Let’s get straight to the point: hiking in the ALGARVE is fantastic! This trip, I’ll be hiking two different routes:
- 1) The Fishermen’s Trail along the southwest coast of Portugal with its high cliffs.
- 2) The GR13 Via Algarviana through the interior of the Algarve.
Fishermen’s Trail
In 2020, I also hiked the Fishermen’s Trail, backpacking from Lagos to Sines! Now I’m driving my campervan from Sines to Lagos. It’s so cool, I’m looking forward to it!
Zambujeira do Mar
After a rainy day in Sines, our next stop is Zambujeira do Mar. A lovely campsite with a great low-season price, close to the sea AND the Fishermen’s Trail. Wow, the scenery is amazing here!
Zambujeira do Mar is a white village with a white chapel perched on high cliffs. Stairs lead down to the beach. I walk a section of the trail, enjoying the scenery and the stunning views of the cliffs and the sea.
In the evening I have a pizza at the camping bar. We sit warm and cozy next to the fireplace and Leo is even allowed inside the restaurant. We walked to the left and to the right on the trail. Time to continue on the route!
Praia de Odeceixe
We’re enjoying the sun, rain, wind, sun, and rain—varied weather, three seasons in one day! And we’re enjoying a fantastic walk along the cliffs and dunes near Odeceixe.
Aljezur
At Aljezur, I turn off to Monte Clérigo beach. The sun is shining now, great photos 😍 A lovely walk on the trail. The path is varied, with dirt roads, sandy paths, over cliffs, and through the dunes.
We spend the night under a clear starry sky!
Bordeira
Hiking in Bordeira. I’ve been here before, of course, and I remember this section of the trail well. We haven’t even reached the viewpoint yet, and it’s already starting to rain. We keep going anyway, and are soaked by the time we reach the camper.
Sagres
First, we’re going to Cabo de São Vincente, the lighthouse near Sagres.
I’m thinking back to my backpack hike in 2020 and my then-new travel plans, which have now become reality!
The high cliffs, the striking lighthouse, lots of seagulls, and a strong wind: a stunning location.
Sagres is also definitely worth a visit, it is a nice village with beautiful beaches.
Burgau – Luz
In Burgau we spend the night just outside the small village. We walk steeply down the narrow streets to the beach, and then steeply up again to hike the Fishermen’s Trail to Luz. The campervan site is completely peaceful and we love it. A little different from the hustle and bustle of places like Sagres and Lagos.
Hiking the Fishermen’s Trail with a backpack is highly recommended. Beautiful scenery, charming villages, and plenty of places to stay overnight. But it’s different with a campervan. In this part of Portugal, campervans are less welcome, and finding a good place to stay overnight isn’t easy.
Thinking about hiking the trail? Check out my blog!
https://marianaroundtheworld.com/en/europe/the-first-week-of-the-second-part-of-my-live/
GR13 Via Algarviana
The Via Algarviana starts from Alcoutim on the Guadiana River and ends at Cape São Vicente. Along the way, the route traverses 300 km of the Algarve’s interior.
Alferce
We follow the GR13 in the opposite direction. Via Monchique, we drive to Alferce, a small hamlet in the Algarve’s interior. There’s a wooden staircase and a suspension bridge over the gorge. We take a lovely walk and see two deer!
It’s much colder in Alferce, around 5 degrees Celsius at night. Even though it’s only 300 meters above sea level, the heating still needs to be turned on, brrr.
Alte
Our next stop is the wonderful village of Alte. We park next to a stunning waterfall and walk along the Via Algarviana! In the village, we wander through the narrow streets. I see many cats (with shelters), ceramics, and great murals.
Alcoutim
Our last walk on the Via Algarviana is at Alcoutim, a village on the Guadiana River. The river is the border, and on the other side, you can see Spain! Alcoutim is a lively village, even in autumn. There’s a castle and blue murals to admire: Mural de Azulejos.
Leo and I enjoyed our walks in the Algarve! Winter is almost here, and we’ll be seeking warmth in southern Spain for the coming weeks. Would you like to travel with us?
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