Hiking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park – Scenic Trails & Nature

Very nice experience, the Edi guide is very nice and has made the activity even more enjoyable. The hike lasts about two hours but Edi does according to your physical activity he knows how to adapt. It’s great. I recommend.

Pico da Antonia, dies ist eine Tour die mein Mann mit Apollo, unserem Guide, alleine durchgeführt hat. Es war eine anspruchsvolle, sehr schöne Tour, mein Mann war von unserem Guide sehr begeistert, am nächsten Tag machten wir eine erneute Tour mit Apollo aus, das zeigt eigentlich schon, wie zufrieden wir waren. Apollo spricht Englisch und ist gerade dabei das ein oder andere Wort Deutsch zu lernen. Was zeichnet einen Guide bei einer Wanderung aus? Rücksichtnahme, Hilfsbereitschaft (bei schwierigen Passagen immer zum helfen da gewesen), tolle Erklärungen über Landschaft, Natur, Menschen und Kultur. Bei 5 Stunden muss es aber auch persönlich stimmen, reden und lachen kam nicht zu kurz. Es war eine super Entscheidung Rural Tours zu buchen, vor allem möchten wir noch einmal Apollo für die erlebnisreichen, tollen 2 Tage danken. Apollo Thanks for the great experience; es war ein wunderschöner Tag ;)

I was staying in Achada Lem and hiked in Serra Malagueta on Saturday myself. In the evening I was warn by hotel personnel that it is better not to hike in the Natural park on Sunday, because there were a couple of cases, when local teenagers were attacking the tourists and stealing their phones and money. I was doubtful, if I should get a local guide or go myself but when a girl at the reception said that someone from the Rural tours has "beautiful English", I called them and arranged a tour for the entire day. Edimilson is a really cool person, with whom it is not boring to spend a day. We walked together around 18-19 km. We made first Gongon valley till Hortelão and came back to the road via Principal valley. Edimilson said that I was the first one from outside, with whom he made this long route. On the way we met a few people, with whom Edimilson had a short chat. He is very local and knows how to approach people. After the long walk I wanted to do Lagia trek as well but Edimilson was quite tired and offered to show me a huge tree (Poilón in Boa Entrada), which was also pretty! If you stay in Assomada and like nature, contact Edimilson and you won't regret it. By the way, besides Portuguese and English he also knows French and Spanish :)