Walking the Algarve's South West Fishermen's Trail

New

7 Days from

USD 2,649

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Trip Code :

W06AR

On the southern Fishermen's great coastal trail, cliffs of various colours hold the hiker's gaze. Shades of ochre, red, grey, white, and black contrast with the bright blue colours of the ocean.

Walk by the sea, follow the paths used by the locals to access the beaches and fishing grounds. This trail runs along the cliffs, with breath-taking views and some truly memorable moments. Escape the busy tourist spots of the Algarve and discover the unspoilt Sagres Peninsula, a region of spectacular natural beauty with rugged cliffs, dramatic coastlines and sandy beaches.

From Vila do Bispo, you will make your way to the mesmerising Cabo de Sao Vicente - Europe's most south-westerly point and an unforgettable part of your holiday. Be sure to take your camera - the views are incredible! Then you will follow one of the Algarve's most beautiful walking trails to historic Lagos, before rounding off your holiday in style, walking the cliff-tops to some of the area's finest beaches.

Key Information

6 nights in a mix of 3-star hotels, all rooms en suite
4 days self guided walking and 1 free day

Countries visited: Portugal

What's Included

6 nights hotel to hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 star hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
GPS route directions and maps

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

4 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 3

20 km / 12.4 miles

Day 5

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 6

18 km / 11.2 miles

Itinerary

Take the train from Faro airport to Lagos. Then you will be transferred to Vila do Bispo.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Carrapateira. Do take time to visit the interesting Land and Sea Museum for an insight into the history of the village and its fishing economy. You'll then pick up the Fishermen’s Trail passing one of the Algarve's finest viewpoints, following a lovely path through Bordeira beach, the beauty of pristine valleys, the picturesque villages of Vilarinha and Pedralva.

Continue through a forest of pine and eucalyptus as you follow the Rota Vicentina, then a meandering trail through flower meadows leading you along a path and down to the pretty village of Vila do Bispo.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Surrounded by foaming Atlantic breakers, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most south-westerly point of Europe. The walk out to the edge of the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of your week! You are spoilt with amazing coastal scenery on this wild and unpopulated route that follows sandy paths and gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. At the Cape there is a lighthouse, museum and small bar, offering wonderful photo opportunities.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sagres is best place in Europe for observing migratory seabirds, such as scopoli’s shearwater, great black-backed gull and other terns. You can also enjoy dolphins watching from the coast.

Alternatively, why not take a walk to the Ponta da Atalaia and Ponta da Baleeira headland today? You'll experience wonderful views over Sagres' impressive fortress and the Mareta and Martinhal beaches. Or, head straight to Martinhal Beach for a stroll on the sand and a drink at one of the bars!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Follow the fishermen trail to wonderful and peaceful beaches such as Figueira, Ingrina, Barranco and Martinhal. The trail will lead you to the quaint fishing village of Salema with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Salema allows you to experience picturesque holidays in a secret Algarve. Here, privacy and sea views prevail, in a landscape that illustrates the perfect holiday postcard with the blue sea contrasting with the white tones of the villas.

Transfer from Salema to Lagos.

Upon arrival in Lagos, you will be greeted by the impressive view over Meia Praia Beach. The fort of Ponta da Bandeira watches over the entrance of this important port, where the adventure of the Portuguese discoveries began six centuries ago.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Along your way, cross a confluence of several streams in Boca do Rio. Then, continue your walk until you reach the beach of Luz, a lovely stretch of fine sand which gently slopes into the usually calm sea. Further on, reach Ponta da Piedade, one of the most outstanding places in the Algarve. Rocks carved by the wind and tides for thousands of years form caves and tunnels in an incredibly beautiful spot. It is a beautiful beach with its own picturesque charm.

Transfer from Ponta da Piedade to Lagos.

Meals Included: Breakfast

On this last day, take the train from Lagos to Faro. Then, transfer from Faro train station to Faro airport.

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

The local cuisine is a sumptuous mix of fresh fish, local meats and fresh vegetables, accompanied by tangy cheeses and quality chouricos; all complemented by a superb choice of Portuguese wines.

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! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato.

The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.

Weather

Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy. However, the climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. Heat waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.

Is this trip for you?

Classification: Self-Guided
No. of days Walking: 4
Terrain: Mostly gently undulating with a couple of short but steepish descents/climbs on most days. Walks are on coastal paths and tracks following the Rota Vicentina - Fishermen’s Trail.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with GPS route directions so that you can walk at your own pace.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies.

Covid-19 refund commitment

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

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.

Walking the Algarve's South West Fishermen's Trail

On the southern Fishermen's great coastal trail, cliffs of various colours hold the hiker's gaze. Shades of ochre, red, grey, white, and black contrast with the bright blue colours of the ocean.

4 Days of Walking & Trekking

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

Portugal

Vaccination

Portugal

Eating and Drinking

Weather

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Walking the Algarve's South West Fishermen's Trail

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Walking the Algarve's South West Fishermen's Trail