more about the route
Here you can see a map of the routes
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the tour.
You arrive to your first hotel in Vila Nova de Milfontes. You will spend the night at a small hotel close to the castle in Vila Nova de Milfontes with views over the river estuary.
Hotel (example): Hotel HS Milfontes Beach
Your walk begins on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast with the spectacular views of the Mira estuary from the bridge and equally enjoyable views if you choose to take the shortcut by boat.. A relatively short walking day which gives you time to enjoy the area to its full extent, particularly Brejo Largo beach. You will spend the night at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes at Almograve.
Hotel (example): Vicentina Rooms by Isa
Today's walk takes you south from Almograve, passing scented pine forest to the village of Cavaleiro and the historic Cabo Sardão lighthouse. From the cliff tops you can view the nests of white storks on the rocky crags, something that is unique to this short stretch of coastline. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the centre of Zambujeira do Mar.
Hotel (example): Ondazul
You continue your walk along a coastal path, passing the wonderful beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia en route to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar, with its seemingly inaccessible natural harbour. The trail continues along the cliff tops, through the sand dunes to reach the majestic Ponta em Branco, with views over Odeceixe beach and estuary and southwards along the western Algarve coast.You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river in Odeceixe.
Hotel (example): Casa Antiga / Dona Maria
You walk along some inhospitable but truly memorable trails, climbing for a last look back at the ocean before descending into valleys rich in native vegetation. From an open plateau,with São Teotónio nestled ahead, you descend through a quiet forest to join an ancient stone track towards the village. The night will be spent in a small hotel on the edge of village.
Hotel (example): Monte da Galrixa
Today is a relazing day. You walk, much of the route follows wide trails with mild ascents and descents beside the rivers S. Teotonio and Mira and their sidestreams, with their crystal clear waters which are host to a variety of wildlife, including dragonflies, crayfish and otters. The night will be spent at a family owned pension in the centre of Odemira.
Hotel (example): Residencial Rita
This walk is known as the water section of the Historical Way, where there is an optional but recommended side trail to Pego da Pias pools. The night will be spent near the Alentejo village of São Luís at a rural guest house with use of swimming pool (in season), where you can relax on the terrace and take in the wonderful views of the “Alentejo Montado” or the serra.
Hotel (example): The New Laziness
After breakfast depart from São Luís.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights in hotels and family owned guesthouses
- Breakfast every day
- 6x picnic lunches
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Portugal
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Faro or Lisbon are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Airport transfers
Transfer from/to Faro Airport can be selected on the booking form.
On this tour you will be accommodated in small hotels and family owned guesthouses with breakfast included.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This trip has difficulty level 2-3, which means that most hiking days are level 2, with a few at level 3.
Grade 2
Easier hikes on reasonably good trails. Daily hikes will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in generally good physical condition can participate. Luggage is transported, and you only carry a light daypack. Requires well-fitting footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll get access to your 'my tour' page where you'll find practical information about the trip.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and voucher
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
Along the Fisherman's Trail, the spring months of February, March, April, and May offer mild temperatures rising from 12-20 degrees. Rainfall is moderate, and wind conditions are mild. In the summer month of June, you can expect a rise in temperature to between 22-30 degrees, so we recommend that you, especially on the extra hot days, start your daily stage early to avoid the midday heat. Rainfall is rare during this time, and wind conditions remain mild. The autumn months of September, October, and November offer milder temperatures between 18-25 degrees, with rainfall slightly increasing compared to other periods and wind conditions remaining mild.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"