Self-guided walks : no.1, Odiaxere Estuary, Alvor.

Self-guided walks : no.1, Odiaxere Estuary, Alvor.

by Geoff » 07 Feb 2017 05:41 pm

Walk 1(a) : Odiaxere Estuary

Degree of Difficulty: 1, easy.

Duration : about 1 hour

How to get to the start: from Lagoa, go west on the N125 for just over 16kms. Just past the turning on the left saying “ Estacio” , turn left opposite the road to Mexilhoeira Grande. Drive over the level crossing for about 2.3kms and park by beach/lagoon. 

GPS of start point: 37°09'14.3"N, 8°36'49.8"W see on Google maps
Walk directions: The walk round the lagoon is well sign posted, in a clockwise direction.

Walk 1(b): Mexilhoeira Grande Station to Odiaxere Estuary
This is an extension of Walk no. 1, but you walk along the track rather than drive. Nice views of fields en route.

Degree of Difficulty: 1, easy.

Duration : about 2.5 hours

How to get to the start: as above, but turn left the junction before,following sign to Estacio and park by station.

GPS of start point: 37°09'14.27"N, 8°36'49.81"W

Walk directions: Cross over rail tracks ( take care, there is about 1 train an hour) and walk right on the path till you come to the level crossing. Turn left and walk the 2.3kms to the beach/lagoon along the track. 
Walk around the lagoon, but instead of going back to the carpark, turn left and walk round in a complete circle, getting back to the level crossing. Go straight over, and back to car by the station.

Optional visit to A Roche 
Every Thursday they have demonstration on bird ringing , measuring and weighing ; also a talk on moths ( surprisingly interesting!). Free coffee and homemade cakes ( donations welcome ) from about 1000-1200, no booking necessary. See: http://www.arocha.pt/en
This can be added to either of the above 2 walks ; the Aroche centre is about halfway from the level-crossing to the lagoon , on the right hand side. It is sign-posted : turn right and park about 50m on the right.

Eating:
There are numerous cafes in Mexiloeira Grande , especially up by the church, which do coffee/tostas/sandwiches. 
Nearest restaurant is the Tic Tac by the bike shop, 1.5kms back along the N125 towards Lagoa , on a turning on your right as you go up the hill ( recommended by others, but not personally). Restaurante a Choupana is about the same distance on the N125 in the other direction, on the left. It specialises in suckling pig , but do not have personal experience of it.