Home | Walking tours | Fishermen's Trail | 11-day walking trip along the Portuguese coast
Fishermen's Trail | 11-day walking trip along the Portuguese coast
You walk the Fishermen's Trail, one of the most beautiful coastal walks in Europe. In eleven days, you follow the rugged Atlantic coast of Porto Covo to SagresAlong the way, you walk past deserted beaches, high cliffs, white fishing villages, and endless sea vistas. In these eleven days, you cover approximately 185 kilometers and walk the most beautiful and spectacular part of the route. Every day takes you to a new village and a new landscape, from the rugged coast of the Alentejo to the southernmost point of Europe.
Overview
Imagine this: you are walking along narrow sandy paths high above the ocean. Below you, waves crash against the rocks; before you, the coast stretches out endlessly. You feel the sun on your face, smell the salty sea air, and hear only the wind and the sea. That is the Fishermen's Trail.
During this special walking tour, you follow the entire route from Porto Covo to Sagres, along perhaps the most beautiful coast of Portugal. We have deliberately chosen the most beautiful and impressive part of the Fishermen's TrailYou walk through the protected nature reserve of the Rota Vicentina, an area full of rugged cliffs, hidden beaches, blooming dunes, and small fishing villages where time seems to stand still. This is a landscape unlike anywhere else in Portugal: rugged cliffs, ancient rock formations, hidden coves, and unique nature full of fragrant herbs and rare plants found only on this coast. Each stage shows you a different face of southwestern Portugal.
Every day is different. One day you walk along high cliffs overlooking deserted bays and see storks nesting on the rocks. The next day you walk through quiet valleys, fragrant pine forests, or along endless sandy beaches where you hardly encounter anyone.
Along the way, you will discover charming places such as Vila Nova de Milfontes, Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, and Aljezur. White houses, narrow streets, cozy terraces, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Portuguese west coast ensure that you feel right at home immediately.
You travel independently, but worry-free. You stay in comfortable, small-scale accommodations with a private bathroom and breakfast. Every morning, your luggage is ready for transport to the next accommodation, so you set off with just a light daypack.
Thanks to the detailed route description, maps, and GPS files, you hike at your own pace. You decide when to leave, where to take a break, and how long you want to be on the road.
The Fishermen's Trail is no ordinary hiking holiday. This is a trip for those who long for space, peace, and nature. For those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while and experience what it feels like to have only the sea, the sky, and the trail before them for days on end. And perhaps the most beautiful part: at the end of the journey, you reach Cabo de São Vicente, the southernmost point of Europe. As you look out over the ocean, you realize how much you have seen, felt, and experienced along the way.
A journey that doesn't just let you walk, but truly lets you slow down.
Accommodation
During this trip, you will stay in small-scale accommodations that match the character of the Fishermen's Trail: atmospheric, comfortable, and within walking distance of the center or the coast. You will always sleep in a private room with a private bathroom, so you can enjoy a well-rested night after every day of hiking.
Porto Covo
Your journey begins in Porto Covo in a comfortable apartment or studio in a quiet neighborhood close to the center and the beaches. The accommodation features a small kitchenette, Wi-Fi, and often a terrace or balcony. It is a lovely place to start your walking trip at a relaxed pace. Furthermore, some apartments have access to a swimming pool.
Vila Nova de Milfontes
In Vila Nova de Milfontes, you will stay in a modern and well-maintained guesthouse in the lively center of the village. From here, you can easily walk to the promenade, the river mouth, and the restaurants. The rooms are comfortably furnished and provide a pleasant place to unwind after your first day of hiking.
almograve
In Almograve, you will stay in simple yet charming accommodation in a quiet village close to the sea. The rooms are bright and well-maintained, and the relaxed atmosphere suits this part of the route perfectly. From the accommodation, you can easily walk to the beach or a local restaurant.
Zambujeira do Mar
You will stay in charming accommodation in the heart of Zambujeira do Mar. From here, you are within minutes of the cliffs and the beach. The rooms are modern and freshly decorated, often with light colors that match the sea and the coast.
odeceis
In Odeceixe, you will stay in a traditional Portuguese guesthouse with a warm, personal atmosphere. You will lodge right in the heart of the village, amidst the white houses and narrow streets. It is a simple, authentic place where you feel truly part of local life.
Aljezur
After a long day of walking, you arrive at a comfortable hotel in Aljezur. The rooms are spacious and modern, and there is often a swimming pool or garden where you can relax for a while. The hotel is located a short distance from the historic center of Aljezur and the Moorish castle.
Arrifana
In Arrifana, you will stay at a quiet hotel near the coast. The accommodation is situated among green hills and a short distance from Arrifana beach. A lovely place to relax after your walk and enjoy the sunset.
Praia da Carrapateira
In Carrapateira, you will stay in a simple, cozy guesthouse with a relaxed surfer vibe. The accommodation is located close to the dunes and the beaches. Here, everything revolves around peace, nature, and the ocean.
Vila do Bispo
In Vila do Bispo, you will stay in a stylish and modern guesthouse in the center of the village. The rooms are tastefully decorated and offer all the comfort you need. This is one of the most comfortable accommodations of the trip and a lovely place for your last evening before Cabo de São Vicente.
Sagres
Your final overnight stay is in Sagres, in a small-scale and atmospheric accommodation close to the sea. The accommodation has a relaxed atmosphere and forms the perfect conclusion to your trip. From here, you can savor everything you have experienced over the past few days.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Porto Covo
Your journey begins in Porto Covo, a charming village on the rugged Alentejo coast. As soon as you arrive, you feel that the rhythm is different here. White houses with blue trim, narrow streets, a small village square, and the scent of the ocean everywhere.
Take the time to stroll through the village, grab a drink on a terrace, or walk towards the cliffs. From the coast, you look out over the Atlantic Ocean and the small island of Ilha do Pessegueiro. You might even spot a section of the path you will be following over the next few days in the distance.
You will stay overnight in Porto Covo tonight, so that you start your first day of hiking tomorrow well-rested.
Day 2
From Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes (approx. 20 km)
De Fishermen's Trail is part of the Rota Vicentina and is clearly marked along the way with blue-green route signs. Your first hiking day starts off spectacularly right away.
From Porto Covo, you follow narrow sandy paths along the rugged coast, with constant views of the ocean. You pass Ilha do Pessegueiro, walk over dunes and cliffs, and come across deserted beaches and traditional fishing spots.
The route is sandy and sometimes challenging, but the views make it all more than worthwhile. At the end of the day, you reach Vila Nova de Milfontes, a lively coastal town at the mouth of the Mira.
Distance: approx. 20 km | Walking time: 5 to 6 PM
Day 3
From Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve (approx. 15 km)
After breakfast, you first cross the river. Depending on the season, you do this by boat or via the bridge a little further inland. Afterwards, you return to the coast and continue walking south. Today the route is more relaxed and quiet. You walk along cliffs overlooking long sandy beaches and pass low bushes, wildflowers, and fragrant herbs. In spring, the paths are bursting with color.
You regularly see storks on the rocks. This part of the coast is, in fact, one of the few places in the world where storks nest on steep sea cliffs. You end the day in Almograve, a small and relaxed village where life still moves at a leisurely pace.
Distance: approx. 15 km | Walking time: 4 to 5 PM
Day 4
From Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar (approx. 22 km)
Today you walk through one of the most beautiful parts of the Costa Vicentina. The landscape becomes rugged, with high cliffs, sand dunes, red earth, and spectacular views of the ocean. You follow narrow paths along the coast, sometimes high above the sea.
Along the way, you pass Cabo Sardão, with its lighthouse and stork nests on the rocks. In the late afternoon, you reach Zambujeira do Mar, a charming village high above the sea.
Distance: approx. 22 km | Walking time: 6 to 7 PM
Day 5
From Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe (approx. 18 km)
You leave Zambujeira do Mar and follow the coastline south once again. Today's route feels more remote. You walk through a landscape of sandy paths, low vegetation, and quiet bays. Along the way, you encounter hardly any buildings. Only the sea, the wind, and the sound of your footsteps. This is one of those days when you truly feel how vast and unspoiled this coast still is.
The landscape also slowly changes. The high cliffs give way to a softer coastline and more greenery. At the end of the day, you reach Odeceixe, a charming village on the border of Alentejo and the Algarve. With its white houses, narrow streets, and cozy atmosphere, Odeceixe is a lovely place to end the day.
Distance: approx. 18 km | Walking time: 5 to 6 PM
Day 6
From Odeceixe to Aljezur (approx. 22 km)
After a short descent, you reach the beach of Odeceixe, where the river flows into the sea. Afterwards, you leave the coast and walk inland through a varied landscape of fields, eucalyptus forests, small farms, and quiet country lanes.
Along the way, you occasionally still have views of the ocean, but gradually the coast gives way to the green interior of the Algarve. At the end of the day, you arrive in Aljezur, a charming town with white houses and the remains of a Moorish castle atop the hill.
Distance: approx. 22 km | Walking time: 6 to 7 PM
Day 7
From Aljezur to Arrifana (approx. 17 km)
Today a shorter stage awaits, but one full of charm. From Aljezur, you walk slowly back towards the coast. The path winds through a green and hilly landscape. The closer you get to the ocean, the more impressive the views become. Eventually, you reach Arrifana, a small village on a high cliff above one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve.
From the edge of the cliff, you look out over a crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by dark rocks and the endless ocean. Especially in the late afternoon, when the light becomes warmer, this is a place to pause for a moment.
Distance: approx. 17 km | Walking time: 5 hour
Day 8
From Chabouco to Carrapateira (approx. 15 km)
After breakfast, you will first be taken to Chabouco, as the original route from Arrifana runs partly over asphalt. One of the roughest and most remote stages of the journey begins in Chabouco.
You walk through a deserted landscape of valleys, low hills, and stony paths. Here, you hardly encounter anyone. Nature is pure, quiet, and unspoiled. Slowly, you approach the coast again. The first sight of the enormous beaches around Carrapateira is impressive. High dunes, wild waves, and an endless sense of space. Carrapateira itself is a small village with a relaxed surfer vibe. A perfect place to rest after a beautiful day of hiking.
Distance: approx. 15 km | Walking time: 4 to 5 PM
Day 9
From Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo (approx. 20 km)
Today you follow the coast again. This is perhaps the most spectacular stage of the entire trip. You walk along high cliffs overlooking wide beaches and an ocean that seems even wilder here than before. Along the way, you pass secluded bays and rugged rock formations. The path goes up and down and sometimes requires a bit more effort, but you are rewarded time and again with impressive vistas.
The landscape slowly changes. The coast becomes drier and rougher, a sign that you are getting closer and closer to the extreme southwest of Europe. At the end of the day, you reach Vila do Bispo, a quiet inland town.
Distance: approx. 20 km | Walking time: 5 to 6 PM
Day 10
From Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres (approx. 15 km)
Your last hiking day feels special. From Vila do Bispo, you hike towards the coast for a final leg along the Atlantic Ocean.
The path leads you through an open and rugged landscape. The vegetation is low, the wind is often stronger, and the ocean seems even more endless here. Slowly, the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente appears in the distance. When you finally arrive at Cabo de São Vicente, you stand at the extreme southwestern point of Europe. Before you lies only the ocean. Behind you lie ten days of hiking along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe.
After this special moment, you will be taken to Sagres, where you will spend one more night.
Distance: approx. 15 km | Walking time: 4 to 5 PM
Day 11
End of the journey
After breakfast, your journey ends. Perhaps you are leaving for home today. Perhaps you will stay in Sagres for a few more days. Either way, you will take home a head full of impressions: rugged cliffs, deserted beaches, the sound of the ocean, and the sense of freedom that makes this trip so special.
Important travel information
The official Rota Vicentina sources describe this coastal route as excellent for walking independently, well-marked, but physically more demanding due to sand, cliffs, wind, and its purely pedestrian nature.
Portucale classifies the route as moderate to challenging. You walk between 14 and 22 kilometers daily, over sandy paths, dunes, cliffs, and narrow coastal trails. The loose sand, in particular, makes some stages tougher than the distance suggests.
There is little shade along the way, and on some sections you are exposed to sun and wind for extended periods. A good basic level of fitness and some hiking experience are therefore recommended.
