Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches

This trip starts in the seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in

the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline approx 2 hrs from Faro and 2.5

hrs from Lisbon. Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, the town is

delightfully Portuguese, filled with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and

scenic views across the Mira River. It is also the start point of incredible

coastal trails leading to vast stretches of wild and deserted beaches.

Despite its remote location, it has an extensive selection of restaurants,

and a lively nightlife making it a perfect base for the first three days of

the tour.

We start the week with a relatively short coastal hike offering superb views

throughout. Leaving from the hotel, we cross by boat and admire the views of

the River Mira meeting the ocean, with the small white-washed town and lush

hillsides in the background. There are stretches along today's trail where

native vegetation displays all its diversity and other areas where it has

been wiped out by a most aggressive exotic plant – the Acacia. At times

farmland stretches right down to the ocean, at others the imprint of human

habitation is local, non-commercial fishing or small stone age quarries

hidden amongst the dunes. Between March and October you’ll be able to

spot  the many types of swift - Alpine, Pallid and Common  - that all nest

along this coast. Interestingly, swifts spend over 90% of their life in the

air as they feed, mate and sleep in flight - they are so well adapted to

flying that landing on the ground may be fatal. The walk ends in

the peaceful small village of Almograve, perfect for an unhurried afternoon

stroll or peaceful pause before we return by private transfer to Vila Nova de

Milfontes.



 

Small fishing harbours, sand dunes, the scent of pine tree forests and the

sight, seen nowhere else in the world, of storks nesting on the cliffs make

this today's walk truly special. We start with a short transfer (approx.

20mins) to Cabo Sardão lighthouse which was peculiarly built the wrong way

round. The entry door is facing the ocean and the lighthouse is facing

inland! This is the start of today's trail which follows the high cliffs

exposed to the constant salty ocean waves and winds, and favourite nesting

spot for over twenty species of bird. These include the Jackdaw, Shag, Common

Kestrel, White Stork, and the Peregrine Falcon, the fastest recorded animal

in the world,  reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h when diving. We will

have time to stop and watch these birds, especially during spring, when it

is possible to quietly observe their mating rituals and the careful building

of their nests. We pass Lapa das Pombas, a tiny non-commercial fishing

harbour, before concluding the walk in the sleepy seaside village

of Zambujeira do Mar and its wonderful beach. In the afternoon we return to

Vila Nova de Milfontes by transfer (approx. 30mins).

This morning we transfer (approx. 40 mins) to Carvalhal beach, the start of

today's walk. The cliff face on this stretch of the walk is of particular

interest. It is composed of schist and greywacke which results from the

consolidation of sand, clay and volcanic ashes accumulated on the bottom of

an ancient ocean over 300 million years ago



This whole coastal region is believed by many to have a particular energy,

and it was here that the Fado diva Amália Rodrigues sought refuge and

inspiration for her songs. Along the walk we may also spot traces

of nocturnal mammals including the Egyptian Mongoose (locally known as

“Escalabardo”), weasel, Beech Marten (also known as “Papalvo”),

badger, genet and rabbits. Before reaching Odeceixe, we take a break on

Ponta em Branco (white summit) so named for the colour of the sediments that

form its summit, marking the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve

regions. This is considered one of the most scenic points in the entire

region with views over Odeceixe beach, with the mountain top of Fóia and

Monchique as a backdrop. We transfer to the cosy hotel near Arrifana beach

and enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, or a drink on the sunny

terrace before dinner.



 

Today is a free day to choose from the many optional activities available in

the area. You may decide to go on a self-guided circular walk passing the

beaches of Monte Clérigo, Pontal da Atalaia​, as well as the famous

surfing ​beach of Arrifana​. Alternatively you may book a surfing class

or a horse riding excursion along the spectacular coastline. Whilst your tour

leader will not acompany you on your free day, they will be able to help you

book the optional activities. We also suggest a visit to the small market

town of Aljezur, famous for its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets

and dominated by the ruins of a tenth century Moorish castle.

Today we travel further south and transfer (approx. 30 mins) to the village

of Carrapateira, the start of today's short circular walk. Along the circuit,

we come across various viewpoints with superb views of the sandy beaches of

Bordeira and Amado as well as the ruins of an ancient Islamic fishermen’s

settlement. On the first part of the trail, we walk through undulating dunes

carpeted by lush vegetation and aromatic wild plants including thyme, yellow

amaranths, rosemary, lavender, crowberries, blue pimpernel and sea lavender.

We then walk along the limestone cliffs for most of the trail and may

get the opportunity to spot cormorants, a wintering bird and expert angler,

consuming almost 1 kg of fish per day. In the afternoon we transfer (approx.

20 mins) to the village of Sagres, at the extreme western tip of the

Algarve. Although primarily known as a surfing destination (and surprisingly

not the Portuguese beer of the same name), Sagres has a lot more to offer.

You may decide to spend the rest of the day in one of the sheltered pristine

beaches.

Surrounded by foaming Atlantic breakers, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most

south-westerly point of Europe. The final walk from Sagres out to the edge of

the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of the week.

Surrounded by coastal scenery, we follow a wild trail along sandy paths and

gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Setting off

from our hotel, we make our way to the start point of our walk, near Beliche

Beach. We set out across towering cliffs and ravines covered with native

vegetation. We pass by the golden beach of Beliche, and, then after a short

section inland, Telheiro beach, a place of extraordinary geological interest

thanks to the rock composition of the cliffs. The last section of the path

continues along the cliff top before a memorable arrival at Cape St. Vincent

where we find a lighthouse, museum and small bar offering wonderful photo

opportunities. It's only a short transfer (5 mins) back to Sagres where we

can choose to visit the imposing sea fortress at sunset or relax with a cold

drink on the waterfront, watching fishermen mending their nets. You may

decide to book an optional dolphin-watching excursion along the coast

(weather and season dependent). 

This trip ends in Sagres in the morning of Day 8.