Alentejo Coastal and Historical Trails
Alentejo Coastal and Historical Trails
Alentejo Coastal and Historical Trails
8 Days Starting in Santiago do Cacém and ending in 7630-174 Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
Visiting: Santiago do Cacém, Caminho Vale do Seco, Cercal do Alentejo, Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Longueira / Almograve, Zambujeira do Mar
Tour operator:
Tour code:
130
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The first half of the Rota Vicentina complete route goes through the beautiful Alentejo region. Our Alentejo Coastal and Historical Trails walking holiday in Portugal invites you to explore the unspoiled landscapes and seascapes of Portugal’s south-western coastline combining sections of the Fishermen’s and Historical routes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival - Santiago Do Cacém
Location: Santiago do Cacém
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel D. Nuno or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Santiago do Cacém, a medieval town located in the inland of Alentejo’s coast, well worth exploring. All the trails are fully marked, being part of Rota Vicentina’s Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail.
Day 2 : Santiago Do Cacém - Vale Seco | 20Km
Location: Santiago do Cacém, Caminho Vale do Seco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casinhas da Aldeia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Time to start your adventure. Following the Alentejo’s coastline, this inland path will take you through woods and montado (groves of cork oaks). There’s also the chance of seeing some endemic species of birds which use the montado areas to settle their nests.
Walking for the day: 20km, 6h ↑360m ↓430m
Day 3 : Vale Seco - Cercal Do Alentejo | 19Km
Location: Caminho Vale do Seco, Cercal do Alentejo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Solar do Alentejo or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
The third day brings a strong rural flavour to the walk, passing by many farms and cultivated fields, a good opportunity to see a different lifestyle. You will walk through forests, open fields and olive tree groves, pass by small lakes and water reservoirs. Before getting to Cercal, the path takes you around the beautiful Campilhas lake, a nice place to refresh and go for a quick swim in the warmer days.
Walking for the day: 19km, 6h ↑160m ↓200m
Day 4 : Cercal Do Alentejo - Porto Côvo | 19Km
Location: Cercal do Alentejo, Porto Covo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Porto Côvo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Now it’s time to get closer to the ocean, this stage is the connection with the Fishermen’s Trail. After the a few kilometres passing by small farms and their beautiful cultivated gardens, you can smell the eucalyptus in the air as you pass by a plantation. You’ll know the ocean’s getting closer as soon as you reach some open fields, with the blue already on the horizon.
Walking for the day: 19km, 6h ↑160m ↓200m
Day 5 : Porto Côvo - Vila Nova De Milfontes | 8-20Km
Location: Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mil Réis or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stock up on supplies for the day since that during the day, you won’t be able to get any. This is a moderate-to-strenuous walk, crossing several areas with loose sand, you will notice that this is an unexplored area, where you can take in some astonishing views. If you are not an experienced walker, there are two shorter alternative walks available – 14km and 8km.
Walking for the day: 20km, 6h ↑160m ↓150m (or 14km / 8km alternative walks)
Day 6 : Milfontes - Almograve / Longueira | 15Km
Location: Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Longueira / Almograve
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vicentina rooms by Isa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have two options for today’s walk: a) take the small ferry to do the river crossing first and then start walking, or b) cross the river on foot via the bridge, taking the path from the beginning. Both options will lead you into an easy day of walking, crossing fields, and passing by small cliffs, with access to several beaches, heading to Almograve, further South. Almograve is a nice place to have lunch and enjoy the local gastronomy. After lunch, it’s time to explore the Almograve beach or to finish the route, heading to the village of Longueira, located inland (35 minutes walking distance).
Walking for the day: 15km, 5h ↑90m ↓115m (full walk)
Day 7 : Almograve - Zambujeira Do Mar | 21Km
Location: Longueira / Almograve, Zambujeira do Mar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rosa dos Ventos or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Almograve behind, you will be once again exploring the landscapes along the unspoilt coastal Alentejo. Pass by Zambujeira’s fishing harbour (Entrada da Barca), then walk next to the cliffs offering panoramic seascapes, where you’ll be able to watch cliff-nesting storks. You can make a stop at the small village of Cavaleiro, buy some supplies and enjoy a good home-made local dish, just before heading West to the beautiful lighthouse of Cabo Sardão. Your walk finishes in Zambujeira do Mar, with one of the most amazing beaches in Portugal.
Walking for the day: 21km, 6h ↑200m ↓200m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Zambujeira do Mar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home or individual stay extension.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights accommodation in small hotels, as described
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Meals
6 breakfasts (not included on day three in Vale Seco)
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Recommended restaurants list
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Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days
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Detailed holiday information pack, including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and maps
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GPS tracks
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Phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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One breakfast, lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for seasoned walkers and requires a reasonable level of fitness; average walking time is 5-6h per day (18km). The routes are on waymarked paths and trails, including walking on sand and dirt roads, and in general, the itinerary is very easy to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our local assistance phone number. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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When to go
This trip is available in February – beginning of June and mid-September – November. Best months to visit are March – May/June and October – November. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season. The region is benefiting from the Mediterranean climate which brings long, warm and dry summers and very mild winters. The region receives more sun each year than California. The spring season is warm, with temperatures averaging around 20C to 21 C across the season. The autumn is typically warm and pleasant, cooling slightly by November. Late-season sun-seekers can still be found sunbathing throughout the autumn, enjoying average daily maximum temperatures ranging from 26C in September to 19C in November. December is winter’s wettest month with 96 mm of rainfall through the month, typically. Whilst the winter season is warm – expect the air to feel cool to mild, although you might find temperatures in the sunlight to be as high as 20C – the days are much shorter, with an average of nine hours of daylight in December.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
This will be provided on all documentation
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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