Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes Walk, The Fishermen's Trail

The Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes Walk is a spectacular section of the Fishermen’s Trail, a renowned long-distance hiking route along Portugal’s rugged southwest coast. The walk to Vila Nova de Milfontes is one of the most scenic stages of the trail, walking on sandy paths and beaches for most of the way. Along the route, you’ll encounter dramatic Atlantic cliffs, secluded beaches, and storks nesting along the cliff edges. Walking on sand with little shade makes this a challenging day on the trail, but the spectacular coastal scenery makes the effort well worth it.

Navigation

Stage overview

Route description

Accommodation

cliffs dropping into crystal clear ocean — You can see the ocean most of the way walking from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes. The water is often crystal clear.

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.

Table of Contents

The Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes route overview

Total distance – 20.37 km/12.42 mi
Time – 5 to 7 hours
Total ascent – 300 m
Total descent – 299 m
Difficulty – medium to difficult – 13 km in the sand and the heat made for a long day
Starting point – the Rota Vicentina sign board at the start of Rua Vasco da Gama on the town´s on main historic square.
Finishing point – Fishermen’s trail sign next to the tourist information office (across the road from GNR/police station)
Walking Surface – Tar -1.6km/1 mi, Gravel – 4.5km/2.8mi, Sand – 13km/8.1mi
Walking route – Porto Covo – Forte do Pessegueiro – Praia da Malhao – Vila Nova de Milfontes

Navigate walking from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes

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 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.

Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes walk GPX file

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 Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes walk is at the Rota Vicentina sign board at the start of Rua Vasco da Gama on the town´s on main historic square. Google Maps Pin

cobblestone walking street with umbrellas — The lively walking street Rua Vasco da Gama at the start of the Fishermen´s trail in Porto Covo has plenty of places to stop for a snack or a drink.

Where Does the Trail End?

The trail ends trail ends at the Fishermen’s trail sign next to the tourist information (across the road from GNR/police station) in Vila Nova de Milfontes.

The highlights of the trail

Walk about 14 km on the sand next to the ocean, it possible to walk a large part of this stage on the beach. We took off our shoes a lot and went swimming a couple of times.
Many unspoiled sandy beaches; Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro, Praia dos Aivados, Praia do Saltinho, Praia dos Nascedios, Praia do Malhao.
Stork nests on the cliffs in season
Spectacular cliffs give sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and nesting storks.
Vila Nova de Milfontes – the stage ends near the historic Forte de São Clemente overlooking the Mira River.

The challenges of the walk

The main challenge of the Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes is the continuous, deep, loose sand that covers about 70% of the 20-kilometer trail.
- sand getting into your footwear – blisters
- walking in the sand for hours is slow and hard work!
Sun exposure – there is no shade on this trail, the sun can be rough.
- hat, sunscreen, plenty of water (at least 1.5L pp)
- start walking early

sandy trail, green and blue fishermens trail marker, fort on the right of the trail — Walking past Forte do Pessegueiro on the sandy trail past a green and blue Fishermen´s trail marker. Don´t miss this stop for a cold drink!

In which direction to walk?

I preferred walking from North to South, Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes, it was nice to walk on the beach and swim early in the day. The coast twist in such a way that I felt the cliff walks revealed the most spectacular scenery in front of you as you continued. Walking this way, most of the time you will have the wind from behind. The trail ends with a fairly easy final 3 km on solid surfaces. The only disadvantage of walking north to south was when you reach the tar road and feel that the day is over you still have 3 km to go that is not very scenic.

Elevation profile of the Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes trail

Elevation profile of the Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes trail. The dunes result in a lot of ups and downs, these are however all relatively small climbs and not too tough.

Stops along the route

200 m – Rua do Mar walking street with shops
3.4 km/2.1 mi –Forte do Pessegueiro, Aita restaurant
10.3 km/6.4 mi – Praia da Malhao, surf beach. Stand selling cold drinks, some surf schools.
17.2 km/10.68 mi – tar road, water fountain
19.6 km/12.18 mi – enter town, nice view over river sometimes stands selling refreshments
20.3 km/12.6 mi – trail ends at Fishermen’s trail sign next to the tourist information

Route Description Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes route

Starting point – Rota Vicentina sign board at the start of start of Rua Vasco da Gama in the main square. Walk down the lively, pedestrian-only cobblestone street with many shops and restaurants (there are some fishermen’s trail markers)
200 m – turn left in Rua do Mar walking to the ocean.
380 m – nice ocean view natural harbor, tar road ends, gravel starts walk down to the ocean
1.6 km/1 mi – cross a little creek
2.12 km/1.3 mi – short rocky scramble
2.4 km/1.5 mi – nice trail right next to the beach
2.5 km/1.55 mi slippery climb on the trail
2.7 km/1.6 mi trail goes next to the beach, can walk on the beach
3.4 km/2.1 mi –Forte do Pessegueiro and Pessegueiro Island, Aita restaurant good stop at the fort, gravel road starts for a while.
5.5 km/3.4 mi gravel road turns away from the ocean for a bit, mix of gravel and sand track
6.9 km/4.3 mi – turn back to the ocean, nice sea views
7.9 km/4.9 mi – turn away from the ocean inland
8.6 km/5.3 mi – road splits in 3, stay in the middle
10.3 km/6.4 mi – Praia da Malhao, surf beach. Stand selling cold drinks, some surf schools.
11.1 km/6.9 mi – sandy trail next to the ocean
12 km/7.4 mi – amazing views from the trail next to the cliffs
17.2 km/10.68 mi – tar road, water fountain
17.6 km/10.9 mi nice view over harbor, turn onto gravel road
18.7 km/11.6 mi tar road to town
19.6 km/12.18 mi – enter town, nice view over river
20.3 km/12.6 mi – trail ends at Fishermen’s trail sign next to the tourist information (across the road from GNR/police station)

natural harbor with a couple of boats — The tiny harbor of Porto Covo, wedged between the cliffs. Fishing and diving boats go to sea from here.

Places to stay in Porto Covo

Budget | Hostel Ahoy Porto Covo | Casa no Campo | Mute Hostel
Middle price | Apartamentos Campos | Parque de Campismo Porto Covo | Calmaria Guesthouse
High-end | Apartamentos Campos 2 | A Casinha da Baia | Porto Covo Hotel Apartamento | Hotel O Lugar

Places to stay in Vila Nova de Milfontes

Budget | Pirata Milfontes Guest House | Get Lost In Milfontes Hostel | Apartamentos Patio Victoria |
Middle price | Sol da Vila | Casa das Hortências | River Inn | Retromovement House | Stressfree
High-end | Patios Da Vila | Guarda Rios | Casa No Rio | Quinta do Moinho de Vento

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
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

short gaiters over low hiking shoes hiking in the sand — Using low gaiters is a good way to keep sand out of your shoes when hiking in loose sand most of the day!

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!

Campbell

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.