Ramblin'trails

Itinerary (click walk name to view 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 from the castle at  Santiago do Cacém to Vale Seco. A 21 km (6½ -7 hours / easy) walk along a stage of the Historical Way through the hills between Santiago do Cacém and 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.

Day three: Vale Seco to Cercal do Alentejo. A 20 km (5 - 5½ hours / easy) 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.

Day four: Cercal do Alentejo to São Luis. A 21 km (6½-7 hours / somewhat difficult) walk through the "serras" over harsh and irregular terrain, with views to the Atlantic coast and inland over the Alentejo plains. The night will be spent at a rural guesthouse in a converted Alentejano farm just outside the village.

Day five: São Luis to Odemira. A 25 km (8 hours / somewhat difficult) 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 .

Day six: Odemira to São Teotónio. A 19 km (6 hours / easy) walk,  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 enjoy a dip in the swimming pool after your walk.

Day seven: São Teotónio to Odeceixe. A 17 km (6 hours / somewhat difficult) 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 an alternative marked trail.) You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river in Odeceixe.

Day eight: A 19 km (6 hours) walk from Odeceixe   to Aljezur, where you will spend two nights in a hotel close to the centre.

Day nine: After breakfast you will be transferred to Monte dos Cairos for a 20 km (6 -6½ hours) easy walk on the Historical Way back to Aljezur via Arrifana.

Day ten: After breakfast you will be transferred to Monte dos Cairos for a 21 km (6 -6½ hours) walk via Carrapateira to Aldeia da Pedralva, where you will stay in a house in the tourist village.

Day eleven: A short 12km (3 hours) walk from Aldeia da Pedralva to Vila do Bispo, where you will stay in a small hotel opposite the village church.

Day twelve: A 14km (4-5 hours) walk,  along the Historical Way (with option to take the parallel Telheiro beach circuit) to Cape St. Vincent. Then a short bus ride or a 5km walk to Sagres, where you will spend the night in a hotel overlooking the ocean.

Day thirteen: Departure after breakfast by complimentary taxi to Lagos.

General advice and information.

During and after periods of heavy rain, some inland trails may be waterlogged.

Whilst late March until early June is the most popular period for this trail, due to the abundant spring flowers, in the autumn there is still an array of different colours and fragrances to  experience.

For a stress-free start to your travel, arriving at the start point by early evening on day one is recommended.