Ramblin'trails

Itinerary (click walk name to view gallery).

Day one: Arrival  in the Alentejo. Overnighting near the  village of São Luís at a rural guest house with use of swimming pool (in season), where you can relax on the terrace and take in the wonderful views of the serra.

Day two: Welcome meeting after breakfast at your guest house before the first walk from São Luís to Cercal do Alentejo along a stage of the Historical Way with long ascents over harsh terrain through the hills between São Luís and Cercal with breathtaking views over the plains and the Altantic Ocean. Your accommodation for the night is in a small hotel near the centre of Cercal.

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

Day three: Cercal do Alentejo to Porto Covo das Bandeiras. A walk along the stage joining the Historical Way to the Fishermen's Trail. Emerging from the wooded foothills of the serra, with the ocean ahead of you, the spectacular sight of Peachtree Island appears before you. The night will be spent at a small inn or hotel near  the village square.

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

Day four: Porto Covo das Bandeiras to Vila Nova de Milfontes. A hike starting at the original northernmost point of the Fishermen's Trail, from where you will walk through the wide sand dunes of Ilha do Pessegueiro, Aivados and Malhão beaches and along the cliff tops, discovering secluded coves at every turn. You will spend the night at a small hotel/guest house near to the old historic centre of Vila Nova de Milfontes, close to the castle with its views over the Mira estuary.

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

Day five: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve. Continuing on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast with the spectacular views of the Mira estuary from the bridge and equally enjoyable views if you choose to take the shortcut by boat. A relatively short walking day which gives you time to enjoy the area to its full extent, particularly Brejo Largo beach.  You will spend the night at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes at Almograve.

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

Day six: Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar. Heading south from Almograve, passing scented pine forest to the village of Cavaleiro and the historic Cabo Sardão lighthouse. 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 night at a small guest house close to the  centre of Zambujeira do Mar.

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

Day seven: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe. A walk along a coastal path, passing the wonderful beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia en route to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar, with its seemingly inaccessible natural harbour. The trail continues along the cliff tops, through the sand dunes  to reach the majestic Ponta em Branco, with views over Odeceixe beach and estuary and southwards along the western Algarve coast.You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river in Odeceixe.

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

Day eight: After breakfast, depart from Odeceixe.

General advice and information.

All of the coastal trails involves a significant amount of walking on soft sand, particularly on the  stage from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes. For walkers unaccustomed to walking on sand, the trails can be quite tiring. The levels of difficulty more    reflect the fitness required rather than the technical capabilities.

At several points along the coast, the trail passes quite close to cliff edges. Therefore we do not recommend these walks for persons who truly suffer from vertigo.   

Whilst late March until early June is the most popular period for this trail, due to the abundant spring flowers and the nesting storks, 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.