Upon your arrival in Faro, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in central Faro. You can have a nice dinner at your own expense, and then it’s time to get ready for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Faro Boutique Hotel
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Golden cliffs, rolling dunes, and waves that have shaped centuries of exploration—this is the Algarve, where every step tells a story. Our journey takes us from the tranquil islands of Ria Formosa to the untamed beauty of the Vicentine Coast, where dramatic rock formations meet the endless Atlantic. We’ll stroll through historic fishing villages, climb sun-drenched coastal paths, and end at Cape St. Vincent—the last sight sailors had before setting off into the unknown. Add in fresh seafood, lively markets, and trails that weave through Portugal’s most stunning landscapes, and you’ve got an adventure worth every mile.
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You’ll meet the guide at 8:30am, and travel by train to Olhao (20 min), one of the main fishing ports in the Algarve. We’ll visit the old town of Olhao and the market with its well-stocked stalls. We’ll go on a ferry, which will cross the Ria Formosa Natural Park to the small island of Culatra.
After lunch in a typical “tasca”, the sandy alleys of the small island village of Culatra lead to the ocean. A long, wild beach (swimming opportunity) leads to the lighthouse in Farol. We’ll return to Faro by boat.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic, dinner
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi), 3 hours
Accommodation: Faro Boutique Hotel
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We’ll transfer (30 min) from Faro to Loulé, a beautiful historic town in the hinterland. The labyrinth of alleys leads to the lively covered market of Loulé. In a beautiful neo-Moorish building, the stalls are full of fish, fruit, and vegetables that have made the Algarve famous for millennia. It is also an opportunity to discover the richness of local crafts, largely from the Moorish heritage, such as pottery and basket making.
The minibus will then take us to the site of La Rocha da Pena for a hike in this limestone massif with a Mediterranean feel: scrubland, cork oaks and holm oaks, olive trees, and carob trees. The site is also home to some couples of Bonelli’s eagles. We’ll transfer to Faro for a good night’s sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic, dinner
Hiking: 10.5 km (6.5 mi), 3.5 hours
Ascent: +480 m (+1,574 ft)
Descent: -480 m (-1,574 ft)
Accommodation: Faro Boutique Hotel
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On Day 4, we’ll transfer to Lagos (1.5 hours), the city that sent the first caravels to discover new continents in the 15th century. We’ll have a tour of this beautiful white city, its pedestrian streets, its stunning squares, and its monuments before going to the Ponta da Piedade, famous for its ochre cliffs and spectacular arches and caves.
The route follows the coastline on paths or footbridges built against erosion to the beach of Porto de Mos, and then to the village of Luz, which means “light”. Later on, there’s a transfer to Sagres.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic, dinner
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi), 3.5 hours
Ascent: +350 m (+1,148 ft)
Descent: -350 m (-1,148 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Mareta Beach
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From the port of La Baleinière, this day’s coastal hike allows us to discover the secret coves and beaches nestled in the limestone cliffs of the southern coast of the Algarve. Fig, almond, and olive trees bear witness to the challenges of agriculture and irrigation, initiated in this region by the Romans and then perfected by the Moors.
There are many swimming opportunities on the small, protected beaches of Barranco, Ingrina or Zavial. Later on, it’s the return transfer to Sagres.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic, dinner
Hiking: 12-15 km (7.4-9.3 mi), 3.5-4.5 hours
Ascent: +250 m (+820 ft)
Descent: -200 m (-656 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Mareta Beach
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Transfer to the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, which is home to about 1000 plant species, a real refuge of biodiversity. In the shade of the umbrella pines, we reach the beach of Bordeira and its dune ridge, then walk along the spectacular cliffs of this wild and steep coastline to the small village of Carrapateira. The café terraces bring together local fishermen and international surfers in a relaxed atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic, dinner
Hiking: 12 km (7.4 mi), 3.5 hours
Ascent: +200 m (+656 ft)
Descent: -200 m (-656 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Mareta Beach
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From Sagres, enjoy a hike on the “promontorium sacrum” the south-westernmost point in Europe, surrounded by multicoloured moors and along cliff edges overlooking wild coves. Passing by the superb beaches of Ponta Ruiva and Telheiro, we reach the mythical Cape Saint-Vincent, the edge of the world! To end on a high note, a visit to the fortress of Sagres is a must, a real “Nasa” of the fifteenth century from which the Portuguese set off to discover the world. Dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic
Hiking: 13 km (8 mi), 4 hours
Ascent: +200 m (+656 ft)
Descent: -200 m (-656 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Mareta Beach
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Day 8 marks the end of this hiking adventure in Portugal. Be ready, because 3.5 hours before the flight, you’ll be transferred to the airport in order to depart back home.
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Included:
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- An experienced, English-speaking, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area from Day 2 (8:30am) to Day 7
- 8-day Portugal Algarve Vicentine coast tour
- Accommodation: 7 nights in 3-star hotels (based on double occupancy with private facilities)
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners, 6 picnics
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers
- Road Book with detailed walking itineraries, including highlighted maps
- A road map of the region
- 24/7 phone assistance
Add-ons:
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- Single supplement — available to add upon checkout at an additional cost
Not included:
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- International flights
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks
- Personal items
- Tourist tax (€1 to €4 per night, per person)
- Guide gratuities — optional
- Travel and medical insurance — optional
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This Portugal Algarve Vicentine coast tour is rated moderate, which means that a good fitness level is required for this adventure. Expect to hike up to 15 km (9.3 mi) on hiking days, and up to 4.5 hours of hiking per hiking day. You’ll gain up to +480 m (+1,574 ft) in elevation.
You can find detailed day-by-day elevation changes in the itinerary.
Discover more hiking adventures in Portugal here!
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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- Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 35-40L bag)
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- Sandals or casual shoes for the evenings
- Comfortable hiking clothes
- Spare clothes for layering
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Scarf
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, lip balm, etc.)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Personal medications
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- For this Portugal Algarve Vicentine coast tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
- It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.
Hiking in Portugal can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The starting point of your Portugal Algarve Vicentine coast tour is Faro. To get there, it’s best to fly into Faro Airport (FAO). Transfer from the airport to your accommodation on Day 1 in central Faro is included.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
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