The Arrifana to Carrapateira walk is a beautiful section of the Fishermen’s Trail, a renowned long-distance hiking route that follows Portugal’s rugged southwest coastline. Often ranked among the most beautiful coastal hikes in the world, the Fishermen´s trail features dramatic sea cliffs, wild Atlantic beaches, and breathtaking viewpoints at every turn. This 20 km stage is good as a standalone day hike. Along the route, hikers can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views, walk across pristine beaches, and experience the raw beauty of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. There are some nice ocean views, but a lot of walking is done inland on gravel roads through Eucalyptus forest. A highlight was taking off my shoes and walking for more than a kilometer across Bordeira beach. With its moderate difficulty, varied terrain, and constantly changing landscapes, the Arrifana to Carrapateira hike is an unforgettable adventure and a fantastic way to experience Portugal’s spectacular Atlantic coastline.
Stingy Nomads participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. If you click on the link and purchase the item or make a booking, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost. Thank You for supporting us and assisting us to produce quality, free content.
The Arrifana to Carrapateira route overview
- Total distance – 19.9 km/12.36 mi
- Time – 4.5-5.5 hours
- Total ascent – 356 m
- Total descent – 396 m
- Difficulty – moderate/difficult
- Starting point – Top of Arrifana Beach at the Fishermen´s trail sign
- Finishing point – Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira, Fishermen´s trail signs across the road (Pipe surfshop)
- Walking Surface – Tar -2km/1.2mi, Gravel – 12.3km/7.6mi, Sand – 5.5km/3.4mi
- Walking route – Praia da Arifana – Quarenta & Quatro restaurant – Bordeira Beach – Carrapateira
Navigate walking from Arrifana to Carrapateira
Find below a Google Maps track we created by following the trail fromArrifana to Carrapateira. This Google maps trail can be used on a mobile phone for navigation.
The link can only be opened while online (with Wi-Fi or data), but navigation on the track works even when offline. Make the map full screen, zoom in and keep the blue dot on the t
GPX file of the route
You can download our GPX file of the trail and use it on your phone or watch for navigation.
You can use this digital map on your phone for navigation. Want to know how to use a GPX file for phone navigation?
Where does the trail start?
The trailhead of the Arrifana to Carrapateira walk is at the Rota Vicentina sign board at Praia da Arifana.
Where Does the Trail End?
The trail ends at Fisherman Statue at Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira (GPS pin), next to the Microbar restaurant. You can stop here for a coffee or a beer, can get an Uber or taxi from here.
The highlights of the trail
- View point Praia da Arrifana – Fantastic view of the towering black cliffs, Atlantic ocean and beach below. This is a popular surfspot and most days you can watch the surfers below (or rent a board and walk down o the beach).
- Spectacular Coastal Views – High cliff paths offer great views of jagged rock stacks, nesting storks and the wild Atlantic ocean.
- Nice stretches of pine and eucalyptus woods with some challenging sandy paths to walk on these sections.
- Praia da Bordeira – A 1 km walk on the beach next to the beach near the end of the trail.
The challenges of the walk
- Sandy trails – a lot of walking on deep, loose sand can sap your energy and is the main challenge of this trail.
- It is a fairly long day at about 20km/12.4mi taking about 5 hours of walking time, this can be tough if it is hot and windy.
In which direction to walk?
I preferred walking from Arrifana to Carrapateira, doing the long gravel section at the start, followed by walking on sandy trails and ending the day with a long walk on the beach. Walking the other way around it is nice to finish in Arrifana with beautiful ocean views.
Elevation profile of the Arrifana to Carrapateira trail
Stops along the route
500m – HI Arrifana Hostel, at the start of the day it is a good place to grab breakfast – buffet breakfast with coffee starting at 7am
9.4 km/5.8 mi – Quarenta & Quatro restaurant, nice stop for coffee and something to eat sort of in the middle of nowhere, I have been here a couple of times and usually a couple of other hikers around. Nice menu, snacks and drinks
19.9 km/12.3 mi – Trail ends at Fisherman Statue at Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira, the Microbar is a restaurant right at the end.
Route Description Arrifana to Carrapateira route
- Starting point – Rota Vicentina sign board Praia da Arifana. Walk on the road to exit town.
- 500m – HI Arrifana Hostel, buffet breakfast with coffee starting at 7am for EUR12 (2026)
- 1.4 km – turn off on to a gravel road following red and yellow Historical Way markers.
- 3.5 km/2.17 mi – View point over the ocean
- 3.7 km/2.3 mi – Steep descent – more than one trail going down hill, steep trails can be slippery and dangerous, take the main trail
- 4.2 km/ 2.6 mi – long walk on gravel road
- 7.8 km/4.8 mi – Crossing, check for signs
- 9.4 km/5.8 mi – Quarenta & Quatro restaurant, nice stop for coffee and breakfast, many hikers were sitting here when I had a coffee here.
- 9.5 km/5.9 mi – Fishermen´s Trail and Historic way split.
- 11 km/6.8 mi – very little shade, can be very hot, make sure enough water, hat and sunscreen!
- 13.2 km/8.3 mi – Trail goes on to a sandy trail
- 13.6 km/8.4 mi – about 150m climb to a beacon, steep descent.
- 13.7 km/8.5 mi – trail continues on loose sand with some nice ocean views
- 16.7 km/10.4 mi – the trail goes on to Bordeira Beach, Nice walk of more than 1 km on the beach. Take of your shoes, you might have to take them off anyway! Depending on the tide there could be a small little tide stream to cross at the end of the beach.
- 17.8 km/11 mi – follow signs on a single track trail next to a little tidal river going to the ocean.
- 18.4 km/11.4 mi – turn right for last 500m over the sandy trail to Carrapateira
- 19.9 km/12.3 mi – Trail ends at Fisherman Statue at Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira
Places to stay
- Budget | Hostel do Mar | Casa Luminosa
- Middle price | Carrapateira Lodge | Carrapateiramar Guest House
- High-end | Casa D´Aldeia | Hortas do Rio – Casa de Campo
The Fisherman’s Trail itinerary
You can find a detailed trail itinerary in THIS POST
| Day 1. Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes 19 km/12 mi | Day 2. Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve 16 km/10 mi | Day 3. Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar 22,5 km/14 mi |
| Day 4. Zambujeira to Mar – Odeceixe 19 km/12 mi | Day 5. Odeceixe – Aljezur 23 km/14,2 mi | Day 6. Aljezur – Praia da Arrifana 19 km/12 mi |
| Day 7. Praia da Arrifana – Carrapateira 20 km/12,4 mi | Day 8. Carrapateira – Vila do Bispo 15 km/9 mi | Day 9. Vila do Bispo – Sagres 21 km/13 mi |
| Day 10. Sagres – Salema 20 km/12,4 mi | Day 11. Salema – Praia da Luz 12 km/7,4 mi | Day 12. Praia da Luz – Lagos 10,5 km/6,4 mi |
Detailed breakdown, navigation and info on the walking stages of the Fisherman’s Trail
What to pack for hiking?
Carry enough water (you can buy more water around half way). Take cash for drinks and snacks on the way. Wear sufficient sun protection. Pack for the weather, maybe a towel if you want to go for a swim or a rain jacket if it looks rainy.
- Osprey Day pack
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Cap
- Polaroid Sunglasses Men, Polaroid Sunglasses Ladies
- Light Quick Dry Towel
- Go Pro Hero 13
- GPS watch
Questions or Comments?
Got any questions or comments? We would love to help! All questions and comments will be answered by us personally in Buy Me a Coffee. Click below and ask away.
Feel free to support our site by buying us a coffee!
Travel bloggers and Camino de Santiago Experts