Monchique Fat burner 28 degrees Celsius

 

Monchique Fat burner 28 degrees Celsius

Date: 17^th April 2024

 

Pre walk meet up

Our small but select group of 5 plus our 2 canine friends met at 9:45 in Intermarche café for a pre walk coffee. Other walkers opted out of walk due to injuries and the hot forecast coupled with a hilly walk. Weather was hot and temperatures began to climb rapidly. Luckily the initial part of the walk was sheltered and the sky clouded over during the afternoon.

 L to R : Linda,  Susan, Terry M, Iggy.....John behind the lens.....and Toby & Ziggy

The Walk

From Intermarche we followed the PR2  up a narrow road until we reached a sheltered pathway which dropped steeply through a wooded area. This was the most difficult scrambling section of the walk. Eventually we reached a narrow road and left the PR2.  

 We continued a little off-piste along a track which passes close to Caldas de Monchique.  

We then followed a mostly flat tarmac section until the serious climb started.  The climb afforded us beautiful views of the Barragem de Odelouca and spring flowers.

 Eventually after 8 kms we stopped for lunch in a sheltered area beside the road.  The owner of a local dog informed us that we were sitting in his patch but we were allowed to stay due to his acceptance of Toby and Ziggy. We were all exhausted at this point and needed a break from the sun.

Feeling invigorated we resumed the climb, through a gated area. The owner had previously informed John that there was still a right of way in front of his house despite its barricaded look.

 We were happy to see that the vegetation had been cut back since we did our recce in March. We eventually reached the foot of Picota which intercepted the GR 13 Via Algarviana. There were no volunteers to race to the top of Picota. In fact, everyone declined the challenge to ascend it. We opted instead to follow the track through the cool and wooded area back to Monchique. 

A well- deserved drink (ice cream for Linda) was had in the local tavern Barnita.

Thanks to all for coming and to Terry for the photos.

Stats

Time: 4 hours 15 minutes walking time

Climb: 540 m

Distance: 13 km

 

 

Leaders: Susan and John Ryan