Portugal - Fisherman's Trail and Alentejo Natureparks
In the Portuguese region of Alentejo on the Atlantic coast, extensive nature reserves and traditional villages will delight. The beautiful hiking destination is also popular for its bright sandy beaches and natural coastal landscapes. Alentejo is also home to some wonderful plant biodiversity. Listen to the song of the birds in the cork oak forests, breathe in the scent of the herbs and enjoy the music of the sea.
Start your walking holiday along the Fisherman's Trail off with a walk through the historic centre of Vila Nova de Milifontes. The leisurely walking tour that follows takes you along the enchanting Atlantic coast and is a special treat. On your journey you will pass romantic fishing villages, fragrant pine forests and artfully shaped cliffs. The beaches in Alteirinhos, Carvalhals, Machados and Amálias invite you to cool off in the glistening Atlantic Ocean. Experience the captivating view of the beach of Odeciexe from one of the hilltops on the way to São Teotónio. Then continue on to Odermira before reaching São Luís.
Highlights on this walking holiday in Alentejo
- Vila Nova de Milfontes: The historic city is a magical attraction for history buffs.
- Beside the seaside to the rural idyll: Not only discover the Atlantic Coast, also explore inland in the Alentejo region.
- Ribeira do Torgal: Where lush mixed forests line the riverbanks, you have a unique view of the natural beauty of the Alentejo region.
- National Park Costa Alentejana: Take in landscapes that can only be found in picture books!
Great things about this tour
See the beautiful landscape
Here you can see a lot of pictures of the beautiful landscape of Alentejo. The route starts along the coast and then goes inland. See all the pictures here.
See more pictures »
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
You arrive to your first hotel in Vila Nova de Milfontes. You will spend the night at a small hotel close to the castle in Vila Nova de Milfontes with views over the river estuary.
Hotel (example): Hotel HS Milfontes Beach
Your walk begins on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast with the spectacular views of the Mira estuary from the bridge and equally enjoyable views if you choose to take the shortcut by boat.. A relatively short walking day which gives you time to enjoy the area to its full extent, particularly Brejo Largo beach. You will spend the night at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes at Almograve.
Walking: approx. 4½-5 hours
Distance: ca. 15km
+297m / -304m
Hotel (example): Vicentina Rooms by Isa
Today's walk takes you south from Almograve, passing scented pine forest to the village of Cavaleiro and the historic Cabo Sardão lighthouse. From the cliff tops you can view the nests of white storks on the rocky crags, something that is unique to this short stretch of coastline. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the centre of Zambujeira do Mar.
Walking: approx. 6½-7 hours
Distance: ca. 22km
+415m / -406m
Hotel (example): Ondazul
You continue your walk along a coastal path, passing the wonderful beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia en route to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar, with its seemingly inaccessible natural harbour. The trail continues along the cliff tops, through the sand dunes to reach the majestic Ponta em Branco, with views over Odeceixe beach and estuary and southwards along the western Algarve coast.You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river in Odeceixe.
Walking: approx. 5½-6 hours
Distance: ca. 18km
+573m / -598m
Hotel (example): Casa Antiga / Dona Maria
You walk along some inhospitable but truly memorable trails, climbing for a last look back at the ocean before descending into valleys rich in native vegetation. From an open plateau,with São Teotónio nestled ahead, you descend through a quiet forest to join an ancient stone track towards the village. The night will be spent in a small hotel on the edge of village.
Walking: approx. 6 hours
Distance: ca. 17km
+555m / -403m
Hotel (example): Monte da Galrixa
Today is a relazing day. You walk, much of the route follows wide trails with mild ascents and descents beside the rivers S. Teotonio and Mira and their sidestreams, with their crystal clear waters which are host to a variety of wildlife, including dragonflies, crayfish and otters. The night will be spent at a family owned pension in the centre of Odemira.
Walking: approx. 6 hours
Distance: ca. 18km
+330m / -482m
Hotel (example): Residencial Rita
This walk is known as the water section of the Historical Way, where there is an optional but recommended side trail to Pego da Pias pools. The night will be spent near the Alentejo village of São Luís at a rural guest house with use of swimming pool (in season), where you can relax on the terrace and take in the wonderful views of the “Alentejo Montado” or the serra.
Walking: approx. 8 hours
Distance: ca. 25km
+586m / -425m
Hotel (example): The New Laziness
After breakfast depart from São Luís.
Price includes
- 7 nights in hotels and family owned guesthouses
- Breakfast every day
- 6x picnic lunches
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Portugal
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Faro or Lisbon are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Airport transfers
Transfer from/to Faro Airport can be selected on the booking form.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
On this tour you will be accommodated in small hotels and family owned guesthouses with breakfast included.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
This tour has difficulty grade 2-3. Which means that most days are difficulty 2 and some days are difficulty 3.
Grade 2
Easier walking at reasonable good paths. The walking time will be 4-6 hours usually in hilly terrain. Every one in good health and a normal physical fitness can participate. Luggage is mostly transported and you only go with a lighter backpack. Requires good footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Read more about our Grading System
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
The statistics are from yr.no.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Or write to us at
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You are more than welcome to contact us if you have questions about anything.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]