Vila do Bispo and Aljezur councils have presented a project to set up new cycling and walking routes through the two council areas in a scheme that will cost around €3 million.
The ‘Ecovia and Ciclovias do Litoral’ project was presented at the Lisbon Tourism Fair by the two councils and will be a "structuring for these two municipalities that, from the point of view of mobility and attractiveness of the countryside, will be another fundamental piece in the sustainable development of these territories.”
The objective is to create a central cycling and walking network with branches running off to places of interest and natural beauty.
The project will link to other established routes such as the Rota Vicentina, Via Algarviana, the Cultural and Environmental Historical Circuits of Aljezur and Vila do Bispo, and to the Amoreira Beach Biodiversity Station and the future Aljezur Nature Centre, among others.
The project has an estimated cost of around €3 million and already has European Regional Development Funding of €2.1 million.
Aljezur council says the news series of routes will be a "factor of enormous attractiveness for tourists and visitors to the Aljezur and Vila do Bispo areas, motivated by the contemplation and enjoyment of the natural richness of these territories, throughout the year."
This partnership between the neighboring councils will boost nature tourism in the area and will help towards what the tourist board calls 'sustainable development.'
