Set off from the 1Rotunda da Vela (“Sail Roundabout”) on the ER 125 road and head towards Olhão; 300 metres farther on, turn right towards Santo Estêvão, admiring the fields with almond and carob trees. About four kilometres farther on, on the left, you will come to the 2Poço de Sinagoga (Synagogue Well). Continue for 900 metres until the road forks and, from there, keep right until you reach the village of Santo Estêvão. When you arrive, visit the 3Main Church, which dates back to the 18th century and which evolved from a late-mediaeval chapel. We do not know when the former chapel was built but, from the records, we do know that it was already there in the late 16th century. This is a single-nave church comprising three chapels; the images date from seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The patron saint, Santo Estêvão (Saint Stephen), can be found in the central alcove of the high altar. Some tombs dating from the early 17th century can still be seen on the floor of the church. There is a splendid wooden chest in the sacristy. Admire the buildings around the church square (Largo Dr. Carlos Picoito), which still have the magnificent platbands, designed at the time by veritable artists. Normally, it would be the wealthier people who were able to afford to have such platbands crafted. Near the church you will find a public well, which was opened in 1875 and deepened in 1926. This is just one of the eight wells ordered sunk by the parish council during the 19th century to provide a water supply for the population. Next to the well, as indeed was the case with all of them, were stone troughs; each day, the farmers would bring their livestock here to drink, first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. When you are ready to get back on the road, head towards Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo (look for the sign next to the pharmacy, pointing you to the A22). When you come to a fork in the road, take the road on your left. Keep going towards Monte Agudo, admiring the scenery as you go. Typical of the Algarve, it comprises traditional dryland orchards with ancient carob, olive, almond and fig trees. According to the records, this was prime hunting land and, as a rural area, the farmers made their living from the production of carob, almonds, olive oil (there were once as many as eight olive presses in the parish), wine, wood, charcoal and limestone. The typical houses of the transitional barrocal area, dotted around the hills, had the particularity of having an oven for baking bread and a cistern to store the water used by the household. When you reach the crossroads (“4 Estradas”/ “four roads”), turn towards São Brás de Alportel. Along the way, on your right-hand side (Vale da Assêca), you will see a number of tile factories. The soil here is rich in chalk and clay, resulting in the development of handicrafts and the ceramics industry. Various materials used in the Algarve’s Mediterranean-style buildings are produced here, including various types of tiles and bricks. You will arrive first at Fonte do Bispo and then Santa Catarina. The village, whose patron saint is Saint Catherine, is surrounded by fig, olive and almond trees and orchards that make a significant contribution to the production of olive oil, liqueurs and brandies. On the right-hand side, at the entrance to Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, you will find and exhibition centre, 4Museum of Cooperativa Agrícola de Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo where an old industrial olive press has been preserved. Here, you can learn about the history of the olive industry, the olive oil manufacturing process and the functionality of the production chain. Head towards the village centre. Park the car and go for a stroll along the narrow streets. Admire the 5Main Church of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, which dates from the 16th century. It was initially built in Manueline style and later combined with the Renaissance model. In the 18th century, the remodelling work carried out gave the façade a Baroque-style finish. A highlight inside the three-nave church is the canvas “Juízo Final” (“Last Judgement”). If you want to explore the authentic uplands, drive to the end of the street called “Rua 1º de Maio”, turn right towards São Brás de Alportel, and about 100 metres farther on, head towards 6Porto Carvalhoso. In this direction, the drive takes you through some magnificent scenery. Along the way, you will see signs indicating some typical upland hamlets, including Alqueivinho, Malhada do Nobre, Bemparece, Água de Tábuas (where you can enjoy a stop in the picnic park), Cruzes, Malhada do Judeu, Alcorvel, Eira do Lobo, Funchal, Amendoeira and Alcaria Fria. If you fancy exploring some of them, go ahead, but then come back the same way towards 7Alcaria do Cume, the highest point in the municipality of Tavira, at 535 metres. Here, pause for a rest and admire the panoramic view. Return along the same road, until you reach Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, or continue, for about 400 metres. There, turn right and head down a dirt track by way of Carvalhal, Malhada do Rico, Eira do Lobo and 8Umbria, where there is a picnic park, and turn left towards Morenos. Before returning to the N270 road towards Tavira, choose one of these options: after approximately 1,400 metres, turn towards 9Eiras Altas, and admire the magnificent view, or keep going straight ahead. Both will take you to the N270 road, where you should turn towards Tavira. Head back towards the city until you come to the 4 Estradas crossroads and turn left towards Asseca/Cachopo; 3.3 kilometres farther on, on your right, you will come to the 10Fonte das Cabras (Goats’ Fountain), built in 1935 and restructured in 1963. This fountain is noteworthy in that it has never run dry, even in years of severe drought. This is a good place to pause for a rest. Keep going alongside the 11River Séqua/Gilão, enjoying the sight of the countryside covered with orange and fig trees. In the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, enjoy some walking routes. More information: www.in-loco.pt/pt/percursos-pedestres