafrim

• Main Church;
• Cabeça do Rochedo Menhir – Cylindrical archaeological monument with a phallic appearance, located in Figueiral. This monolith is the only one of the original eight that has stayed in its original location. The rest were relocated by the Municipality of Lagos and one was stolen.
• Fonte Velha Necropolis – Also known as Salmões da Mina, this is a place of great archaeological value, where traces of Roman incinerations and bronze pieces from the 1st century BC can be found, as well as artefacts from the pre-Roman period. Headstones were also found here, engraved with Southwest Script and dating back to the Iron Age (7th - 5th century BC).

» NATURE

An example of the transition between the hills and the Barrocal – the strip of land between the coast and the hills – can be seen along this route: the imposing Bensafrim escarpment. Along this connecting route, which will take you through the Barrocal strip, you’ll be able to spot farmland in the fertile valleys made up of traditional dryland orchards populated with carob (Ceratonia siliqua), olive (Olea europaea), almond (Prunus dulcis) and fig trees (Ficus carica).

In terms of flora, several Mediterranean plants are particularly notable, specifically the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), thyme (Thymus sp.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia).

The Bensafrim Stream is extremely important to the region’s water network, it being the main watercourse in the Municipality of Lagos. Starting in the Espinhaço de Cão Hills, this is the stream that flows directly into Lagos Bay 15km later, having brought together the waters of smaller streams, such as the Machada, Corte do Bispo, Sabrosa and Candeeira. It also plays an important role in the hydrology of the Lagos region, as it feeds directly into the Almádena – Odiáxere aquifer, also serving as an important water source for local farmers.

REST STOPS AND SUPPORT SERVICES ALONG THE ROUTE

• Monte Judeu.

CASH MACHINE

• Lagos;
• Bensafrim.

BUS LINES

• Lagos:
  Onda urban network Onda lines
  Line 47 - Cabo S. Vicente - Lagos (por Sagres) -  (this line stops in Vila do Bispo)
  Line 51 - Albufeira - Lagos (litoral  (this line stops in Alvor)
  Line 56 - Aerobus (to Faro airport)
  Line 57 - Faro - Lagos (TRansrápido) - (this line stops at Faro airport)
  Line 79 - Lagos - Odeceixe (this line stops at Bensafrim and Aljezur)
  Line  80 - Lagos - Portimão (this line stops at  Mexilhoeira Grande)
• Bensafrim:
  Line 6 - Onda Verde (connection to Lagos)
  Line 7 - Onda Castanha (connection to Lagos)
  Line 79 - Lagos – Odeceixe (this line also stops in Aljezur)

More information: Vamus Algarve.

ALSO ACCESIBLE BY

Train: Lagos train station. Site: CP - Comboios de Portugal

Intercity bus: site Rede Expresso.

• Almargem Association: (+351) 289 412 959
• Algarve Tourism Bureau: (+351) 289 800 403
• Vicentina Association: (+351) 282 680 120
• Lagos Volunteer Firefighters: (+351) 282 770 790 
• Lagos Town Hall: (+351) 282 771 700
• Bensafrim Health Centre Branch: (+351) 282 687 439
• Lagos Hospital – Algarve Hospital Centre: (+351) 282 688 026
• National Republican Guard - Lagos: (+351) 282 762 809
• Lagos Public Security Police: (+351) 282 780 240
• Lagos Tourist Information Office: (+351) 282 763 031
• Bensafrim and Barão de São João Union of Civil Parishes: (+351) 282 687 169/175
• In the event of an emergency, call 112
• If you see a fire, call 117