Best practices and recommendations for GR15
Best Practices on the Route When taking the GR15 in the municipality of Mértola it is important to remember that it is located inside a Nature Preserve, a protected area for the fauna, flora and landscape. Visitors are welcome, but we all have to respect the wildlife and the inhabitants of the Preserve: this is their home, we must protect it.
1. Sust follow the signposted paths. Respect the recommendations on the information panels and all prohibitions. The route follows alongside private properties dedicated to agriculture, raising cattle and hunting; therefore, never leave the path or disturb the cattle.
2. Respect natural and cultural values: do not disturb the fauna or damage the flora, do not harvest plants, lichens, mushrooms, rocks and minerals. “Take only photos, leave only footprints”.
3. Do not leave any kind of garbage or traces on your journey, not even those that are organic (fruit peels, seeds, etc.), take them with you to the nearest rubbish bin. Help us: we would appreciate it if you pick up any trash you see along the way, thereby leaving the area cleaner than when you found it.
4.Respect private property. If you need to open a barrier or gate, always leave them closed after you pass through. Do not harvest fruits or other products from private properties.
5.Always keep your dog on a leash and under control, and remember to curb your dog. A dog on the loose can cause harm to wildlife, vegetation, cattle and other people. Shepard or herd dogs can be aggressive to other dogs.
6. When you find a flock of sheep, herd of cows, etc. keep your distance and do not disturb or frighten the animals, especially if there are young or Shepard dogs nearby.
7. CAUTION WITH FIRE: do not create any kind of fire, avoid smoking.
8. Camping is not allowed outside of sites designated for this purpose.
9. Be friendly to the locals, respect their way of life.
10. Noise is also pollution, enjoy the sounds of nature.
11. Please do not feed wild animals or livestock.
12. By consuming local products and using services from local companies, you are contributing to rural development.
13.The hunting season starts 15 August until 28 February, especially busy on Thursday, weekends and bank holidays. Never deviate from signalled trails.
Recommendations Before you begin, see our recommendations.
1. Before starting the route, get acquainted with the path, degree of difficulty, distance, gradient, weather conditions, as well as the number of daytime hours you will have to complete it. Avoid taking the route alone, but if you do, tell someone about what you are going to do and what time you plan to finish.
2. Take enough food and water. Water is essential, especially in the spring and summer, as you will not find a lot of supply points.
3. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for hiking; adequate for climatic conditions. Footwear is very important, it must be comfortable and fit properly depending on the activity.
4. You are in a region with a high degree of sunlight, very little shade and it reaches very high temperatures in spring and summer: PROTECT YOURSELF from the sun using a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and appropriate clothing. Take a small first-aid kit with you that contains: quick bandages against foot blisters, ointment for muscle pains, ointment against insects stings, painkillers (Aspirin, Ibuprofen), multipurpose tool or pocket knife.
5. Take a mobile phone with a fully charged battery, since there are very isolated areas on the route without network coverage. Always carry a map and, if possible, GPS and compass.
Signage Signs to consider on the route
