Portugal: Algarve Coastal Trails Self-Guided Walking Tour

Algarve Coastal Trails

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.7 Read 46 reviews

Explore the cobbled streets of Sagres and Salema
Stop at one of the many beach bars to enjoy the local food and wine
Walk along the rugged cliffs above the turquoise sea and white beaches
The fresh Atlantic air at Cape San Vicente lighthouse
Find a quieter side to the Algarve as you walk through fishing villages

Follow the cliffs, beaches and turquoise ocean of Portugal’s Algarve Coast from Lagos to Cabo Sao Vincente. Secluded sandy beaches, whitewashed fishing villages, excellent hotels and freshly caught seafood will delight you at every turn of the trail. Begin in Lagos and walk to the small town of Luz, originally a small fishermen's village. Continue west to the whitewashed houses and cobbled streets of Salema and, from here, you'll enjoy a walk inland through small villages and rural Algarve. Your walk continues to Sagres before the final leg of your journey takes you to the lighthouse at Cabo Sao Vicente.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

Experience the unspoiled parts of the Algarve by following trails along the coast from Lagos to Cabo Sao Vincente. If you love to walk along high cliffs and secluded bays, be surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and eat and drink fresh local food and wines, then this is a tour that would suit you perfectly.

Tour Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie
Wine
Coastal Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

This walking tour is graded moderate. The daily walks are relatively short, however the terrain is hilly and summer temperatures can be high. Daily walks are of 3 to 6 hrs. You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday. An element of caution should be exercised when walking along the cliff tops as the trail can at times take you close to the edge, though these sections are relatively short. You should therefore have a good head for heights. The terrain on walks can also be rocky and uneven in parts, although not particularly steep so we recommend the use of walking poles to aid with balance. We have also built in an optional rest day in the middle of the tour should you need to take a rest.

Navigation

The route is way-marked in places and not in others. For navigation, you will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS so you will have no problems finding the way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go! You will also receive an Information Booklet a month prior to the start of your trip, which includes a description of the route and points of interest.

Accommodations

Your holiday includes 4 nights in 4* hotels and 2 nights in a 3* hotel. A warm welcome plus relaxing and comfortable rooms and public spaces are assured. Also take advantage of the warm weather and the fact that every hotel has a pool and is located near a beach.

Alternate accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described although they may not always have a pool.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo Walkers are also welcome on this tour but there is an additional supplement which is unfortunately quite high due to the fact that the shared transfer costs are quite high and not divided.

Meals

6 Breakfasts are included. You can either eat dinner in local restaurants or at the hotels, all of which have a restaurant. We recommend trying the traditional and locally-sourced food, especially the fresh seafood which is simply delicious. For lunches you can find local cheeses, meats and breads in local shops or markets, or the hotels may make you a packed lunch on request.

Included

6 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
6 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Transfers at the beginning and end of the tour from the hotels to Faro Airport
Two required transfers during the walking days
Maps, route notes, GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in Portugal and our office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to and from Faro
Dinners, lunches, drinks and snacks
Personal equipment
Mountain rescue / emergency assistance

Extras

Additional nights before or after the holiday
Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport if arriving there instead of Faro

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day from March to June and from September to November.

Time of Year

As the summer months can be extremely hot, making walking quite uncomfortable the departure dates are limited to spring and autumn months. The spring and autumn are great as the weather is a little cooler and you may see the bird migrations.

Getting to the Start

By Air:

Faro is the closest airport and is serviced by at least one carrier from almost every regional airport in the UK. Direct flights from outside of London tend to be with the low cost carriers or charter flights. Flight time from London is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. For more information on Faro Airport please go to the following website www.faroairport.eu

Airport transfers to and from Faro Airport are included in the cost of your tour.

The tour is also accessible from Lisbon Airport. To get from Lisbon Airport to the starting point of the tour, you need to take the subway into the city centre and catch a bus to Lagos (4 hours). A transfer is then included to take you to your hotel. We can also arrange a transfer from Lisbon Airport for you for an additional cost. Please note this is quite a high cost due to the length of the transfer involved.

Getting from the End

From Sagres, the location of your last hotel, a transfer is included back to Faro Airport.

Again it is possible to be transferred back to Lisbon for an additional charge.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation when you change hotels. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants),sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

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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