Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches

Name: Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.9 (9 reviews)

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8 Days from

CAD 2,945

incl. Taxes

4.9/5 from

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

TSV

Go beyond the Algarve and explore Portugal's most pristine coastal trails

Boasting one of the most beautiful and well-preserved coastlines of Europe, blessed with wild pristine beaches, towering cliffs, great biodiversity, remote whitewashed traditional villages and a temperate climate, Portugal’s Rota Vicentina is the ultimate hikers and ramblers' paradise. We have hand-picked the very best walks from the 125km selection of coastal trails that span the tranquil Portuguese region of Alentejo and along the few remaining undeveloped shores of the Algarve. Starting from the picturesque town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, we walk on quiet cliff trails used by locals to access the beaches and best fishing spots, and end in the famous town of Sagres. We stay overnight in three different villages chosen to provide easy access to/from the trails each day. The refreshing coastal breeze and inviting landscape make walking in this remote corner of Europe truly reinvigorating.

Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

Highlights

Dramatic cliffs, golden sand beaches and quiet trails
Excellent bird watching opportunities and mild year-round climate
Stay overnight in authentic whitewashed villages including Sagres
Reach Cape of St Vincent, Europe's most south-westerly point
Fly into Lisbon for the chance to add a pre-tour stay in Portugal's vibrant capital

Key Information

7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
5 days guided walking and 1 free day
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs.
All transport by private cars or minibus
Option to travel by train to your adventure

Countries visited: Portugal

What's Included

All breakfasts and 5 picnic lunches
All accommodation
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visa and vaccinations
Single accommodation (available on request)

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Leisurely: 3-4km/2-3miles an hour

Terrain:

Low altitude; mix of sandy and rugged clifftop trails.

Day 2

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 3

7 km / 4.3 miles

Day 4

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 6

10 km / 6.2 miles

Day 7

10 km / 6.2 miles

Responsible Tourism

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

In March 2019, Exodus Travels launched the Exodus Travels Foundation where we support initiatives all around the world. But it cannot exist without travellers who care. Get involved or learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus here…

Itinerary

This trip starts in the seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline approx 2 hrs from Faro and 2.5 hrs from Lisbon. Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, the town is delightfully Portuguese, filled with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and scenic views across the Mira River. It is also the start point of incredible coastal trails leading to vast stretches of wild and deserted beaches. Despite its remote location, it has an extensive selection of restaurants and a lively nightlife, making it a perfect base for the first two days of the tour.

We start the week with a relatively short coastal hike offering superb views throughout. Leaving from the hotel, we cross by boat and admire the views of the River Mira meeting the ocean, with the small white-washed town and lush hillsides in the background. There are stretches along today's trail where native vegetation displays all its diversity and other areas where it has been wiped out by a most aggressive exotic plant – the Acacia. At times farmland stretches right down to the ocean, at others the imprint of human habitation is local, non-commercial fishing or small stone age quarries hidden amongst the dunes. Between March and October you’ll be able to spot the many types of swift - Alpine, Pallid and Common - that all nest along this coast. Interestingly, swifts spend over 90% of their life in the air as they feed, mate and sleep in flight - they are so well adapted to flying that landing on the ground may be fatal. The walk ends in the peaceful small village of Almograve, perfect for an unhurried afternoon stroll or peaceful pause before we return by private transfer to Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Small fishing harbours, sand dunes, the scent of pine tree forests and the sight, seen nowhere else in the world, of storks nesting on the cliffs make this today's walk truly special. We start with a short transfer (approx. 20 mins) to Cabo Sardão lighthouse which was peculiarly built the wrong way round. The entry door is facing the ocean and the lighthouse is facing inland! This is the start of today's trail which follows the high cliffs exposed to the constant salty ocean waves and winds, and a favourite nesting spot for over twenty species of bird. These include the jackdaw, shag, common kestrel, white stork, and the peregrine falcon, the fastest recorded animal in the world, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h when diving. We will have time to stop and watch these birds, especially during spring, when it is possible to quietly observe their mating rituals and the careful building of their nests. We pass Lapa das Pombas, a tiny non-commercial fishing harbour, before concluding the walk in the sleepy seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar and its wonderful beach. In the afternoon we transfer to Arrifana where we stay for the next 3 nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we transfer from Arrifana to Carvalhal beach (approx. 35 minutes), the start of today's walk. The cliff face on this stretch of the walk is of particular interest. It is composed of schist and greywacke which results from the consolidation of sand, clay and volcanic ashes accumulated on the bottom of an ancient ocean over 300 million years ago

This whole coastal region is believed by many to have a particular energy, and it was here that the Fado diva Amália Rodrigues sought refuge and inspiration for her songs. Along the walk we may also spot traces of nocturnal mammals including the Egyptian Mongoose (locally known as “Escalabardo”), weasel, Beech Marten (also known as “Papalvo”), badger, genet and rabbits. Before reaching Odeceixe, we take a break on Ponta em Branco (white summit) so named for the colour of the sediments that form its summit, marking the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve regions. This is considered one of the most scenic points in the entire region with views over Odeceixe beach, with the mountain top of Fóia and Monchique as a backdrop. We transfer to the cosy hotel near Arrifana beach and enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, or a drink on the sunny terrace before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a free day to choose from the many optional activities available in the area. You may decide to go on a guided visit to the famous Arrifana beach, Ponta da Atalaia, Monte Clérigo, and Aljezur (payable locally). Alternatively you may book a surfing class or a horse riding excursion along the spectacular coastline. Whilst your tour leader will not acompany you on your free day, they will be able to help you book the optional activities. A self-guided walk around Arrifana is also possible (12km loop).

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we travel further south and transfer (approx. 30 mins) to the village of Carrapateira, the start of today's short circular walk. Along the circuit, we come across various viewpoints with superb views of the sandy beaches of Bordeira and Amado as well as the ruins of an ancient Islamic fishermen’s settlement. On the first part of the trail, we walk through undulating dunes carpeted by lush vegetation and aromatic wild plants including thyme, yellow amaranths, rosemary, lavender, crowberries, blue pimpernel and sea lavender. We then walk along the limestone cliffs for most of the trail and may get the opportunity to spot cormorants, a wintering bird and expert angler, consuming almost 1 kg of fish per day. In the afternoon we transfer (approx. 20 mins) to the village of Sagres, at the extreme western tip of the Algarve. Although primarily known as a surfing destination (and surprisingly not the Portuguese beer of the same name), Sagres has a lot more to offer. You may decide to spend the rest of the day in one of the sheltered pristine beaches.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Surrounded by foaming Atlantic breakers, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most south-westerly point of Europe. The final walk from Sagres out to the edge of the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of the week. Surrounded by coastal scenery, we follow a wild trail along sandy paths and gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Setting off from our hotel, we make our way to the start point of our walk, near Beliche Beach. We set out across towering cliffs and ravines covered with native vegetation. We pass by the golden beach of Beliche, and, then after a short section inland, Telheiro beach, a place of extraordinary geological interest thanks to the rock composition of the cliffs. The last section of the path continues along the cliff top before a memorable arrival at Cape St. Vincent where we find a lighthouse, museum and small bar offering wonderful photo opportunities. It's only a short transfer (5 mins) back to Sagres where we can choose to visit the imposing sea fortress at sunset or relax with a cold drink on the waterfront, watching fishermen mending their nets. You may decide to book an optional dolphin-watching excursion along the coast (weather and season dependent).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This trip ends in Sagres in the morning of Day 8.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Portugal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/portugal
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

Vaccination

Portugal

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and 5 picnic lunches

The pic-nic lunches will include a mix of sandwiches, cheeses, cured meats and fruit.

During the week we will get the opportunity to sample other delicacies and traditional dishes of this region which will include some of the freshest seafood and fish. The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and cheese are excellent. Good quality meat is also always on the menu. Vegetables are plentiful and although vegetarian dishes in traditional restaurants are available, the choice may be limited.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Grade: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) 5 days guided walking with low altitude throughout.

Portugal's Rota Vicentina is home to some of the best coastal walks in Europe. The remote, quiet trails and temperate climate make this a haven for hikers and ramblers. The average walking distance each day is approx. 13 km and the pace of the walks allows time to rest and enjoy the views. The walks are mostly undulating and do not include any long challenging climbs however the terrain can make the walking quite exerting at times as we will be walking mostly on sandy trails near beaches as well as rugged clifftop paths. Some of the trails are exposed but there will be always the option to walk far enough from the exposed parts for those with a fear of heights.

Walks usually take between 4 and 6 hours including picnic lunch stops (depending on the pace of your group) and require a good level of fitness.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Shawn Henderson

Make sure you wear a good pair of boots with ankle support as the route in parts is quite rocky.

Suggestions

The itinerary offers a well balanced trip of interesting walking routes,swimming, relaxation and great food. Go for it.

Heather-Anne Hubbell

Reviewed May 2022

A breathtaking way to clear the cobwebs for a complete break

Another great Exodus trip. Breathtaking scenery, pleasant walks & good company made it a very enjoyable week.

Most Inspirational Moment

The rugged coastline with fantastic beaches - I particularly liked Sagres.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Luis & Sofia were great - attentive, well organised, knowledgeable & catered for all needs of the group. They did a fantastic job in showcasing their beautiful country & went out of their way to ensure we all had a good holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Highly recommend this trip - book it!

Read All Reviews

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

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Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes