BUS TRIPS FROM SAGRES USING LOCAL TRANSPORT .(TOUR 4 )

BUS TRIPS FROM SAGRES USING LOCAL TRANSPORT .

If you are fed up of driving and don't want the hassle of a hire car 

Sorry about the crumpled timetable and yes it is 2012 but nothing has changed . You should be able to get a copy from the Tourist Office opposite the Dromedario but they may have run out ! Always found the service reliable . You can catch it  from the centre of Sagres or we always get on or off at the snack-bar Oliverinha . A couple of things to note are that only some of bus's go right down to the beautiful village of Salema and if you want to visit Praia da Luz you will need to get off at Espiche and then its a 20 min walk. The alternative is carry on to the bus station in Lagos and get a bus from there to Luz . From the bus station in Lagos you can pretty much go anywhere  the ticket office is helpful and they speak English. There is a train station in Lagos also but we fell out with it as they cancelled a train when we were trying to get to the Airport . You might have better luck though . If you are feeling adventurous places I would recommend within an hour of Lagos are Monchique (in the hills) Aljezur (on the coast nice walks and a few sights ) , Portimao (shopping) , Odeceixe (nice walks and  beaches ) . Make sure you get proper information about the bus's from the ticket office as they finish early and the last bus from Lagos to Sagres is 20.30 . You can always have a night out in an inexpensive guest house .   

           On the route from Sagres to Lagos I would definitely recommend Salema and Lagos(busy tourist town with plenty going on) but its no big deal to get off at any of the places and have a look around , there will always be a cafe. Figueira has 2 fantastic beaches Furness and Figueira but be prepared for a walk . Figueira 40 mins but worth it Furness a bit further .There are no facilities at these beaches so you will need to take water etc. 

            The journey from Faro Airport to Sagres (or visa versa) by bus is very cheap ( about 10 Euros) and easy to do if a little time consuming . From Faro its the No.16 from opposite the bus station and its free if you keep your Lagos ticket and have a boarding card ( never be asked ) .

      

RUN SAGRES INTRODUCTION AND ROUTE 1 A FAST 5K THE CAMPSITE ROUTE

RUN SAGRES

I have been running/jogging for about 6 years now and try to run 3 or 4 times a week when in Sagres . I have noticed over the last couple of years an increase in the number of people I see out running/jogging ( lets call it rojing) but often they are looking around working out which way to go . I generally like to know where I am going and how far so here is a guide for rojers. First of all remember its hot especially in summer , also the roads can be quiet but you still need to take care. Dogs are not really a problem , those wandering tend to ignore you , the one's tied up or locked in can make you jump when you roj past but you get to know them . This first route is very detailed as it will be used for other longer routes later . It can be walked first . I am starting all routes from Snack Bar Oliveirinha at the entrance to Sagres but you can pick up the routes anywhere.

ROUTE 1 

A FAST 5K WITH WARM DOWN .TIME 20 TO 30 MINS ROJING 10 TO 15 MIN WARMDOWN

Cross to the opposite side of the road from Oliveirinha and go left between the recycling bins and the waste bins

Follow this road past the houses on the left for about 100 mtrs and when the tarmac turns to cobbles turn right at the old run down cottage . Watch out for traffic.

Follow this road up past houses on either side until it becomes a dirt road .

Carry on on the dirt road and where you see the house on the corner keep left

                                                                          Keep left

You should now see this old building with the graffiti

Follow the track as it winds up the hill to the top

And carry on past the camp site on the right

Follow this pleasant road past a horse stables on the left, round the double bend ignoring the urbanisation on the right

Until you reach the stop sign for the main road leading to the light house (Route2 ) but for now turn left .

Follow this road back towards Sagres . The track on the right is a cycle path and the best place to roj

Follow the road until you reach the roundabout

At the roundabout turn right towards the Fortaleza

Roj all the way up to the Forteleza

Follow the road round and roj back down the other side

When you reach this redish brick building on the left, a shut down toilet and cafe you have done 5k . My best time is 25.50 and I usually collapse here if I have been pushing myself . You can carry on walk, or do a warm down jog from here .Or if you feel like it roj back the same way and beat your time

Go straight on through the no entry signs

You will come out in the square at the top end of town . You will probably know where you are now .

To return to Snack Bar Oliveirinha go past the newsagent kiosk and at a complicated junction(take care) you want the wide road that goes straight on towards the Igreja

The road straight on towards the Igreja

Follow this road past the Igreja on the right  , and over the roundabout past the Flamingo Bar and the market

Carry on till you reach the Bica snack bar

Then turn left at the end (not the turn before) following the sign to Lagos go down the hill and you will come out at the Oliveirinha again . I guess twice round will be about 12k for those wanting a longer roj.

RUN SAGRES ROUTE 2 THE LIGHTHOUSE ROUTE A TOUGH 14K

ROUTE 2 THE LIGHTHOUSE ROUTE A TOUGH 14K

This route take's me 1hr 20 mins its uphill on the way out so downhill on the return . A windy day makes it tougher . Follow Route 1 the campsite route until you come to this stop sign .

 You are now at the road that leads to the Lighthouse . Instead of turning left back towards Sagres turn right , again the path on the left hand side is a cycle lane and the best place to roj. Now its easy follow the road all the way to the Lighthouse past Beliche Beach past the Fort of Beliche on the left . Once you get to the Lighthouse turn round and enjoy the steady descent back . You can either return via the Campsite Route 1 or carry on towards Sagres,go straight on at the roundabout that leads to the Fortelaza ,and you will arrive  back at the square which you will recognise from Route 1.

  

RUN SAGRES ROUTE 3 SCENIC 40 MINS WITH THE OPTION TO EXTEND .

 ROUTE 3 SCENIC 40 MINS WITH THE OPTION TO EXTEND

TAKE CARE ON THE ROAD SECTIONS OF THIS ROUTE .

Again starting from Snack Bar Oliveirinha take the road that goes past the Zambujo Cafe

Carry on up the hill past the impressive Villa with the turret

At the junction with A Curva cafe on the left and Sagres Time apartments on the right . Turn right .

At the roundabout take the first exit towards Baleeira

At the next major junction turn left at Restaurante Carlos

Go down the main road past the Shops Cafe's and Restaurants  and follow it round to the right at Hotel Baleeira

Going past Restaurante Batador .

At the roundabout (watch for traffic from the left) go straight across and pick up the path marked by boulders

Follow this path

Half way round there is a walkway to a viewing platform I always have a roj up coming back the same way to rejoin the path .

The path joins a tarmac road with a large Hotel on the left

When you reach Pontalaia Apartments turn left

Past the Navigator Hotel

Follow the road down ( we use this hill for hill reps x 10 )

Turn left at the first junction

After about 100 mtrs turn left again following this road down towards the sea

After another 100 mtrs you have the option of taking this steep road down  to the beach, turning right and  rojing on the beach using the exit at the Restaurant further along .

If you don't like rojing on sand ignore the steep hill and carry on past the little kiosk on the right

Turning up the hill  (if you ran on the beach you will join here) following the road round to the right  you will see the Last Chance Saloon and just before it this well marked path

Follow this path

And lo and behold you will come out at the reddish brick building from Route 1

From here if you follow the directions  back to the square and the Oliveirinha as in  route 1 it takes me about 40 mins . If you want a longer run  you can take  the campsite route ( reverse of route 1) back to the Oliveirinha which takes over an hour or even longer head up to the Lighthouse (route 2)