Amendoeiras dos Fortes (The Almond Trees of Fortes) | Castro Marim
A 5.9 km audio guided route. The flower of the almond trees, between January and March, gives a special charm to this trip through the rural world of the eastern Algarve.
Location
Region: Algarve; Municipality: Castro Marim; Civil Parish: Odeleite, Fortes.
Accessible by car
Take the IC 27 towards Mértola and turn off at the Azinhal/Sentinela exit about 12.5 km north of Castro Marim. Soon after, turn left towards Alta Mora, Sentinela. Continue straight ahead, through Sentinela, Alta Mora and Pereira and, at the roundabout, head towards Eira Verde (first exit to the right). Farther ahead, turn left towards Fortes.
Starting Point
Finishing point
Next to the information board in the centre of Fortes.
Type of route
Circular
Location
Region: Algarve; Municipality: Castro Marim; Civil Parish: Odeleite, Fortes.
Accessible by car
Take the IC 27 towards Mértola and turn off at the Azinhal/Sentinela exit about 12.5 km north of Castro Marim. Soon after, turn left towards Alta Mora, Sentinela. Continue straight ahead, through Sentinela, Alta Mora and Pereira and, at the roundabout, head towards Eira Verde (first exit to the right). Farther ahead, turn left towards Fortes.
Starting Point
Finishing point
Next to the information board in the centre of Fortes.
Type of route
Circular
Minimum Altitude
63 m
Maximum Altitude
184 m
Length
5.90 km
Time required
2h (approx.)
Cumulative elevation gain
234 m
Cumulative elevation loss
236 m
Minimum Altitude
63 m
Maximum Altitude
184 m
Length
5.90 km
Time required
2h (approx.)
Cumulative elevation gain
234 m
Cumulative elevation loss
236 m
Description of Itinerary

Download the audioguide before you start the walk.

  • MP3 file: 46 MB
  • MP4 file: 132 MB

 

          

The route starts at the information board. Start off facing the board and follow the road straight in front of you, which is lined with houses on both sides. At the first fork, turn left. Meander through the hamlet of Fortes and, at the next fork, take the path on the right, taking you down to the main road. You will find a sign signalling Point 1. Cross the road and continue down the dirt track.

Take the path on the right and make your way carefully up the hill. Keep going straight ahead along the main track, ignoring the path you will come across to your left. Keep going until you reach Point 2, where you will need to go around an olive tree in order to follow the path to the left. A downhill stretch will take you towards a stream, which you will have to cross. Next, follow the path on the left until you reach a fork in the road and take the main road, straight ahead, which starts sloping downhill. Look down and to the right to spot Zimbro Gorge. Keep walking until you see two paths leading off to the left. Make sure you take the second path, which is the one heading downhill. Continue along the main path, with the stream to your right. Cross a small ravine and follow the path ahead that runs parallel to the stream. At the next fork, veer left, away from the stream.

Meanwhile, on your left, as soon as you pass a trail, make sure to look out for a threshing floor in the hamlet of Fortes. Once you’ve passed the threshing floor, take the first path on the left, heading towards Fortes. You are now nearing the end of your route and will reach the stream. Go up to the village, following the path on the left, and you’ll find yourself back at the starting point.

 

What will I see?

Flora:

  • Carob Tree - Ceratonia siliqua
  • Almond Tree - Prunus dulcis
  • Mastic Tree - Pistacia lentiscus
  • Holm Oak - Quercus rotundifolia
  • Gum Cistus - Cistus ladanifer
  • Narrow-leafed Ash - Fraxinus angustifolia
  • Oleander - Nerium oleander
  • Purple Jerusalem Sage - Phlomis purpurea
  • Olive Tree - Olea europaea
  • French Lavender - Lavandula luisieri
  • African Tamarisk - Tamarix africana

Fauna:

  • European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster
  • Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus
  • Wild Boar - Sus scrofa
  • Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus
  • Eurasian Otter - Lutra lutra
  • Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa
  • Iberian Green Woodpecker - Picus viridis sharpei
  • Hoopoe - Upupa epops
  • Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes

USEFUL INFORMATION

  • Along the route you will be instructed to pause the audio guide until you reach a certain location;
  • Even if not instructed to do so, you should pause the audio guide if you have not yet reached the location being described, as there may discrepancies between the audio timings and the time it takes you to get to certain locations;
  • Always keep as close to the edge of the path as you can;
  • The route crosses several hunting reserves. For your safety, we suggest you do not take this route on Thursdays and Sundays during hunting season; 
  • In winter, especially after periods of heavy rain, rivers and streams may be harder than usual to cross.
Useful contact information
  • Castro Marim Town Hall: (+351) 281 510 740
  • Odeleite Civil Parish Council: (+351) 281 495 148
  • Almargem Association: (+351) 289 412 959
  • National Republican Guard – Castro Marim: (+351) 281 531 004
  • If you see a fire, call: 117
  • In the event of an emergency, call: 112

 

 

Downloads
Leaflet with Map
MP3 (46 Mb, audio): Amendoeiras dos Fortes
MP4 (132 Mb, audio+video, for Smartphone - 720x406): Amendoeiras dos Fortes
Track GPX: Amendoeiras dos Fortes
Track KML: Amendoeiras dos Fortes