Rota Vicentina, the Portuguese Trail to Walk

In Portugal there is a spectacular trail that passes along cliffs, dunes, and beaches washed by the ocean and crosses the Southeast Alentejo Natural Park.

The Rota Vicentina starts from Santiago do Cacém in Alentejo and arrives at Cape St. Vincent in the Algarve.

The entire route measures 340 km divided into two different circuits, one that goes through the interior of the Alentejo natural park and the Vicentina coast, the other, about 200 km, that runs along beaches and cliffs.

The path of the Rota Vicentina redraws the original route, which has been traveled for centuries by fishermen to reach small ports and fishing spots.

Every approximately 20 km of the trail, there is a town where you can stop to sleep and eat.

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Along the Rota Vicentina, you will pass by enormous beaches and sheer cliffs. Much of the coastal walk runs right above the cliffs overlooking inaccessible emerald coves or patches of sand that appear and disappear with the tides.

In kiosks, it's essential to buy the tide booklet, a simple pamphlet that indicates tide times, important for understanding when and on which beaches it is possible to walk.

The inland route passes through olive groves and sunflower fields and primarily follows pedestrian paths, never along busy thoroughfares.

Here you can find the official site of the Rota Vicentina with information about the routes, places to stay, and maps.