Carrapateira Cliffs

This circular route starting from the village of Carrapateira is a prime opportunity to observe the relationship between the people of this land and the sea. Along the route, you will find several viewpoints with superb views over the cliffs and beaches of Bordeira and Amado, as well as the ruins of an Islamic seasonal fishermen’s village.

It is worthwhile to linger on the beach of Bordeira to appreciate how the sea has carved the sand into harmonious shapes, constantly changing with the seasons. This beach, unique and full of nooks and crannies, was the result of the interaction between sediments from Monchique, the deposits left by the sea, the insistent work of the wind, and the whims of the tides and currents. Carrapateira is a special place that delights vacationers, surfers, hikers, fishermen, goose barnacle hunters, and biologists alike. In the dunes, the vegetation is exuberant: thyme, yellow shrubby everlasting, rosemary, lavender, Portuguese crowberry, blue pimpernel, sea lavenders, gum rockrose…

Here in the South, the shape of the cliffs begins to take on new forms as the rock turns to limestone. The limestone dissolves easily in rainwater, which is slightly acidic. Thus, the sea water eroding the cliffs below, combined with the dissolution of the top of the cliffs caused by rain and runoff water, gives rise to holes, caves, arches, and rock columns. Red deposits contrasting with the whiteness of the limestone can be seen; these are formed from insoluble materials that are found inside limestone, such as red clays.