Alvor Boardwalk is one of the many stunning walks along the Algarve in southern Portugal. Spanning several kilometers across the Ria de Alvor sand dunes, you can expect beautiful views of Alvor Town, mesmerizing beaches, and maybe even spot a cool bird or two.
Walking Alvor Boardwalk is one of the best things to do in Alvor and after walking it several times, I’m here to help you explore this beautiful walk.
I just love how these wooden boardwalks not only protect vulnerable nature and habitats but also make them accessible for everyone, whether you use a wheelchair or have small kids in a stroller, you can enjoy this epic spot!
In this post, however, I’ll describe the entire hiking trail PR2 PTH Percurso Pedestre “Ao Sabor da Mare”
Read on to learn everything you need to know before heading out on the boardwalk in Alvor.
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Table of Contents
Specs about Alvor Boardwalk
First, let’s have a look at the specs of the walk so you know what to expect. The boardwalk itself and gravel road are large parts of the trail and all of that is accessible for both strollers and wheelchairs with lookout points.
But to do the entire hike, you must walk about a kilometer on the beach, which is not so easy with wheels, especially because of the dunes.
🧶Kilometers: 4.7 kilometers
🚶♀️ Walking time: 1.5 hours
🛣️Type of hike: loop
🥾Difficulty: Easy
👨🦽Accessibility: partly wheelchair and stroller-friendly
🏖️Walking surface: wooden boardwalk, gravel, and sandy beach
How to get to Alvor Boardwalk
Alvor boardwalk is accessible from different access points. However, this hike starts next to the fisherman’s huts (at the start of the promenade).
There is an information sign about the hike where the boardwalk starts.
If you drive, you can park right next to the fisherman’s huts. If you search Passadiços de Alvor on the GPS, you’ll find it. There’s also a sports complex next to it (Complexo Desportivo de Alvor.)
Best time to hike Alvor Boardwalk
Alvor Boardwalk is a beautiful hike all year round, but in the summer it gets hot. So make sure you wear a hat to protect your head from the scorching sun and bring enough water.
In the winter, on the other hand, it can get windy and cold, so make sure you dress in layers and I recommend bringing a windbreaker.
Spring, fall, and winter are great for walking along Alvor’s beaches as they’re mostly empty, but if you fancy a swim, the summer is of course the time to be there (until September/October depending on the year whether it cools down early or late.)
Hiking Alvor Boardwalk
Parts of the wooden boardwalk were closed in May 2024 so it wasn’t possible to do the entire loop, but hopefully, it will be open again soon.
Alvor Boardwalk is a set of wooden boardwalks with some sections on gravel and on part on the beach. The trail is shaped like the number 8 if you do the entire route.
On our last visit to Alvor, we didn’t do the beach part as we were hiking with our dog, Atlas and dogs aren’t allowed on the beach. I’ve taken my last dog Ayle before, but that was in the winter.
The trail is marked with yellow and red trial marks, but altogether, you can’t really get lost.
In the first divination, turn right and continue on the boardwalk across the salt marches that hug the lagoon for about 1.5 km until you reach the beach where you turn left.
Once on the beach, walk along the sandy beach for a couple of km until it connects with the wooden boardwalk again.
From there, you can follow the wooden boardwalk back to the starting point with some parts on gravel along the way.
What I love the most about walking Alvor Boardwalk are all the birds you see along the way. Sometimes I can stay and observe a bird for 5-10 minutes before moving on.
On our last hike, we met the fella in the picture below who was busy hunting and cared less about us standing there watching.
If you’re a passionate bird watcher, there are a few places where you can sit down with your binoculars on the lookout for different bird species like the Caspian Tern, Cattle Egret, Stone-curlew, and Black-Winged Stilt. There are also flamingoes in Ria de Alvor, though I haven’t seen any yet.
Final thoughts: Alvor Boardwalk
Summing up, Alvor Boardwalk is a lovely walk for the entire family. The surroundings are absolutely mesmerizing and it’s easy to access as most of the trail follows either a gravel road or a wooden boardwalk.
I love the vivid bird life and the views of the little marina in Alvor before you get further out on the trail where the lagoon and the salt marches wrap you in calmness.
Happy travels!