Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve
8 Days & 7 Nights 4 Read 11 reviews- Walk the Rota Vicentina to Cabo Sao Vicente
- Experience an unspoiled, wilder side of the Algarve
- Breath in the fresh sea-salt air as you cross wild and rugged beaches
- Explore the authentic whitewashed villages of Odeceixe and Bordeira
- Spot varied birdlife abundant in this area such as the Alpine Swift and Peregrine Falcon
Tour 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
Activity Level & Terrain
This trip is graded moderate overall, with the average daily distance being 17km and a couple of longer days of around 20km. You will be walking for between 3 to 7 hours a day on undulating terrain, with some short ascents and descents, and sometimes on quite rugged clifftop paths. We do not recommend this trip for anyone with vertigo due to the fact that some of the clifftop paths have steep drop offs.
Navigation
All trails are well way-marked and you will be provided with a map and route notes. 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.
Accommodations
Stay 1 night in a 4* hotel, and 6 nights in traditional casa-style guesthouses and small hotels with a focus on a personal service and welcome. Below is an example of the accommodations we use on this trip. 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. Lunches and dinners are not included and you can take your pick from some of the restaurants in the villages and towns you will stay in most of which will serve a variety of delicious seafood dishes!
- 1 Nights accommodation in a 4* hotel, 6 nights in boutique casa-style guesthouses and small hotels
- 7 Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Maps, route notes, GPX tracks, access to our smartphone app & info pack
- 24/7 emergency telephone support
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to Odeceixe and from Sagres
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Drinks and snacks
- Drinks and snacks
- Additional nights before, during and after the walk
When To Go
We offer this tour during the nicest months of the year to walk in the Algarve from March to June, and then from September to November. We do not offer this tour in July and August due to high temperatures making it too hot for enjoyable walking then. If you walk in the springtime you can expect to see the inland areas covered with wildflowers and enjoy pleasant temperatures. The autumn months of September to November are also very mild. For keen birdwatchers, the autumn migration period from late August to mid-November brings lots of seabirds. For nesting birds such as the Alpine Swift visit during the spring.
Getting to the Start
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.
Getting from the End
By Air: The closest airport to Sagres is Faro. To get to the airport from Sagres, take the bus to Lagos with Eva Bus (1h, operates hourly) and then another bus to Faro with Eva Bus (2h). From the centre of Faro shuttle buses operate to the airport (15min).
Private Transfers: We can also arrange a private transfer to take you from Sagres back to Faro Airport at an additional cost.
Luggage 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 distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example. proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take.This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
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.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Odeceixe Day 2 Walk to Aljezur via Odeceixe Beach 14 miles / 23 km Day 3 Walk to Arrifana 11 miles / 18 km Day 4 Walk to Carrapateira 14 miles / 23 km Day 5 Loop Walk from Carrapateira 6 miles / 10 km Day 6 Transfer to Pedralva, walk to Vila do Bispo 12 miles / 20 km Day 7 Walk to Cabo Sao Vicente, transfer to Sagres 9 miles / 14 km Day 8 Onward TravelThe Macs Way
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