Trilho dos Pescadores: 7 days along the wild coast of Portugal

This route along the Trilho dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Trail), in the extreme south of Portugal, begins in Porto Covo, a small fishing village with beautiful whitewashed houses. Be sure to explore its nooks and crannies and enjoy the spectacular Portuguese gastronomy to whet your appetite for the rest of the route, which, as well as filling our eyes with incredible sights, is a tribute to lovers of good food.

Optional: private transfer Lisbon - Porto Covo
Accommodation: MUTE Hostel (private room) or similar

Distance: 18.5 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Vila Nova de Milfontes

This is the first day's walk along the Trilho dos Pescadores to explore the "jungle coast" in this variant of the Rota Vicentina. The first part of the day is dominated by vast sand dunes and small coves that are almost always deserted. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the Atlantic before moving on, almost without noticing it, to the next section, with the characteristic cliffs of this southern coast of Portugal. Breathtaking views over the waves and a landscape rich in vegetation typical of southern Europe will take us to Vila Nova de Milfontes, the end of the stage which is worth exploring at leisure. Don't miss the fort of São Clemente, built in the 16th century to dissuade pirates from attacking the Alentejo coast.

Accommodation: The Blue Bamboo Hotel or similar

Distance: 16.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Almograve

The second stage of this route along the Trilho dos Pescadores in the Rota Vicentina begins by crossing the river Mira. This can be done using the bridge on the EN393 road or by taking the ferry (5€) to reach Furnas beach, from where we continue along signposted paths around a protected area that gives way to large fields of crops and a forest of acacia trees that seem to stretch all the way to the sea. Along the coastal path we pass the beach of Brejo Largo, surrounded by steep cliffs, before turning inland to reach Almograve, the largest town in this region. This is the end of the stage, but not the end of the day's adventure. You won't want to leave Almograve without enjoying its fine restaurants serving traditional Portuguese food cooked over a slow fire.

Accommodation: Casa da Isa or similar

Distance: 24.1 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Zambujeira do Mar

The third stage of your adventure along the south coast of Portugal. The day begins leaving Almograve behind, heading towards the small fishing port of Lapa das Pombas. After this point, the area of cliffs begins, offering breathtaking panoramic views and the possibility of spotting storks nesting on the cliffs. Red sand dunes and the ocean sea complete the views and often become ingredients for fantastic photographs and peaceful memories to be recalled later. The trail then leads to the lighthouse of Cabo Sardão and from there to Zambujeira do Mar, one of those villages that tastes of the sea and invites you to eat peixe grelhado accompanied by feijão and rice.

Accommodation: Hospedagem Rosa dos Ventos or similar

Distance: 20.8 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Odeceixe

The fifth day's adventure stage begins at the foot of Zambujeira beach, next to the beautiful chapel of Nossa Senhora do Mar. The path will quickly lead us to the expected cliffs and, further on, between pines and acacias, to the beaches of Carvalhal, Machados and Amália. We will then arrive at Azenha do Mar, a village located on the cliffs that offers a unique opportunity to bathe in the pools dug into the cliffs themselves in the 1950s and to taste the local specialities of seafood and bacalhau. After the break, the day continues towards Ponta em Branco, which marks the invisible border between the Portuguese regions of Alentejo and Algarve. It's time to cross it to reach Odeceixe, where the walk ends and gastronomy returns to centre stage.

Accommodation: Casas do Moinho or similar

Distance: 18 km / 27 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Aljezur

The last stage of this one-week trip along the wild coast of Portugal, which leaves Odeceixe behind to meet Aljezur. To finish your adventure, you will have to choose your itinerary. The shortest follows the so-called Caminho Histórico completing the distance in 18 km. The longer one follows the Trilha dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Trail) in coastal entrances and exits that add 9 km more to the route, but allow you to approach the beaches of Odeceixe and Amoreira to meet the ocean there. Both routes converge at Aljezur, a village in a fertile valley famous for its sweet potato cultivation. Fantastic option to accompany dinner on the last night of this trip and bring fresh memories to the table to share as well.

Accommodation: Hotel Alcatruz or similar

The seventh day is for recapping the best moments of the intense week and heading for home. The cliffs and red sand of Trilho dos Pescadores against the intense blue of the Atlantic, and the taste of saltpetre and sun on the lips.