Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar Walk - The Fishermen´s Trail

The Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar Walk is a beautiful 21.53 km/13.38 mi stage of the Fishermen's Trail along the sandy trails of the Rota Vicentina. The trail, often overlooking the Atlantic ocean from the edge of the cliffs offers some spectacular views, passing some nice fishing ports. Keep a look out for storks nesting on the cliffs edge near Cabo Sardão Lighthouse! Another challenging day on the trail with about 10km walking on sand, but the sand was much easier to navigate than the first 2 stages. There are some opportunities to go for a swim or buy drinks and snacks on the way. Snackbar Adelia at the halfway mark is always a very popular spot to stop, shake your shoes out and grab a drink (or 2!)

Navigation

Stage Overview

Route description

Accommodation

green and blue marker next to sandy trail with ocean in the background — Following the sandy trail next to the ocean with some Fishermen's trail and historic way markers showing we are on the right track.

Previous stage

Next stage

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Table of Contents

Route Overview

Total distance – 21.53 km/13.38 mi
Time – 5 to 6.5 hours
Total ascent – 265 m
Total descent – 253 m
Difficulty – moderate, long stage with sandy sections
Starting point – Rota Vicentina sign board Almograve next to O´Lavrador restaurant.
Finishing point – Rota Vicentina sign board, at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Mar, near Rita restaurant in Zambujeira do Mar.
Walking Surface - Tar -3km/1.86mi, Gravel - 8km/5mi, Sand - 10km/6.2mi
Walking route – Almograve, Cavaleiro, Cabo Sardão Lighthouse, Entrada da Barca, Zambujeira do Mar

Navigate walking from Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar

Find below a Google Maps track we created by following the trail from Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar. 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.

Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar 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?

nice harbor below the cliffs with small boats — A **Entrada da Barca** (also known as Porto das Barcas) is a traditional, picturesque small fishing harbor located just a few kilometers north of Zambujeira do Mar.

Where does the trail start?

The trailhead of the Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar walk is at the Rota Vicentina sign board in the center of Almograve next to O´Lavrador restaurant.

Where Does the Trail End?

The trail ends at the Rota Vicentina sign board, at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Mar, near Rita restaurant in Zambujeira do Mar.

The highlights of the trail

Almograve Beach - very nice beach about 1 km from Almograve town.
Cabo Sardão Lighthouse -a beautiful old lighthouse located at Ponta do Cavaleiro, at the westernmost point of Alentejo
Stork Nests - One of the rare places in the world where white storks build their nests directly on the cliffs overlooking the crashing waves.
Entrada da Barca: A picturesque fishing port with nice seafood restaurants.
Cavaleiro Village: A small village and great midpoint stop to grab a coffee, pastry, or sandwich at Snackbar Adelia.
Zambujeira do Mar: A vibrant coastal village featuring whitewashed houses, dramatic cliff-top views, and beautiful beach.
Spectacular Coastal Views - High cliff paths offer great views of jagged rock stacks, nesting storks and the wild Atlantic ocean.
Shaded canopy tunnels - dense natural vegetation on the Algarve's coastal dunes form tunnels offering some shade.

Storks on the cliffs along the Rota Vicentina — Storks in the nest on the edge of the cliff on the coastal route

The challenges of the walk

Long walking day, 22 kilometers this is one of the longest days on the Fishermen´s trail.
Walking on the road, the last 2km is walking next to the main road.
Walking on sand, all together there is 10km of walking on the sand. Walking on the sand is hard work for your legs. I found most of the sand not to be too deep, so medium difficulty for walking.
Long stretches without shade makes it tough in the sun.

Elevation profile of the Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar trail

Elevation profile of the Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar walk on the Fishermen's trail in Portugal.

Stops along the route

1.6 km/0.96 mi - Bar da Praia, amazing view, good for drinks or snacks, known for oysters and black pork!
9.76 km/6.06 mi - Cavaleiro (small town), Snackbar Adelia, local restaurant, halfway in this stage very popular with walkers.
18.3 km/11.35 mi - Entrada da Barca small village and fishing port with nice restaurants.
- O Sacas - well known unpretentious seafood restaurant
- A Barca Tranquitanas - another well-known seafood restaurant in the fishing port
23 km/13.67 mi - Zambujeira do Mar, overlooking the ocean, Rita Restaurant good place to grab a drink.

beautiful beach with stairs going up the hill — Praia de Nossa Senhora, a nice beach for a swim with Bar da Praia overlooking the beach for a drink or lunch afterwards.

Route Description Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar route

Starting point – Rota Vicentina sign board Almograve next to O´Lavrador restaurant.
400 m - turn onto a gravel trail
960 m - Almograve Beach - very nice beach, trail goes uphill to the left in a single track trail.
1.5 km/0.93 mi - Praia de Nossa Senhora - nice beach for swim
1.6 km/0.96 mi - Bar da Praia, amazing view, good for drinks or snacks, known for oysters and black pork!
3.8 km/2.36 mi - Scenic artisanal fishing port Porto de Pesca da Lapa das Pombas (Lapa das Pombas fishing harbour)
5.1 km/3.17 mi - Nice ocean viewpoint
5.9 km/3.66 mi - turn away from the ocean, walk in the forest nice little climb
8.3 km/5.15 mi - Nice ocean viewpoint, walk closer to the ocean again
8.6 km/5.34 mi - turn away from the ocean walk inland
9.76 km/6.06 mi - Cavaleiro - small, quiet coastal village in Odemira
9.76 km/6.06 mi - Snackbar Adelia, local restaurant, halfway in this stage very popular with walkers.
10.3 km/6.4 mi - turn-off from tar road to gravel, easy turn to miss
10.9 km/6.77 mi -back at the ocean, some ocean views
11.45 km/7.11 mi -Cabo da Sardao, nice viewpoint, stork nests on the cliffs
11.6 km/7.2 mi - light house, many stork nests on the cliffs
13.5 km/8.39 mi - sandy trail
14.9 km/9.26 mi - nice viewpoint over the ocean
15 km/9.30 mi - walk parallel to the ocean, but some parts behind the bushes without ocean views
16.5 km/10.25 mi - walk in the shade in tunnels formed by the forest on sand
17.15 km/10.65 mi - nice ocean views
18.1 km/11.24 mi - stairs down to the harbor
18.3 km/11.35 mi - Entrada da Barca small village and fishing port with nice restaurants.
18.3 km/11.35 mi - O Sacas - well known unpretentious seafood restaurant
18.5 km/11.49 mi - A Barca Tranquitanas - another well-known seafood restaurant in the fishing port
18.5 km/11.49 mi - walk next to the tar main road on gravel path for 2 km, no views
20.5 km/12.73 mi - wooden walkway next to the ocean
23 km/13.67 mi - Ends in the vibrant cliffside village of Zambujeira do Mar at church Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar overlooking the ocean, Rita Restaurant good place to grab a drink.

cliffs dropping into the ocean with small beaches at the bottom — Spectacular cliffs dropping into the ocean at Praia do Cavaleiro.

Places to stay in Zambujeira do Mar

Hotel/hostel	Booking info	Price range
Camping Villa Park Zambujeira	info@campingzambujeira.com camping/studio	$
Hakuna Matata Hostel	book here	$
Hostel Nature	book here	$
Sunset Beach House	book here	$
Ondazul	book here	$$
Sunset Beach House	book here	$$
Alojamiento Sol Nascente	book here	$$
Alojomiento Local Mira Mar	book here	$$
Rosa dos Ventos	book here	$$
Casa da Praia	book here	$$-$$$
AZUL	book here	$$$
Quinta Altavista do Carvalhal (2 km outside the town)	book here	$$$

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 18.5km/11.5mi	Day 5. Odeceixe - Aljezur 22.5 km/ 14 mi	Day 6. Aljezur - Praia da Arrifana 17.23 km/10.7 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

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

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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.