Monchique – Picota Loop Walk

 

Monchique – Picota Loop Walk

Date: 18^th January 2023

15 brave walkers plus 2 canine friends met at the Intermarche, Monchique to participate in the revised Monchique- Picota loop walk.

Pre walk drama

Almost loss of a walker who got locked in the gents toilet. Luckily Susan heard Martin’s ever increasing banging and released him. (Best not to ask what Susan was doing in the gents...ed)

The stick debate

All walkers were advised to take a stick but still deliberated on their necessity , however, some forgot them. Luckily the organisers came prepared with extra poles.( Mine is still up there somewhere...ed).

The weather

Ros has warned the organisers of the inclement weather forecast. It was cold beginning the walk and was reminiscent of the climate we were all trying to escape by living in the Algarve. Scarfs, coats etc were donned to overcome the cold weather.

 

Sterters : Martin, Jim, Ness, John, Susan, Tony, Linda, Gill, Julie, Karen, Frank, Rob, Marian, Ros, Rafa and Bica. Alan kindly took the photographs of the walk.

The starting photo was taken following a steep climb out of Monchique as the Intermarche was considered an unsuitable venue  for a photo shoot.

Having initially followed a tarmac road we turned off into a wooded path and began the steep descent downwards. All walkers were advised to use a stick and take care following Geoff’s demise on this path on a previous occasion (.....well, not quite demise....I made the mistake of talking, walking downhill and admiring the scenery.....fortunately a bush saved my rapid descent, but the walking pole had no such luck...ed). Thankfully they were all sure footed and despite the leaders’ apprehension were well able and had no difficulty with the uneven terrain.

The walk mainly followed the PR2  MCQ Caminho das Caldas- Picota walk except the walk started in Monchique and didn’t go as far as Caldas. The walk was altered as the organisers felt it was too long and decided to add the ascent to Picota as an option instead of going to Caldas.

 

 Off we go....the descent begins

We bypassed Caldas de Monchique and continued onto a tarmac road. The stunning scenery and good weather put everyone in good humour. John called for an early lunch in order to enjoy the view. Jim declared that it was the earliest lunch break ever at 12 o clock having just walked 7 km. Nevertheless, everyone sat down, relaxed, admired the scenery and ate.

A well deserved lunch break

The ascent continued after lunch ( tut tut leaders....ascending after lunch? You aregetting into Jim's bad habits...ed)Two angry dogs initially objected to our presence but following a good barking session gave up. Rafa and Toby were as always impeccably behaved and ignored them completely.

View over lake

Eventually we turned offroad onto a recently cut grassy path and passed an unoccupied house. Jim and Susan attempted to go off piste as on a previous occasion but quickly rectified their mistake when they saw the newly painted red and yellow PR 2 marking and Marian marching ahead.

Well Done Marian

In a little while we reached the point where the walk Intercepts the GR13- Via Algarviana and the decision point whether to ascend Picota or not. 7 walkers decided to continue directly to Monchique while the other 8 opted to climb to the top of Picota

To Picota or not

 

Linda and Toby are ready for the challenge

 

 The Brave Mountaineeers

 

 Upwards to Picota

The summit -you can do it Ros

Despite the spectacular view we didn’t stay long at the summit due to the wind and cold weather. John recorded the temperature to be 3 degrees.

Return to Monchique

 

Well deserved post walk refreshments ( well, for the hearty Rambos who climbed to te top, not so sure about the wimps....ed)

 

 

                                                                   Walk details

The walk stats

Distance 13.5km (14.8km Top of Picota)

Walking time 3.37 hours (4 hours top of Picota)

Maximum altitude at intersection leading to Picota 702m, Top of Picota 775m

Verdict - a scenic walk with incredible views. Thanks to all who participated, to Gill for the stats and Alan for taking the photographs.

Hope you all enjoyed the walk as much as we did.

Susan and John Ryan