THE BIKER DUDE
Avid road biker David Frankel was hard pressed to pick his favourite Algarve drive, since, he says “there are so many”. He belongs to the Algarve Senior Bikers Group which has taken him all over the region, but he finally chose the route from Tavira via Cachopo to Alte.

“You take the N397 from Tavira to Cachopo and then head on the N124 to Alte – about 100km,” says David. “It’s all beautiful and foresty, but the hero is the Cachopo to Alte section which is quite breathtaking.

“It’s all about the twists and turns and the great countryside and vistas. At one stage you drive through wind turbines which is surreal, and you get to see sea and inland views.”

The Tavira to Cachopo leg is about 40km, so, he says, this is a good place to break for a walk around the very tiny village, famous for its prehistoric round houses, primarily built out of stone and thatch, which were reportedly used for storing feed and housing animals.

There are around five restaurants/snack bars to choose from, and booking ahead is always a good idea, especially at weekends when they fill up fast with locals.
“There are a variety of snack bars along the way, but my favourite for authenticity is Casa de Pasto Rodrigues-Cabacos, which is about 41km along the route in a little town called Vaqueiros. Everything is home-made and I had the best chicken stew of my life here.

“If you can’t speak Portuguese, take a friend who does, or your Google Translate because this is not an expat spot, and you’ll battle to order – it’s all dish of the day stuff. Delicious!”

Then it’s onwards to Alte, which has been described as the most authentic Algarvian village with its whitewashed houses, cobbled alleys and traditional chimneys. Out of season it is sleepy and unspoiled, so it’s best not to go in summer when tour buses tend to spew out tourists.

“If you choose to eat here, I’d suggest O Folclore which is as charming and traditional as it gets,” says David. “While there, don’t forget to check out the pet donkey Baltazar who is quite a character! The food is also great, and the large terrace has stunning views over the valley.”

David says this drive is not for the faint-hearted, because there are several hairpin bends and some hairy unprotected drops, but if you take it slowly, it’s worth it. “There’s very little traffic and the road is well maintained. There are picture opportunities all along the way with several lookout spots offering spectacular views.”

And, of course, he says as good as it is in a car, it’s better on a bike. “You feel more part of the nature and as you ride along, you can smell the different vegetation, feel the temperature changing – you’re just more in sync with the environment.”

His top tip is to ride it early on a summer’s day when it’s cool and you can take your time, soaking up the little villages with their blue and white Portuguese houses. “And keep an eye out for the natural wells, where you can stop and fill up your water bottle with fresh mountain water.”

Words: Debbie Reynolds