PR1 LGS – Pedra do Galo (Cockerel Menhir) | Lagos - 6,10 km
Circular route of 6.1 km in Barão de São João, a typical rural village in the municipality of Lagos. Enjoy the houses, the walk through the woods and the Pedra do Galo menhir.
PR1 LGS – Pedra do Galo (Cockerel Menhir) | Lagos - 6,10 km
Location
Region: Algarve; Municipality: Lagos; Civil Parish: União de Bensafrim e Barão de São João.
Accessible by car
As you leave Lagos (Municipal Stadium roundabout), head towards Bensafrim. Leaving Portelas, turn left onto the EM 531-1 towards Barão de São João, through Monte Judeu. Head towards Sagres and once you get to Barão de São João follow signs to the “Mata Nacional” (National Forest).
Starting Point
Type of route
Circular
Location
Region: Algarve; Municipality: Lagos; Civil Parish: União de Bensafrim e Barão de São João.
Accessible by car
As you leave Lagos (Municipal Stadium roundabout), head towards Bensafrim. Leaving Portelas, turn left onto the EM 531-1 towards Barão de São João, through Monte Judeu. Head towards Sagres and once you get to Barão de São João follow signs to the “Mata Nacional” (National Forest).
Starting Point
Type of route
Circular
Degree of difficulty
Easy
Minimum Altitude
106 m (Starting point)
Maximum Altitude
193 m (Pedra do Galo Menhir)
Water available
no
Local corner shops
No
Length
6.10 km
Time required
1h30 (approx.)
Cumulative elevation gain
137 m
Cumulative elevation loss
148 m
Degree of difficulty
Easy
Minimum Altitude
106 m (Starting point)
Maximum Altitude
193 m (Pedra do Galo Menhir)
Water available
no
Local corner shops
No
Length
6.10 km
Time required
1h30 (approx.)
Cumulative elevation gain
137 m
Cumulative elevation loss
148 m
Description of Itinerary

The path starts near the Barão de São João Cultural Centre and then heads north towards the Mata Nacional (National Forest) of Barão de São João. At the junction, turn left towards the Casa do Guarda (Guard’s House) and the picnic area.

Go around the edge of the picnic area to the right, and keep following the path. This path will eventually cross the Passeio dos Poetas (Poets’ walk), where you can admire stones that have images and poems carved into them.

Turn right further ahead, heading uphill to some wind turbines higher up, and passing some temporary ponds.

At the top, take the path on the right, which is also part of the GR13 – Via Algarviana. Before you reach the trigonometrical point, veer left away from the long distance path to visit the “Pedra do Galo” Menhir. This viewpoint provides views over the Monchique mountain range and Fóia (the highest point in the Algarve, standing at 902 m), which makes this detour even more pleasant.

Once you reach the Menhir, turn back and follow the path ahead, which will take you back to the starting point.

What will I see?

» BARÃO DE SÃO JOÃO

Located within the joint civil parishes of Bensafrim and Barão de São João, this is one of the most traditional rural hamlets in the municipality of Lagos. The charming traditional architecture of the single-storey houses with gabled roofs, colourful stripes framing doors and windows and traditional Algarve chimneys serving as a reminder of the region’s Moorish heritage are details that are impossible not to notice.
Visitors to Barão de São João must visit the “Mata Nacional” (National Forest) of Barão de São João, the perfect place to connect with nature. The church, which is built in a traditional style and dates back to the 17th century is also a must, as it is filled with notable religious elements dedicated to John the Baptist, its patron saint.
The diversity of cultures in the village is noteworthy, as many foreigners from a vast array of countries have settled here over the years, having fallen in love with its charm.

» CULTURAL HERITAGE

The traditional seventeenth-century church is worth highlighting as it contains notable religious elements dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, among others. The church was rebuilt in 1951. 

“Pedra do Galo” (Cockerel Menhir) 
This route was named after the Menhir, which dates back to the Neolithic period. It is common knowledge that it has previously been removed from its original site and used as a private garden decoration, though it was put back following a complaint. Locals say that the Menhir/Stone gained its name from a popular legend, which, passed down from generation to generation, tells of a cockerel that crowed in that exact spot in the hamlet of Barão de São João. The story has been kept alive to this day, and you might hear someone jokingly ask if you can hear the cockerel crowing. If you can't hear it, go up to the menhir, press your head against it and you will soon hear the sound of a cockerel crowing inside your head.


» NATURAL HERITAGE

The “Mata Nacional” (National Forest) of Barão de São João is the perfect place for those looking to connect with nature. The park is equipped with a variety of leisure infrastructures, including a picnic area, and is home to species of flora such as pines, strawberry trees, cork oaks, eucalyptus and acacia trees, as well as various species of birds and game. 

 

BUSLINES

  • Barão de São João
    Line 6 - Onda Verde (connection with Lagos and Bensafrim)

More information: Vamus Algarve

Useful contact information
  • Lagos Town Hall: (+351) 282 771 700
  • União das Freguesias de Bensafrim e Barão de São João Civil Parish Council: (+351) 282 687 169 (Bensafrim) / (+351) 282 687 175 (Barão de São João)
  • Almargem Association: (+351) 289 412 959
  • Barão de São João Cultural Centre: (+351) 282 688 026
  • Lagos Hospital - The Algarve Hospital: (+351) 282 770 100
  • Lagos Volunteer Firefighters: (+351) 282 770 790
  • National Republican Guard – Lagos: (+351) 282 770 010
  • Public Security Police – Lagos: (+351) 282 780 240
  • If you see a fire, call: 117
  • In the event of an emergency, call: 112

 

Downloads
Leaflet with Map
Track KML PR1 LGS – PEDRA DO GALO
Track GPX PR1 LGS – PEDRA DO GALO