Walking Portugal's Wild Algarve

Discover hidden wonders of the Algarve and the most pristine coastal trails in Portugal

Passing wild beaches, whitewashed villages and towering cliffs, the Rota Vicentina is one of the great hiking routes in Europe. We’ve handpicked the very best walks from this extensive network, visiting some of the few remaining undeveloped shores of the Algarve. The adventure starts in picturesque Monchique, where medicinal waters and a thermal spa make the town an ideal place to ease into the trip. Transferring to the coast, we walk on quiet cliff trails (used by local people to access the beaches and best fishing spots) and end in the town of Sagres. The refreshing coastal breezes and inviting landscape make walking in this remote corner of Europe truly reinvigorating.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Rota Vicentina is home to some of the best coastal walks in Europe – the remote, quiet trails and temperate climate making it a haven for hikers and ramblers. The average walking distance each day is approximately 8mi (13km) and the walking pace allows time to rest and enjoy the views. The routes are mostly undulating and do not include any long challenging climbs; however, the terrain can make the walking quite exerting at times as we mainly take sandy trails near beaches and rugged clifftop paths while along the coast. Some of the trails are exposed but there is always the option to walk away from the exposed parts if you would prefer.

Walks usually take between four and six 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.

Vaccinations and Health

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.

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

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and five picnic lunches are included.

The picnic lunches will include a mix of sandwiches, cheeses, cured meats and fruit.

During the week, we get the opportunity to sample delicacies and traditional dishes from this region, including fresh seafood and fish. The local speciality from the sea is gooseneck barnacles (also known as perceves); taken from the bottom of submerged cliffs, they are harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling from a rope attached to the clifftops! Away from the sea, the dried hams, salamis and cheeses are excellent. Good quality meat is also always on the menu. Vegetables are plentiful but, although vegetarian dishes are available in traditional restaurants, the choice may be limited.

Weather

Southwest Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with a strong Atlantic influence, resulting in mild temperatures throughout the year. Winters are short and are never very cold but offer enough rain to fertilise the soil for the nine months when the sun is king. The recommended period to walk the Rota Vicentina is from September until June, when our departures are scheduled. In winter, temperatures do not fall below 11C (52F) during the day and this is normally the rainiest period of the year. From March, sunny days alternate with rainy days and temperatures start to rise. The reborn landscape and the intensity of the colours and aromas make spring one of the best seasons to visit. Heatwaves can push up temperatures in July and August and it gets too hot for walking. In autumn, temperatures are generally quite mild, with the ocean reaching pleasant temperatures for swimming. Please note, coastal areas of Portugal are known to be quite windy throughout the year. We highly recommend you check the weather forecast close to the arrival date and bring adequate rain gear.