Outdoor Activities

With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, Portugal offers plenty of reason to get outdoors. Swim, surf, hike, cycle – the list of activities is endless. Here, we round up some of the best.

Wheelie Good Fun

Based in Lagos, the Mountain Bike Adventure (www.themountainbikeadventure.com) runs great off-road guided bike trips along little-known coastal trails. As well as mountain biking, Portugal Bike Tours (www.portugalbike.com) offers road cycling and hybrid tours, and self-guided routes, all around the mainland for between 7 and 14 days.

Take a Hike

The Parque Natural Peneda-Gerês is a great place for hiking. The signposted 10-km (6-mile) PR3 trail takes in the stunning Pedra Bela viewpoint. For more of a challenge, walk the seven-day Caminho Português da Costa from Valença to Porto.

On Par

Portugal is one of the world’s top golfing destinations, with numerous courses on offer, particularly around the Lisbon coast and in the Algarve (see www.portugalgolf.pt for a full list). Our pick is Victoria Vilamoura, which was acclaimed as one of the best courses in Europe within a year of opening.

On the Rocks

All around the rocky island of Madeira, swimming pools have been blasted into the sea edge. Porto Moniz is one of the best, with crystal-clear salt water enclosed by volcanic walls. On the mainland, 10 km (6 miles) from Porto you can swim in the Leça de Palmeira sea pools, designed by the respected architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.

Down to the Wire

Take the small ferry from Alcoutim over the Guadiana river to Sanlucar in Spain, then whizz back at about 40 mph (64 km/h) on the world’s only cross-border zipwire, LimiteZero (www.limitezero.com). The fun, adrenaline-inducing ride is perfect for daredevils. During the 720 m (2,360 ft) ride you’ll soar over rugged mountains, farms and the boats on the river. Bear in mind when booking that LimiteZero operates on Spanish time, meaning it’s one hour ahead of Portugal.

Walk this Way

Madeira’s levada walks follow small irrigation channels cut into the island’s steep hillsides. The village of Ribeiro Frio is the starting point for two of the island’s best walks. One is a simple 30-minute, there-and-back stroll to the Risco waterfall, while the other is a more demanding two- to three-hour walk to the beauty spot known as Vinte e Cinco Fontes (25 Springs).

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