Walking near the edge

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Hiking the Via Algarviana means not only geographically reaching the end of Europe. In the low-developed backcountry of the Algarve, time has stood still for centuries, it seems. Tiny old women in black never seem to leave their villages. They grow olives and almonds, use communal water pumps, and those who are too far off to get meals on wheels spend their days in the village bar with a simple pre-ordered lunch service and friendly greetings by the few customers. Apart from bread, alcohol and black coffee, hikers have to bring everything they need.