The Carrapateira to Arrifana walk is a beautiful section of the Fishermen’s Trail, a renowned long-distance hiking route that follows Portugal’s rugged southwest coastline. This itinerary is from south to north and can also be walked in the opposite direction. This 20 km stage is good as a standalone day hike of moderate difficulty. The route starts with a great walk of more than a kilometer over Bordeira beach, a good spot to take off your shoes! Along the route, hikers can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views, walk across pristine beaches, and experience the raw beauty of the Atlantic coast in 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 during this stage.
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The Carrapateira to Arrifana route overview
- Total distance – 19.8 km/12,3 mi
- Time – 4h 45 min
- Total ascent – 632 m
- Total descent – 596 m
- Difficulty – moderate/difficult
- Starting point – Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira, Fishermen´s trail signs across the road (Pipe surfshop)
- Finishing point – Top of Arrifana Beach at the Fishermen´s trail sign
- Walking Surface – Tar -2km/1.2mi, Gravel – 12.3km/7.6mi, Sand – 5.5km/3.4mi
- Walking route – Carrapateira– Bordeira Beach – Quarenta & Quatro restaurant – Praia da Arifana
Navigate walking from Carrapateira to Arrifana
Find below a Google Maps track we created by following the trail from Carrapateira to Arrifana. 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 trail.
GPX file of the route
You can download our GPX file of the trail and use it on your phone or watch for navigation.
Want to know how to use a GPX file for phone navigation?
Where Does the Trail Start?
The trail starts at Largo do Comércio (Carrapateira main square), there is a 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
Where Does the Trail End?
The Arrifana to Carrapateira walk end at the Rota Vicentina sign board at Praia da Arifana overlooking the beach.
Highlights of the Trail.
- Praia da Bordeira – A 1 km walk on the beach next to the sea at the start of the day.
- 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.
- 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).
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.
- Long stretches on gravel road with limited shade.
- 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.
Trail Markings
The Carrapateira to Arrifana route is well-marked and is generally easy to follow. The coastal sections are marked with blue and green stripes painted on wooden posts and rocks. Inland section that overlap with the historical way is marked with white and red stripes.
In which direction to walk?
I walked the trail in both directions and 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
The trail starts with a nice flat walk on the beach followed by a climb over the sand dunes. After about 15km there is a steep climb to a nice viewpoint over the ocean on a gravel trail.
Stops along the route
Start – Trail starts at the Fisherman Statue at Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira, the Microbar is a local restaurant coffee shop where you can start the day.
10.7 km/3.8 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 km/11.8 mi – HI Arrifana Hostel, at the start of the day it is a good place to grab breakfast – buffet breakfast with coffee starting at 7am
How to get to Carrapateira
You can reach Carrapateira by direct bus from Lisbon. Lisbon (Sete Rios station) to Carrapteira – Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From Lagos to Carrapateira, you’ll need two buses: Lagos to Vila do Bispo, then Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira.
Route Description Carrapateira to Arrifana walk
- Starting point – Fisherman Statue at Clube Cultural e Recreativo Os Amigos da Carrapateira, local coffee shop. Fishermen´s trail signs across the road (Pipe surfshop).
- 450 m – Sand starts (right turn),
- 1.3 km – High tide bridge, if the tide is too high to walk over Bordeira beach you can follow this way, cross the bridge. Most of the time you can just keep following Fishermen’s trail signs to Bordeira Beach.
- 1.7 km/1 mi – follow signs on a single track trail next to a little tidal river going to the ocean.
- 2.1 km/1.3 mi – the trail goes on to Bordeira Beach, you might have to take your shoes off to cross the little tidal river. Nice walk of more than 1 km on the beach.
- 3.3 km/2.05 mi – end of the beach, go up the sand dune, fishermen´s trail markers resume on the dune.
- 5.9 km/3.6 mi – after walking next to the ocean for 5 km turn inland, still walk on the sand.
- 6.1 km/3.8 mi – nice climb (only about 150m) to a beacon followed by equally steep descent.
- 6.8 km/4.2mi – trail goes on to a gravel road
- 10 km/6.2 mi – still on the gravel road, there are some houses close to the trail.
- 10.7 km/6.65 mi – Quarenta & Quatro restaurant, nice stop for coffee and breakfast. Many hikers were sitting here when I had a coffee.
- 11 km/6.83 mi – long walk on a gravel road
- 15.8 km/9.8 mi – steep climb to a viewpoint over the ocean, several trails leading up. Bottom area can be a bit flooded, so start of the ascent may vary.
- 16.3 km/10.1 mi – nice viewpoint over the ocean
- 18.5 km/11.5 mi – go on to the main tar road leading to Arifana
- 19 km/11.8 mi HI Arrifana Hostel, nice spot to stay or get a cold drink.
- 19.8 km/12.3 mi – stage ends at Fishermen´s Trail sign board overlooking the ocean. Some nice restaurants to get lunch or a drink.
The Fisherman’s Trail South to North itinerary
You can find a detailed trail itinerary in THIS POST
| Day 1. Lagos – Praia da Luz 12 km/7.4 mi | Day 2. Praia da Luz – Salema 12 km/7.4 mi | Day 3. Salema – Sagres 20 km/12.4 mi |
| Day 4. Sagres – Vila do Bispo 20 km/12.4 mi | Day 5. Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira | Day 6. Carrapateira to Praia da Arrifana |
| Day 7. Praia da Arrifana to Aljezur | Day 8. Aljezur to Odeceixe | Day 9. Odeceixe to Zambujeira do Mar |
| Day 10. Zambujeira do Mar to Almograve | Day 11. Almograve to Vila Nova de Milfontes | Day 12. Vila Nova de Milfontes to Porto Covo |
What to pack for hiking?
Carry enough water (you can buy more water around half way at Ingrina Beach and Zavial Beach). 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. See our complete Fishermen’s Trail Packing List
- Osprey Day pack
- SALOMON Trail Gaiters | Ankle Gaiters for Hiking
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Cap
- Polaroid Sunglasses Men, Polaroid Sunglasses Ladies
- Light Quick Dry Towel
- Go Pro Hero 13
- GPS watch
Places to stay in Carrapateira
- Low-end | Hostel do Mar | Casa Luminosa |
- Mid-range | Carrapateiramar Guesthouse | Casa Olivia |
- High-end | Casa Presente Guesthouse | Hortas do Rio – Casa de Campo |
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The strong half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that would be happy to spend all his life in the water diving, surfing and spearfishing but often has to compromise with Alya and go hiking instead. Campbell is responsible for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves traveling, braai (BBQ in South Africa), red wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.