The Fishermen's Trail walking itinerary 2026, GPX & PDF
The Fishermen's Trail in the Algarve region is a part of the Rota Vicentina hiking routes. The trail follows the coastline and offers breathtaking scenery; rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and crystal clear water, it's a perfect route for those who like the sea and outdoor activities. All stages of the route can be walked as day hikes. The Fishermen's Trail is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the Algarve.
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Fishermen's Trail walking itinerary PDF
To help you with planning your walk we created a free downloadable PDF file with the Fishermen's Trail itinerary. The file contains walking stages and a list of accommodation options on the Fishermen's Trail of the Rota Vicentina.
For more details on the trail including the cost of walking, route options, transportation, and luggage delivery service read our detailed guide to the Fisherman's Trail.
Our YouTube video on the Fishermen's Trail
Do you want to know how the Fishermen´s trail compare with the famous Camino de Santiago? see our comparison of the Fishermen´s Trail vs The Portuguese Camino Coastal Routes.
Fishermen's Trail GPX files
You can download our GPX files for each day on the Fishermen's Trail and use them on your device during the hike. The files are the property of Stingy Nomads. They are for personal use only, no commercial use is allowed.
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The Fishermen's Trail Overview
- Distance - 230 km/143 mi
- The required time - 12 days or less; any section of the trail can be walked as a separate hike
- Total ascent (over 12 days) - 4418 m
- Total descent (over 12 days) - 4414 m
- Starting point - Porto Covo or S.Torpez Beach/Lagos
- Finishing point - Lagos/Porto Covo or S.Torpez Beach
- Walking surface - a mix of soft sand (dunes, beaches), footpaths, boardwalk, and gravel road
- Route marking - blue & green markers
- Average cost - from 45 Euro per person per day
- Accommodation - campsites, hostels, guesthouses, hotels
Our Fishermen's trail Cost Guide will help you to determine your budget so that you can plan your adventure with confidence.
Travel insurance for the walk
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The Fishermen´s Trail Hat.
Porto Covo, the beginning of the Fishermen's Trail
The Fishermen's Trail was extended. Now its official start is at Kalux Bar, S.Torpes Beach, 10 km/6.2 mi north of Porto Covo. We walked that stretch later. I don't see much of a point in this route extension. The trail starts in the middle of nowhere at a thermal power station, halfway between Sines and Porto Covo. It's not the most picturesque part of the trail. Most of the route goes along the road. I say it's up to you to decide to start at S.Torpes Beach or in Porto Covo.
Porto Covo is a nice town, one of our favorite towns on the Fishermen's Trail. It's small and cozy; cobblestone streets, two-story houses with red roofs, and the main square with many restaurants and bars. It has a great holiday vibe.
If you arrive in the morning you can start walking the same day but I recommend spending a night in Porto Covo.
More places to stay in Porto Covo
- Budget | Ahoy Porto Covo Hostel | MUTE Hostel |
- Middle price | Apartamentos Campos 1 |
- High-end | Hotel O Lugar |
The Fishermen's Trail - a 12-day itinerary
Day 1. Porto Covo - Vila Nova de Milfontes, 19 km/11.8 mi
- Distance - 19 km/11.8 mi
- Time – 5h10min.
- Ascent – 278 m
- Descent – 292 m
- Difficulty level – 3 out of 5 it was a short walking day but most of the time you walk on dunes sometimes ankle-deep in the sand.
It was an incredible walking day on the Fishermen's Trail. The route goes along the coast or on the beach with stunning views from the cliffs. The water temperature was about 17 °C a bit cold to go for a swim but nice to walk in ankle-deep water. Make sure to take enough water with. Walking on sand makes you tired and thirsty. You'll need at least 1,5l of water per person. There were a couple of amazing beaches on the way.
Highlights
- Many unspoiled sandy beaches; Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro, Praia dos Aivados, Praia do Saltinho, Praia dos Nascedios, Praia do Malhao. Every time we got a chance we took off our shoes and walked barefoot on the beach, basically first 10 km/6.2 mi you can walk on the beach.
- Wildflowers along the trail (we walked the Fishermen's trail in May).
- A couple of stork nests on the edges of the cliffs.
The entire walk was one big highlight we loved it despite the tough part of walking on sand.
Challenges
- As I already mentioned walking on sand was quite difficult, our shoes were full of it, and it didn't help to shake it out because it got in immediately.
- No place to stop for food or water for 16 km after the restaurant at Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro.
Stops on the route
- At 3,5 km at Forte do Pessegueiro, there is a restaurant
Vila Nova de Milfontes
This town is bigger than Porto Covo. The center of the town is nice with traditional white houses with blue, red and yellow color doors and windows. The big part of the town is hotels it wasn't the season yet the place was very quiet. There is a nice fortress Forte de Sao Clemente and a couple of beaches in the town.
- Hotel/guesthouse - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - yes
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes
Places to stay in Vila Nova de Milfontes
- Budget | Pirata Milfontes Guest House |
- Middle price | Sol da Vila |
- High-end | Patios Da Vila |
Day 2. Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve, 16 km/10 mi
- Distance - 16 km/10 mi
- Time – 4h15min.
- Ascent – 204 m
- Descent – 192 m
- Difficulty level – 1 out of 5, a short and easy walking day on the footpath with some sandy parts.
The route goes through Vila Nova following Rua Custodio Bras Pacheco (the main street in the town) from your hotel you just can get to this street and continue following the signs on the left-hand side of the street. The first 4 km/2.4 mi was not very scenic; out of the town, along the road, across the bridge to the other side, and then through the bush back to the coast. You can easily skip it and take a boat.
Alternative! In Vila Nova de Milfontes you can take a boat to the other side of the river instead of walking across the bridge. It'll make your walking day about 4 km/2.4 mi shorter. The boat leaves as soon as they have enough people. The pier is at the fortress. The boat drops you at the beach on the opposite side. You don't have to look for the trail just continue walking along the beach to Ocean Drive Beach restaurant.
Praia das Furnas is a great place to stop, the trail goes past the beach but we recommend going down and walking on the beach. After Praia das Furna the trail goes on and off the coast through forests and fields. At about 3.5 km/2.1 mi before Almograve, there is a split; the left route goes inland, the right route goes back to the coast. Both routes join in Almograve.
I recommend taking the coastal route it's more scenic and takes you past three beautiful beaches, though we missed the split and took the inland route.
Highlights
- Several spectacular beaches along the route; Praia das Furnas, Praia dos Picos, Praia da Angra.
- Stunning views from the cliffs, rugged coastline, and fields covered in flowers.
Challenges
- 1.5 km/0.9 mi of walking on the road from Vila Nova de Milfontes across the bridge to the other side of the river. You can skip this part by taking a boat.
- No places in between to stop for food and water. Make sure to have enough water and some snacks. There was a bar at Praia das Furnas at about 5 km/3.1 mi but it was closed (maybe because it was Monday).
Stops on the route
- At 5 km/3.1 mi at Praia da Furnas, there is a restaurant.
Almograve
- Hotel/guesthouse - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - no
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes, about 500 m away
A very small town much smaller than Vila Nova, about 500 km away from the beach. There are a couple of restaurants on the main square and several guesthouses.
Places to stay in Almograve
- Budget | Almograve Beach Hostel |
- Middle price | Al Casa Paquito |
- High-end | Refúgio do Almograve |
Day 3. Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar, 22.5 km/14 mi
- Distance - 22.5 km/14 mi
- Time – 5h45min.
- Ascent – 293 m
- Descent – 274 m
- Difficulty level – 2 out of 5
There are two options to walk out of the town; the first route goes to the beach, the second one goes inland. Both routes merge after about 1 km. We took the beach option, this route goes past the church and left through the bush to the beach.
After about 1 km/0.6 mi at the parking spot, the official route goes inland but it's possible to walk on the beach Praia da Longueirinha for about 500 m and then go upstairs back to the trail. It's the only place on the route for the whole day where you can get to the beach so don't miss this opportunity. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy the stunning sea scenery but have no chance to get close to the water.
For the first 10 km/6.2 mi, the route goes over the dunes you walk in deep sand. After the small town of Cavaleiro most of the time, you walk on the gravel road.
Highlights
- Breathtaking views from the trail; the sea, small beaches, rugged coast, cliffs, etc.
- Cabo Sardao – a beautiful cape and a lighthouse.
- Many storks nests on the edges of the cliffs. The best area for spotting storks was at 18 km/11 mi just before Entrada do Barca, there were some nests with babies that you could come pretty close to.
- Stunning views from the cliffs just before Zambujeira.
Challenges
- First 10 km/6.2 mi on the dunes
- A short stretch of boring walking along the road past Entrada do Braca, for about 1.5 km.
Stops on the route
- At 10 km/6.2 mi Cavaleiro; two restaurants, a shop, hotels, and a bus stop
- At 19 km/11.8 mi Entrada do Barca; two restaurants
Zambujeira do Mar
- Hotel/guesthouse - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - yes
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes
Another small town, a bit bigger than the previous one, with many restaurants and guesthouses. There are a couple of nice beaches around the town.
Places to stay in Zambujeira do Mar
- Budget | Hostel Hakuna Matata | Hostel Nature |
- Middle price | Sunset Beach House |
- High-end | Casa da Praia |
Day 4. Zambujeira do Mar – Odeceixe, 19 km/11.8 mi
- Distance - 19 km/11.8 mi
- Time – 4h50min.
- Ascent – 403 m
- Descent – 423 m
- Difficulty level – 2 out of 5, a couple of short ascends and descends, here and there some sandy parts.
From the beginning to about 4 km/2.4 mi before the end, the route goes next to the ocean so incredible views are guaranteed. The walk has a bit more ascents and descents than the previous days but nothing tough.
The last 4 km/2.4 mi to Odeceixe is along the road with the river on one side and green hills on the other side, not as stunning as the rest of the day but still beautiful. Just before Odeceixe, the Fishermen's Trail crosses from the Alentejo region to the Algarve.
Highlights
- Praia dos Alterinhos - an unspoiled beach right after Zambujeira with a cave (at the end of the beach) and interesting rock formations, the only beach on the route for the day.
- Breathtaking views along the trail; rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, pine forest, fields of flowers.
- Praia de Odeceixe – a stunning view over the beach.
Challenges
- Walking in deep sand from time to time
- A couple of steep but short ascents
Stops on the route
- At 3 km/1.8 mi Praia do Carvalhal there is a coffee shop.
- At 10 km/6.2 mi Azenha do Mar - a tiny village with a restaurant
Odeceixe
- Hotel/guesthouse - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - yes
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes, about 3 km/1.8 mi away at Praia de Odeceixe
It\s the first town on the trail that is not by the sea. The beach is about 3 km away. Odeceixe is the place where both Rota Vicentina routes; the Fishermen's Trail and the Historical Way merge.
If you prefer to stay closer to the beach you can walk 3 km/1.8 mi extra to Praia de Odeceixe, a tiny place with a couple of hotels and restaurants.
Places to stay in Odeceixe
- Budget | Hostel Seixe |
- Middle price | Sudoeste Guest House |
- High-end | Moradias Ode |
Day 5. Odeceixe - Aljezur, 23 km/14.2 mi
- Distance - 23 km/14.2 mi*
- Time – 5h30min.
- Ascent – 288 m
- Descent – 280 m
- Difficulty level – 2 out of 5
*if you don't do the Odeceixe beach circuit and follow the inland route the total distance is 18 km/11 mi
From Odeceixe there are two route options on the Fishermen's Trail; one is to continue inland, this route is 5 km/3.1 mi shorter; another option is to walk past Odeceixe Beach to the coast. This route is a bit longer but you get to see the sea and the beautiful Praia do Odeceixe.
Highlights
- Incredible scenery on the coastal route.
Challenges
- Occasional walking on the road, here and there but not for long and the road is not busy.
Stops on the route
- At 3.5 km/2.1 mi Praia de Odeceixe; restaurants, hotels
- At 14.5 km/9 mi Rogil (11 km/6.8 mi if walking inland); a supermarket, restaurants, hotels, ATMs
Aljezur
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - yes, 3 km before the town on the route
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - no
A nice town, bigger than Odeceixe with several accommodation options, many restaurants, and bars, about 5 km/3.1 mi away from the sea. If you're planning to camp the campsite is 3 km/1.8 mi before the town, on the Fishermen's Trail.
Places to stay in Aljezur
- Budget | Amazigh Design Hostel |
- Middle price | Homestay Attic |
- High-end | Casinhas Proença |
Day 6. Aljezur – Praia da Arrifana, 19 km/12 mi
- Distance - 19 km/12 mi or 12 km/7.4 mi*
- Time – 4h35min.
- Ascent – 418 m
- Descent – 362 m
- Difficulty level – 3 out of 5 with a couple of steep ups, in the beginning, 4-5 km of walking through the sand in the second half
*At 4.5 km/2.7 mi there is a split; one route is shorter with a total distance of 12 km/7.4 mi, and it continues inland. The second route goes to the coast, which offers great scenery but it's longer, the total distance 19 km/12 mi.
Note! You can skip Arrifana and walk directly from Aljezur to Carrapateira it's a long walk, about 31 km/19.2 mi.
We thought it was going to be a short walking day but it wasn't because we took the coastal route which was 6 km/3.7 mi longer but the scenery was worth it. The very beginning of the route for about 3 km/1.8 mi is through the countryside then you reach the coast. If you have time, stop at Monte Clerigo Beach, enjoy the swim, and drink a cup of coffee. It's the only place to stop for food or drinks on the way.
The last 3 km/1.8 mi to Arrifana is through the pine forest on a sandy footpath.
Highlights
- Praia de Monte Clerigo – a beautiful beach with a couple of restaurants and cafes
- On the coastal route stunning views from the cliffs, rugged coastline, and several pristine beaches
- Praia da Arrifana
Challenges
- A couple of steep ascents and descents at the start of the day.
- 4 km/2.4 mi of walking on the sand.
Stops on the route
- At 11 km/6.8 mi (coastal route) Praia de Monte Clerigo; a restaurant, coffee shop, hotel
Praia da Arrifana
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - no
- ATM - no
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes 2-3 km away
- Pharmacy - no
- Beach - yes
When you book a place in Arrifana make sure it's located in the town, the place is very small, there are many guesthouses around but some of them are located away from the beach and the trail.
More places to stay in Praia da Arrifana
- Budget | The Lighthouse Hostel Arrifana |
- Middle price | Hotel Vale Da Telha |
- High-end | Utopia |
Day 7. Arrifana – Carrapateira, 20 km/12.4 mi
- Distance - 20 km/12.4 mi
- Time – 4h30min.
- Ascent – 555 m
- Descent – 619 m
- Difficulty level – 3 out of 5 many ascents and descents
It was a nice walking day. If you walk in summer make sure to refill your water at every stop and put on sunscreen. After about 2 km/1.2 mi you get to the coast it's the only time today when the route comes that close to the sea. For the rest of the day you walk inland from time to time you can see the ocean in a distance.
If you have time you can do a detour and walk to the beach before heading to Carrapateira, the town is about 2 km/1.2 mi away from the sea.
Highlights
- Praia do Canal, a small beach at 2 km/1.2 mi with beautiful views from the cliffs.
- Green hills, vineyards, and flowers for most of the day.
- Many cork oaks along the road. The tree is Portugal's national tree, we did see them before on the route but not as many as here.
- Praia da Bordeira is a long sandy beach about 2 km/1.2 mi before Carrapateira. It's one of our favorite beaches on the Fishermen's Trail.
Challenges
- A couple of quite steep ascents and descents, and no shade to hide on a hot and sunny day.
Stops on the route
- At 8 km/5 mi a guest house/restaurant (was closed when we were there on Saturday afternoon).
- At 9.5 km/6 mi Nomad Surfers hostel and restaurant - a great place to stop.
- At 18 km/11 mi Bordeira is a small town with a couple of guest houses and restaurants.
Carrapateira
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - no
- ATM - no
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - no
- Beach - yes, 3 km away
It's a small town about 3 km/1.8 mi away from the sea.
Places to stay in Carrapateira
- Budget | Hostel do Mar |
- Middle price | Carrapateira Lodge |
- High-end | Casa D´Aldeia |
Day 8. Carrapateira – Vila do Bispo, 15 km/9 mi
- Distance - 15 km/9 mi
- Time – 4 hours
- Ascent – 504 m
- Descent – 430 m
- Difficulty level – 4 out of 5, several steep ascents and descents
Despite the short distance, the Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo stage is quite challenging due to several steep ascents and descents.
The first 1.7 km/1 mi from Carrapateira are inland. Between 1.7 km/1 mi and 8.5 km/5.2 mi, the trail goes along the coast past several beaches. It offers spectacular views from the top of the cliffs. Sometimes the trail goes on the edge of the cliffs.
There are several steep ascents and descents to the top of the cliffs and down to the beach between 3.5 km/2.1 mi and 8 km/5 mi. The second half of the route is inland. In spring the fields are covered in flowers.
Highlights
- It is a short but demanding walking day with spectacular coastal scenery in the first 8 km/5 mi.
Challenges
- Several steep ascents and descents. If you walk it in summer make sure you have enough water it gets very hot.
- A very steep and long ascent with a subsequent descent between 7.4 km/4.5 mi and 8 km/5 mi.
- No place to stop for food or drinks between 2.5 km/1.5 mi (Amado Beach) and 15 km/9 mi (Vila do Bispo).
Stops on the route
- 1.7 km/1 mi - a restaurant
- 2.5 km/1.5 mi - Amado Beach, restaurants, toilets
Vila do Bispo
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - no
- Campsite - no
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - no
Vila do Bispo is a small town with hotels, a couple of restaurants along the main street, and a big supermarket.
Places to stay in Vila do Bispo
- Budget | Vivenda Familia Pedro (1 km from the town) | Good Feeling Hostel & Guest House (2.5 km from the town) |
- Middle price | Cozy Rooms |
- High-end | Casa do Outeiro Westcoast Home |
Day 9. Vila do Bispo – Sagres, 21 km/13 mi
- Distance - 21 km/13 mi*
- Time – 4h50min.
- Ascent – 282 m
- Descent – 313 m
- Difficulty level – 2 out of 5
*If you don't feel like walking 6 km/3.7 mi from Cabo de S.Vicente to Sagres you can take a shuttle bus though the views along the route are worth the effort.
The Vila do Bispo to Sagres is a picturesque stage especially the second half of it. From Vila do Bispo the Fishermen's Trail goes past the market towards the sea. For the first 6 km/3.7 mi you walk through the fields. At about 6 km/3.7 mi there is a split; one route goes to the coast, another continues inland. The coastal route is marked with green and blue stipes, the inland route is marked with red and white. The distance on both routes is about the same, 14 km/8.6 mi.
Highlights
- If you take the coastal route there are some stunning views from the cliffs over the sea and the beaches. The scenery on this day reminded me of the scenery on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
- Cabo de S.Vicente – a cape with a lighthouse and a fortress and impressive scenery.
Challenges
- The walk from Cabo de S.Vicente to Sagres is mostly along the road though the scenery is still beautiful.
Stops on the way
- At 14 km/8,6 mi Cabo S.Vicente there are a couple of food stalls.
Sagres
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - yes, 2 km outside the town
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes
A small coastal town with a couple of nice beaches, good surf spots, many hotels, and restaurants.
Places to stay in Sagres
- Budget | Blacksheep Sagres Guesthouse & Surf |
- Middle price | Tonel Apartamentos Turisticos |
- High-end | Mareta Beach - Boutique Bed & Breakfast |
Day 10. Sagres - Salema, 20 km/12.4 mi
- Distance - 20 km/12.4 mi
- Time – 5-6 hours
- Ascent – 533 m
- Descent – 555 m
- Difficulty level – 5 out of 5
The Sagres to Salema walk is a challenging stage.
In Sagres, the route starts at the tourist information office near Mareta Beach. It goes across the town following the main street (Rua Cmte Matoso). You can do a loop along the cliffs from Mareta Beach past the Ponta da Atalaya viewpoint to the harbor. It adds 2.5 km/1.5 mi to your total distance. The views of the coast and the beaches from the cliffs are breathtaking. You can get back to the official Fishermen's Trail at Pinóquio Cafe.
The trail follows the coast for most of the day except for two stretches at 2.7 km/1.6 mi (for about 4 km/2.4 mi) and 13.5 km/8.3 mi (for about 3 km/1.8 mi) when it turns inland. The first half of the walk is pretty easy with a couple of ascents and descents on the top of the cliffs past beautiful beaches.
I suggest stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants at 10 km/6.2 mi at Ingrina Beach or at 10.7 km/6.6 mi at Zavial Beach.
The second half of the route is more challenging. Make sure you have enough water. You can buy more water at the restaurants. From Praia das Furnas which is at 13.5 km/8.4 mi you start going up and down non-stop till you reach Salema. In Salema, the stage finishes at the beach.
Highlights
- Views of Mareta Beach, Sagres Fortress, and the coast from the top of the cliffs (if follow the alternative route along the coast).
- Many spectacular beaches along the route: Martinhal Beach, Barranco Beach, Ingrina Beach, Zavial Beach, and Praia das Furnas.
- The beautiful coastal town of Salema with a picturesque beach.
Challenges
- Multiple steep ascents and descents with loose rocks in the second half of the day.
Stops on the way
- At 10 km/6.2 mi Ingrina Beach there is a restaurant that accepts only cash, closed on Tuesdays.
- At 10.7 km/6.6 mi Zavial Beach there is a restaurant, closed on Mondays.
Salema
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - no
- Campsite - yes, outside the town
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes
Places to stay in Salema
- Middle price | Salema Eco Camp - Sustainable Camping & Glamping |
- High-end | Salema Beach Village |
Day 11. Salema - Praia da Luz, 12 km/7.4 mi
- Distance - 12 km/7.4 mi
- Time – 3-4 hours
- Total ascent – 409 m
- Total descent – 420 m
- Difficulty level – 3 out of 5
The last 2 stages of the Fishermen's Trail are short. You can combine them and walk from Salema to Lagos. The total distance is 22.5 km/14 mi.
Salema to Praia da Luz is a beautiful walk along the coast with some breathtaking views from the cliffs. The first part from Salema to Burgau I enjoyed the most. There are not too many people on the trail, and the scenery is stunning. The second half from Salema to Praia da Luz is busier.
For the entire 12 km/7.4 mi, the route follows the coast you almost always see the sea and the beaches. The water in this part of the Algarve is a bit warmer than on the West Coast. You can stop on the way for a quick swim and relax on the beach.
Highlights
- Boca do Rio Beach is a beautiful unspoiled beach
- Almadena Fort - ruins of an old fort on the top of the cliffs with fantastic views
- Almadena Beach - a long sandy beach surrounded by cliffs
- Praia das Cabanas Velhas - a small hidden beach with a restaurant
- Burgau - a cozy town with a picturesque beach
- Praia da Luz is a charming beach town crazy busy in the summer and very quiet outside of the season.
Challenges
- Several short but sometimes steep ascents and descents
Stops on the way
- At 6.5 km/4 mi Burgau, a small beach town with several restaurants and cafes.
Praia da Luz
It's a charming little town with many cafes and restaurants. We come here quite often especially outside of the summer months when the beach is empty.
- Hotel - yes
- Hostel - yes
- Campsite - no
- ATM - yes
- Restaurant - yes
- Supermarket/shop - yes
- Pharmacy - yes
- Beach - yes
Places to stay in Praia da Luz
- Budget | Club House CVL |
- Middle price | Vilamar |
- High-end | Luzmar Villas |
Day 12. Praia da Luz to Lagos, 10.5 km/6.4 mi
- Distance - 10.5 km/6.4 mi
- Time – 2h30min. - 3 hours
- Ascent – 251 m
- Descent – 254 m
- Difficulty level - 2 out of 5
The walk from Praia da Luz to Lagos is one of our favorite parts of the Fishermen's Trail. Probably because we live in Lagos and often walk it as a day hike. The route takes hikers to some of the highlights of the area such as Porto de Mos Beach, Ponta da Piedade, Camilo Beach, Done Ana Beach, etc.
The beginning of the trail is the most challenging part with a long and steep ascent to the top of the cliffs. It's the part of the route with fewer people. The views from the top are spectacular. From Porto de Mos Beach the route goes through a quiet neighborhood of Lagos to Ponta da Piedade.
If you have time stop at Camilo Beach. This hidden beach with a long staircase is one of the most picturesque beaches in Lagos. Most of the route around Ponta da Piedade is on boardwalks.
The official end of the Fishermen's Trail is at the train station in Lagos. You don't have to walk all the way there, after Dona Ana Beach you can head straight to your hotel in Lagos.
Doing this stage as a day walk is very popular. Walking in the opposite direction from Lagos to Praia Luz might be more convenient if you are staying Lagos, you can start anywhere along the way and take an Uber back to your hotel.
Highlights
- Rocha Negra, a cliff with a lookout point
- Porto de Mos Beach, one of the best beaches in Lagos
- Ponta da Piedade, a picturesque cape with several lookout points, boardwalks, and a lighthouse
- Camilo Beach, is a small hidden beach with a long staircase
- Dona Ana Beach
- Old Town of Lagos
Challenges
- A long and steep ascent from Praia da Luz to the top of the cliff with a subsequent descent to Porto de Mos Beach.
Stops on the way
- At 4 km/2.4 mi Porto de Mos Beach with a couple of restaurants
- At 8 km/5 mi Camilo Beach with a restaurant
- At 9 km/5.5 mi Dona Ana Beach with a couple of restaurants
Places to stay in Lagos
- Budget | The Macarena Beach Hostel |
- Middle price | Hotel Mar Azul |
- High-end | Marina Club Lagos Resort |
Recommended books and guidebooks
- Walking in the Algarve: 33 walks in the south of Portugal including Serra de Monchique and Costa Vicentina
- Walking in Portugal: 40 graded short and multi-day walks throughout the country
- Wild Guide Portugal: Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life
Fishermen's Trail planning resources
- For more information on the route check our Fisherman's Trail detailed guide
- Enjoy walking along the coast? | The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail |
- If you are planning to spend some time in the Algarve check out our new blog | The Algarve Family |
The Fishermen's Trail T-Shirt designs. Click on the design to see t-shirt and various products with this design.
Questions or Comments?
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Correction! May 15th start!
We are hooked! Switching from the Lisbon Coimbra Porto trip to the Fisherman's Trail walk thanks to your excellent content. Planning to arrive soon - second week of May. We see mention of more walkers on the Trail in May. What are the crowds like in mid May?
Hello Tara. Thank you for the comment. I'd say you can expect the Fishermen's Trail to be quite busy. It's difficult to predict as it's the first normal year after the 3 years of the pandemic and in the last couple of years the trail became quite well-known. We walked it in mid-May and even then there were quite a few hikers but only on the Porto Covo to Odeceixe part of the trail. The part from Odeceixe wasn't too busy. We saw some groups of local hikers but I believe they walked a day or two on the trail over the weekend. Even though there were quite a few people it didn't really bother us too much. We never walked in between too many people. If you want to skip the crowds and the heat (we live in the Algarve and this year it's already hot here) I'd recommend starting the walk early in the morning. Around 7 am or so to get a head start then for the most of the day you won't see many people. Let us know if you get to Lagos we can meet up for coffee.
Cheers
Hi stingy nomads,
We're on the fisherman's trail right now and came across your blog. It certainly looks like a lot of good information. But one thing I noticed, which may be confusing for walkers on the trip, is that your maps for the areas around carrapeteira (between aljezur and vila do bispo) seem to be for another route and not the actual fisherman's trail.
You can find the correct maps and GPS trax for the fisherman's trail on the website for the Rota Vicentina.
All the best in your adventures.
Hello John. Thank you very much for your valuable input. There are two routes from Aljezur to Arrifana; one is shorter and goes inland the second one is longer and loops along the coast. Both routes lead to Arrifana. As for the route from Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo the inland route used to be the only route. In fact, till a couple of years back the Fisehrmen's Trail used to start in Porto Covo and end in Odeceixe. The part from Odeceixe to Sagres (before it was extended all the way to Lagos) was a part of the Historical Way. Both routes from Carrapateira lead to Vila do Bispo. We live on the Fishermen's Trail but unfortunately haven't had time yet to walk the coastal route from Carrapateira. We're planning to do so soon and will update the post.
Cheers
Hi Alya,
We are heading from Ireland to Lagos on April 30 spending a week there. We plan to walk the trail from Lagos to Sagres on one of our days there. We are just wondering if runners would suit the walk or do we need stronger footwear like hiking boots. Your blog is fantastic and made for riveting reading from top to finish.
Next year, we may do the whole lot, or at least a number of days. Many thanks for the valuable information provided.
Hello Declan. Thank you for the comment. I walked the Lagos to Sagres part in my trailrunners and it was fine. I would advise checking for accommodation along the route especially in Salema as it's a small place. April - May is the peak time for hiking the Fishermen's Trail so it can get busy. As an option you can stay in Lagos and take buses every day to the start and the end of the trail this way you don't have to move every night.
Cheers
Hello,
Fantastic blog. We are flying to Faro in a couple of weeks, and looking to walk the last 4 days (Sagres - Lagos) and then stay for 3 days after to check out the beaches/relax/smaller walks.
Would you recommend walking Sagres-Lagos or the other way round? We're looking to avoid the tourist crowds.
Hello Will. Thank you for the comment. Sagres is definitely less touristy that Lagos. If you prefer a quieter place it's better to walk the Fishermen's Trail from Lagos to Sagres and then stay there for a couple of days. Most people walk in the opposite direction even if there are many people on the trail you will be just passing them by. Sagres is a good place to stay if you like surfing or want to learn it. There are some shorter routes in the area along the cliffs and the sunset from Cabo de Sao Vicente or Sagres Fortress is spectacular. You can find more information on things to do in Sagres here https://thealgarvefamily.com/things-to-do-in-sagres/.
Enjoy your holiday
Hello for Yukon Canada! I'm looking online to book accommodations for the trek, but the listed prices are many times what you mention! I imagine this is because I'm trying to book ahead, are the prices lower if you just show up? I'm going first week of May and a little stressed I won't find places to stay.
Thank you for your time, I've being leaning on this page for months while planning.
Hello Remie. I don't give prices for accommodation in this post just a price range in the PDF file. Suppose you refer to the section on the cost of the Fisherman's Trail (https://stingynomads.com/fishermans-trail-portugal-guide/). The prices are average for the year in winter they are lower in summer higher. This year will be extremely busy and touristy (it's the first normal year after 3 years of the pandemic). The demand is very high it's not the holiday season yet but we already see many foreign tourists here in the Algarve. Our readers that are busy walking the Fishermen's Trail now reported that the trail is crowded. High demand results in increased prices everywhere in the region. The first week of May is a public holiday in Portugal as well. If you can postpone your trip by a couple of days so that you don't start on the 1st or 2nd of May might help.
Cheers
Hello again!
Still prepping for this trip and I have additional questions about the trail and also would love to meet up for a coffee once I arrive in Lagos! Is there a good email where I can reach you? Thank you a ton!
Gail
Hello Gail. You can ask questions here it's the easiest way. We get a lot of e-mails from people and companies and don't always have time to reply. We try to answer comments on the blog regularly.
Cheers
@Stingy Nomads, Okay!! Thank you so much!!
My first question is: is there good cell reception on the trail? And, did you both carry your packs the entire way? And is it fairly safe for a solo traveler?
Thank you again!!
1. There is cell phone reception on the Fishermen's Trail there might be some places with weak signal but overall it works fine.
2. Yes, we carried our backpacks.
3. Yes. it's fairly safe to walk the trail for a solo female. I walked the Sagres to Lagos part alone (without my husband) and never felt unsafe or felt any danger. We've seen many solo female trekkers on the Fishermen's Trail.
Cheers
I just arrived in Almograve after two days of trekking. I have to say the views on the coast are stunning, along with the best natural beauty I have yet to see in Portugal. The towns are cute although a bit touristy. For some reason, I thought I would be one of the few walkers since I started April 4th. But there is a large convoy of us walking right now.
After having walked the Camino Portugal (Coastal Route) last year, I don't understand why this route doesn't have any board walks. For those who have not walked the Coastal Route, a board walk exist most of the entire coast from Porto to Caminha allowing you to avoid flailing in the sand. So far, the amount of deep sand stretches on the Fishermen's Trail I find to take up 50-75% of my time during the walk. It makes the walking a complete arduous pain in the rear. So if you don't walk daily in sand dunes, be forewarned!
I see periodic signs to stay on the trail posted by the government, to protect nature etc. It seems to me if you really wanted to protect nature/wildlife/erosion etc, you would have a boardwalk. Plus, if you wanted to help local Portuguese commerce in the towns, having a boardwalk would attract more walkers.
Just some thoughts...
Hello Matt. Thank you for the comment. The Fishermen's Trail is a popular route to walk in the spring that's why you see many people. On top of that, it's the Easter holiday in Portugal and many other European countries. If you walk it during winter there will be very few people. I did the ap from Sagres to Lagos in November-December and saw just a couple of people on the trail. As for boardwalks, there are more and more beaches in the Algarve with new boardwalks who knows maybe in a couple of years there will be boardwalks on most beaches on the Fishermen's Trail.
Cheers
We're retired for the past few years in the north of Portugal - love it here and spend a lot of time hiking and biking the wonderful trails, mostly north of Porto right up the Spanish border, and east to Peneda-Gerês.
Haven't been to the Algarve yet, so thanks for all the detail on the Fisherman's Trail, looks fantastic! Must be mighty hot in summer though - bit like the Karoo in January maybe! 😉
And congratulations on expanding the team to 3! 🙂
Hello George. Thank you for the comment. We have never been to Geres but really want to visit the park it looks stunning and very different from the Algarve. Summer is not the best time for hiking the Fishermen's Trail it does get very hot and crowdy. Spring April-May is our favorite time for hiking in the region. Winter months are good if you want to get some winter sun and have the trail to yourself. Let us know if you decide to come to the Algarve we'll be happy to meet up with you.
Cheers
Hi Campbell and Alya,
first of all thanks a million for this wonderful guide! I just decided to book a random holiday in Portugal after reading this.
I am planning to walk from Lagos to Aljezur. I am a bit limited with my time and I would like to skip Arrifana and walk directly from Carrapateira to Aljezur as mentioned in your post. At what stage should I leave the main route to do this? Is it marked if walking the route "in the opposite direction"?
Would you be also able to advise on using local taxis for short distances? I'm thinking of taking a taxi from Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira, I would normally prefer public transport but the bus only goes on Mondays and Fridays.
Thanks for any advice!
Hello Gabi. Thank you for the comment. The Fishermen's Trail is marked in both directions. As far as I remember there should be a sign pointing toward Arrifana and Aljezur.
As for taxis we use Uber in the Algarve, it's usually a bit cheaper and there are always drivers available. You can install an app and use it everywhere. Otherwise, you can ask at your guesthouse in Vila do Bispo to call a taxi for you or recommend where to get one. During the summer season, there are usually more buses between the towns. You might be able to get to Carrappateira by bus. So I'd recommend finding out at the information office or your guesthouse.
Good luck
Hi
We have booked our travel through a travel company. So far we we have walked from Porto Covo to Odeceixe and are really enjoying it. In three days we are due to arrive in Carrapateira, where our travel company have booked us a taxi to Pedralva. We are then due to walk to Vila do Bisho. The travel company say they have arranged a taxi for “health and safety reasons”, but can’t elaborate further. We would prefer to walk to Pedralva, as you have outlined in your blog. It sounds ok walking through fields, so we can’t understand why there are health and safet issues!
Are you able to advise of any issues in this leg please. Thanks. Rob
Hello Rob. Thank you for the comment. I don't know why your company booked you a taxi. I can't find any information about risks on the Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo section of the Fishermen's Trail In fact, there is a newer trail from Bordeira Beach in Carrapateira that goes along the cliffs and offers spectacular views. That trail doesn't go through Pedralva it turns inland towards Vila do Bispo past Pedralva. We haven't walked that section yet. You don't have to take the inland route from Carrapateira. We live in the area and haven't heard of any current danger on the trail.
Cheers
@Stingy Nomads,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. That’s very comforting. We will cancel the taxi and check out the Bordeira to Carrapateira route. I will let you know how we get on.
Regards
Rob
Hi guys!
My name is Giulia. Me and my friend Francesca will start the Fishermen Trail on Saturday (yes, in 2 days). I fly from London where I currently live and she flies from Milano which is the place we are from.
I've been checking your blog for 5 months now in preparation to this, we have never done a multi-days hike and here we are, doing a 12 days from Porto Covo to Lagos! I will also keep your blog close, to re-read about the daily route everyday before start, thank you so much for all these amazing details. Hopefully we don't get lost!
Hello Giulia. Thank you for the comment. I'm sure you'll enjoy the Fishermen's Trail, it's a wonderful route. It might be a bit challenging to walk it as a first multi-day hike but I'm confident you'll be able to tackle it.
Good luck
@Stingy Nomads, hi there! It was hard yes. We skipped a couple of days in between as we couldn’t do more than 2 days and half/3 days of walking non stop. We are in Salema now (arriving in Lagos today), yesterday path was extremely hard and we finished water before the end so we went to Figueira to take the bus to the camping, not sure we could do the last part without water.
We are totally knackered but except for the inland parts the route was very beautiful! And the hard parts were the ones we preferred as they were on rock and solid terrain instead of sand (whoch we now hate🤣🤣).
I think you live in Lagos is it correct? Do you know where we can buy some traditional pottery swallow (the ones that are on portuguese entrances) and Lucia Lima tea?
Thank you for your help!!
Hello Giulia. We're glad you've enjoyed the Fishermen's Trail. The walk from Sagres to Salema is quite challenging, especially the last part. I understand why you decided to take a taxi. Sorry for the late reply, we're currently traveling. As for your question, there are shops in Old Town that sell traditional pottery. I think you'll be able to find pottery swallows in one of them. As for the tea you can check the souvenir shops or try Inter Marche or Continente, they might have it.
Enjoy Lagos
Hello!:) I'm planning to go the route alone in April or May, I'm from the Czech Republic and I want to ask first if this route is recommended for traveling alone as a young girl. If it's not dangerous in some way. Then please I want to ask if it is possible to camp "in the wild" I know that it is forbidden and I understand the reasons, but friends on this trail camped in the wild and never had any problems, they behaved very well, as a person should behave, thank you very much! 🖤
Hello Barbora. Thank you for the comment. I walked some parts of the Fishermen's Trail alone and never felt in danger or not safe. We've seen many ladies walking the route alone as well. The end of April-May is a popular time to walk the Fishermen's Trail so you can expect to see other hikers on the route. I don't recommend wild camping on the trail because it's a protected area and if everybody starts camping it might have a negative effect on the area and wildlife. There are designated campsites in many towns along the route if you really want to camp I'd suggest staying there. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels along the trail you can find a place to stay every night without paying a lot of money.
Good luck
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful information with us via your website. We have found it very helpful.
We are planning to hike in May. We are concerned about hiking through the very sandy sections and considering skipping over them. We are considering starting in Vila Nova do Milfontes walking to Almograve. Then bussing to Zambujeira do Mar and finishing the walk from there. Does this make sense to you? Are we being too concerned about the sand?
We would appreciate your comments.
Thanks.
Ted
Hello Ted. Thank you for the comment. I understand your concern. As far as I remember the first day on the Fishermen's Trail from Porto Covo had a lot of walking on sand but even that wasn't too bad. You can always take off your shoes and walk on the beach. Just pack a towel to dry your feet before putting your shoes back. If you skipp one or two stages on the route it's not a big deal you'll still be able to enjoy the beauty of the coast and get plenty of beaches and cliffs. To be honest the part from Sagres to Lagos is one of our favorite sections on the Fishermen's Trail and it has no walking on sand at all.
Cheers
Thanks so much for your awesome, candid reviews. I'm hiking the Fisherman's Trail and following your itinerary along the coastal route. After the hike, I'm spending 6 days in Lagos with my 6-year-old son (very active and inquisitive) and I'm looking for a family-friendly accomodation somewhere in the area.
Any recommendations?
And, I don't have a credit card so I couldn't find a way to buy you a coffee online. 🙂 Maybe in person?
Hello Lydia. Thank you for the comment. We hope you're enjoying the Fishermen's Trail. There are many hotels and guesthouses in and around Lagos. We have never stayed in any of them because we live here. The choice depends on your budget and location. Many people with children stay at Belmar Resort, it's at Porto de Mos Beach. A beautiful part of Lagos but far from the center and supermarkets, restaurants, etc. If you want to have all facilities nearby it's better to stay in the center of Lagos. We have some recommendations for hotels and hostels in Lagos in our Fishermen's Tail PDF.
I'm not sure when you're going to be in Lagos if it's before 14th March we could meet up somewhere in the town. After the 14th we'll be away.
Cheers
Hello! I am looking to maybe camp instead of staying in hostels while hiking the trail! Can you speak to this at all or send me in the direction of someone who maybe has done this? Thank you so much!! I love your blog and it has been so helpful to me while planning this trip!
Warmly,
Gail
Hello Gail. Thank you for the comment. We didn't camp on the Fishermen's Trail. We did see some people walking with tents. There are campsites on the route not in every town though. You can find a list of places to stay on the Fishermen's Trail including campsites in our PDF (the second paragraph). As far as I know wildcamping is allowed in Portugal you can find a quiet place at the end of a day and pitch your tent there. We lie in the area and it's quite safe.
Cheers
Thank you for a to the point and super useful guide 🙂
Hello,
My husband and I have 4-5 days on the end of a work trip in late April in Lisbon. We would love to either walk on the Costa Vicentina or part of the Camino Portuguese. Which would you recommend? Thanks!
Hello Kate. Thank you for the comment. Late April is a good time for hiking in the Algarve so I would definitely recommend the Fishermen's Trail over the Camino. You can choose any 4-5 days of the trail but for the best weather, I would suggest the southern part of it e.g. Vila do Bispo to Lagos. You can always start from Lagos and see how far you get. The trail is marked in both directions.
Cheers
Hi! Thank you so much for this guide, it is incredibly detailed! I just wanted to ask how did you find the weather in May? Was it too sunny/hot or just acceptable? Thank you!
Hello Ioana. Thank you for the comment. We really enjoyed walking the Fishermen's Trail in May. It was warm and sunny but not too hot. Overall from our experience, May is one of the best months for hiking in Portugal.
Cheers
Hello.
Couldn't find how to e mail Alya or you in private.
If you guys are up for a coffee, while me and my husband are in Lagos.
I am doing Camino Frances in May.
Just visiting Portugal for a week.
Nina & Nadin
Hello Nina. Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately we can't meet up with you guys because we are currently traveling and will be back in Lagos only after 19th February. I hope you have a great time in Lagos.
Cheers