The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Salir

At the entrance to Salir, the road winds between ancient stone walls that still enclose vegetable gardens and small farms. Here and there, waterwheels and old water-powered mills appear, living memories of a time when the land was the heart of rural life. A serene, bucolic, and enchanting setting.

Here, the dirt trail passes the Faranhão mill, almost at the top of Eira de Agosto, over 500 meters above sea level. From here, the view stretches between the mountains and the sea. It's one of those places that calls for a pause and a moment to simply contemplate.

From here, you have a window overlooking the vastness of the Serra do Caldeirão. And on clear days (which are almost all around here), your view reaches all the way to the southern coast. A stunning landscape, ready to take your breath away.

The Igreja Matriz de Salir, also known as the Igreja de São Sebastião, is a religious monument in the village of Salir, in the municipality of Loulé, in the Algarve, Portugal. This church is situated on a hill overlooking the village of Salir. Inside, the decorative elements are striking, in Baroque style, with gilded carvings on the side altars and the main altar. The altar of the souls in purgatory is particularly interesting, as it was one of the few remaining elements of the original church, along with the exterior buttresses. Also noteworthy is the wooden statue of the patron saint, made in the 17th century.

To the south is S. Brás de Alportel, and towards the southwest Loulé; to the west, which leads to Salir, Alte and S.Bartolomeu de Messines; towards the north the old EN2 continues, via Ameixial to Almodôvar; towards the northeast, where Cachopo and Martinlongo are located; and already signposted for Nascente Alcoutim. It is a very wooded area, where you can find excellent walking trails and beautiful views. Tia Bia organises romantic picnics. Surprise your partner with a walk followed by a surprise picnic. They have different menus available! The restaurant is closed for dinner on Sundays and Mondays. Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00

Tia Bia is a restaurant and local accommodation located in Barranco do Velho, at the foot of Serra do Caldeirão, an area of rare scenic beauty, with ancient fountains and 5 km from the international motocross circuit of Cortelha. Area with many wild boars and other species. A pleasant refuge in the mountains, 30 km from the beaches of Vilamoura and Quarteira, the island of Faro and Albufeira. 30 km from Faro International Airport. 50 km from the border of Vila Real de Santo António/Ayamonte. Barranco do Velho is a formidable crossroads in the middle of the Serra do Caldeirão.

Barranco do Velho is a mountain village in the south of the Serra do Caldeirão in the Portuguese Algarve in the municipality of Loulé. The village was merged with the freguesia Salir in the administrative reorganization of 2013. The village is located on the N2, which used to be the main road from Faro to Lisbon. The landscape is dominated by cork oaks, holm oaks and strawberry trees. For many Portuguese it is a popular hunting ground. The main activity of the people in the region is cork extraction. There is a nature trail in the village with the theme of biodiversity. There are also several hiking trails through the village, for example the 300-kilometre long-distance hiking trail (GR trail) Via Algarviana (GR13). The church on a hill above the village is relatively new. It was built in 1944, financed by two brothers from Germany who both owned a house there.

Simple hike but superb scenery