Passadiços do Barranco do Demo: Algarve Hike with Kids

If you're spending a week on the Algarve coast, at some point you'll want a day that isn't the beach. I know that sounds like a strange thing to say when you're somewhere with over 150 beaches, but after a few days of golden cliffs and turquoise water, there is something about heading up into the mountains that feels refreshing.

Barranco do Demo translates as "devil's gorge", which gives you a fairly accurate sense of the terrain. It's a dramatic rocky gorge in the mountains near the village of Alferce, with wooden boardwalks and steps that run making it an easy and safe hike to complete. The boardwalks were only completed in 2023 so the whole thing felt almost new when we visited meaning this hike is doesn't have crowds of tourists.

The drive up through the Serra de Monchique was beautiful in its own right, and walking the gorge trail with our 2.5 year old daughter felt like a great way to get out hiking in nature.

Getting There

You need a car to reach Barranco do Demo. The trail is located near the village of Alferce, in the municipality of Monchique, about 9km from Monchique town itself and roughly 35 minutes' drive north from the coastal towns around Portimão and Carvoeiro. From Albufeira or the central Algarve, allow about 45-50 minutes.

For navigation, search "Cemitério de Alferce" (Alferce cemetery) in Google Maps. There is a free car park right next to the cemetery, which is the main starting point for the trail. Parking is limited though, and on weekends it fills up. If you arrive and the cemetery car park is full, there are additional spaces near the church in Alferce village, which is about a 5 minute walk from the trailhead. The trail is well-signposted from the village centre and entry to the trail is completely free.

The Trail

What to Expect

From the cemetery car park, a gravel path takes you northeast to the trailhead. Once on the boardwalk, the trail runs for about 1km through the gorge, with wooden steps taking you down into the ravine, across a long suspension bridge over the stream at the bottom, and then back up the other side. The total distance from the car park is around 2km, which takes most people between one and two hours depending on how much time they spend at the bottom.

There is also a full circular loop trail (around 6km, 2 to 2.5 hours) that connects to the wider Barranco do Demo Trail and takes in the ruins of a Bronze Age Islamic castle at Castelo de Alferce. We didn't do the full loop because it was a hot day and our daughter was setting the pace but if you have older children and a bit more energy, it sounds worth it.

The Steps and the Suspension Bridge

The boardwalk is sturdy and the steps are railed all the way meaning our daughter could walk by herself for a good portion of it, which she loved. We used a carrier when she got tired, but the railing meant we weren't constantly lunging forward to catch her on every step.

The suspension bridge at the bottom is the highlight. It's about 50 metres long and sits around 20 metres above the gorge floor, crossing directly over the stream with the waterfall running beneath it. For this part we decided to put her in the carrier so we had her close.

Lunch by the Stream

At the bottom of the gorge, next to the waterfall and the stream, there are great spots for a picnic. We brought a packed lunch and ate it here, and it was one of the nicest lunch spots of the whole trip. A cold stream, the sound of the waterfall, the gorge walls on either side, a toddler throwing stones into the water.

Combining with Monchique Town and Fóia

This trail works best as part of a mountain day rather than a standalone destination. The drive through the Serra de Monchique is lovely in itself, and there are two obvious additions that make the day feel complete.

Monchique Town

Monchique is about 9km from Alferce and is a charming, quiet mountain town that is almost entirely overlooked by Algarve visitors who stick to the coast. It has a main square, a handful of cafés and restaurants, and a calm, unhurried feel that is quite a contrast from the beach towns. It's well worth stopping for a coffee or a late lunch before or after the trail. The town is also known for Medronho, a local spirit made from the arbutus fruit so if you'd like to try something local, this is the place.

Fóia

After the trail, we continued driving up through the mountains to Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve at 902 metres. By this point our daughter was asleep in her car seat (the trail had done its job), so it was a peaceful drive through beautiful mountain scenery.

From the top you get views of the Algarve coastline on one side and the Serra de Monchique hills stretching away on the other. We could clearly see the sea from up there and there is a restaurant at the top if you want to eat there.

The drive from the trail to Fóia takes about 20 minutes via Monchique. I would recommend doing the trail first, then Monchique for lunch, then Fóia in the early afternoon before driving back down to the coast.

Practical Tips for the Trail with Kids

A carrier is worth bringing, even if your child is a confident walker. The steps are steep and there are a lot of them (the trail has an elevation gain of about 200 metres going down). We did a mix of walking and carrying throughout and it worked well.

Note: We used the Izmi Adventure Breeze Toddler Carrier which is perfect up to 32kg. This has been on a 13hr multiday hike with us so we can vouch that it is extremely comfortable - use the code TTD10 for 10% off.

Pack water and snacks for everyone. There is no food or drink available at the trail, in the car park, or nearby. The nearest options are in Alferce village or Monchique town, both of which require driving.

The suspension bridge does move so there are limits on how many people can be on it at the same time. It is completely safe and sturdily built, but if you or your child has any nervousness about heights it is worth knowing in advance.

Bring sunscreen and a hat even if it doesn't feel hot. The sun exposure on the open sections of boardwalk is considerable, and the air temperature at altitude can feel deceptively mild.

Wear proper shoes. The railing means the steps are safe, but they are steep and the wooden surface can be slippery if it's been damp. Sandals are fine in dry conditions but trainers are better.

Where to Stay Near Monchique

Most visitors do Barranco do Demo as a day trip from the coast, which works very well. But if you want to spend a night or two in the mountains and use Monchique as a base for the trail and the surrounding area, there are a few good options.

Budget: Casa da Mina da Esteva

Casa da Mina da Esteva is a small rural guesthouse in the Monchique hills with excellent reviews, a pool, and very good home-cooked breakfasts. It's a peaceful, welcoming place with space for children to run around and a relaxed atmosphere. The kind of place where you feel like you're staying with people rather than in a hotel. Simple, well-priced, and about 10 minutes from Alferce.

Mid-Range: Abrigo da Montanha

Abrigo da Montanha is a popular rural retreat in the Serra de Monchique with a pool and mountain views from the terrace. It has one of the best bases for exploring the area, with guests specifically mentioning the quality of the food and the friendliness of the hosts. A good step up in comfort from the budget options, still at a very reasonable price for what you get.

Splurge: Monchique Resort and Spa

Monchique Resort sits above the town on the hillside and is the most complete resort option in the area. It has thermal spa access (the spring waters of Monchique have been known since Roman times), a pool, good restaurant, and comfortable family rooms with mountain views. It's not a beach resort, which is precisely the point if you want a few days completely away from the coast. It is a genuinely relaxing base and the spa is something you can actually make use of once the children are in bed. About 15 minutes from the Barranco do Demo trail.

If you are looking for the best family friendly places to stay in the Algarve check out this blog post which covers the different areas and our recommendations: Best Family Friendly Places to Stay in the Algarve (Lagos, Carvoeiro, Albufeira and Tavira) with Kids

Final Thoughts

A day at Passadiços do Barranco do Demo with a young child is one of those days that takes a bit more planning than a beach trip and rewards you disproportionately for it. The trail is short enough to be manageable, dramatic enough to feel like a genuine adventure, and free, which is always a good sign. We left with a tired toddler, a lot of photos of a suspension bridge, and a very good view from the top of the Algarve. Not a bad day.

For more inspiration on what to do in the area, check out our guide to Top Places to Visit in the Algarve with a Toddler and our Best Beaches in the Algarve with a Toddler if you're looking for beach days to balance the mountain days. And if you're still figuring out where to base yourself, our Algarve accommodation guide covers the main coastal towns across all price points.