Beneath me is 110 metres of stale air and I find myself wondering when the last time the steel cable I’m suspended from was serviced. Around my neck is a metal tag that reads simply ‘136’. If it doesn’t return to the surface to be filed neatly between 135 and 137, a rescue team will be dispatched to retrieve me.

Step off the bus in any coastal town in the Algarve and within minutes you’ll encounter countless companies selling adventure speedboat tours of the coastline. That’s not our idea of adventure though, so here are some active ways to explore this beautiful coast.

Planning a climbing trip to El Chorro in 2023? Here’s everything you need to know, including how to get there, getting around, where to stay, and where to eat.