Portimão installs new eco trail at Quinta da Rocha

Visitors to Quinta da Rocha in Portimão are being encouraged to leave “only footprints” thanks to a new environmental awareness project promoting responsible behaviour and better waste management.

The initiative, led by EMARP in partnership with Portimão Council and the Mexilhoeira Grande Parish Council, has been introduced in the Espargueira area as part of the campaign “A melhor pegada não deixa marca” (“The best footprint leaves no trace”).

The project follows on-site assessments that identified the need for improved waste disposal facilities and greater environmental awareness among visitors to the protected natural area.

New signs have been installed along the walking route, providing information about the impact of littering on local ecosystems while encouraging visitors to help preserve the area’s biodiversity.

The trail ends at a newly created rest area featuring an information bench and recycling bins for the separate collection of waste, making it easier for visitors to dispose of rubbish responsibly.

According to EMARP, the project has been designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, with durable composite plastic materials chosen for their longevity and low visual impact.

The partners say the initiative aims to encourage environmentally responsible habits while helping to protect one of the municipality’s most important natural spaces.

Quinta da Rocha, located between the Alvor Estuary and the Ria de Alvor, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is one of the Algarve’s most important sites for birdwatching and nature tourism. It attracts walkers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts throughout the year.

Inês Lopes

Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident