Degree of difficulty (scale 1to 5 ) : 3 Hard

For those that know the usual approaches to the Silves windmill, this walk is from Enxerim and scales the eastern side of the hill. It involves crossing ( & recrosing) a stream, but there are stepping stones. It also misses out the housing in the outskirts off Silves and bypasses all the lavadas , so it's all 100% countryside, and much nicer than other walks in this area.

There are obviously some steep hills to climb, though the steepest is optional. Duration is about 2 h 30 m, just under 10km. We do stop & admire the views when getting a bit out of breath!

Walking boots or stout trainers are recommended, along with walking poles.....and a hat and water...but bring some wet weather gear in any case!

Please note that the walk will be cancelled of the weather is poor. I shall put a note on this website at about 0830 that morning, 0900 at the latest.

Tel 282 380015 if you need more info, preferably between 0830/0930 and 1700/1900......before 0900 on the day!

As usual, all at your own risk, and no charge.

If you want to see some photos of when we did it in January of this year, look at :

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=25428

Start : 1000

Directions:From CVO, go to Silves and cross the bridge.
Turn right on the N124 , and bear right over the next roundabout in the direction of Messines.
Go past the Galp petrol station , on the left , until, after about 1.5kms from the bridge, you turn left almost opposite the residential guest House Vila Sodre.

Almost immediately, turn right, and park after about 100m, just before the Cafe Cantinho do Enxerim.
IF you go over the bridge on the N124, you have gone too far!
Because of increased walk numbers, please indicate below if you are coming.
Geoff

Hi Geoff,
We're visiting Carvoeiro for a few days in November and wondered if we could join you on the 17th for the walk? We are not familiar with the area and having looked on Google maps, please could you confirm the cafe where we meet is near to Jardim nº1 do Enxerim which is across the road from Residencial Vila Sodré-Turismo Familiar.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Julia & Phil

Hi Julia & Phil
Be pleased to have you join us.

Yes, that's the one....you drive round the back of Jardim no. 1 do Enxerim , and there's usually plenty of places to park on the right of the road leading up to the cafe.

You should hopefully see quite a few cars & people there from about 0950....us, anyway!

Just to add that, looking at my notes from last time, the walk was a bit longer at 2h 45 m , but the pace was a bit slow if I recall!

we would both like to come. No lunch.
Tony & Jackie

No lunch.

Cafe Enxerim doesn't do lunch anyway, just coffees and beers.....

We had 29 plus Skye the dog, though I only seem to have collected 28 names so apologies to A N Other.....but a lovely day for walking, cloudy and a bit fresh to start with, but the first hill warmed us all up.
9.8kms in 2 h 34 mins makes 3.8kmh overall.

Crossing the first water hurdle:


and everyone opted to detour to the windmill:


breasting the penultimate hill:


finally, the ruined farmhouse....and Skye's backside!...but please spot who is missing:
Sue,Vicki & Don, Harry & Jen, Bruce & Julia, Angie, Val & Tony, John & Sylvia, Carole & Willie, Ian & Joy, Loz, Cath, Tony & Jackie, Julia & Paul, Terry & Monica, Jenny, Linda & Russell..and me = 28


Mud, glorious mud!!!


Look, no socks, says Bruce:


and the final water hurdle: