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From Sao Bras de Alportel, follow the road to Tavira and about 2 km outside the town, turn right towards Fonte de Mesquita (1 km). Park nearby.
(S/E) Take the small road opposite the fountain; you will already see the sign on the right announcing the hike "caminhos e encruzilhadas de ir à fonte". Turn left and take a pretty path that climbs slightly. This narrow path is lined with low walls and is very pleasant; in the hedge you will find common myrtle with berries resembling blueberries. You will soon come to a small fork in the road where there is a well on the left. This is the stone well of Monte Negro . There is water inside and right next to it is a water reservoir carved into the stone.
(1) Continue climbing until you reach some houses, one of which on the left is very damaged. Go straight ahead, the path begins to descend through the carob trees and then arrives at a road at the highest point of the hike.
(2) Cross this busy road with caution. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the left, and begin a steep descent for about 200 metres. Where the path slopes to the left, there is a beautiful view to the right over the valley where the Ribeira do Bengado flows.
(3) Continue downhill, which is more pleasant this time, to reach a ford.
(4) Cross it and turn right onto a wide path. Ignore a path on the left and arrive at the junction with a paved road.
(5) Turn right and cross the same river over a bridge. In the next bend, you will see a magnificent cork oak tree on the right (photo). Be careful: at the end of this bend, take the first path on the left to discover the spring located about 150 m further on the right. It is actually a cave slightly hidden by vegetation, and the spring is inside. You can see the water as you approach.
(6) Retrace your steps to resume the route on the left on the road. You may be tempted to continue along the path from the spring, as it seems to rejoin the route a little further on , but the exit appears to be in a very wet field, so I would advise against it. Continue along the road, which climbs quite steeply, and at the next bend, take a wide path on the left that descends gently, runs alongside the river and leads to a small road.
(7) Follow this road to the right along the river and turn right at the next junction to reach a major crossroads on the road connecting Sao Bras de Alportel to Tavira.
(8) Cross carefully and continue straight ahead. Ignore the first road on the right, pass what was once a beautiful abandoned house on the right, and continue to follow the road as it climbs westwards. The end of the tarmac is approaching!
(9) Take the first path on the right, parallel to the road at the beginning.
(10) Pass a cross. Looking to the right on the hills, you can see a beautiful white house. Continue along this lovely path, ignore a path on the right and head south, following the path that first turns left then right. This beautiful little path soon leads to a small hilltop, where a magnificent house stands out. Follow the path to the left to discover the viewpoint and see the sea on the horizon to the left.
(11) Descend south-west, following the GPX track, which alternates between path and road. You will reach a pleasant spot that is ideal for a break. There is a magnificent wooden bench on a white and blue masonry base next to a well (with a large wheel operated by a crank): this is the Poço Velho well, as indicated in front of the steps.
(12) Take the narrow path on the left, which climbs steeply to a small road. Follow this for about 50 metres, then leave it on the left, still on a relatively narrow path that descends southwards for about 500 metres and joins a cross path.
(13) Turn right and stay on this path, which heads generally west with a few bends. When you reach a road, turn right to return to the car park (S/E).
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