One of the most beautiful trekking routes in Europe is on the Atlantic coast of Portugal.

Located south of Lisbon, within the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park on the Costa Vicentina, the Trilho dos Pescadores is a smaller route of the Rota Vicentina. It’s one of the most beautiful coastal routes, walking along beaches and bordering cliffs in an environment that still conserves a great natural wealth with endemic vegetation and a large number of migratory birds, as well as marine animals.

It’s not an easy route since most of the time you will be walking in the sand which is very different from walking in a more stable terrain. Physically demanding at an intermediate level and requires some physical condition to be able to carry it out, consider that every day you will walk an average of 20 kilometers.

In spite of how tiresome the route can be for the less trained and in good physical condition, the truth is that it is absolutely worth it. The views are stunning, passing by beaches, sand dunes, cliffs and beautiful towns that are on the Alentejo coast, and very easy to follow since you are walking all the time with the ocean on one side, depending on the direction in which you start the route. 

This unique path is marked all the way with symbols and that can only be traveled on foot, although there are sections in which you walk at the edge of the road of vehicles, they are the least.

When to go to Trilho dos Pescadores

This route is preferable to visit between the months of September to June. Then in summer, the heat is very intense and it becomes very difficult to complete the sections properly.

Solar exposure is extreme throughout the journey, so these are the best months to visit and enjoy the experience.

How the Fishermen’s Trail is organized

The Trilho dos Pescadores is part of a much larger hiking circuit called the Rota Vicentina, which in this sector is divided into two magnificent stretches to cross and which will be the perfect trip for those who love nature and walking outdoors, including the Historic Trail and the Trilho dos Pescadores.

The Trilho dos Pescadores runs from Porto Covo to Odeceixe to the south. It is organized to be done in both directions, we did it from north to south, starting in Porto Covo and ending in Odeceixe.

There are 5 segments that include 4 complementary circuits that discover rural life and the nature of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, covering a total of 125 kilometers.

Cautions to Travel the Fishermen’s Trail

This route is located within a protected area of nature and fauna, so special care must be taken to maintain the wildlife of the sector. The route is well signposted to make the journey intuitively, you just have to look for the blue and green marks on rocks or wooden poles that guide the way.

Some very important things to keep in mind are:

– Always stay within the demarcated path as our footsteps can affect the development of the vegetation. It is also important to stay within the defined paths as the terrain is in constant erosion and it can be dangerous to get too close to the edge of the cliffs.

– Do not take samples of plants or rocks since there are rare endemic species in the place as well as places of archaeological importance within the route.

– Remember that it is forbidden to camp and make a fire, as well as to leave trash in any part of the route, except in the points indicated for it.

– It is very important to be careful not to approach the nests of birds found in the cliffs

– Take good shoes or boots to walk on the sand, they are many kilometers a day in unstable terrain, so high hiking boots are the best option. You will avoid getting sand and also protect your skin from rubbing with it. We made the route with  Meindl boots for men and for women and they were perfect!

– Take a backpack as light as possible, pack very light.  Something very useful and comfortable that we discovered only when we were already in the middle of the route was that there are companies that are dedicated to moving your luggage between towns and so you are relieved of carrying a heavy backpack during the day. A good backpack with good support and padding is ideal. We made our trip with this two and it was a great choice.

Osprey Packs Osprey Talon 22 Backpack

It is very important to take into account that there are practically no services or restaurants among the towns, except in some points, so it is very important to bring food and water necessary for the route.

In general, the accommodations that are in this area are simple, family homes and are not too many, so in high season it is highly recommended to make the reservation in advance to avoid problems at bedtime.

You can search here for the best offers to sleep on your route along the Rota Vicentina.

Booking.com

ROUTE FOR FOUR DAYS IN TRILO DOS PESCADORES

1st DAY: Lisbon – Porto Covo
2nd DAY: Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes
3rd DAY: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve
4th Day: Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar
5th DAY: Zambujeira do Mar – Odeceixe

1st DAY: Lisbon – Porto Covo

We started the route from Lisbon, where we took a bus that left us in Porto Covo, located 170km south of Lisbon and 20km south of Sines, the largest city in the region.

In Lisbon, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express of Av Liberdade.

With an excellent location in the heart of Lisbon. The rooms are somewhat dark but quite spacious and the building is beautiful, of ancient architecture that still retains the original windows and balconies. From there you can move to any part of the city by Taxi or public transport, we occupy a lot of Uber that worked perfect and with great prices.

There are buses that make different routes so they take between two and three hours and the value is approximately € 15. You can check here the buses that make this route.

Transport in Alentejo, in general, is not very good so it is advisable to check the schedules and availability of seats well.

Porto Covo is a very nice town, with white painted houses, a church, and very good restaurants to enjoy the local food. As soon as we arrived we fell in love with this little town. Everything is at a walking distance and there are some very good restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine.

We stayed at Ahoy Porto Covo Hostel, a small hostel but very well located, attended by its owner who helped us with data to eat and gave us very good tips to start the route. The rooms are simple and have shared bathrooms. You can occupy the kitchen a common room with a fireplace to relax and relax outside your room.

 

The start of the Trilha dos Pescadores

DAY 2 Porto Covo »Vila Nova de Milfontes

20 km – 7 hours

Before starting the walking, we took breakfast in the only place open at that moment in the morning. Right near the bus stop in the main square.

We could choose between several sweets, sandwiches and of course they have coffee. Everything was fresh and tasty and their Pasteis de Nata was one of the best we tried during our trip.

From Porto Covo, the route starts from the market square and heads towards the fishing port. Start crossing a stream and begin the path to the coastal edge.

The first day is one of the most exhausting and physically demanding since you walk many kilometers directly on the sand. Take it easy and leave early so you can take breaks if you need to. If you feel tired or have any discomfort in your legs rest, enjoy the view until you feel ready to resume the walk.

It’s very important to keep this in mind so that you do not get injured and can complete the four-day route.

The most beautiful points of this journey were the beaches between Porto Covo and Ilha do Passagueiro and the cliffs on the route are impressive!

In Vila Nova de Milfontes we stayed at Casa da Alagoinha

It is a lodging in a family house typical of this area. The attention was super friendly since the arrival we were very well received. Located in the center, very close to a supermarket, a bar, cafeteria with very good breakfast and several restaurants.

The decor is simple but very cozy and the bathroom spacious, modern and everything very clean. They include complimentary tea in the room.

DAY 3 Vila Nova de Milfontes »Almograve

15 km – 5 HOURS

The route starts from the tourist office following Rua Custódio Brás Pacheco that goes towards the main street.

It is the shortest and easiest day, it will allow you to enjoy the route with more tranquility. The views are impressive especially in the place where the Mana River meets the ocean

It’s an easier day because you spend most of it on firm ground. It is a bit annoying because you go further from the coast and the part where you have to cross the river at first you walk the first 3 kilometers just to cross the river in the corresponding area.

♥ Almograve will be always in our memories, it was during this trip that my now husband proposed to me while we were waiting for the sunset at the beach!!! ♥

In Almograve we stayed at Natura Mais Dunas Residence.

It is a hotel located very close to the beach, so if you prefer to enjoy the town and the sea it is the perfect location. The rooms are spacious and the bathroom clean although quite simple.

Right next to it is one of the good restaurants in Almograve where we ate the best rice with seafood of our trip, it is also served by its owners who are excellent and very entertaining.

 

DAY 4 Almograve »Zambujeira do Mar

22 km – 7 HOURS

It’s a day of walking near the coast, with beautiful views for most of the way

At the end in the last 2 kilometers, you walk on the road walking straight to the sun to get to the town. Despite this somewhat uncomfortable part, it is the most beautiful day in terms of landscapes and places that you walk through, with spectacular cliffs and many birds very close to you all the time.

You can stop halfway in Cabaleiro to eat something and after Cabo Sardao you can stop at the beautiful lighthouse for a few minutes. Do not miss watching the birds that nest in this area, especially during the spring.

In Zambujeira do Mar we stayed at the Hotel Alojamiento Local Mira Mar

Located in the center and very close to the beach, it is the perfect location to rest and recover from the walk.

The hotel is very tastefully decorated and the rooms are independent. It is more of a lodging than a hotel because it has no reception open. The breakfast was exquisite and very complete in the restaurant located on the first floor, one of the best we had.

DAY 5 Zambujeira do Mar »Odeceixe

18 km – 7 HOURS

The route covers areas of sandbanks near the coast and in other parts of the route you walk among small bushes, so you will have some areas with some shade.

During the tour, if you pay attention you will see sedimentary rocks on the cliffs and inland the tracks of some mammals that inhabit the dunes of the area, although it is difficult to see them because they are mostly nocturnal animals. You will pass through several beaches before reaching one of the most beautiful beaches in this area, which is the Odeceixe beach.

The last 5 kilometers are heavy and boring because you walk five kilometers on the side of the paved road and see the town all the time for an hour.

In Odexeice we stayed at the Casa Morais hotel

This lodging is like making a trip to the past. Located in an old house very well preserved, it is a local lodging run by its own owner, the sweetest grandmother of Odeceixe.

The rooms maintain the decoration in the style of yesteryear, but very well maintained and the bathrooms are spacious and perfectly clean.

Breakfast is served in the kitchen at a common table that will make you feel like family.

 

Undoubtedly, the Trilho dos Pescadores is a wonderful route for those who love nature and walk in silence by the sea. In addition, culture and cuisine are unique in this area and delighting in local dishes in each location will be an important part of this adventure.

Do you already know the Trilho dos Pescadores? Tell us about your experience in the surroundings of Lisbon, do you know any place you can not miss to visit?