Monchique
A drive up to the Monchique region provides some spectacular scenery with the highest point on the Algarve at nearby Foia set amidst rhododendrons, pine trees, eucalyptus and cork oaks.
The
market town of Monchique
is small and quite a change from the beaches and villas of the coastal
regions of the Algarve. It does get quite a few visitors but is relatively
unspoilt. The 16th Century Igreja Matriz has an interesting Manueline
doorway. There are several tourist type shops selling amongst other things
woolen jumpers and a small, folding scissor chair. There are lots of good
roadside restaurants in the area many of which specialise in Chicken Piri
Piri. In the height of the summer it is usually a little cooler and breezier
up here.
In the nearby town of Caldas de Monchique the springs are renowned for their theraputic waters.
The
Serra de Monchique Bio-Park covers 1000 sq km of mapped and signposted
footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways. It has a very diverse flora and
is reputed to be one of the areas where the highly endanged Iberian
Lynx may still exist.
Unfortunately the area of Monchique was very badly hit in the summer of 2003 by the forest fires that devastated much of Portugal's forests. Do remember always to take care with cigarette ends etc and obey local requests for not lighting campfires, barbecues etc.