Rota Vicentina, Portugal - a 2026 guide
The Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails in the Alentejo and Algarve provinces in Southern Portugal. The network includes two long-distance routes the Fisherman's Trail and the Historical Way, and many day circular routes. We've walked both multi-day routes of the Rota Vicentina as well as some of the day hikes. In this post, I describe different route options, cost, transportation, and accommodation on the Rota Vicentina.
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What is the Rota Vicentina?
The Rota Vicentina is a network of walking routes in the Alentejo and Algarve regions, in the south-west of Portugal. It includes two long-distance trails the Fishermen's Trail and the Historical Way and many circular day hikes. The coastal trails (Fishermen's Trail and some day hikes) ranked as some of the most scenic routes in Europe. We've been living on the South Coast of Portugal for 5 years and spent a lot of time exploring the best hiking trails in the region.
How long is the route?
The distance of the Rota Vicentina varies depending on the route. The Fishermen's Trail is 230 km/143 mi. It takes 11-13 days to complete. The Historical Way is 120 km/74 mi. You'll need 6 days to complete it. Distances of day hikes are between 6 km/3.7 mi and 15 km/9.3 mi.
You can do any section of the Rota Vicentina as an independent hike. If you don't have enough time to finish the entire trail you can choose a part of it.
Where does it start?
The Fishermen's Trail of the Rota Vicentina can be walked in both directions. If you walk it north to south you start at S.Torpes Beach, 10 km north of Porto Covo and finish in Lagos. If you walk south to north you start in Lagos and finish at S.Torpes.
The Historical Way starts in Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, and finishes in Odeceixe, Algarve. From Odeceixe, you can continue walking following the Fishermen's Trail. The route can be walked in both directions.
Day hikes start in different locations throughout the region.
What is the best part of the Rota Vicentina?
In my opinion, the part of the Fishermen's Trail from Sagres to Lagos and the walk from Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo are some of the most beautiful parts of the Rota Vicentina. Overall the entire route is spectacular; pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, charming towns, and untouched nature.
The Historical Way has its charm. If you enjoy countryside, hills, and fields more than the coast and beaches then it's the perfect route for you.
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Rota Vicentina guidebooks
The official Rota Vicentina guidebook is the best one to use. You can buy it online or at one of the information offices along the route. You can buy it at Papelaria O Correiro, Vasco da Gama Street 7b in Porto Covo the start of the Fishermen's Trail and at the tourist information office in Santiago do Cacém (the start of the Historical Way).
There is a Cicerone guidebook with a lot of information on the trail that you can buy on Amazon.
Different routes of the Rota Vicentina
As I already mentioned there are two long-distance trails and many circuit routes. Most of the short routes can be incorporated into one of the multi-day trails.
The routes of the Rota Vicentina
| Name | The Historical Way | The Fishermen's Trail | Day hikes (circular routes) |
| Starting point | Santiago do Cacém | S.Torpes Beach (Porto Covo)/Lagos | Different points along the Vicentina Coast |
| Finishing point | Odeceixe | Lagos/S.Torpes Beach (Porto Covo) | Different points along the Vicentina Coast |
| Total distance | 120 km/74 mi | 230 km/143 mi | 265 km/164 mi (24 trails) |
| Number of days | 6 days | 11-13 days | 1 day |
The Historical Way
- Total distance - 120 km/74 mi
- Number of days - 6 days
- Starting point - Santiago do Cacém
- Finishing point - Odeceixe
- Route marking - red & white markers
The Historical Way has significantly fewer hikers than the coastal route. We saw between 2 and 5 hikers a day. Overall the area is not touristy compared to the coast which is just 20 km away. As a result, accommodation options are pretty limited.
Eating out in this part of the Rota Vicentina is cheaper than along the coast restaurants cater for locals, not tourists. You can get a set menu for 10 Euros, a dish for 6-7 Euros, a cup of coffee for 1-2 Euro, etc.
The scenery on the Historical Way is nice and peaceful. A lot of walking through the fields (if you walk it in April-May they will be covered in flowers), a bit of forest, and quite a lot of hills. It’s the route with many ascents and descents though nothing is very steep or long. The Historical Way is a nice route to walk if you want to see the off-the-beaten-path part of southern Portugal.
If you're planning to walk the Historical Way you can download our free PDF file with walking stages and places to stay on the route.
The Fishermen's Trail
- Total distance - 230 km/143 mi
- Number of days - 11-13 days
- Starting point - S.Torpes Beach, Porto Covo/Lagos
- Finishing point - Lagos/S.Torpes Beach, Porto Covo
- Route marking - blue & green markers
The Fishermen’s Trail (the coastal route) of the Rota Vicentina is a popular route. The trail goes through the touristy parts of the Alentejo and Algarve regions. Besides hikers in the season, there are many holidaymakers. If you walk this route during the summer months you'll see many people. It's highly recommended to book accommodation beforehand.
The Fishermen's Trail has more accommodation options including campsites. It’s possible to find budget places to stay. Eating out on this trail is more expensive compared to the Historical Way. For a set meal in a restaurant (Menu do Dia), you pay 15 Euros pp. people vs 10 Euros on the Historical Way. Every town on the trail has a supermarket or at least a grocery store.
The scenery on this route is truly spectacular; rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, turquoise color water, picturesque bays, hidden caves, breathtaking lookout points, and cozy towns. If you ask me I'd definitely choose the Fishermen's Trail over the Historical Way.
If you're planning to walk the Fishermen's Trail you can download our free PDF file that includes walking stages and places to stay along the route.
Day hikes
There are 24 circular day hiking trails on the Rota Vicentina with a total distance of 265 km/164 mi. Distances of the day hikes are between 6 km/3.7 mi and 16 km/10 mi. All hikes are circular routes. Many circular routes are partly included in one of the long trails. The day hiking trails are indicated with red and yellow markers.
The circular routes offer a combination of a coastal and rural/forest scenery. You can easily incorporate a couple of day hikes into a road trip or a beach holiday in southern Portugal.
How to combine the routes?
You can walk the entire Fishermen's Trail or the Historical Route separately, walk only parts of the routes, or combine them. The two long-distance routes merge in Odeceixe.
Option 1. Porto Covo - Odeceixe - Santiago do Cacem
You walk on the Fishermen's Trail from Porto Covo to Odeceixe. From Odeceixe instead of continuing along the coast, follow the Historical Way and walk to Santiago do Cacém. This way you combine both country and seaside scenery and get to see different parts of the Alentejo region. The total distance of this route option is 196 km/121 mi. To complete it you need 10 days. The route can be walked either way starting in Porto Covo or in Santiago do Cacém.
Option 2. Santiago do Cacem - Odeceixe - Lagos
You walk the Historical Way from Santiago do Cacém to Odeceixe and from there continue on the Fishermen's Trail through Cabo de S. Vicente to Lagos. The total distance of this route is 274 km/170 mi. You need 13-14 days to complete it. It can be walked either way. You can cut it shorter if you don't have enough time.
Option 3. Walking a part of the trail
You can walk any stage of the two routes separately as a day hike or you can choose a couple of stages and do a 2 or 3-day hike.
There is a great option for those who want to combine two outdoor activities (hiking and surfing) and enjoy the sea as much as possible. You can start walking in Porto Covo and finish in Arrifana. Where you can stay in a surf hostel rent a board or take a couple of lessons. Days needed - 6, total distance - 118 km/73 mi.
The cost of walking the Rota Vicentina
The Algarve and Alentejo provinces are very popular summer holiday destinations which means in the peak season, between June and September the area gets very busy and accommodation prices increase significantly.
How much money you'll spend walking Rota Vicentina depends on when you go and where you stay. Walking during the off-season, between November and April is cheaper. The border season, October and May is more expensive. The summer months from June to September are the most expensive period. We walked the Rota Vicentina in May and did find accommodation prices quite high.
On average you spend 50-60 Euros per person per day on the Rota Vicentina. It includes accommodation (a room for two people or a dorm bed in a hostel), food, and transport. If you're going to use a luggage transfer service you have to add 15 Euro per day extra.
Accommodation
Accommodation is the main expense on the Rota Vicentina. Depending on the type of place you'll pay between 10-15 Euros (camping), 25 Euros (a bed in a hostel), and 60-80 Euros (a room in a hotel) per person.
Camping is the cheapest option but not every town on the route has a campsite. Even if you like camping you'll have to stay sometimes indoors. Prices for camping are between 10 and 15 Euro per person per day depending on the season. A drawback of camping is that you have to carry your camping gear (a tent, sleeping bag, pad, cooking stuff, etc.) which adds weight to your backpack.
Hostels are the cheapest indoor accommodation on the Rota Vicentina. Not every town on the trail has one. A bed in a dormitory costs between 20 and 25 Euros per person depending on the season. In July, August, and September the prices are at their highest. The lowest prices are during the offseason; from November to March.
Hotels/guesthouses are the most popular accommodation on the trail. Prices vary between 60 and 100 Euros for a double room.
Food
Eating out
Eating out on the Rota Vicentina is quite expensive. In the same area, there was a significant price difference between places located inland and beach towns. Prepare to pay 10 Euros for a dish, plus 5-10 Euros extra if you order drinks, bread, coffee, etc. Our average bill was about 60 Euros for two people when we went out for dinner. If you order a sandwich (Tosta Mista) and a coffee or a cool drink it'll cost around 5-7 Euros.
Portugal has one of the cheapest coffee in Europe; Espresso costs 1 Euro, and coffee with milk (Galao) - 2 Euros. Read more about drinking coffee in Portugal.
Shopping
The cheapest food option is to buy stuff in a shop and cook. To be able to cook you have to stay in places with a kitchen otherwise, you'll be limited to eating sandwiches. Food shopping for 3 meals will cost you 10-15 Euros per person. Big supermarkets (Lidl, InterMarche, Pingo Doce) have cafes or canteens where you can buy a well-priced meal, a sandwich, or a pastry.
Transport
Every town on the Rota Vicentina can be reached by public transport. A bus from Lisbon to one of the starting points (Porto Covo or Santiago do Cacém) costs between 15 and 20 Euros one way. Getting from Lagos or Odeceixe to Lisbon will cost you 15-20 Euros. On the RedeExpressos website, you can often find bus tickets to/from Lisbon for 7 or 10 euros. Buses between the towns on the route cost 3-7 Euros depending on the distance.
Based on all the expenses I suggest to budget 30 Euros per person per day if you're planning to camp (when possible) and make food. 35-45 Euros per person staying in hostels and making food. And 60+ Euros per person per day if staying in hotels and eating out at least once a day.
When is the best time for walking?
Summer in general (July and August in particular) is the busiest season in Southern Portugal with the most people and the highest prices. It gets very hot day temperatures go over 30°C. If you decide to walk the route in the summer months it's recommended to start walking early in the morning. Booking accommodation on the Rota Vicentina in advance is a must in summer.
Border season (April-May and October) is a perfect time for walking the Rota Vicentina; there are fewer people than in the summer. It's warm but not too hot, accommodation is cheaper, and you don't have to book it months in advance. We really like hiking in Portugal in the spring the scenery is very beautiful this time of the year.
Off-season (November-March) is great if you want to have a solitary and quiet walk. The average day temperatures in winter are between 13°C and 16°C but it might rain quite a bit especially in February. The nights are chilly, between 5°C and 8°C. The wind can be a problem as well. As for accommodation prices, they are at their lowest (excluding Christmas and New Year) so you can get a really nice place for not expensive.
Luggage transfer service on the Rota Vicentina
It's possible to arrange a luggage delivery on the Rota Vicentina. If you don't want to walk carrying a big backpack it can be transferred every day between your hotels. You can walk with a small day pack carrying only valuables, water, and snacks.
Vicentina Transfers is the company that provides luggage transfer service on the trails. The price is 15€ per 2 luggage pieces per stage, and each additional piece of luggage is 5 euros. The weight limit is 20 kg per luggage. It's a door-to-door service. Your backpack is picked up in the morning (around 9 am) at the reception and delivered by 4.10 pm to the next hotel/hostel.
What is the accommodation like?
Every town on the Rota Vicentina has hotels and guesthouses. Some places have hostels. Most of the places can be booked online. Some areas have more accommodation options some less. On the Historical Way, there are fewer places to stay. The route goes through non-touristy areas of the Alentejo region.
On the Fishermen's Trail, there are more accommodation options including hostels and campsites, especially in bigger towns. During the peak summer season, it's highly recommended to book your accommodation a couple of months in advance.
If you want to cook it's better to stay in hostels or apartments to have access to the kitchen. If you stay in hotels/guest houses you'll have to buy ready-made food or eat at restaurants.
On the Fishermen's Trail campsites can be found in Porto Covo, Zambujeira do Mar, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Sagres, Salema, and Lagos. All campsites are not far from the route.
On the Historical Way, there is only one campsite in Odeceixe. On the stretch between Santiago do Cacém and S.Teotónio there are no places to camp only indoor accommodation.
How to get to the Rota Vicentina?
Most towns on the Rota Vicentina have direct buses to/from Lisbon. It's very easy to get from the Portuguese capital to the trail and back.
Getting from Lisbon to Santiago do Cacém, the Historical Way
There are 8-10 daily buses from Lisbon (Sete Rios station) to Santiago do Cacém, the journey takes 2 hours, the price is 14 Euros. If you're planning to start walking on the same day it's better to take the earliest bus. You can buy tickets and confirm the departure time on the Rede Expressos website.
Getting from Lisbon to Porto Covo, the Fishermen's Trail
As of March 2026, there are 10 daily buses from Lisbon to Porto Covo. 6 buses leave from Sete Rios Bus Station, 3 from Oriente Station, and 1 from the airport. The journey takes between 2 and 3 hours. The price is between 8 and 18 Euros.
Getting from Odeceixe and Lagos to Lisbon
There are direct buses from Odeceixe (the Historical Way) and Lagos (the Fisherman's Trail) to Lisbon.
5 daily direct buses from Odeceixe to Lisbon (Sete Rios), the journey takes 3h30min., the price is 19 Euros.
There are many direct buses from Lagos to Lisbon (Sete Rios, Oriente, and the airport). The standard price is 20 Euro if you buy at the counter. You can get a ticket for 7 to 10 euros on the website. The journey takes 3-4 hours.
Check the itinerary and buy tickets online.
There are trains from Lagos to Lisbon with one connection in Tunte. The connection is usually 5-10 minutes. You can check departure times and prices on the official website. Mind that the trains are often delayed for that reason we prefer buses.
Rota Vicentina planning resources
- Walk the coastal route of the Rota Vicentina | The Fishermen's Trail walking itinerary |
- Another stunning coastal hike in the Algarve | Seven Hanging Valleys Trail |
- Learn more about the Rota Vicentina | Rota Vicentina the official website |
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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.
Hi Alya
Thank you so much for wonderful guide. We are planning to walk in October and we are still trying to decide whether to walk North to South, or South to North. I noticed in one of your replies to questions you recommended walking North to South, but you did not say why. Am i correct in thinking that you will be looking directly into the sun by walking South, and the sun will always be on your back if you walk North? What other reason did you have for suggesting a South to North option? Thanks again for really helpful guide. Te desejo bem!!
Hello Robert. Thank you for the comment. Usually I recommend walking south to north for those who walk in spring so they start in the south where it's warmer and as they progress it gets warmer on the West Coast. If you walk in fall it's the opposite, you start in the north (where it gets cooler and rainier early) and walk to the south where it's usually warmer and sunnier. In southern Algarve it's usually warm and sunny in October. On the West Coast it might be windy and the swell gets bigger closer to winter.
Cheers
Hi, thanks so much for this guide. I'm planning to come in May for a bit of a solo walk/ time to myself kind of experience. So in terms of combining Historical and Fishermen's trail, I'm leaning towards starting in Santiago do Cacem with the Historical Trail and then switching to Fishermen's Trail in Odeceixe as you suggest. Only thing is I do already really love the sea, too, and feel it might also be too long a wait until the second half to see it. I know there's a connector from Cercal de Alentejo to Porto Covo, and the guide book I'm reading suggests that taxis are relatively cheap and easy to get, so I'm wondering if I could start in Historico, connect to Porto Covo to walk along the beach a few days, and then connect back into Historico by taxi, say from Almograve to Odemira. Would that make sense? If so, any particular unmissable bits that you would highlight on either route. Having two parallel tracks to chose from gives me massive fomo - I'll definitely still have to work on that if that whole contemplative thing is to work 🙂
Bonus question: What type of food is typically being served/ sold along the trail? I'm generally a non-fussy eater, but I have to stick to a gluten free diet for medical reasons (intolerant, not coeliac), so unfortunately sandwiches tend to be a problem. Would you find things like oats, rice,.. in supermarkets? I've done previous hikes with freeze dried food packs and will probably take a few for emergencies, but carrying supplies for two weeks would obviously be quite a heavy lift (literally).
Thanks so much!
Sandra
Hello Sandra. Thank you for your question. From the scenery point of view we definitely prefer the Fishermen's Trail over the Historical Way. If you like the coast I'd suggest walking the Fishermen's Trail from the start to the end. You'll get to see some flower fields and a bit of a forest walking along the coast. There are more food options as well along the coast as it's a more touristy area. If you really want to combine your idea is good. Taxis are not expensive and I'm quite sure you'll be able to find one from any town along both routes. We like Santiago do Cacem and the walk from there. The part from Odemira to Odeceixe is beautiful too.
As for food you'll be able to find fish, meat, vegetable and egg dishes in restaurants. It's not only sandwiches. Shops and supermarkets in bigger towns have a standard selection of products. I'm sure you'll be able to find food suitable for your diet.
Good luck
Hi There,
Thanks so much for this helpful site. Like Adrian, we plan to walk in late March/early April. However, we don't have enough time to walk the whole Fisherman's Trail.
Can you recommend a five-day stretch? We'll be relying on hostels for accommodation.
Love the south-to north-suggestion!
Thanks again,
Cory
Indiana, USA
Hello Cory. Thank you for the comment. For that time of the year I'd suggest starting the Fisherman's Trail in Lagos and walking north. If you have 5 days you'll probably finish in Carrapateira. Weather-wise it's the best option.
Cheers
What a fabulous and informative website you have put together! Bravo!
I would prefer to walk the coast and very much like your description of the Rota Vicentina.
I have the last two weeks in March 2024 and all of July and August.
Is the weather in the latter half of March OK enough to walk the trail? Or would you recommend two weeks in July or August instead?
I would prefer to avoid the high season crowds and prices of summer. But I would not want to walk in non-stop rain in March either.
I would also be open to walking a 10-12 day section of the north coast too, if that was preferable in March.
Thank you both again for providing such a valuable guide for us all.
Adrian
Vancouver, Canada
Hello Adrian. Thank you for the comment. July and August are the peak season in the south of Portugal it's not the best time to come if you want to escape crowds and high prices. If you want to walk along the coast then the Fishermen's Trail is a great option. The second half of March is usually sunny. I would suggest walking the trail south to north, starting in Lagos and heading towards Porto Covo. The route is marked both ways. The spring usually comes a bit earlier in the south compared to the West Coast as you progress it will get warmer.
Cheers
@Stingy Nomads,
Hello Campbell and Alya,
Thank you for your reply above. I will follow your advice about starting the Fisherman's Trail in Lagos and going north to Porto Covo.
Some questions if I may:
1. Does the FT route go west to Sagres first before heading north? Or does it skip the SW tip altogether?
2. I plan to stay in 3* hotels along the way. Is it advisable to book a day or two (or more) in advance?
4. If I walk 15-20km/day how many days would you say the trip will take?
5. Since I will begin in Lagos would you recommend doing the 7 Hanging Valley hike before beginning the FT?
6. Recommended iPhone map app for the FT?
7. Purchase SIM card at the airport or somewhere in Lagos?
Many kind thanks. Your site is such a gift to us all.
Adrian, Vancouver
Hello Adrian. Thank you for the comment.
1. The Fishermen's Trail goes from Sagres through Cabo de Sao Vicente to Vila do Bispo.
2. Depending on the month you walk if it's between April and October then it's better to book your accommodation in advance.
4. If you want to stay in hotels on the Fishermen's Trail you have to stick to the set itinerary some days. There is no accommodation in between. Every stage starts and finishes in a town. It takes 12 days to complete the route from Lagos to Porto Covo. 11 days if you walk from Lagos to Salema in one day instead of stopping in Luz. You can find the detailed itinerary in this post https://stingynomads.com/fishermens-trail-rota-vicentina-itinerary/
5. The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is not in Lagos it's in Lagos (a different town, 40 km east). If you have time you can walk it, it's a beautiful route.
6. We have never used any app for walking the trail. You can try All trail or the official map of the Fishermen's Trail.
7. You can buy a SIM card at the airport on arrival or in Lagos.
Good luck
Hi there, thank you so much for posting this...so very inspiring. I was hoping to do the walk in January by myself. But am a bit worried about the weather. What will be be like then? And would I have too book accommodation in advance? Or do you think I could rock up on the day?
Hello Ri. Thank you for the comment. You can expect chilly days especially on the West Coast with rain. You might be lucky and get very few rainy days or unlucky and walk in the rain for days. Overall December and January are the rainiest months in the Algarve.
January is a low season you don't have to book anything in advance just keep in mind that some places might be closed for winter.
Cheers
Thank you for your generosity in providing this guide!
Hello Caitlin. Thank you very much for the comment.
Enjoy the walk
Should I be concerned about the extreme coastal event warnings ? Suggestions on camping on the FT in February? wild camping?
Hi Stingy Nomads,
We are glad we found your website.
It gives the right information we need to organize the trekking on the Rota Vicentina route ourselves.
You also share a nice overview of accommodations / Places to stay in the various villages along the way . Thank you very much for this good overview !!
We want to walk the combination of The Fishermen's Trail (the coastal route) and the Historical Way (the inland route). : Santiago do Cacem – Odeceixe – Lagos.
Overnight stays in hotels, hostels and B&Bs.
In the last week of April and the first two weeks of May.
You write ; In Border season (April-May and October) accommodation you don't have to book it months in advance.
Is there room in the accommodations for an overnight stay if we book only a few days in advance during this period? Or even book the same day?
The good thing is that you can decide during the trip to stay a day longer somewhere. For example, to do a circular day hike route.
Or is it necessary to book the accommodations longer in advance because otherwise there will be no room left?
Many thanks.
Roy and Melanie (from the Netherlands)
Hello Melanie. Thank you for the comment. I would recommend booking accommodation in advance on the Historical Way part of the Rota Vicentina. That part has limited number of B&Bs and hotels. On the Fishermen's Trail it should be find if you book a couple of days ahead or even on a day (in bigger town e.g. Sagres, Lagos). Overall end of April/beginning of May is not the holiday season.
Let us know when you're in Lagos we can meet up for coffee.
Cheers
Hello Stingy Nomads,
Do you think the Fisherman’s Trail is safe to do on your own for a female in March or April?
Hello Sarah. I've walked along 3 stages (From Sagres to Lagos) of the Fishermen's Trail of the Rota Vicentina along and didn't feel unsafe. It's very likely there will be other hikers on the trail in March - April you won't be alone on the route. We live in the area and from our experience I can say it's pretty safe.
Cheers
Hi Stingy Nomads
Thank you for the the very thorough explanations. We plan to cycle the route and would like to know if you think it’s doable on bicycles or if there are sections you would recommend going on the road. We are heading there now! Thank you for your help!
Elaine
Hello Elaine. Thank you for the comment. Which Rota Vicentina route are you talking about? The Fishermen's Trail (the coastal route) and the Historical Way (the inland route). On the Historical Way, you can cycle on the walking trail pretty much the whole way. On the Fishermen's Trail, the cycling route is often on the gravel road next to the coast and not on the walking trail. It's impossible to cycle on the walking trail because of the difficult terrain sand, rocks, etc. Some sections might be doable on a mountain bike but not on a road bike. You can get GPX tracks for cycling the Rota Vicentina on the official website https://rotavicentina.com/en/cycling/touring-bike/.
We haven't cycled the Rota Vicentina but want to do it now with our daughter. Let us know about your experience afterward.
Good luck
@Stingy Nomads,
Thank you our question answered about the Fisherman’s trail!
Hi Stingy Nomads,
Thanks for such an informative guide to the Rota Vicentina. I am planning on walking this December but will not have time to do the whole route. If I was to miss out a section and bus/taxi a part of it which part would you miss?
I was thinking of walking from Porto Covo to Odeceixe over 2 days and then bussing/taxi between there and Carrapateira or Vila do Bispo and then walking the rest of the way to Lagos. Would be great to get your thougghts on what parts of the walk you would cut out if you didn't have time to complete the whole thing? (I will have 5 days in total and am used to and happy to walk 20/22 miles a day)
Many thanks,
Archie
Hello Archie. Thank you for the comment. It's difficult to say which part of the Rota Vicentina to skip. In December weather in the southern Algarve is better than on the West Coast, it's warmer with less rain. From weather point of view, I would say doing the last 5 days on the Fishermen's Trail is the best option. On the other hand, the West Coast is wilder and less developed than the part of the route from Sagres to Lagos. As for walking the first 4 days in 2 it's fine if you're used to it just keep in mind that the first day is mostly sand it takes longer to walk and it's quite tiring. Keep in mind as well that it might take you a half of a day to get from wherever you finish on the Westo Caost to Vila do Bipo. It's if you walk an uninterrapted stretch of trail without waisting time on commuting between towns. So maybe Carrapateira to Lagos is the best option for 5 days. In Carrapateiro you can take the coastal route (we took the inland) it's very beautiful.
Cheers
Hi Stingy Nomads:)
thanks a lot for very interesting and helpful guide on Ruta Vincentina;) Last year we did part from Lagos to Sagres (wow wow wow amazing views) and this September we are planning to continue starting in Zambujero do mar and finishing in Sagres. Let me know if you are still in Portugal- if yes let's meet for coffee:):):)
Klaudia
Hello Klaudia. Thank you for the comment. We're glad you've found our Rota Vicentina post helpful. We live in Lagos. Let us know when you're in the area. We will be traveling for a couple of weeks in September but might be in the area at the same time you're here.
Cheers
Hi
What a fabulous guide you've put together! Incredibly helpful. I'm planning to do this walk around April next year, plus maybe a few others. Can't wait!
This information has helped enormously.
Kind regards
Tracy
Australia
Hello Tracy. Thank you very much for the feedback. We're glad our Rota Vicentina guide was helpful. Let us know if you happen to be in Lagos next year in April we live here and can meet up for coffee or a drink.
Good luck
Hi there,
Over the winter I came across your wonderful guide (and vid) to the trail and it inspired me to book flights! I`ll be heading over in about two weeks for about 10 days walking.....very much looking forward to it and thank you for all your great info regarding trail options, services, accommodation etc.....
Gearóid
Ireland
Hello, Gearóid. Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you've found our site helpful. April is a great time for walking the Rota Vicentina I'm sure you'll have a great time. If you happen to be in Lagos (where we live) send us a message we can meet up for coffee of drinks.
Cheers
Very much looking forward to the walk and thank you for your very kind offer to meet up. I will keep you updated!
: )
Muy buena vuestra aportación, somos un grupo de senderistas y vamos a hacer el Camino de los Pescadores a primeros de Junio, os recomendamos el Camino de los Faros, otra ruta por las costas de Galicia, exigente y dura por su desnivel, pero enormemente bella por sus paisajes.
Hola, Victor. Gracias for su comentaje. Yo conosco el Camino de los Faros y tengo muchas ganas de hacerlo. Hemos hecho muchas Caminatas (Caminos de Santiago) in Galicia. Lo único que me preocupa es la falta del hospedaje cerca de la ruta hay que tomar taxis y a mi eso parece un poco incómodo. Algún día vamos a caminarlo.
Que disfrutes del Camino de los Pescadores.
Thanks for the great guide! Did you use gaiters over your hiking shoes to prevent sand from getting in, or were hiking pants enough?
Hello, Johnny. We didn't use gaiters. On the beach parts of the Rota Vicentina, we walked barefoot carrying our shoes.
Cheers
Hello. This is a fantastically detailed guide. Thank you. I have one question, you write "follows the coastline; dramatic cliffs"... Can I assume that the paths next to the dramatic cliffs are wide enough to feel comfortable for walking? I'm sure that they are, but would just love to read your take on it.
Thanks
Hello, Lou. Thank you for the comment. The trail goes along the cliffs but not on the edge of the cliffs, it is always far enough from the edges to be safe for walking. If you stay on the official trail you'll be fine nothing to worry about.
Cheers
Great guide, thanks a lot!
Really good guide 🙂 It was the information I was looking for and feel comfortable planing my trip now.
Hello, Peter. Thank you very much for the feedback! We hope you'll enjoy the Rota Vicentina, it's an amazing hike.
Cheers
I had a great offline route map for the Camino Frances. But I can't remember the name of it.
Which app do you reccommend for the Camino Portuguese?