Rota Vicentina in Portugal: 7-Day Coastal Hiking Trip
- Portugal
Let's hit the trail!
It is time to lace up your boots and set off along the Rota Vicentina on the coast of Portugal. As one of Europe’s most scenic hiking trails, you will hike along ancient coastal paths while enjoying fresh air and seafood along the way.
The Rota Vicentina, aka the Fisherman’s Way, is bound to be one heck of a trail. Make new friends, get your toes in the sand, and enjoy the splendor of Portugal’s coast.
June 27th – July 3rd, 2027
Here’s what you need to know…
- This trip is just for gals, and you must be 18 or older to join
- We will be walking 52 miles (83 km) over five days along the Portuguese Coast
- Meet us in Lisbon for the trip brief before we head over to the southwest of Portugal to begin the hike
- Join solo or with a friend – this trip is a great way to meet new people and try new things
- Enjoy portuguese seafood, coastal views, epic sunsets, excellent bird watching, and new friendships
Here’s what’s included…
So you can focus on the gorgeous views, we’re handling all of the logistics so you can worry less and enjoy more! Here’s everything that your trip fee includes:
Logistics and support
Once you show up, our local guide will take care of the rest so we can go with the flow and focus on the fun.
Food
This tour includes 6 breakfasts and 1 lunch. Our guide will provide authentic meal recommendations for the rest of the trip!
Luggage Transfer
On the trail, you’ll carry a day pack. Your luggage will be transferred between hotels each day.
accommodations
We will have three nights in hotels and three nights in guesthouses in twin share rooms.
Transportation
Airport pick-up in Lisbon to our Hotel on night one is included, as well as transport throughout the trip.
Daily Itinerary
DAY 1
Bem-vindo! Welcome to Portugal. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital city. If you arrive early, maybe stroll through the winding alleyways of the Alfama neighborhood or visit Sao Jorge Castle. After your meeting, maybe head out with your leader and group to get to know each other over dinner in a local restaurant (at your own cost). Then, maybe continue with a post-dinner walk around the city and see the town come to life in the evenings.
Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 2
Leave Lisbon behind and drive towards the start of the ancient Fisherman’s Trail in the southwest of Portugal, made up various hiking tracks down through Alentejo and the Algarve. Jump out of your vehicle in the coastal parish of Malhao and lace up your boots for your first day of walking. Making the most of your seaside setting, most of today’s walk is along sandy sweeps of beach, crossing the dunes of Aivados and Malhao. Each beach you pass offers something different, from freshwater springs to sharp cliffs and hidden coves. As you walk, your leader will teach you about the hardy plants that live along the coast, defying the odds to thrive against a landscape of poor soil, salty air and hot sun. Today’s walk wraps up in Vila Nova de Milfontes, where you may like to cool off with a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: Malhao to Vila Nova de Milfontes guided walk
Hiking Information: 10 km or 4 hours with an elevation gain of 150 m.
DAY 3
Start the day with a boat ride from the mouth of the Mira River to Praia das Furnas, where you’ll disembark and begin your walk. On your journey to Almograve, follow the coast and pass by marshes that serve as breeding grounds for many species of fish. Keep an eye out for small stone-age quarries tucked into the sand dunes, and you may pass a friendly local fisherman or two. Later, arrive in Almograve. From here, head to a local restaurant with a menu brimming with fresh seafood, brought in from the fish market up the road – maybe tuck into a tasty meal of shrimp, clams, hake or whelk.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Included Activities: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve guided walk, Boat ride through Mira River, Seafood lunch in Almograve
Hiking Information:12 km or 4.5 hours with an elevation gain of 200 m.
DAY 4
Rise bright and early to hit the trails. Starting in Almograve you’ll hike to Zambujeira do Mar. Walk past high, jagged cliffs which serve as the nesting place of over twenty bird species – look out for peregrine falcons, rock doves, jackdaws and kestrels. The area’s layered geological history will become apparent as you pass red sands and oxidised sandstone from previous tropical climates, and remains of cold climate animals from a cooler past. Later in the day, take a short walk to Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar – a little chapel overlooking the sea. Maybe pack a homemade picnic and watch the sun go down from this beautiful spot.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar gided walk and Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar evening walk
Hiking Information: 22 km or 7 hours with an elevation gian of 400 m.
DAY 5
Enjoy a slower start to the day before heading off for another fantastic walk, bursting with more stunning coastal scenery. Set off from Zambujeira do Mar and walk along clifftops, past the beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia before arriving at a natural fishing harbour in Azenha do Mar. The sand dunes on this stretch of your walk are alive with activity and home to many mammals – while they are pretty hard to spot, you may be able to see evidence of burrows and footprints. Egyptian mongooses, beech martens, otters, weasels, genets and badgers all call this part of the country home. At the end of today’s hike, maybe relax on the beach or explore the town at your own pace. Later, travel to Rota Vicentina where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe guided walk
Hiking Information: 19 km or 7 hours with an elevation gain of 550 m.
DAY 6
After breakfast, travel to Vila do Bispo for today’s walk. Set off along the trails to Cabo de Sao Vicente – the southwestern most point of mainland Europe. As you walk, listen to stories of the cape’s maritime, Phoenician and Roman past from your local leader. Skirt along the coast before finishing up in Sagres – a popular spot for surfers. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because of Portugal’s iconic beer that’s named after the town. Tonight, why not grab a cool glass of cerveja and some dinner with your group – a great way to celebrate the final night of your trip.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: Vila do Bispo to Sagres guided walk
Hiking Information: 20 km or 5 hours with an elevation gain of 300 m
DAY 7
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your trip and continue exploring Portugal, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Accommodations: None (Option to add an additional night)
Meals: Breakfast
Here’s what to bring…
There are a few personal items you’ll need to bring! Don’t worry, I’ll send ya a complete packing list when you register. Otherwise, you’ll want to pack things like:
- Toiletries and sunscreen (+ your favorite sun protection gear)
- Comfortable hiking shoes or sandals. (Be prepared for walking on sandy surfaces)
- Clothing! Including comfy options for sunny & hot conditions (like water-wicking tank tops and sunshirts), options for rainy and nighttime conditions, warm outer layers, and city shoes
- Day pack for carrying essentials throughout the day
- Water bottle or bladder with at least 2 liters capacity. (3 liters is recommended for the summer!)
- Cash for souvenirs, local lunches, and gratuity for our incredible guides
- Your smiling face and a good attitude
We'll take care of the rest!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a good trip for new hikers?
Yes! The Rota Vicentina is an excellent introduction to Inn-to-Inn hiking. While we will have some longer days, 22km or 13.6 miles, the walking is relatively flat!
Our guide will pace our group and ensure everyone has what they need for a safe and responsible trip.
I (Sarah) will be sharing a recommended fitness plan 8 weeks before the trip so you feel confident when your feet hit the pavement in Portugal!
Is this a good trip to join solo?
Yes, please! You’ll meet plenty of new adventure enthusiasts and bad-ass ladies on the trip. We’ll spend our time laughing and adventuring together – the best kind of bonding!
Where are we meeting up beforehand?
We will be meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, on the first day of the trip! Once your flight is booked, our travel company will arrange transportation from the airport to our hotel.
Depending on when you arrive in Lisbon, there is plenty to do around the city before our welcome dinner!
Want to come to Lisbon a day or two early?! That works! We can book additional nights for you at our accommodations before the trip starts if you’d like.
So, tell me about the food…
This trip includes breakfast every day of the trip and one authentic Portuguese seafood meal.
Our group leader will suggest restaurants to try during our trip that meet any dietary restrictions.
Part of this trip will lead you through the coastal areas of Portugal, and therefore, you can expect delicious and fresh seafood available in most places.
As this is a walking trip, it will be a good idea to stock up on snacks you like to fuel you throughout the day.
How much spending money should I plan on bringing?
It is recommended that individuals budget around EUR 350 for meals and spending money throughout the trip.
Tips for our local guide are not included in the trip cost, and it is recommended that individuals tip our local guide between EUR 4 -7 per day of the trip.
Is there an extra cost for solo travellers?
We will be sharing twin rooms along the route, but there are some options for solo rooms upon request.
Solo rooms come at an additional cost, and availability changes each night based on the accommodation.
Let’s talk money…
We want every adventure to feel like a meaningful investment in yourself, so we do our best to keep costs as low as possible.
This includes everything mentioned above, including luggage transfer between hotels, our local guide, airport transfer in Lisbon, daily itineraries, and 24-hour support from our travel service!
A $400 deposit is required to secure your spot.
