Ramblin'trails

Itinerary (Click on images to view larger in gallery.)

Day one: Arrival  in the Alentejo. Overnighting in the  town of Santiago do Cacém at a guesthouse close to the historical centre and the northern starting point of the Rota Vicentina.

Day two: Welcome meeting after breakfast at your guest house before the first walk along a stage of the Historical Way through the hills from Santiago do Cacém to Vale Seco.  Your accommodation for the night is in the converted mill buildings of the 19th century twin windmills, Moinhos do Paneiro, directly on the trail, where you can enjoy a dip in the swimming pool after your walk.

Details: +/- 6 - 6.5 hours | 20 km | Asc. 350 m - Desc. 400 m. | Scale 2.

Day three: Vale Seco to Cercal do Alentejo. A walk passing Campilhas Dam & Reservoir on what is considered to be the most arrid stage of the Historical Way. The night will be spent at a guesthouse near the centre of the village.

Details: +/- 5.5 - 6 hours | 21 km | Asc. 200 m - Desc. 250 m. | Scale 2.

Day four: Cercal do Alentejo to São Luis. A walk through the "serras" over harsh and irregular terrain, with views to the Atlantic coast and inland over the Alentejo plains. The next two nights will be spent at a rural guesthouse in a converted Alentejano farm just outside the village.

Details: +/- 6.5 - 7 hours | 20.5 km | Asc. 500 m - Desc. 500 m. | Scale 3.

Day five: A rest day in São Luis, where you can relax on the lawns around the swimming pool.

Day six: São Luis to Odemira. A walk known as the water section of the Historical Way, where there is an optional but recommended side trail to Pego da Pias pools.. The night will be spent at a family owned pension in the centre of Odemira .

Details: +/- 8 hours | 25 km | Asc. 300 m - Desc. 450 m. | Scale 3.

Day seven: Odemira to São Teotónio. Much of the route follows wide trails with mild ascents and descents beside the rivers Mira and S. Teotonio and their sidestreams, with their crystal clear waters which are host to a variety of wildlife, including dragonflies, crayfish and otters. The night will be spent in a rural guesthouse on the edge of the town, where you can take a dip in the swimming pool after your walk.

Details: +/-  6 hours | 19 km | Asc. 350 m - Desc. 220 m. | Scale 2.

Day eight: São Teotónio to Odeceixe. A walk along some inhospitable but truly memorable trails, climbing from valleys, rich in native vegetation, through quiet forests to open plateaus and hilltops with views of the Atlantic coast. (During and after periods of heavy rain, part of the trail may be waterlogged. There is a marked alternative route. +/- 5.5 hours | 15 km | Asc. 200 m - Desc. 400 m. | Scale 2.) You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river in Odeceixe.

Details: +/-  6 hours | 17 km | Asc. 350 m - Desc. 550 m. | Scale 3.

Day nine: Odeceixe to Zambujeira do Mar. From the majestic Ponta em Branco, look back at views over Odeceixe beach and southwards along the western Algarve coast, from here the trail continues along the cliff tops, through the sand dunes to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar.  The path continues   passing the wonderful beaches of Amalia, Machados, Carvalhal and Alteirinhos. You will spend the night at a  guest house close to the centre of Zambujeira do Mar.

Details: +/- 6.5 - 7 hours | 18.5 km | Asc. 300 m - Desc. 300 m. | Scale 3.

Day ten: Zambujeira do Mar to Almograve. Heading north to Almograve, passing the historic Cabo Sardão lighthouse and the village of Cavaleiro.  From the cliff tops you can view the nests of white storks on the rocky crags, something that is unique to this short stretch of coastline. You will spend the next two nights at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes.

Details: +/- 6.5 - 7 hours | 22 km | Asc. 200 m - Desc. 200 m. | Scale 3.

Day eleven: A rest day in Almograve, where you can relax around the pool or on the beach.

Day twelve: Almograve to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Continuing on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast. A relatively short walking day which gives you time to enjoy the area to its full extent, particularly Brejo Largo beach. With  spectacular views of the Mira estuary from the bridge and equally enjoyable views if you choose to take the shortcut by boat. You will spend the night at a small hotel or guesthouse near to the  historic centre of the village.

Details: +/- 4.5 - 5 hours | 15.5 km | Asc. 130 m - Desc. 150 m. | Scale 3.

Day thirteen: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Porto Covo. A  hike heading to the northernmost point of the original Fishermen's Trail. First  you will walk along the cliff tops, discovering secluded coves at every turn and then through the wide sand dunes of Malhão, Aivados and Ilha do Pessegueiro beaches. The night will be spent at a small inn or hotel close to  the village square.

Details: +/- 7.5 - 8 hours | 20 km | Asc. 180 m - Desc. 200 m. | Scale 4.

Day fourteen: Porto Covo to Cercal do Alentejo. A walk along the stage joining the Fishermen's Trail to the Historical Way, passing through mixed woodland and the serra  leaving the ocean behind you. Your accommodation for the night is a guest house near the centre of Cercal do Alentejo.

Details: +/- 4.5 - 5 hours | 16.5 km | Asc. 300 m - Desc. 200 m. | Scale 2.

Day fifteen: After breakfast, depart from Cercal do Alentejo.