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Overview
The Fishermen’s Trail is one of Portugal’s most breathtaking coastal walks, weaving along the wild southwest coast. Once used by local fishermen to reach hidden coves and fishing spots, the path now invites walkers to experience the raw beauty of the Atlantic. You’ll follow sandy tracks and cliff-top trails, with waves crashing below and seabirds soaring above. It is a trail that combines physical challenge with pure inspiration, offering both adventure and the quiet joy of being immersed in nature.
If you have more time to explore, we also offer a full 15-day version from São Torpes to Lagos, covering the entire Fisherman’s Trail in depth.
You’ll arrive at either Faro Airport or Lisbon Airport and make your way to the charming coastal town of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, you can explore the historic Fort São Clemente, a 17th-century bastion at the mouth of the Mira River, or enjoy the views from the Farolim de Vila Nova de Milfontes, the town’s lighthouse overlooking the estuary and cliffs. In the evening, relax by the water and prepare for the start of your hiking adventure the next morning.
In the morning you will have a transfer from Vila Nova de Milfontes to the village of Almograve, where your walking adventure begins. You’ll pass through wild coastal scenery with constant views of the Atlantic Ocean, dotted with dunes, colorful flowers in spring, and dramatic rock formations carved by the sea. Along the way you might spot white storks nesting on the cliffs, a unique sight in Europe. Your day ends in the lively seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar, where whitewashed houses overlook the beach and you can enjoy fresh seafood before settling in for the night.
Today’s stage takes you further south along the dramatic Alentejo coast. Leaving Zambujeira do Mar, the route passes secluded coves and natural rock arches, as well as the small fishing harbor of Azenha do Mar, a perfect spot for a pause and a taste of local seafood. As you continue, the scenery opens up to wide beaches and sweeping views before you reach the river Ribeira de Seixe, which marks the natural border between the Alentejo and Algarve regions. Crossing into the Algarve, you’ll arrive in the charming village of Odeceixe, known for its whitewashed houses and its spectacular beach just a short walk from the center.
In the morning you will have a transfer from Odeceixe to the historic town of Aljezur, known for its cobbled streets and the ruins of a Moorish castle overlooking the valley. From here your walk begins, leading you through a peaceful rural landscape of farms, orchards, and hills. As you approach the coast, the views open up towards the Atlantic and the cliffs of Arrifana. The trail ends at Praia de Arrifana, a sweeping beach framed by dramatic black cliffs and popular with surfers.
Leaving Arrifana, the cliffs here rise up to 100 meters, revealing spectacular rock folds that tell a geological story dating back more than 300 million years, when the clash of ancient continents shaped these rugged shores. This is a landscape where life has always been tied to both the sea and the land: hardy soils worked near the streams to grow corn, beans and potatoes.
The trail itself follows high headlands and sandy tracks with constant views of the Atlantic, a route filled with the scent of coastal scrub and the roar of the waves below. Your day ends in the surf town of Carrapateira, surrounded by dunes and wide beaches, where the pace of life slows and the ocean is always in view.
This stage of the Fishermen’s Trail is a feast for the senses, offering some of the most stunning coastal scenes of the entire route. Just when you think you have seen it all, the path reveals more treasures: incredible rock formations and dreamlike beaches such as Amado, Murração and Manteiga, each one an authentic jewel of nature. As the trail reaches the coast near the road to the Fishing Harbor of Forno, take time to explore the archaeological site of Ponta do Castelo.
This coast has been attracting people since prehistory, with Paleolithic stone tools found nearby suggesting seasonal camps. As you continue, especially in spring, the trail bursts with life: wildflowers in bloom, rare and endemic plants unique to this coast, and the busy hum of pollinating insects. Surrounded by such richness, you walk towards the historic town of Vila do Bispo, where the day’s journey ends.
The stage of the Fishermen’s Trail brings you to the extreme southwest of Europe, a place where culture, geology and biodiversity come together in a landscape unlike any other. The coast around Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente is shaped by a unique climate, chalky soils and the ever-present sea. It was declared the Sagres Biogenetic Reserve in 1988 and is home to rare and endemic plants found only in this part of Portugal. Along the way you pass remarkable geological treasures.
However, this dramatic setting is not only a geological wonder but also a paradise for birdwatchers. Sagres is one of the best places in Europe to observe migratory seabirds such as shearwaters, terns, skuas and gulls. On calmer days you may even spot dolphins gliding through the waters below.
Reaching Sagres is both an ending and a beginning, and you can choose to spend the night either in Sagres itself or in nearby Lagos.
After breakfast, your journey along the Fishermen’s Trail comes to an end. From Lagos, with its lively marina and historic old town, you can continue your travels or head to the airport for your flight home. Take a moment to reflect on the week’s adventure: the cliffs, beaches, wildlife and villages that shaped your walk, and carry the spirit of the Atlantic coast with you as you set off on your next journey!
You’ll arrive at either Faro Airport or Lisbon Airport and make your way to the charming coastal town of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, you can explore the historic Fort São Clemente, a 17th-century bastion at the mouth of the Mira River, or enjoy the views from the Farolim de Vila Nova de Milfontes, the town’s lighthouse overlooking the estuary and cliffs. In the evening, relax by the water and prepare for the start of your hiking adventure the next morning.
In the morning you will have a transfer from Vila Nova de Milfontes to the village of Almograve, where your walking adventure begins. You’ll pass through wild coastal scenery with constant views of the Atlantic Ocean, dotted with dunes, colorful flowers in spring, and dramatic rock formations carved by the sea. Along the way you might spot white storks nesting on the cliffs, a unique sight in Europe. Your day ends in the lively seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar, where whitewashed houses overlook the beach and you can enjoy fresh seafood before settling in for the night.
Today’s stage takes you further south along the dramatic Alentejo coast. Leaving Zambujeira do Mar, the route passes secluded coves and natural rock arches, as well as the small fishing harbor of Azenha do Mar, a perfect spot for a pause and a taste of local seafood. As you continue, the scenery opens up to wide beaches and sweeping views before you reach the river Ribeira de Seixe, which marks the natural border between the Alentejo and Algarve regions. Crossing into the Algarve, you’ll arrive in the charming village of Odeceixe, known for its whitewashed houses and its spectacular beach just a short walk from the center.
In the morning you will have a transfer from Odeceixe to the historic town of Aljezur, known for its cobbled streets and the ruins of a Moorish castle overlooking the valley. From here your walk begins, leading you through a peaceful rural landscape of farms, orchards, and hills. As you approach the coast, the views open up towards the Atlantic and the cliffs of Arrifana. The trail ends at Praia de Arrifana, a sweeping beach framed by dramatic black cliffs and popular with surfers.
Leaving Arrifana, the cliffs here rise up to 100 meters, revealing spectacular rock folds that tell a geological story dating back more than 300 million years, when the clash of ancient continents shaped these rugged shores. This is a landscape where life has always been tied to both the sea and the land: hardy soils worked near the streams to grow corn, beans and potatoes. The trail itself follows high headlands and sandy tracks with constant views of the Atlantic, a route filled with the scent of coastal scrub and the roar of the waves below. Your day ends in the surf town of Carrapateira, surrounded by dunes and wide beaches, where the pace of life slows and the ocean is always in view.
This stage of the Fisherman’s Trail is a feast for the senses, offering some of the most stunning coastal scenes of the entire route. Just when you think you have seen it all, the path reveals more treasures: incredible rock formations and dreamlike beaches such as Amado, Murração and Manteiga, each one an authentic jewel of nature. As the trail reaches the coast near the road to the Fishing Harbor of Forno, take time to explore the archaeological site of Ponta do Castelo. This coast has been attracting people since prehistory, with Paleolithic stone tools found nearby suggesting seasonal camps. As you continue, especially in spring, the trail bursts with life: wildflowers in bloom, rare and endemic plants unique to this coast, and the busy hum of pollinating insects. Surrounded by such richness, you walk towards the historic town of Vila do Bispo, where the day’s journey ends.
The stage of the Fisherman’s Trail brings you to the extreme southwest of Europe, a place where culture, geology and biodiversity come together in a landscape unlike any other. The coast around Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente is shaped by a unique climate, chalky soils and the ever-present sea. It was declared the Sagres Biogenetic Reserve in 1988 and is home to rare and endemic plants found only in this part of Portugal. Along the way you pass remarkable geological treasures. However, this dramatic setting is not only a geological wonder but also a paradise for birdwatchers. Sagres is one of the best places in Europe to observe migratory seabirds such as shearwaters, terns, skuas and gulls. On calmer days you may even spot dolphins gliding through the waters below.
Reaching Sagres is both an ending and a beginning, and you can choose to spend the night either in Sagres itself or in nearby Lagos.
After breakfast, your journey along the Fisherman’s Trail comes to an end. From Lagos, with its lively marina and historic old town, you can continue your travels or head to the airport for your flight home. Take a moment to reflect on the week’s adventure: the cliffs, beaches, wildlife and villages that shaped your walk, and carry the spirit of the Atlantic coast with you as you set off on your next journey!
The Fishermen’s Trail is moderately challenging. Daily distances range from 14 to 22 km, mostly along sandy dunes (that is quit hard), cliffs, and coastal trails. Some sections are exposed with little shade, so a good level of fitness and some prior hiking experience are recommended.
Yes! Your main luggage will be transported from accommodation to accommodation, so you only need to carry a daypack while hiking.
You’ll stay in a mix of comfortable guesthouses, boutique hotels, and small locally run accommodations. All are chosen for their quality and charm.
Breakfast is included daily. For lunch and dinner, you can enjoy meals at local restaurants or cafés along the route.
The Fishermen’s Trail is part of the Rota Vicentina network and is clearly marked with blue and green signs that are easy to follow.
The best months to hike the Fishermen’s Trail are from September to June. Summer can be very hot, and the sandy paths make walking more strenuous in high temperatures.
Good hiking shoes, a daypack, sun protection, refillable water bottles, and layered clothing. Hiking poles are optional but can be helpful in sandy terrain.
You can arrive via Lisbon or Faro Airport. We can include transfers from your arrival airport to Vila Nova de Milfontes at the start, and from Lagos back to the airport after the hike ends.
Expect to walk 14–22 km (8.7–13.6 miles) per day. The terrain is sandy with coastal cliffs, occasional ups and downs, and little shade.
Yes! We’re happy to help arrange extra nights before or after your hike so you can relax on the beach or explore more of the region at your own pace.
Although the Fishermen’s Trail is accessible to most hikers, prior experience with multi-day walks and good physical fitness are recommended.
You can contact us at any time, and we will advise you on how to solve the problem.
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