If you feel like meeting new people and enjoying some of the great walking and days' out around the Silver Coast, then this might be for you.

The walks prove to be popular and have introduced a number of people to the pleasures of walking in the countryside. Since the start both the ladies and the walking groups have flourished while maintaining an informal atmosphere. Typically between 15 and 30 walkers join the short walks (approx. 5km - nothing strenuous) and they have proved sufficiently popular that we now arrange one every week, on a Wednesday.  The long walk (15-20km moderate) is now held on alternate Thursdays which is, in season, a hunting day, but they have never found that a problem. They get typically 5 to 14 people on the long walk.

At first the details of the walks were circulated by email, but now we the group has a web site so that anyone can look up the week's walks. Reminder emails are still sent to those who register. 

The area covered by the walks ranges from Paredes about 10 km north of Nazaré to Monte Junto about 20 Km south of Rio Maior and from the Serra dos Candeeiros in the east (between Porto do Mós and Rio Maior) to the coast in the west. Many of the walks are in the area of São Martinho do Porto.

The countryside is varied; long sandy beaches with crashing waves; quiet lagoons; high cliffs; silted up lagoons, where vegetables are grown; orchards on open hill tops: sandy pine and eucalyptus woods; steep sided valleys with dense woodland; open shrub covered heath land. Most of the walking is off road along beaten earth tracks.

The group's regular walkers are from a variety of countries: Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, but the common language is English.

As you might expect, most of the walkers are retired, but not necessarily of retirement age or mindset.

Everyone is welcome to join a walk, there is no charge, but people walk at their own risk. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept under control.

If you would like to join you will be made most welcome.

Click here for the SilverCoast Walks website.

The group is co-ordinated by John and Mary.