When you leave the town, you head for Barranco do Velho on the EN2. Passing through the village of Alportel, you can visit the small Chapel of St. Joseph (4). A little further along the EN2, you will come to the Fonte Férrea Spring (5) which is located in a wooded valley with a stream. After a twisty climb of about 10 Kms., you will arrive at Barranco do Velho which has a long connection with the Cork industry. There is an interesting Chapel (6) up a steep hill with fine views over the surrounding countryside. The village is also famous for the local "firewater" known as Medronho.

From Barranco do Velho take the EN124 towards Cachopo reaching your next destination, Feiteira. You will find the "Rural World Discovery Centre" (7) located in the old primary school. For walkers, this is an ideal point to join the network of walking tours that join, via a large 45Km. route that join the Discovery centre to two others located at Mealha and Casas Baixas.

(44Kms) Having arrived in Cachopo, the second stage of your journey begins and what better place to begin than at the Fonte Férrea Spring (8). Here you can soak up the beauty of the area and perhaps have a picnic. There is a small museum in the village (9) and the buildings in the village still have a number of examples of fine chimneys, traditional stone benches and mullioned windows. There are opportunities to pick up some local handicrafts from the weaving workshop known as "A Lançadeira" The Weavers Shuttle (10).

Now you can climb the small streets that lead to the church of St Steven (11). As you walk back, you will pass a Saddle maker's and Blacksmiths. For those interested in stone monuments, you can take a detour on the 504 up to Mealha where the Anta das Pedras Altas (12) and Anta da Masmorra (13) are waiting for you. In Mealha, you find some examples of the curious round stone "Lofts" (14). In the Mealha Rural World Discovery Centre (15) there is more information about the walking tour network.

As you leave Cachopo, another detour will take you on the 505 to Casas Baixas where you will see genuine Hill Dwellers Houses and Community Cooking Ovens and find another Rural World Discovery Centre (16).

For the final part of the journey, return to the EN397 towards Água de Fusos.  A few Kms before Tavira, you will reach Asseca and a turn off to "Pego do Inferno" Pool of Hell (17). This is an area of great environmental importance and leisure pursuits featuring a 5 metre waterfall. After taking in the scenic beauty of the area, you can then proceed back on the EN397 to Tavira and perhaps end your drive with a meal in one of the many fish restaurants on the Quayside. For more information please click this link to TAVIRA which will open a new window.