Fisherman's Trail

Your journey begins in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming coastal town set along the banks of the River Mira. After settling into your welcoming Bed & Breakfast in the heart of town, you have time to ease into the rhythm of the Atlantic.

You might take the small ferry across to Praia das Furnas, where wide sandy beaches stretch beneath open skies. Or wander through the old town centre, visit Fort São Clemente overlooking the river mouth, and perhaps pick up some local provisions for tomorrow’s walk. The sea air, the whitewashed houses, the slow pace of the evening — this is your first taste of the Rota Vicentina.

After a short taxi transfer (included), you reach Porto Covo, where your first stage along the Fishermen’s Trail begins — one of the most scenic sections of the Rota Vicentina.

The path immediately reveals the wild beauty of this coastline. Sandy beaches and wide dune systems accompany your steps, especially around the Ilha do Pessegueiro area. Walking here can be a little demanding, as the trail often crosses soft sand, but the landscapes reward every effort.

The dunes are home to a surprising biodiversity: resilient plants have adapted to the strong Atlantic winds, and you’ll notice pines, rosemary and wildflowers bending almost horizontally under the salty breeze.

If you prefer a slightly shorter day, after about 16.5 km you can arrange a taxi in Canal (not included) to skip the final 3 km of the stage.

Distance: 16,5 or 19.5 km

Elevation gain: +75/-75 m

In the morning, you cross the estuary by taxi boat (not included) to reach Furnas Beach and rejoin the Fishermen’s Trail. If the boat is not running, you will cross the River Mira via the bridge — on foot or by taxi — enjoying wide views over the inland reed beds.

Today’s walk introduces the ever-changing character of this coastline. Native vegetation mixes with acacia trees brought from afar; stretches of dunes alternate with farmland; traces of old quarries remind you that this landscape has been shaped and reshaped over centuries. It is a day of contrasts, where the Atlantic horizon remains your constant companion.

Distance: 12 or 15 km

Elevation Gain: +75/-75 m

This morning a short taxi transfer takes you back to Almograve, where today’s stage begins — around six hours of walking along one of the most striking stretches of the coast. The trail leads you past Cavalheiro and onward to the lighthouse at Cape Sardão, dramatically set above the cliffs. It’s a perfect place to pause for a drink or a simple meal, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly before you.

If you prefer a shorter walk, you can ask the driver to drop you off directly in Cavalheiro, reducing the day’s distance by approximately 9 km.

Distance: 20 or 11 km

Elevation Gain: +175/-90 m

Today you follow the Fishermen's Trail again along the coast- Rolling dunes alternate with rocky shores, where storks nest, and of course another set of beaches:  Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália.

Treat yourself to lunch at the (fish) restaurant of the natural fishing port of Azenha do Mar, before continuing on to the Seixe River that separates the Alentejo from the Algarve. You stay overnight in a hotel in the upper part of the village of Odeceixe, made up of several typical houses.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation Gain: +220/-230 m

From your hotel door, the landscape opens into cultivated fields, heather and fragrant shrubs. The terrain today is gentle and varied, following rural tracks and quiet lanes through the countryside.

In Rogil, a stop at the village bakery is almost obligatory — perhaps the best coffee break of the week. From here, you may choose between the coastal trail leading to Praia da Amoreira (taxi from the beach to Aljezur not included) or a shorter inland route directly to Aljezur.

Your modern hotel in Aljezur offers a small swimming pool and is conveniently located near one of the town’s best restaurants — perfect for a relaxed evening.

Distance: 19 or 23 km

Elevation Gain: +150/-150 m

From your hotel in Aljezur, the day begins with a steady climb to the medieval fortress perched at the edge of the plateau, offering wide views over the valley and the Atlantic coast. From here, you cross open land towards the beach of Monte Clérigo, where the landscape shifts once again — cliffs, ocean, and sky blending into one vast horizon.

Turning south, you continue towards Arrifana, a place shaped by centuries of history. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs all passed through this coastline. One of its most remarkable features is the site of a former Ribat — an Islamic fortress-monastery founded in the 12th century by Ibn Qasî, a Sufi leader and spiritual guide. It was, as far as we know, the only Ribat in Portugal. Today only evocative ruins remain, set in a spectacular location overlooking the sea.

At Arrifana beach, a taxi will meet you and take you back to your hotel in Aljezur, where you can relax after a day rich in views and stories.

Distance: 17 km

Elevation Gain: +225/-180 m

Today’s walk is shaped by the rhythm of the ocean. The Fishermen’s Trail near Carrapateira can only be followed safely at low tide, as certain stretches run along dramatic 100-metre cliffs with no escape route once the water rises. Timing, here, truly matters.

If the tides are not favourable — or if you prefer a different atmosphere — you can follow the inland alternative of the Rota Vicentina, the Caminho Histórico. This route reveals a quieter, unexpectedly beautiful rural landscape, moving between fragrant maquis shrubland, pine forests and open meadows dotted with ancient cork and holm oaks.

Whichever option you choose, the day begins with a short taxi transfer to the fishing village of Arrifana (or, if you prefer a shorter walk, further south to Monte Novo), where you step back onto the trail and continue your journey through this wild and ever-changing coastline.

Distance: 16 or 19 or 23 km

Elevation Gain: +175 or 200 or 325/ - 250 or 265 or 425 m

After a full week of hiking, the beautiful surroundings of Carrapateira invite you to enjoy a day of relative rest; on the enormous sandy beach of Bordeira or the surfer's paradise Praia do Amado. Or just enjoying a drink or a meal in the village of Carrapateira where tourists, surfers and fishermen peacefully coexist and enjoy what the sea has to offer in different ways.

If you want to walk, take a short circular walk along two beautiful sandy beaches or extend it to the completely restored village of Pedralva, with café-restaurant and pizzeria.

Distance: 10 or 22 km

Elevation Gain: +125/-215 m

This morning you continue south, following the Fishermen’s Trail as it winds along the cliffs and occasionally dips into the gently rolling inland. The Atlantic remains your constant companion — sometimes far below, sometimes almost within reach — while the path alternates between sandy stretches, rocky outcrops and open views that seem to stretch endlessly.

In the early hours, you may come across local fishermen perched on narrow rocks jutting out over the sea, perfectly balanced as they cast their lines into the deep blue below. It’s a striking image, one that captures the raw, authentic spirit of this coastline.

Gradually, as you move inland, the white houses of Vila do Bispo appear on the horizon. The historic town signals the end of today’s stage — a welcoming place to rest, wander its quiet streets and reflect on another day shaped by wind, ocean and wide-open landscapes.

Distance: 16 or 19 m

Elevation Gain: +400/-350 m

Today’s stage is one of the most spectacular of the entire journey. You round the south-westernmost tip of mainland Europe, walking across stark limestone cliffs sculpted by wind and sea. The landscape feels raw and elemental here — wide skies, crashing waves, and a sense of standing at the very edge of the continent.

At Cape São Vicente, pause to visit the old fortress and lighthouse, dramatically positioned above the Atlantic. It’s a place long associated with explorers, pilgrims and sailors — a symbolic threshold between land and open ocean.

From here, the trail turns east, following the coastline toward Sagres. The fortress of Sagres comes into view as you approach this laid-back seaside town. You’ll stay here for two nights, close to the beach and near the marina of Baleeira — the perfect setting to unwind after such a memorable day on the cliffs.

Distance: 20 km 

Elevation Gain: +120/-200 m

The stretch between Sagres and Salema is considered one of the most demanding stages of the Fishermen’s Trail. The path rises and falls continuously along rugged cliffs, following stony footpaths that require steady footing and a good rhythm. It is a physically engaging day — but also one of the most rewarding.

Here, the Algarve reveals its most dramatic side. Wind and ocean have sculpted the limestone into striking rock formations, creating a coastline of hidden coves, carved cliffs and vast Atlantic views. Every ascent is repaid with wide panoramas; every descent leads toward another beautiful beach. Along the way, you’ll pass Martinhal, Barranco, Ingrina, Zavial, Furnas, Figueira and finally Salema — each offering the possibility of a refreshing swim if the conditions allow.

The area also carries traces of its layered past: Roman pottery workshops once stood on these plains, and near Ponte de Fisga you can still see the remains of an 18th-century fortress overlooking the sea.

If 20 km feels too ambitious for the day, you can arrange for a taxi pick-up in Figueira (after approximately 16 km) instead of continuing to Salema. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your hotel in Sagres, where a well-earned rest awaits.

Distance: 16 or 20 km

Elevation Gain: +260 or 345/- 230 or 370 m

This morning a taxi brings you back to Salema — or slightly further east to Burgau — where you begin the final stage of your journey along the Fishermen’s Trail.

The coastline here is among the most iconic in southern Portugal. As you walk eastward, golden cliffs rise above turquoise waters, and the Atlantic has carved extraordinary shapes into the rock. Near Ponta da Piedade and Praia do Camilo, you’ll pass some of the Algarve’s most famous sea caves, arches and hidden grottoes — a landscape shaped slowly and powerfully by wind and waves.

This stretch of coast has long been strategic: Romans, Arabs and later the Portuguese built forts here to defend the shoreline from pirates and invaders. Their traces still punctuate the horizon, reminders that these paths have always been routes of passage.

Your journey concludes in the historic town of Lagos, set along the banks of the Bensafrim River. It’s a lively yet atmospheric place to celebrate the end of your walk — perhaps with a final dinner overlooking the marina, as the sun sets over the Atlantic.

Distance: 17 or 23 km

Elevation Gain: +330/-530 m

After breakfast your arrangement ends.
 

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

The Rota Vicentina is a dramatic and rewarding coastal walk, designed for those who love wild landscapes and the constant presence of the Atlantic.

This trip is right for you if:

• you are comfortable with medium-length walking days (around 18–25 km);
• you don’t mind sandy sections and uneven cliffside paths;
• you enjoy open horizons, ocean winds and the strong southern Portuguese light;
• you are looking for a nature-focused experience where the landscape takes centre stage;
• you like balancing walking days with time to relax by the sea.

It may not be ideal if you prefer fully shaded trails or consistently even terrain. Along the coast, shade is limited and the sun can be strong, especially in summer. A reasonable level of fitness and comfort walking on sand and exposed sections is important.

In return, the Rota Vicentina offers one of Europe’s most authentic coastal walking experiences: golden cliffs, fishing villages, solitary lighthouses and sunsets that seem to stretch endlessly.

If you love the sea, here you will truly walk alongside it — step by step.