Walking in Portugal - Remote Coastal Trails

Our trip begins in the coastal town of Sagres, a small tranquil town with a picturesque harbour and several nearby beaches. This historically important port, linked to the early Portuguese explorers. It was here that Prince Henry the Navigator built his navigation school during the 'Age of the Discoveries'. Our base for the week is Casa Azul, a short walk from Mareta Beach and the centre of Sagres town. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Sagres at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Faro Airport (FAO) which is around a 90-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the meeting, the tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives early in the day, there are several local restaurants and bars, and a town beach within a short walking distance of our hotel.

For our first walk, we travel by taxi or minibus to the village of Bordeira, approximately thirty minutes away. Start the walk through hilly terrain before descending to the Atlantic coast along some stretches of rugged cliffs. Later, head inland again and end the walk at the lovely village of Carrapateira where we can relax in a local café before heading back to Sagres by taxi. Today's leisurely 13-kilometre/8.1-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with 150 metres/492 feet of combined ascent and descent.

We arrive to the coastal town of Burgau by taxi for the start of our walk along this dramatic coastline. En route, we see the fascinating rock formations, including the photogenic rock arch, at Ponta da Piedade just south of Lagos before ending our walk at the lighthouse. The view of the cliffs, lighthouse, and coast are absolutely magical. After spending some time absorbing the view, we return to Sagres by taxis. Today's moderate 13-kilometre/8.1-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with 180 metres/590 feet of ascent and descent, along a coastal path.

After breakfast we travel the short distance to the cliffs near Vila do Bispo village by taxi. From here we follow the long-distance marked coastal trail 'Rota Vicentina' along dramatic cliffs famed for their unique geological formations formed by millions of years of geological processes including erosion, tectonic activity and sedimentation. Sea stacks, arches and folded rocks are a regular feature as we head to the lighthouse at Europe's most south-westerly point Cabo Sao Vicente - the subject of many local photographs. From here we return to Sagres in taxis. Sunset in this area is a stunning spectacle and worth making the effort to see. In the evening we'll have dinner in a local restaurant and try the Cataplana - a traditional hearty Portuguese fish stew. Alternatives will be available for those who do not eat fish. Today's moderate 15-kilometre/9.3-mile walk is expected to take around four and a half hours with 150 metres/492 feet of ascent and 260 metres/853 feet of descent along a marked trail.

Today is a free day to relax on the beach or discover the lovely, historic town of Lagos where you have the opportunity to do a boat tour along the rugged coastline and see the famous caves. There is also the option of exploring the 15th century fortress at Sagres, or seeing the fish auction that takes place there during the early afternoon. There is also the opportunity to walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. This requires transport to Albandeira beach from where the trail heads to Carvoeiro. Today's optional 11 kilometre/ 7 mile walk is expceted to take around four hours with 350 metres/ 800 feet of ascent and descent.

We drive 45 minutes to the historic market town of Aljezur, with its old Moorish Quarter and 'new' town developed in the 18th century. There's time for a coffee and a little exploration before we head out. Our walk takes us from Praia do Clerigo as we trace dramatic clifftop with sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and a succession of remote, pristine beaches below for a striking contrast to the more sheltered southern shores of the Algarve. We finish at Praia da Arrifana, a surfer's paradise nestled beneath imposing cliffs. Today's moderate 12-kilometre/8-mile walk is expected to take around four and a half hours with 200 metres/655feet of ascent and descent

This morning, we take taxis to Ingrina, a sheltered sandy beach. From here we walk back to Sagres along the unspoilt coastline with the opportunity to stop for a swim in the sea along the way. Today's leisurely 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around three hours, with an ascent and descent of 230 metres/755 feet.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Sagres. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Sagres at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Faro Airport (FAO) which is around a 90-minute drive from the hotel.