Hike the Rota Vicentina in Portugal

Bem-vindo! Welcome to Portugal. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital city. If you arrive early, maybe stroll through the winding alleyways of the Alfama neighbourhood or visit Sao Jorge Castle. After your meeting, maybe head out with your leader and group to get to know each other over dinner in a local restaurant (at your own cost). Then, maybe continue with a post-dinner walk around the city and see the town come to life in the evenings.

Leave Lisbon behind and drive towards the start of the ancient Fisherman's Trail in the southwest of Portugal, made up various hiking tracks down through Alentejo and the Algarve. Jump out of your vehicle in the coastal parish of Malhao and lace up your boots for your first day of walking. Making the most of your seaside setting, most of today’s walk is along sandy sweeps of beach, crossing the dunes of Aivados and Malhao. Each beach you pass offers something different, from freshwater springs to sharp cliffs and hidden coves. As you walk, your leader will teach you about the hardy plants that live along the coast, defying the odds to thrive against a landscape of poor soil, salty air and hot sun. Today’s walk wraps up in Vila Nova de Milfontes, where you may like to cool off with a refreshing dip in the ocean. (B)

Start the day with a boat ride from the mouth of the Mira River to Praia das Furnas, where you’ll disembark and begin your walk. On your journey to Almograve, follow the coast and pass by marshes that serve as breeding grounds for many species of fish. Keep an eye out for small stone-age quarries tucked into the sand dunes, and you may pass a friendly local fisherman or two. Later, arrive in Almograve. From here, head to a local restaurant with a menu brimming with fresh seafood, brought in from the fish market up the road – maybe tuck into a tasty meal of shrimp, clams, hake or whelk. (B/L)

Rise bright and early to hit the trails. Starting in Almograve you’ll hike to Zambujeira do Mar. Walk past high, jagged cliffs which serve as the nesting place of over twenty bird species – look out for peregrine falcons, rock doves, jackdaws and kestrels. The area’s layered geological history will become apparent as you pass red sands and oxidised sandstone from previous tropical climates, and remains of cold climate animals from a cooler past. Later in the day, take a short walk to Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar – a little chapel overlooking the sea. Maybe pack a homemade picnic and watch the sun go down from this beautiful spot. (B)

Enjoy a slower start to the day before heading off for another fantastic walk, bursting with more stunning coastal scenery. Set off from Zambujeira do Mar and walk along clifftops, past the beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia before arriving at a natural fishing harbour in Azenha do Mar. The sand dunes on this stretch of your walk are alive with activity and home to many mammals – while they are pretty hard to spot, you may be able to see evidence of burrows and footprints. Egyptian mongooses, beech martens, otters, weasels, genets and badgers all call this part of the country home. At the end of today’s hike, maybe relax on the beach or explore the town at your own pace. Later, travel to Rota Vicentina where you’ll spend the night. (B)

After breakfast, travel to Vila do Bispo for today’s walk. Set off along the trails to Cabo de Sao Vicente – the southwestern most point of mainland Europe. As you walk, listen to stories of the cape’s maritime, Phoenician and Roman past from your local leader. Skirt along the coast before finishing up in Sagres – a popular spot for surfers. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because of Portugal’s iconic beer that’s named after the town. Tonight, why not grab a cool glass of cerveja and some dinner with your group – a great way to celebrate the final night of your trip. (B)

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your trip and continue exploring Portugal, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)