Algarve Coastal and Historical Trails
Algarve Coastal and Historical Trails
Algarve Coastal and Historical Trails
8 Days Starting in Zambujeira and ending in Cabo de São Vicente, 8650 Sagres, Portugal
Visiting: Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Praia da Arrifana, Carrapateira, Vila do Bispo, Cabo de São Vicente
Tour operator:
Tour code:
132
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Rota Vicentina is a network of walking trails in south-western Portugal along the most beautiful and best-preserved coastline of Southern Europe. The second half of the Rota Vicentina complete route goes through the beautiful Algarve region. Our Algarve 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 : Zambujeira Do Mar
Location: Zambujeira do Mar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rosa dos Ventos or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
Zambujeira is a charming fishing village, famous for its picturesque cliffs, beaches, surf and fresh fish. In the evening, have dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea.
Day 2 : Zambujeira - Odeceixe
Location: Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casas do Moinho or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This is one of the most popular hiking routes used by the fishermen going South, heading to Odeceixe, the first village in the Algarve region. You’ll find plenty to explore, passing by Carvalhal Beach, the residence of the famous fado singer Amália Rodrigues and the locally famous harbour of Azenha do Mar, and these are just some of the highlights. After recharging your batteries at Azenha do Mar’s seafood restaurant, you will have the energy to continue your journey to Odeceixe, where the bridge over the river sets the border between Alentejo and Algarve regions.
Walking for the day: 18km, 6h ↑260m ↓280m
Day 3 : Odeceixe - Aljezur
Location: Odeceixe, Aljezur
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vicentina Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Odeceixe you keep walking south near the coast, passing through the small agricultural village of Rogil, where you’ll be able to try their famous sweet potato. After that, you will keep going south until you reach the village of Aljezur.
Walking for the day: 22km, 6h ↑400m ↓400m
Day 4 : Aljezur - Arrifana Beach
Location: Aljezur, Praia da Arrifana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hi Arrifana or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will follow the Fishermen’s Trail and explore the way into Arrifana beach, with amazing views over the ocean. Wonderful place to spend some time enjoying the beach.
Walking for the day: 18km, 5-6h ↑600m ↓600m
Day 5 : Arrifana Beach - Carrapatiera
Location: Praia da Arrifana, Carrapateira
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pensão das Dunas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Arrifana, you will walk south in the company of both sea and mountain, a beautiful walk enjoying the hills, dunes and flat sandy beaches from the top of the cliffs. A very primitive and untouched part of the route, which will offer a big diversity of species along the way. A blooming garden during spring time, with amazing colours from butterflies and all the different flowers, and with beautiful foliage during the fall, providing blackberries and wild strawberries to the walkers.
Walking for the day: 23km, 6h ↑400m ↓500m
Day 6 : Carrapateira - Vila Do Bispo
Location: Carrapateira, Vila do Bispo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mira Sagres or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This day brings again beautiful colours, hills meeting the sea, beautiful meadows in the valley’s bottoms, small rivers running towards the ocean and temporary ponds, extremely important for the local biodiversity. There will be opportunities to watch some unique bird species, especially as you approach Vila do Bispo.
Walking for the day: 21km, 6h ↑300m ↓200m
Day 7 : Vila Do Bispo - Cabo De Sao Vincent
Location: Vila do Bispo, Cabo de São Vicente
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mareta View or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
The last stage of your walking adventure will take you to the most south-western point of continental Europe. Also a destination for many pilgrims following the steps of St Vincent. This is a good area for bird watching, so pay attention and keep your binoculars ready.
Walking for the day: 19km, 5h ↑210m ↓280m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Cabo de São Vicente
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
7 breakfastst
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Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days
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Recommended restaurants list
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Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and maps
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GPS tracks to use via our smartphone navigation app
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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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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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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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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 (20km). Some stages can be optionally shortened 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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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
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). If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
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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 21C 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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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All guides are English Speaking
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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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
Reviews of this operator
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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