T.J., hiking guide and owner of West Coast Adventures, Lagos, Portugal

This is what matters to me.

Hey there! I'm T.J., the Algarve's hiking guy ;)

Much has changed since I began this project over 10 years ago. But, the important things -- my intentions, inspirations, approach & values -- have remained the same since the beginning.

It's just me here: No big company or investors, no team of seasonal guides, no secretary or marketing team. Just me... well, me and my trusty vans, "Mo" & "Larry." Can't forget about Mo & Larry.

I am the original, and still the only true hiking guide in the Algarve. Sure, you might find a "walking" tour here or there, but make no mistake: There is no comparison. If you want to leave the beaten path and explore the undiscovered wilderness of the Algarve, away from the boardwalks, beach cafes, and parking lots, then I am the only game in town, gauranteed.

If you join me, I promise you'll experience a side of the Algarve you won't find any other way, and I'll do it in a way that is all my own :)

My intention:

I create experiences to share my LOVE for movement, adventure, and discovery; for wild places, open spaces, and secluded beauty; for hands-on encounters, out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and journeys of mind & body.

I craft adventures that reflect my BELIEF that direct experience with nature is good for both the walker and the world; that the views never feel bigger than after a bit of hard work; that nature cannot be experienced from afar, and experience cannot be flattened onto a screen; that the frenzy of modern life must be balanced with moments of wonder, stillness and surprise.

I am driven by my personal EXPERIENCE that the sincerity, passion, humility and character of a business are at least as important as it's product; that it's better to build one thing really well than a lot of things sort-of well; that what you love, others will too, if you just show them how.

And I run it all on a HOPE to create something not just fun, but meaningful; to not do more, but do better; to measure my success only by the amount of wisdom, wonder and well-being I can give and receive; and to always stick close to my values, as a person and a business.

Leaving the coastline better than we found it on ever hiking tour.

My mission:

I aim to provide a great experience for you while also protecting, caring for, and giving back to the land along the way, a land which has given me so much.

By sharing this place, I aim to deepen our personal connections with the natural world; empower us to be active and responsible caretakers of the natural world; and encourage us to pay it forward to the people and places we encounter back home.

As well, I ensure that we actively leave it better than we found it on each and every tour.

My story:

I have spent much of my adult life seeking adventure, movement, connection & clarity in the Great Outdoors. For me, the natural world is both the best playground and the best classroom. It is where I feel most complete, most aligned with the things I find valuable and meaningful.

My travels have taken me from by birthplace in the middle of America to most every corner of the globe. In the end, I found what I was searching for right here, at the Western edge of Europe, and I created this tiny business to share what I discovered.

A group of hikers learning about the Algarve's West Coast geology from guide T.J. from West Coast Adventures.

My qualifications:

I have been a certified hiking guide & outdoor educator for over 10 years. I have professional instructor certifications in Hiking, Backpacking, Mountaineering, and Rock Climbing, as well as Wilderness First Response.

In addition to my work in tourism, I also lead an outdoor education program with local school children, where I teach kids every week how to safely, effectively, and joyfully explore the outdoors.