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Otherwise known as Salgados Lagoon, Pera Marsh is a pleasant and compact wetland where you can hear both the waves crashing into the sandy beach and the strident birds on the lush banks of the lagoon. Located at the mouth of two little rivers, the coastal stretch surrounding Pera Marsh creates a seamless ecological connection between the fresh and the marine waters, and between the large dunes and the cliffy shoreline on both sides of the bay.

TRAIL FACTSHEET: PERA MARSH | SALGADOS LAGOON

Location: Salgados, Pera/Praia Grande; Silves and Albufeira Municipalities, Central Algarve | Coordinates: 37° 5′ 41.8086″ N, -8° 20′ 5.6076″ W (Lat/Long);  37.094947 N, -8.334891 W (decimal degrees) | Grade: Easy/Moderate | Type: Linear Trail (Out & Back) | Length: about 5500 meters (3.4 miles) | Average Completion Time: up to 2-3 hours | Best Time to Visit: all year-round | Best Time for Birdwatching: Spring, Autumn and Winter; all seasons offer good birding opportunities | Activities: birding; nature walks; cycling, running & other outdoor activities; sightseeing; water sports; extreme sports;

Very rich in plankton and bordered by dense vegetation, the area’s waterbodies are right at the core of these distinct habitats. Such interfacing situation makes them a true magnet for a wide array of terrestrial and aquatic birds: indeed, Pera Marsh is one of the best places in the Algarve to observe beautiful species like the Glossy Ibis, the Red-crested Pochard and the Purple Heron (pictured above). Among others, scarcer birds like the Ferruginous Duck and the Squacco Heron may also inhabit Pera Marsh at different seasons of the year. [Aerial View by A Terceira Dimensão]
 
Starting at a parking site just in front of the dunes, there’s a boardwalk that immediately bifurcates into two diverging routes. To the east, the boardwalk follows the seaward margins of the lagoon; to the south, it heads directly to the wide beach. Here, the flowers add colour and perfume to the environment, mainly when the Curry Plant and the rare Spiny Thrift are in full bloom. An uncommon and striking species of spoonwing, the Thread-winged Antlion can be easily spotted flying over these flowers when the warm weather arrives. Already on the beach, it is possible to observe the 12.5 million years-old fossils of oysters, sea urchins, and shark’s teeth covering the rocky outcrops scattered across the sand.
 
Heading west from the parking site, there is also a dirt trail that runs parallel to the sea before inflecting first towards Praia Grande beach, and then towards the saltmarsh. Meadows and scattered orchards occupy the space situated between the Salgados lagoon and the small river’s mouth. Spiny Rush, Bulrush, and Reeds grow beside the freshwater stream, whereas Mastic, Dwarf Palm, and wild Thyme occupy the drier areas. Fig, Almond, and Carob trees are also sparsely dispersed throughout the smoothly undulated landscape. This is a good area to observe birds like Cetti’s Warbler, Hoopoe, Zitting Cisticola, Cattle Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, and Kestrel. The trail proceeds to the northwest, crossing pastures, Almond groves, and a patch of Umbrella Pines implanted on a weathered cliff. It finally ends near the ruins of old granaries and mills. Enjoy!

Pera Marsh | Salgados Lagoon Trail – Walking Route Map: Check markers to get directions or open with Google Maps

 

Further Tips
The trail can be walked in either direction. Besides the parking site mentioned above, there’s also another car park at the eastern end of the lagoon. This paved park gives access both to Praia dos Salgados and to the boardwalk. The best time to visit Pera Marsh is early in the morning and on weekdays. During weekends, the beach and the lagoon can be visited by larger crowds that include joggers, other walkers, and cyclists. However, the best lighting conditions to observe the birds tend to happen in the evening (see also Salgados Birding Hotspot). In summer, finding a parking space can be difficult. Please use insect repellent if you plan to walk at sunset or during early morning. Ordinarily, mosquitoes are not an issue between November and February. The boardwalk is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs/prams and bicycles. Pera Marsh is easily accessible from the A22 motorway: take exit 8 towards Algoz/Pêra and then turn left at the junction onto the EM 524 road; at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the N125 road, continue for about 500 meters, and then turn left onto Rua Alexandre Herculano. Proceed onto Rua Almeida Garrett and onto the EM 526 road; take the 2nd exit at the roundabout and continue onto Rua de Relvas; continue straight ahead and find the parking site near the lagoon.