Fishermen’s Trail Stages

The Fishermen’s Trail is one of the most scenic coastal hiking routes in Portugal, stretching along the breathtaking Atlantic coastline of the Alentejo and Algarve. Known for its rugged cliffs, golden beaches, and traditional fishing villages, this route is a dream for both nature lovers and adventure seekers.

What makes the Fisherman’s Trail especially accessible is that it’s divided into 13 manageable stages, each typically covering 15 to 25 km and ending in a village or town with accommodation options. This makes it easy to plan multi-day hikes or shorter sections.

At WAW.travel, we offer both an 8-day highlights version and the full 15-day Fisherman’s Trail experience. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the 8-day version, which takes you through some of the most iconic stretches of the trail.

The Fishermen’s Trail is perfect for both seasoned hikers and recreational walkers, and it’s an absolute must-do for anyone looking to explore Portugal on foot. The route can be walked year-round — more on that later.

What is the Fishermen’s Trail?

The route, part of the Rota Vicentina network, follows old paths once used by local fishermen — often running along cliffs and offering uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Rota Vicentina is a larger network of walking routes in southern Portugal, which includes both the Fishermen’s Trail and the inland Historical Route.

Whether you walk a single stage or the entire route from São Torpes to Lagos, each section offers a unique glimpse into the coastal culture and natural beauty of southern Portugal.

The Fishermen’s Trail (Portuguese: Trilho dos Pescadores) is a scenic, multi-day hiking route along the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Designed to follow traditional fisherman paths, it offers a raw and immersive experience of nature and coastal life.

The route starts in São Torpes (near Sines) and ends in Lagos (in the Algarve). The total distance of the Fishermen’s Trail stages is 226 km. There are officially 13 Fishermen’s Trail stages, which can be walked individually or consecutively.

Along the way, you’ll pass coastal cliffs with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as sand dunes and pine forests, rocky paths along eroded coastlines, and wild, deserted beaches. The Fisherman’s Trail stages are considered moderately difficult due to the sandy terrain but are well-marked and well-maintained.

Overview of the 13 Fishermen’s Trail stages

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 13 individual Fishermen’s Trail stages:

1. São Torpes – Porto Covo

Distance: 10–10.5 km

Duration: 3 hours

Elevation gain: Minimal (+30 m)

Terrain: Coastal path with some sandy climbs, passing beaches like Vierinha and Oliveirinha.

2. Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes

Distance: 19–20 km

Duration: ~5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +80/-70 m

Terrain: Dunes, cliffs, beach walks (Ilha do Pessegueiro, Malhão), with some paved sections in between.

3. Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve

Distance: 15 km

Duration: ~4–5 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +72/-80 m

Terrain: A mix of farm tracks, protected nature areas, sandy beaches (Furnas, Brejo Largo), and rugged coastal paths.

4. Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar

Distance: 21–22 km

Duration: ~6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: ~+160/-160 m

Terrain: Coastal cliffs, fishing harbors (Lapa das Pombas, Entrada da Barca), dunes, and cliffs where you may spot storks nesting.

5. Zambujeira do Mar – Odeceixe

Distance: 19 km

Duration: ~5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +240/-260 m

Terrain: Rugged cliffs, sand dunes, and beaches (Alterinhos, Carvalhal), passing Azenha do Mar, and finally entering Odeceixe from the coast.

6. Odeceixe – Aljezur

Distance: 22.5 km

Duration: ~6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +160/-150 m

Terrain: River crossing, coastal trail to Estibeira and Rogil, then inland through scrubland and forest paths to Aljezur.

7. Aljezur –  Arrifana

Distance: 17 km

Duration: ~5 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +225/-180 m

Terrain: Trails via Espartal, sandy paths toward Monte Clérigo, and cliffside walking toward Arrifana.

8. Arrifana – Carrapateira

Distance: 19.5–21.5 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +280/-300 m

Terrain: Gravel and asphalt roads, cliffside paths above Praia da Bordeira, across dunes and rocky beaches.

9. Carrapateira – Vila do Bispo

Distance: ~15–16 km

Duration: ~4 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +300/-230 m

Terrain: A mix of paved roads and paths along beaches such as Amado, Murração, and Manteiga; some sections may require detours depending on the tides.

10. Vila do Bispo – Sagres

Distance: 20–20.5 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +110/-180 m

Terrain: Starts inland following signs of the Historical Route for ~6 km, then joins the coastal path past Praia do Telheiro toward Cabo de São Vicente (13 km before Sagres).

11. Sagres – Salema

Distance: 20–20.5 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +110/-180 m

Terrain: Starts inland following signs of the Historical Route for ~6 km, then joins the coastal path past Praia do Telheiro toward Cabo de São Vicente (13 km before Sagres).

12. Salema – Luz

Distance: 20–20.5 km

Duration: 5–6 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +110/-180 m

Terrain: Starts inland following signs of the Historical Route for ~6 km, then joins the coastal path past Praia do Telheiro toward Cabo de São Vicente (13 km before Sagres).

13. Luz – Lagos

Distance: 11 km

Duration: 3–4 hours

Elevation gain/loss: +215/-220 m

Terrain: A short initial climb followed by a descent along cliffs and the coastline to Lagos, finishing in the town center.

Best time to walk the Fishermen’s Trail stages

The Fishermen’s Trail stages in Portugal are beautiful year-round, but conditions vary by season:

• Spring (March – May):
  • Flowers are in bloom, cliffs are green and colorful.
  • Temperatures are mild (15–25 °C).
  • Not too crowded with tourists.

• Autumn (September – October):

  • Sea water still warm enough for swimming.
  • Pleasant temperatures and beautiful landscapes.
  • Quieter than summer.

• Summer (June – August):

  • Very hot (sometimes >30 °C), though sea breezes bring relief.
  • Long sandy stages can feel uncomfortable.
  • Popular with tourists → fewer hikers, so you may have the trail to yourself.

• Winter (November – February):

  • Chance of rain and strong winds.
  • Trails can be slippery or muddy.
  • Still possible, but less stable weather.

Summary: The very best time to walk the Fishermen’s Trail stages is March–May or September–October.

Tips for walking the Fishermen’s Trail stages

The Fishermen’s Trail is one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in Portugal, but it also requires good preparation. Since the route runs mainly along cliffs and sandy paths, it’s wise to start early: this way you avoid the hottest hours of the day and enjoy more peace on the trails. Always carry enough water — at least two liters per person — and snacks, as facilities along the way are scarce. Lightweight but sturdy shoes with good grip are essential, as are sunscreen, a cap or hat, and a wind jacket, since both sun and wind can be intense here.

The route is clearly marked with blue and green stripes. And don’t forget: stay on the paths, as the vegetation along the cliffs is fragile.

The stages vary in difficulty. The stretch from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes (20 km) is immediately the longest and toughest due to the many sandy sections — hiking poles provide extra support here. The second stage to Almograve (15 km) is shorter and more varied: you can cross the Mira River by ferry or take a detour across the bridge.

Next comes the hike to Zambujeira do Mar (22 km), where dramatic cliffs and small fishing villages set the scene. There are no facilities along the way, so bring everything you need. The final classic stage runs from Zambujeira to Odeceixe (18 km). The highlight is the lighthouse at Cabo Sardão, but expect strong headwinds. The arrival in Odeceixe, overlooking the river and the beach, is a beautiful reward.

Accommodation options include guesthouses, hostels, or small hotels along the route. Since the trail is becoming increasingly popular, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially in spring and autumn. On all Fisherman’s Trail stages, luggage transport can be arranged, meaning you only need to carry a daypack yourself.

Organize it yourself or book a package?

The Fishermen’s Trail stages can be walked either independently or as part of an organized trip, and both options have their appeal. Choosing to organize it yourself means full freedom: you decide your pace, when to take breaks, and whether to skip a section with a taxi or bus. It’s usually cheaper, as you only pay for accommodation and possibly luggage transport. It also often creates a more authentic experience, with more contact with locals in the villages along the way.

On the other hand, you’ll need to arrange accommodation yourself — often months in advance — and you’re responsible for navigation and your own planning. Without luggage transport, you’ll have to carry everything on your back, which makes the stages more demanding.

An organized trip, with or without a guide, takes many of these worries off your shoulders. Accommodations, transfers, and often luggage transport are arranged in advance, so you can fully focus on walking. You’ll also receive tips along the way, such as where to eat well.

Some companies even provide an emergency number or on-route support, and in a group setting you share the experience with other adventurers, which adds to the fun. The downside is that an organized trip is more expensive than planning it yourself, and you have less flexibility: you follow the set program and have less freedom to walk at your own pace or take a rest day.

In short: those who value freedom and adventure are better off organizing the Fishermen’s Trail stages themselves, while walkers who seek comfort, security, and peace of mind may benefit more from booking an organized hike.

Walking the Fishermen’s Trail with WAW Travel

The Fishermen’s Trail is one of the most beautiful coastal hiking routes in Europe — and we’ve seen it with our own eyes. But planning the stages, accommodations, and luggage transport can be quite a task. With WAW.travel, it becomes much easier. We specialize in walking holidays in Spain and Portugal and know the route inside and out.

When you book your trip with us, everything is taken care of: overnight stays in small-scale accommodations, luggage transport between the Fishermen’s Trail stages, and clear route information. All you need to do is carry your daypack and enjoy the cliffs, beaches, and fishing villages along the Atlantic coast.

We also offer flexibility: whether you want to walk the full trail or just a few stages, we tailor the program to your wishes and pace.

With us, your adventure on the Fishermen’s Trail stages will not only be achievable but truly unforgettable.