All in all is 450 km of properly waymarked and maintained trails along the most beautiful and best preserved coastal area of Southern Europe. In this article we’ll guide you through some of the best itineraries that you can easily set up on yourself for a multi-day hike.
Rota Vicentina is a network of walking trails in Southwest Portugal, totalling 450 km to hike along the most beautiful and best preserved coastal area of Southern Europe. This said, there is not an immediate answer on what is the best part or potion when deciding to come and discover this part of Portugal by walking it.
Let’s start with the basics. The route is formed by the Historical Way, the Fishermen's Trail and several Circular Routes.
230 km connecting Santiago do Cacém to Cape St. Vincent, traversing the main towns and villages of the region. It’s a journey through farming areas, forests and valleys, where you’ll experience an authentic rural culture and less, less people. An energy gatherer that can easily be combined with the famous Fishermen’s Trail.
120 km, soon to be much more – connecting Porto Covo to Odeceixe always within the Sw Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park and allowing you to get closer to the ocean through several complementary circuits as you go south of Odeceixe heading to the “end of the world”: Sagres. A challenge to a permanent contact with the ocean winds, the harsh coastal scenery and the wild and powerful natural landscape.
90 km of loop hikes, to explore the region on a smooth way, walking only half a day or even less. Perfect to get addicted to hiking in Rota Vicentina and come back for more or head to the long distance options.
Having this great menu in front of your eyes, the questions remains: What to do, and where to go?
It all depends on how many days you have, how fit and ready you are and weather is your first time or not. All the sections, circuits and routes combine with each other, so the possibilities are many. Trust on us to give you just the best options for a multi-day hike.
4 to 9 days: The Classic Fishermen’s Trail
We know it’s a classic and the majority of hikers that visit Rota Vicentina come to walk the Fishermen’s Trail, but let’s face it: it is mandatory! You have to walk at least once in your lifetime from Porto Covo to Odeceixe, and believe us that if you repeat it or walk it on the other way around it will rest on your heart forever, once again.
The classic four days, sums up to 75 km and is probably one the best coastal walks you’ll ever do on your life. If you have the time you may continue for at least 5 days more on a combination of the Historical Way and the Fishermen’s Trail up to Sagres. The final distance depends on your choices and will display in front of your eyes some of the world’s best coastal scenery along with great gastronomy, good accommodation, great people and good service.
Vicentina Transfers provides top quality advice, right on time tips and the best Luggage Transfer there is on the entire region at a budget price. For a couple with two pieces of luggage, each day of your hike is 15€, which means that for a 4 day hike you’ll invest 60€ on your comfort and can focus solely on the hiking experience.
6 days: A combination of Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail
Even if the Fishermen’s Trail is the red Ferrari, one must enjoy a good classic to value life. That’s the way we look at the Historical Way. To add a few sections of the Historical Way is always a great choice to bring home the entire soul the region.
We suggest that you start in Odemira, home to the headquarters of the Rota Vicentina Association that runs the project, get yourself a copy of the Map and Guide Book and even a selfie with the team members and head south to Odeceixe, for two walking days. As an alternative, book two nights in Odemira, get yourself a taxi to S. Luís and walk an amazing part of the route back to Odemira. From Odeceixe head northwards on the classic Fishermen’s Trail till Porto Covo, but on the opposite direction of everybody else.
Rely on Vicentina Transfers to make your journey as smooth as the tide coming in and out and let us take care of you luggage. For as low as 15€/day – including up to 2 luggage pieces – we bring your luggage in between accommodations so that you can simply focus on enjoying the path.
4 to 7 days: A combination of Fishermen’s Trail and Circular Routes
The Circular Routes on Rota Vicentina are special gems on the pantheon of trails designed by the project. If on a long distance route one has to make several concessions, on the short distance trails each detail is thought and taken care.
Our suggestion is that after you complete the 4 classic sections of the Fishermen’s Trail from Porto Covo to Odeceixe, enjoying the comfort of the Luggage Transfers of Vicentina Transfers, you go for a couple of days of relaxing half day hikes. Head to the area of Santa Clara-a-Velha and do two hikes on the Santa Clara Routes or go south to magical Carrapateira, where you’ll have four Circular Routes to choose from.
As always rely on Vicentina Transfers to take care of all your Luggage Transfers, while in the region.
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