Self-guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
25.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Escape the busy tourist spots of the Algarve and discover the unspoilt Sagres Peninsula, a region of spectacular natural beauty with rugged cliffs, dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches and lush countryside. On our 10-night walking holiday, a mixture of forest, valley and coastal trails take you inland and along Portugal's west and south coast, affording breathtaking views and some truly memorable moments.
Starting on the west coast you'll walk along the Rota Vicentina and Fishermen's Trail, discovering delightful whitewashed villages and golden beaches, before the course of the Sinceira River leads you inland to charming Pedralva. Following a fragrant forest route you'll reach the picturesque village of Vila do Bispo, from where you'll make your way to the mesmerising Cabo de Sao Vicente - Europe's most south-westerly point and an unforgettable part of your holiday. Be sure to take your camera - the views are incredible! You'll follow one of the Algarve's most beautiful walking trails to historic Lagos, before rounding off your holiday in style, walking the cliff-tops to some of the area's finest beaches.
You'll stay in a wonderful variety of hotels, all with pools, including a charming hotel in Sagres with wonderful views of the fortress and over the crashing Atlantic below; a rustic house in Pedralva (every house in the village has been restored to provide accommodation!); a well-restored pensao (coaching inn) in Vila do Bispo complete with spa; and a family-run hotel just 20 minutes' walk from the old town of Lagos. We've included five evening meals so you're free to sample some of the area's superb local restaurants.
Mostly gently undulating with a couple of short but steepish descents/climbs on most days. Walks are mostly on a mix of coastal paths and tracks and woodland trails. Sections follow the Rota Vicentina and Fishermens Trail.
Arrive at your hotel in the coastal town of Sagres.
You stay at Hotel Memmo Baleeira.
This designer hotel is perfectly situated overlooking the stunning bay on the edge of Sagres. The rooms are minimalistic in design and feature all amenities. The restaurant here prides itself on serving the best of the local seafood, whilst the hotel offers free use of the Turkish bath, sauna and indoor pool, the perfect tonic after a day exploring this stunning area.
Room upgrades: Double Frontal Sea View, 1 Bed Suite Land View, 1 Bed Suite Garden View or 1 Bed Suite Frontal Sea View.
The Superior room is a larger room. All suites have separate living areas and come with dvd players and bathrobes.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
After a 30-minute transfer you'll start today's walk, following the Fishermen's Trail to the cliff tops and the glorious Amado beach. You'll make your way to Carrapateira - perhaps stop for a picnic lunch or sample one of the village's snack bars - before following the Rota Vicentina past one of the Algarve's best viewpoints, on your way to Pedralva.
You stay at Aldeia da Pedralva.
This is a magical place, a real find. In 2006 the village of Pedralva was a ruin with houses just left to rot by owners who no longer wanted to live in the countryside. However, Antonio Ferreira, after initially deciding to buy a couple of houses, eventually renovated 24 which have been beautifully restored to create 24 rooms. The village itself is surrounded by verdant nature parks and offers great walking and cycling possibilities. Food here is rustic Portuguese, simple in terms of ingredients but mouth watering in terms of quality, flavour and freshness.
The choice is yours today. You could relax and explore this charming village or purchase some picnic supplies and follow one of our suggested walks! A cliff-top route takes you back to the beautiful Amado beach; you'll enjoy breathtaking views out to sea, with the return leg offering valley and forest views as far as the Serra de Monchique. A shorter walk takes you along the Marreiros plateau where you'll enjoy far-reaching views over the rolling countryside below.
You stay at Aldeia da Pedralva.
This is a magical place, a real find. In 2006 the village of Pedralva was a ruin with houses just left to rot by owners who no longer wanted to live in the countryside. However, Antonio Ferreira, after initially deciding to buy a couple of houses, eventually renovated 24 which have been beautifully restored to create 24 rooms. The village itself is surrounded by verdant nature parks and offers great walking and cycling possibilities. Food here is rustic Portuguese, simple in terms of ingredients but mouth watering in terms of quality, flavour and freshness.
After an enchanting walk through pine and eucalyptus forest you can choose from two routes. One follows the Rota Vicentina and pretty meadows to Vila do Bispo, whilst the longer route makes a horseshoe loop into the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, to the Praia da Barriga (Barriga beach), set at the end of a long and lush valley and backed by dramatic cliffs.
You stay at Hotel Mira Sagres.
The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.
Today you could wander the quaint streets of the village or choose to follow one of our suggested walks. Perhaps take in the cliffs and viewpoints above Vila do Bispo, or walk through a landscape of rolling hills and gentle valleys, through the village of Raposeira, to the Guadalupe Chapel which is thought to be one of the only Knights Templar buildings left in Portugal.
You stay at Hotel Mira Sagres.
The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.
The undoubted highlight of today is making your way to the south-western tip of Europe - Cabo de Sao Vicente. Following country lanes and coastal trails, you'll enjoy some superb scenery en route and feel on top of the world when you arrive! Take a tour of the lighthouse, visit the museum, or relax with a drink in the bar before we transfer you (5 mins) back to Sagres.
You stay at Pousada de Sagres Infante.
The Pousada de Sagres, Infante, is a lovely hotel with 270 degree views of the Atlantic sea below. On the west side there are great views of Sagres Fortress and Cabo de Sao Vicente in the distance.
The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool with views of the fortress, there are also massage rooms and a large lounge. The rooms all have balcony or terrace and sea views.
Room upgrades: Superior Room, Superior Sea View or Special Suite.
Superior rooms are larger and have balcony with partial sea view and garden view; Superior sea views are larger and have balcony with frontal sea view; Special suites have living room, front sea view and balcony.
If you can tear yourself away from the hotel pool, why not take a walk to the Ponta da Atalaia and Ponta da Baleeira headland today? You'll experience wonderful views over Sagres' impressive fortress and the Mareta and Martinhal beaches. Alternatively, head straight to Martinhal Beach for a stroll on the sand and a drink at one of the bars!
You stay at Pousada de Sagres Infante.
The Pousada de Sagres, Infante, is a lovely hotel with 270 degree views of the Atlantic sea below. On the west side there are great views of Sagres Fortress and Cabo de Sao Vicente in the distance.
The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool with views of the fortress, there are also massage rooms and a large lounge. The rooms all have balcony or terrace and sea views.
Room upgrades: Superior Room, Superior Sea View or Special Suite.
Superior rooms are larger and have balcony with partial sea view and garden view; Superior sea views are larger and have balcony with frontal sea view; Special suites have living room, front sea view and balcony.
It's stunning scenery and seascapes all the way today as you follow one of the Algarve's most beautiful coastal walking trails. A 20-30 minute transfer takes you to one of two possible starting points, depending on which length of walk you choose. The route takes you through the picturesque fishing villages of Burgau and Praia da Luz with their whitewashed houses and picture-perfect beaches - perhaps stop for lunch at one of the bars or restaurants or enjoy a beachside picnic.
You stay at Costa Doiro.
Tucked away just a kilometre from Lagos old town this lovely hotel offers a relaxing tranquil stay. The rooms are different depending on which villa you stay in mixing a multitude of Portuguese and colonial designs.
Food here is a real Portuguese affair including a complete breakfast section of Portuguese specialities. It is easy to walk to Lagos old town, the Dona Ana beach, one of Portugal's best and the famous light house at Ponta da Piedade.
It's just a 20-minute walk from your hotel to the Old Town of Lagos. Here you'll find the C14 walls protecting a tangle of cobbled streets full of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, along with ornate churches, some interesting museums and the pride and joy of Lagos - its bustling marina!
You stay at Costa Doiro.
Tucked away just a kilometre from Lagos old town this lovely hotel offers a relaxing tranquil stay. The rooms are different depending on which villa you stay in mixing a multitude of Portuguese and colonial designs.
Food here is a real Portuguese affair including a complete breakfast section of Portuguese specialities. It is easy to walk to Lagos old town, the Dona Ana beach, one of Portugal's best and the famous light house at Ponta da Piedade.
Today's walk has some fabulous scenery! After a transfer (20 mins) to Figueira, you'll follow a route through rolling countryside to the cliff-top headland above Praia do Zavial, before continuing via the beaches of Ingrina and Barranco up to the Sagres plateau. Cross the tiny Praia dos Rebolinhos before a final stretch along Martinhal Beach back to your hotel - take your boots off and enjoy the sand between your toes!
You stay at Hotel Memmo Baleeira.
This designer hotel is perfectly situated overlooking the stunning bay on the edge of Sagres. The rooms are minimalistic in design and feature all amenities. The restaurant here prides itself on serving the best of the local seafood, whilst the hotel offers free use of the Turkish bath, sauna and indoor pool, the perfect tonic after a day exploring this stunning area.
Room upgrades: Double Frontal Sea View, 1 Bed Suite Land View, 1 Bed Suite Garden View or 1 Bed Suite Frontal Sea View.
The Superior room is a larger room. All suites have separate living areas and come with dvd players and bathrobes.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Pousada Palacio de Estoi, Faro; Hotel Faro, Faro; Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon.
The Pousada de Estoi is situated in the small village of Estoi, just a 25-minute bus journey or 15-minute taxi ride from Faro. Set in the hills overlooking Faro and the coast, this wonderful hotel was born from the ruins of the Palacio de Estoi. A 18th century Rococo palace once owned by the viscount of Estoi, it has been painstakingly restored to its former glory and provides a relaxing haven complete with beautiful pool just above bustling Faro and just a 20-minute walk to the Roman excavated village of Milreu.
Whilst keeping an eye to the past, the rooms have a modern fresh feel, they are all a good size, with views down to the coast. The hotel boasts a large spa complete with sauna and Turkish bath. There is a nice restaurant offering set menus and a la carte.
Room upgrades: Suite.
Suites are slightly bigger and offer a south facing balcony.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
A modern 4 star hotel which boasts a superb location overlooking the fishing harbour and marina, just a short stroll from Faro's historic centre encircled by it's ancient Moorish city walls. There are fantastic views of the Ria Formosa National Park from the hotel's panoramic rooftop restaurant and bar. Other facilities include a small rooftop swimming pool and a fitness centre with sauna.
Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$954.
These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$954.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Self-guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
25.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App