8-day Rota Vicentina Walking Holiday: From Porto Covo to Arrifana

After arrival in the coastal town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located on the banks of the River Mira, and having moving into the stylish Bed & Breakfast in the centre of town, you may wish to take the ferry to the sandy beach Praia das Furnas, visit Fort Sâo Clemente or do some lunch shopping for tomorrow in the old town centre.

After a short taxi transfer (included), you start in Porto Covo on the first leg of the Fishermen's Trail, which is part of the Rota Vicentina. Quite a challenging start since you have to cross several sandy beaches and the vast dunes of Ilha do Pessegueiro. The biodiversity of flora in the sand dunes in these areas is remarkable. Due to the sometimes strong, salty winds, pines, rosemary and sunflower are bent almost horizontally. After 16,5 km, you could order a taxi (not included) in Canal, if you want to skip the last 3 km.

Challenge: 4-5 hours, 16,5 - 19.5 km / 10 - 12 mi, 75 m ascent/descent

Start the day with a crossing of the estuary by taxi boat (not included) to Furnas beach where you can continue on the fishermen's trail. If the boat does not sail, you will have to cross the River Mira on foot (or taxi) via the 1km bridge with nice views over the reed beds further inland. The landscape today is varied, as some of the native coastal vegetation has been overgrown by ‘exotic’ Acacia trees, or has had to make way for agriculture. Remains of old quarries among the dunes show this coastline has been changing since time immemorial.

In Almograve, a taxi (included) will take you and your luggage to your hotel in Zambujeira.

Challenge: 3.5 to 4 hours, 12 - 15 km / 7 - 9 mi, 75 m ascent/descent

Villages along the way: none

This morning the taxi will take you back to Almograve  where today's 6-hour stage starts, another spectacular coastal walk, via Cavalheiro and the lighthouse at Cabo Sardão, where you can stop for a drink or a meal. If you feel a bit tired, just ask the taxi driver to drop you off in Cavalheiro (9 km less)

Challenge: 6 / 3 hrs, 20 -11 km / 13 - 7 mi, 175 m ascent, 90 m descent

Villages along the way: Cavalheiro

Today you follow the Fishermen's Trail again along the coast- Rolling dunes alternate with rocky shores, where storks nest, and of course another set of beaches:  Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália.

Treat yourself to lunch at the (fish) restaurant of the natural fishing port of Azenha do Mar, before continuing on to the Seixe River that separates the Alentejo from the Algarve. You stay overnight in a hotel in the upper part of the village of Odeceixe, made up of several typical houses.

Challenge: 5.5 - 6 hrs, 19 km / 12 mi, 220 m ascent, 230 m descent

Villages along the way: Azhena, Odeceixe

From the hotel's doorstep you start walking through farmed fields and an open landscape of heather and fragant shrubs, all very easy going along rural tracks and quiet tarmac lanes. After a coffee break at the best bakery shop in Rogil, you can chose between the coastal trail to Praia da Amoreira (taxi from Praia da Amoreira to Aljezur not included) or a shorter inland trail straight on to Aljezur. 

Challenge: 5.5 - 6 hrs, 19 - 23 km / 12 - 14 mi,  150 m ascent/descent

Villages along the way: Rogil and Aljezur

From your hotel in Aljezur you first walk uphill to the mediaeval fortress at the edge of the plateau overlooking the valley and coast. Then you cross the plateau to reach the beach of Monte Clerigo and turn south again towards Arrifana, inhabited already in eraly history by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs. A unique feature of the Arrifana area is that there was a Ribat, an Islamic fortress-monastery, occupied by warlike monks. The monastery was founded in  the 12th centuryby Ibn Qasî, a Sufi, political leader and spiritual guide, and was, as far as we know, the only Ribat in Portugal. Now only a ruin remains, but in a beautiful place.

At the beach of Arrifana, a taxi will pick you up and return you to your hotel in Aljezur.

Challenge: 5 hrs, 17 km / 11 mi, 225 m ascent, 180 m descent

Villages along the way: Aljezur, Monte Clérigo and Arrifana

After breakfast your arrangement ends.