Rota Vicentina Trail

The Rota Vicentina Trail: the best of the Alentejo coast

Mark your diaries: the Rota Vicentina trail has been voted one of the best in all of Europe.

O Rota Vicentina trail The historical path of the Rota Vicentina has received the Leading Quality Trails certification – Best of Europe. In other words, it was elected one of the best trails in Europe by the European Ramblers Association.

The reason is simple. The Rota Vicentina trail meets all quality criteria, as a result of the improvements and adjustments that have been made to the trail in recent times. This route extends across the southwest of Portugal and includes a network of paths that follow that beautiful coastline.

Rota Vicentina – Historic Trail

The Historical Way is the longest in the entire network, at about 230 km, and connects Santiago do Cacém to Cape St. Vincent. The most emblematic section of the Fishermen's Trail, however, connects Porto Covo Odeceixe and covers approximately 80 km.

An excellent combination of both trails is to start the hike in Santiago do Cacém or Porto Covo and then follow the Fishermen's Trail to Odeceixe. As the Historical Way also passes through Odeceixe, you can then follow this route to Cabo de São Vicente. If you set off from Porto Covo, you will cover approximately 170 captivating kilometres along the Rota Vicentina in total.

Rota Vicentina Fishermen's Trail

The Fishermen’s Trail is one of the most beautiful coastal trails in the world and links São Torpes to Lagos. In theory, it is approximately 220 km long. We say “in theory” because the Fishermen’s Trail is not entirely continuous, making use of various sections of the Historic Trail to link different stretches, particularly between Rogil (Aljezur) and Carrapateira.

As we have already mentioned above, the most emblematic section of the Fishermen's Trail connects Porto Covo Odeceixe and covers around 80 km. If you want to start from São Torpes, you will have to add another 10 km.

The other section of the Fishermen's Trail, completely separate from the Historical Way, is the one connecting Sagres to Lagos. It is approximately 50 km long and is a great option for those who want to explore the southern coast of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. It is a very different Algarve from the one usually found on postcards.

As the name suggests, the Fishermen's Trail runs almost always alongside the sea, using the paths used by locals for access to beaches and fishing harbours. But if you think it's a seaside stroll, think again. The Fishermen's Trail is physically much more demanding than the Historical Trail, as it unfolds along steep cliffs and sandy tracks, with the coastal wind always as your companion. If you suffer from vertigo, it's better to stick to the Historical Trail of the Rota Vicentina!

Source Wanderers