Portugal: Rota Vicentina's Fishermen's Trail

Rota Vicentina: The Fishermen's Trail

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.8 Read 17 reviews

Walk Portugal’s famous Rota Vicentina along the Alentejo coast
Follow the footsteps of Portuguese fishermen to wild and rugged beaches
Overnight stays in cosy and authentic casa-style guesthouses
Spot white storks nesting on the cliffs and rocky islands of Costa Vicentina
Watch the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of ‘vinho’ and some tasty seafood

Part of Portugal’s famous Rota Vicentina, the Fishermen’s Trail follows some of the best preserved coastline in southwestern Europe through the bewitching Alentejo region. Well-marked paths take you along honey-coloured cliffs, down to deserted beaches and hidden sandy coves, allowing you to discover the ‘real’ Portugal as you visit places only accessible on foot. Stay overnight in charming Portuguese fishing villages with a laid back vibe. Spot white storks nestling on the rugged cliffs, and at the end of the day enjoy a glass of ‘vinho’ with some freshly caught seafood as you listen to the crashing of the Atlantic waves.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

Perfect for those who would like to explore wild and unspoiled Portugal. The walking is moderate with some more difficult sections of walking on sand, and a few steep ascents to cliff-top paths and some exposed sections, although the sea views make up for the effort! Stay in a mix of traditional small hotels and casa-style guesthouses offering warm Portuguese hospitality.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal Walking

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded ‘moderate’ overall with the average daily distance being 18km. You will be walking for between 3 to 7 hours a day on undulating terrain, with some short ascents and descents, and often on sand which does make the walking quite tiring at times. The first day from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes and Day 3 to Zambujeira do Mar are graded as difficult due to their length and the fact that they are fairly energy-sapping days with a lot of walking on sand. We do not recommend this trip for anyone with vertigo since some of the cliff top paths have steep drop-offs.

Navigation

All trails are well way-marked but you will be provided with detailed turn-by-turn directions, GPX tracks and maps in our GPS Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app. Simply download the routes to your phone for offline use and off you go!

Accommodation Information

Stay 1 night in a small 3* hotel, and 5 nights in traditional guesthouses with a focus on a personal service and welcome. These accommodations are subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

We also welcome solo walkers on this tour, again a supplement is payable.

Meals

Breakfasts are included each day. Packed lunch items can be bought locally from markets or cafes. We include 1 dinner on the night in Touril as it is a little distance away from local restaurants. On other evenings, dinner can be purchased in each town with many restaurants serving delicious seafood dishes!

Included

1 Night in a 3* hotel and 5 nights in casa-style guesthouses
6 Breakfasts
1 Dinner
Bag transfers as per your Itinerary
Maps, route notes, GPX tracks, access to our smartphone app & info pack
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel to Porto Covo and from Odeceixe
Lunches, drinks and snacks
Dinners (apart from in Touril)
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Airport Transfers

When To Go

This tour is available to start on any day of the week from March through to June, and then from September to November. The temperatures during these months should be very pleasant. We do not offer the tour in July and August due to high temperatures at this time of year, and the higher risk of forest fires. But please bear in mind that temperatures can still be high, with a risk of forest fires, around these peak summer months.

NOTE: Unfortunately this tour is not currently available in September as the accommodations are extremely busy.

Weather and Climate

The temperatures during spring and autumn should be very pleasant. We do not offer the tour in July and August due to high temperatures at this time of year, and the higher risk of forest fires. But please bear in mind that temperatures can still be high, with a risk of forest fires, surrounding these peak summer months.

Getting to the Start

Fly: Porto Covo is easily reached from Lisbon Airport. From Lisbon, take a bus into the city centre, and then another bus to Porto Covo (journey time 2.5hrs, up to 8 daily services, operated by www.rede-expressos.pt).

By Taxi Transfer: We can arrange a private taxi transfer from Lisbon or Faro airport for you at an additional cost. Please ask us for more details should you require this.

Getting from the End

By Air: Odeceixe is between Lisbon and Faro Airports and easily accessed from both. You can take a bus from Odeceixe to Lagos (1h) with Redes Expressos Buses and then another bus from there to Faro with Eva Bus (2h).

To get to Lisbon Airport, you can take a direct bus with Eva Bus or Rede Expressos which operate twice daily and take 4-5 hours.

By Taxi Transfer: We can also arrange a private transfer from Odeceixe to either Faro or Lisbon Airport for you at an additional cost. Again, please ask us for more details should you require this.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The reviews for this tour up until December 2019, are based on a previous itinerary. As of December 2019, minor changes and improvements have been made including getting the routes all checked and route notes re-written.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care

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