Go to content
PR2 MCQ – Caldas – Picota Trail (Caminho das Caldas – Picota)

An 18 km circular trail, starting from Caldas de Monchique. A dip in the fresh and green landscape of the mountains, passing through the top of Picota.

The trail starts at the car park at the foot of the Capela das Caldas (Caldas Chapel). We suggest you go up to the chapel and enjoy the freshness from the waters of the Ribeira do Lageado (Lageado Stream).

Continue the climb and cross the EN 266 road carefully, heading towards Mirante da Mata. There you can take a short diversions to enjoy the exceptional panoramic view. Back on the trail, follow the asphalt road until you have to turn left onto a dirt track. Continue straight up until you find another paved road that runs along the southern slope of Picota; at that point, turn right.

Go straight on until the next sign to turn left. Now it's uphill all the way to the top of the mountain - but be sure to pause for a moment to take in the stunning natural scenery. Arriving at the top of the mountain, if you want a little more adventure you can take a diversion to the right and climb to the lookout post at the top of Picota.

From this point on you will cross the GR13 - Via Algarviana. Continue straight ahead down the dirt road. On this quiet descent, enjoy the staircase of cultivated terraces - you may come across farming families working in the fields. Keep descending a little further, until you find the sign to the left and start climbing slightly again, almost at Pé da Cruz.

Meanwhile, you will pass by some fields where subsistence agriculture is still practised. Now, yes, descend in the direction of Pé da Cruz. There you can refuel and regain your strength for the final stage of this trail.

Get ready for a little effort: you will climb until you reach Covão d'Águia. Turn right on a dirt track and climb a little further up. After crossing this place, you should have already started a small descent that will take you back to Caldas de Monchique. Continue down a narrow winding path until you reach the tarred road at the town of Palmeira, where you should turn right. Cross the EN 266 again in the direction of Cortês. Go straight ahead and turn left on the next descent. Continue until you pass a bridge.

Then you will have to face the penultimate ascent to Caldas de Monchique. At the next crossroads turn left. Continue on the dirt road and take the last descent until you reach Ribeira das Caldas. Go over the bridge and up to the Água de Monchique (Monchique Water) bottling plant. Pass the Hotel Termal, the central area of Caldas de Monchique and you will be back at the car park.

LOCATION
Algarve, municipality of Monchique, parish of Monchique

ACCESSES (BY CAR)
From the EN 125, follow the EN 266 to Caldas de Monchique

STARTING POINT
Caldas de Monchique’s Car Park (N37º17'9.75" W8º33'12.53")

TYPE OF TRAIL
Circular

DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Difficult

MINIMUM ALTITUDE
132 m (Ribeira do Banho)

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE
702 m (Picota Crossroads)

WATER AVAILABILITY
Yes

LOCAL GROCERY STORES
Yes

EXTENSION
18 km

DURATION
5 h (approx.)

CUMULATIVE CLIMB
1,323 m

CUMULATIVE DESCENT
623 m

More information here.

Download the Information Leaflet with a Map, available below on the page.

pdf Information Leaflet with a Map
gpx Track GPX PR 2 MCQ – Caminho das Caldas
kml Track KML PR 2 MCQ – Caminho das Caldas