This hike is a breath of fresh air, every time, I never get tired of it.
This is the hike that I would recommend everyone to do once in their life, at least for the first part.
Everything is so beautiful; the color contrast of witch fingers, white houses, sky and ocean.
Follow this line that runs along the horizon in a preserved natural park, walking in the sand, picnicking on deserted beaches, relishing in the sunsets when evening comes, swimming for the bravest and making groceries day by day in small mercados , it's an ode to slowness, an invitation to calmness, a call to disconnect by letting yourself be lulled by the sound of the waves in the background.
I started this adventure by the fisherman trail which I then continued to Cap Saint Vincent by the historical road
to then join the Via Algarviana and finish my journey at the Spanish border.
This long hike of 464 kilometers going from the Alentejo to the Algarve was gradually composed by connecting the paths and could be done in both directions, change, be lengthen, cut...
Do not hesitate to trace your own path in this wonderfull Portuguese nature, recharge your batteries with the sun and return home with a colorful face, your eyes dazzled , and your tired legs.
The Fisherman Trail :
74.5 km of pure happiness from Porto covo to Odeceixe.
The association has extended this path, it's now possible to stay on it by continuing to follow the ocean to the Cap St Vincent, and even push on to Lagos.
To try next time!
This part alongside the ocean is myfavourite, it offers an idyllic and soo peaceful setting.
It's a real privilege to have access to a setting coastline that is still wild and unspoilt where you can come and relax yourself alone in front of the ocean.
This is a part that really pushes you to adopt a slower and quieter way of life, to take the time to contemplate, to marvel and meditate in seeing the colors change throughout the day.
The historical path:
It's normally 263 km but taking it on the way to Odeceixe we only have 90 km left to hike to Sagres.
We slowly begin to leave the edge of the ocean to return to the lands passing from the Alentejo to the Algarve and diversifying a little the colors and the landscapes, even if we return often to see the ocean with great pleasure.
If the first part was not enough for us, it's with pleasure that we continue our momentum on this trail which doesn't has nothing to envy to the first.
The colourful houses of the villages continue to follow one another and the pine forests replacing the cliffs bring a new sweetness and another rhythm of hiking.
The Algarve Route:
300 km from Sagres to Alcoutim, from the southwestern tip of Portugal to the Spanish border, which can be done by 14 stages, always with sources ofaccommodation and supplies.
Less well-known and more demanding, this trail allows you to discover a different facet of the Algarve than that often better known of the southern coasts invaded by tourists during the high season.
We set off to discover the hinterland, more rural and more hilly with its hills flowering, its forests of cork oaks its fields of clementines or olive trees.
Faithful to the Portuguese atmosphere, we will continue to come across very pretty villages filled with bougainvilleas and almond trees /strong> in bloom where you will appreciate the fresh water from the fountains and the small shops for supplies.
It can be a nice way to extend and diversify your hike before or after the west coast.
Accessible for any type of walker the first part does not have much elevation and the sandy sections never last too long, although they can be quite tiring. The second part does not have a difficult section but will require more effort, and have more sections with elevation.
Bivouacs are fairly well tolerated in the country, and it's a pleasure to pitch your tent at the top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean or in the shade of the Portuguese forests.
It's also possible to do it by following the steps provided and sleeping in a campsite or youth hostel/gîte and have providing meals.
The supplies are easy to access, daily, cheap and very good, you can afford to plan meals day by day , to please yourself and to have lighter bags..
However, they are beginning to space out in the Algarve part, but the bigger supermarkets allow for more diversified and important supplies.
It's an escape that you can afford in the middle of winter, a rare thing in Europe!
I did it for the first time in February 2018, and since then it has almost become a tradition to go back there at this time.
Apart from summer when it is too hot, and where there are many tourists anyway, it must be very interesting of trying it duringthe rest of the year.
In winter, bring suitable equipment tocold and humid nights, cool temperatures in the morning and evening, a wind that is sometimes constant, and a sun that beats down during the day.
For more information I wrote an article about my hiking gear.
For vegans:
The papos secos to make sandwiches, with delicious tomatoes, olives, avocados … and especially olive oil from there.
Lots of vegan biscuits because they mainly use margarine.
Calippos ice cream to refresh yourself.
Portugal has more and more vegan choices in supermarkets you can find mixes of tabbouleh, hummus strong> diverse and varied, salads mixed with raw vegetables, ice cream...
For non-vegans:
I can only recommend you to taste all the pastries;
- pasteis de nata
- pain au chocolat
- bolas de berlim
- slices of chocolate salami …
and go to restaurants to taste the typical Portuguese dish.
If you need advice for organizing food while hiking, or more specifically getting started as a vegan on the trails, here is my article on the topic.
I advise to travel to Portugal by bus, the companies are often very affordable, it's certainly more tiring and longer >, but it allows you to travel more ecologically and it's already an adventure in itself
Once in Lisbon you can take a bus to Porto Covo for 16.50€ and you will still have about 3 hours away.
Arriving in the evening you can go directly to the campsite or go a little further to put your tent on the cliffs.
For returns to Lisbon there are plenty of bus connections all along the route.
You have to look on the companies' website or inquiring once you arrive in the villages.
At the end of the fisherman trail: You can take a bus at Odeceixe.
At the end of the historical trail: You can take a bus to Sagres or to Lagos.
At the end of the Via Algarviana: You can take a bus at Alcoutim to reach Faro and the others connections of bus .
I hope you find this article helpful. Don't hesitate to contact me on my socials medias, for any questions, it's with pleasure that I would exchange on this topic and the others.
Here are the official websites of the Rota Vicentina and the Via Algarviana for more informations
Wonderful adventures to all !
