Hiking Portugal's Algarve Coast
Trip Overview
Starting and ending in Lisbon, this Portugal hiking adventure along the Alentejo and Algarve coastlines showcases some of Portugal's most iconic locations. The hike includes Roca Cape, Espichel Cape, Cabo San Vicente and more.
Photo opportunities are endless along this intensely beautiful coastline. You’ll even have the chance to witness the astonishing fossilized footprints left by the Jurassic dinosaurs that once roamed freely in the area. Our adventure begins by hiking to the westernmost point in Continental Europe, at Roca Cape, but throughout the trip we’ll encounter the region’s multitude of iconic beaches and cliffs. The entire region is rugged and wild in places, with the hike to Cabo San Vicente being one of the trip’s most magical and enchanting hikes.
Even mealtimes will be highly memorable experiences with scenic picnic stops planned during many of the day's hikes and a meal being hosted by a local family.
WOW FACTORS
- Hiking to the westernmost point in continental Europe, Roca Cape
- 3 days trek along the Rota Vicentina Trail
- Family hosted meal in a quaint fishing village
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Lisbon
Arrival, Walking
Upon arrival into the Lisbon International Airport, make your way to your comfortable hotel in the city. Please make sure to book a flight that arrives no later than 11:00am. Lisbon is a beautiful city, its architecture and design being a product of its distinct mix of Northern European and Southern Mediterranean influences throughout the centuries. Glancing up the winding, narrow streets of the old quarters, you’ll notice numerous white houses with ochre rooftops and colourful mosaic tiles decorating the facades. This first afternoon, after time for your to settle at your hotel, your guide will meet you at your hotel and the group will go for a leisurely guided walk together in the maze of Lisbon’s downtown to visit the culturally inspiring old quarters of Alfama and Mouraria.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Roca Cape - Sintra - Lisbon
Hiking
After a healthy early morning breakfast, we’ll transfer to Almoçageme, the starting point for our hike to the westernmost point in continental Europe, Roca Cape. This walk is primarily a coastal one though we will pass through a small pine forest along with an area of cedar shrubbery before arriving at the cliffs. This hike is not strenuous but there will be moderate, rolling landscapes and some adventurous descents. Lunch will be a scenic picnic somewhere along the hike. Later in the afternoon, we’ll drive to Sintra, a UNESCO world heritage site. Time permitting, we’ll hopefully have the opportunity to hike up through the narrow winding streets to arrive at the picturesque Moorish castle perched overlooking Sintra.
Hiking Distance: 9 km / 6 mi
Hiking Duration: 5 hours (including picnic)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Espichel Cape
Hiking
This morning, we'll drive to Cabo Espichel where we'll start the day’s hike. Today’s adventure will primarily take us along gorgeous limestone cliffs. Espichel Cape is a place of pilgrimage, fisherman having been visiting it since the 16th century to pay homage to Our Lady of the Cape. Along today’s hike, we’ll also pass some impressive fossilized footprints left by the Jurassic dinosaurs that once also roamed freely in the area. After lunch, we’ll visit a tile workshop and learn how beautiful Portuguese mosaic tiles are made. Later in the afternoon, we will drive to Villa Nova de Milfontes on the Atlantic coast.
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
Hiking Duration: 4.5 hours (including picnic)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Vicentina Trail - Almograve
Hiking
Today we'll hike along the Fishermen’s trail, a long route across the wild Atlantic coast, from Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve. Vila Nova de Milfontes is a laid-back beach town filled with surfers and sun-seekers, where Hannibal, the famed general from Ancient Carthage, is said to have sheltered long ago. You’ll enjoy spectacularly scenic views today as we pass by the mouth of River Mira alongside a lovely, sand-fringed estuary. We’ll continue along the trail and pass through Zambujeira do Mar, a sleepy seaside village featuring fresh fish in family-run restaurants, blustering cliff top walks and a dramatic, empty coast.
Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9 mi
Hiking Duration: 5.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Vicentina Trail - Carrapateira
Hiking
After a hearty breakfast, we'll set off from the village of Carrapateira for another scenic day of hiking. Carrapateira is a tranquil village spread-out along the dramatic coastline. The area boasts copper and ash-grey coloured cliffs, beautifully speckled with yellow and green scrubs. We’ll pass various viewpoints along the way that will showcase the area’s escarpments, Bordeira and Amado beaches and the ruins of an ancient Moorish fisherman settlement. The Moors thrived during the Middle Ages throughout the Iberian Peninsula. During low tide, Bordeira beach becomes one of the largest stretches of sand on the Algarve coast. In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Aljezur.
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
Hiking Duration: 3.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch
Day 6
Vicentina Trail - Cabo San Vincente
Hiking
Today we will hike towards the southwestern point of continental Europe, the tip of the Vicentina Trail. This hike to Cabo S. Vicente is arguably the trip’s most magical and enchanting. Prepare to be mesmerized by the waves crashing along the rugged cliffs and by the long stretches of unspoiled coastline. Bird watchers will also delight here as you’ll notice that the area attracts a wide variety of bird life. At the end of the day’s hike, we’ll drive back to Aljezur for our final night in the area.
Hiking Distance: 13 km / 8 mi
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Monchique - Lisbon
Hiking
Today, we will start by driving 50 minutes to the mountain village of Monchique, leaving the coast behind to officially meet the Algarve. After arriving at Monchique, we’ll start a loop hike, following the windmill route. The hike will take us all morning. In the afternoon, we’ll meet Helena, a local producer of the area’s famous “Aguardente de Medronho,” a strong traditional fruit brandy. The spirit is obtained from the fruit of the Medronho tree (also known as “the strawberry tree”) that grows wild in rural regions of southern Portugal, especially in the inner Algarve. The trees are never commercially planted. Local farmers collect fruits by hand to process them privately. Here, we’ll also enjoy a picnic. This final local style picnic is the perfect end to the trip, as we’ll feast on a bounty of the region’s fresh and organic products. Afterwards we will transfer back to Lisbon for our final night in Portugal.
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Lisbon
Departure
This is the end of your adventure with us in Portugal. Depending on your flight time, you may have time after breakfast to explore Lisbon a bit more before your international flight back home or onward within Europe.
Meals: Breakfast
NOTE about Ascent/Descent numbers:
The ascent/descent numbers are usually generated using Ride with GPS. The numbers are TOTAL ascent/descent for the day and these numbers do not suggest altitude. There are usually multiple small ascents and descents added up throughout the day to reach this total ascent/descent for the day. (While our numbers are generally consistent with Ride with GPS, depending on the mapping technology used, numbers may vary).
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), local wines included with dinners, all entrance fees, all internal transportation, all accommodation (twin shared), and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare, airport taxes, airport transfers*, gratuities, meals not included, and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 7 Nights
Trip Facts
Weather in Portugal
The best time of year to visit Portugal is from April to June and September to early November. The summer months of July and August get too hot to hike comfortably. Lisbon has a very typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. There are some variations in the highlands and lowlands. Summer days can be intensely hot, but humidity is moderate and gentle breezes ensure very cool, pleasant evenings.
May to September: Summer. Warm, dry season.
Travel Documents
Citizens of Canada and the US only require a valid passport to enter Portugal. Please ensure that your passport is valid for six months beyond the date of arrival, or you may be refused entry. Always carry a photocopy of your passport in the unfortunate case of loss or theft; this precaution will speed up the reissue process. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Portugal and can enter as a tourist for up to 30 days. Americans also not not require a visa and can enter Portugal for up to 90 days as a tours. Check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Portugal as it is possible one of the countries you pass through en route to your destination may require a separate transit visa.
Food and Water
Traditional Portuguese cuisine combines Atlantic and Mediterranean characteristics, influenced most dominantly by seafood. You will notice a great deal of spices including chili peppers (piri piri), black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. Olive oil is also incredibly popular and many dishes use it as a base. There are many Portuguese cheeses, made from cow's, goat's or sheep's milk. However, meals generally do not include cheese. Instead, cheese is consumed on its own, before or after meals, quite often with wine. Portugal has an impressive wine culture. The preferred drink in Portugal is usually coffee though, the usual European variety of cappuccinos and espressos. Water is chlorinated in Portugal and locals drink tap water. However, for foreigners who have not built up an immunity, bottled water is recommended as some strains of bacteria may be still present in the tap water in some places. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way. During the hiking portions of the trip, the most you would have to carry on your back is a daypack.
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 35-60, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
Lisbon. On arrival (day 1 of the trip), please make sure to book a flight that arrives no later than 11:00am into Lisbon. On departure day (day 8 of the trip), you can depart at anytime.
The best time of year to visit Portugal is from April to June and September to early November. The summer months of July and August get too hot to hike comfortably. Lisbon has a very typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. There are some variations in the highlands and lowlands. Summer days can be intensely hot, but humidity is moderate and gentle breezes ensure very cool, pleasant evenings.
The Portugal Hiking the Rota Vicentina Trail tour is considered moderate. Days are full, averaging four to five hours per day. The terrain is varied. You will pass through some forests as well as walk on beaches and dunes. The hikes include loop trails, as well as point to point hikes. A warm top layer of clothing is suggested, as it can get chillier on the ridges with the possibility of some strong sea breezes.
Most of the hiking is on paths for hikers only – no road access. The hikes are day hikes and you’ll only be required to carry a daypack with water, snacks, camera and a light extra layer of clothing. There is no support vehicle following on the hikes. To avoid the excessive use of plastic bottles, it is preferred that you bring your own reusable water bottles that hold a minimum of 2 litres of water. Drinking water in Portugal is potable.
Can I take this trip if...
Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is generally suitable for teenagers or older. However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.
Accommodation
Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips.
This trip includes the following types of accommodation:
HOTELS
In an effort to keep money in the communities we visit around the world, BikeHike prefers small hotels, bungalows, and haciendas that showcase the character and local flair of each destination.
Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity | Distance | Lodging | Meals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lisbon
|
Arrival & Walking Tour
|
— | — |
Hotel
|
l,
d
|
| 2 |
Roca Cape - Sintra - Lisbon
|
Hiking
|
5 hours
|
9 km
6 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 3 |
Espichel Cape
|
Hiking
|
4.5 hours
|
10 km
6 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 4 |
Vicentina Trail - Almograve
|
Hiking
|
5.5 hours
|
15 km
9 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Vicentina Trail - Carrapateira
|
Hiking
|
3.5 hours
|
10 km
6 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 6 |
Vicentina Trail - Cabo San Vincente
|
Hiking
|
5 hours
|
13 km
8 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 7 |
Monchique - Lisbon
|
Hiking
|
— |
10 km
6 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 8 |
Lisbon
|
Departure
|
— | — | — |
b
|
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Have You Experienced This Trip?
Submit a ReviewJust ending a week long hiking trip in the south of Portugal from Lisbon with BikeHike. This is my fifth trip with them and I have never had my expectations not met or exceeded! A bit of culture and off the beaten path experiences are always blended into the trips, along with a surprise or two here and there. I love the mixture of both the biking and hiking, along with other fun things like kayaking. The guides have been excellent and patient with everyone, as they are local and know their country and sport. And the food. Well, let’s suffice to say that I never loose weight on these trips! Trish, the owner is extremely accommodating and will adjust departure dates for you if possible, another bonus!!
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