Walking Rota Vicentina North Fishermen's Trail

Walking information

The routes follow waymarked paths and trails, including walking on sand and dirt roads.

Day 1: Arrival at Cercal

Arrive in Cercal, a rural town, which the name is coming from the Latin quercalu (meaning oak), due to the large number of such trees in the area. During your stay, do not miss the 17th century charming parish church.
You stay at Casa Azul guest house (Breakfast included)

Day 2: Cercal - Porto Covo (17km/10.6mi)

The first part of the route goes through small farms, with hedges, vegetable gardens and orchards. Here, life passes to the rhythm of the sowing. Walk through an arid area, populated with eucalyptus, then arrives in a cork oak forest. Here is a true biodiversity hotspot, there are more than 150 different species of plants that appear along the route! About a quarter of these plants are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, and some only exist on the southwest coast of Portugal. Along the route, you will also catch the scent of aromatic plants, such as lavender, thyme or rosemary.

Then reach Porto Covo a traditional fishing village.
You stay at Porto Covo Hotel*** (Breakfast included)

Day 3: Porto Covo - Vila Nova de Milfontes (20km/12.4mi)

Discover unspoilt beaches, further on, sand dunes of Ilha do Pessegueiro and wonderful seascapes. The Ilha do Pessegueiro Beach lies facing the island from which it takes its name. The island show evidences of its long history. This include a fish salting factory dating from the Roman era and which is believed to have given its name to the island (a derivative of the Latin 'piscatorius').

Take the opportunity for a dip in the water on one of these beaches.
You stay at Hotel HS Milfontes*** (Breakfast included)

Day 4: At Vila Nova de Milfontes

Day to relax by the pool or on the beach. Alternatively, stroll in the charming town of Vila Nova de Milfontes.
You stay at the hotel HS Milfontes*** (Breakfast included)

Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve (15km/9.3mi)

Amongst the cliffs and red dunes, is a sanctuary and one of the most appreciated beaches for surfing. Walk through the million-year old dunes and rock. Almograve Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches along this rocky coastline and is part of the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

Discover the more traditional slice of Portuguese coastal life. Follow the Fishermen's Trail with magnificent panorama across the ocean.
You stay at Vicentina Rooms Guest House (Breakfast included)

Day 6: Almograve - Zambujeira do Mar (22km/13.7mi)

A walk that leads you to the beautiful beach of Almograve with rocky coastline. Then, explore the fishing village of Zambujeira do Mar. This village offers an excellent view over the beach and is a small and very peaceful village. The beautiful beaches are one of the main attractions as its natural environment is one of the best preserved of this region.


You stay at Rosa dos Ventos Guest House (Breakfast included)

Day 7: Leave Zambujeira do Mar