How to Walk Rota Vicentina's Fisherman's Trail in Portugal

The Rota Vicentina is a 750 km long network of walking trails in the southwest of Portugal. It includes 24 short circular walking routes, a long-distance trail called the Historical Way and as far as we are concerned the most attractive route of them all, the Fisherman’s Trail. For 230 kilometres this route winds along the pristine Portuguese coast from Porto Covo to Lagos via secluded coves and beaches and dips down to the spectacular southwestern tip of Portugal, Cabo de São Vicente. The entire southwest coast is a protected area called the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Its protective status prevents mass coastal development, and aims to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the region. This is one of the very few coastal areas in southern Europe where such a legislation is in place and it’s therefore an ideal destination for those who are seeking a walking holiday along an unspoilt, authentic coastline.

The Fisherman’s Trail starts in Porto Covo, a quaint fishing village in the southern part of the province of Setubal. The travel distance from Portugal’s capital Lisbon is roughly 170 km. This variation of the Rota Vicentina runs along Portugal’s stunning coastal trails to Lagos, a small charming city in the Algarve. As stated before, the full route is 230 km long and can be walked in both directions. Most trekkers choose to walk the Fisherman’s Trail in a north to south direction. This is a great way to extend your trip with a few recovery days on one of Algarve’s golden beaches. For those with less time, the trail can be walked in two separate sections with Aljezur as the main hub halfway.

The trailhead at Porto Covo is well-served by the bus company Rede Expressos from Lisbon, and the journey takes about three hours. Aljezur is perfectly located halfway the Fisherman’s Trail and it takes less than an hour by bus to get to and from Lagos. The closest international airport from Lagos is in Faro.

The Fisherman’s Trail is a year-round walking route. When you choose your dates there are two considerations to make.

Weather

Southern Portugal is never really cold, even in winter. But as it is right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the weather can be stormy and blustery at times and you will need some warmer clothes from December to March. The best time to go is in spring time (April-May) and autumn (October-November). Summers are hot and that takes us to the second consideration for choosing the time to go: crowds.

Holiday season

Two months of the year, July and August, the Fisherman’s Trail gets busy. Guesthouses, hostels and hotels along the route are usually fully booked in advance. The shoulder seasons spring and autumn are much more quiet, with a chance to have a beach or the trail to yourself. If you really want to get away from people then winter time is the ideal time to hike the Fisherman’s Trail.

You are on the Fisherman’s Trail, so it’s not a surprise seafood is the main food staple wherever you go. The Portuguese have turned the preparation of seafood into an art form, and hard choices have to be made when the menu is presented. Portugal’s absolute favourite dish is Bacalhau, or cod in English. It comes in many varieties and you can get it in almost every restaurant. Other favourites include Cataplana de Marisco, a hearty seafood stew and Polvo à Lagareiro, which is roasted octopus with olives and potato. And what local snack to bring on the trail? Bring a bag of Pastel de Nata, a sweet pastry with custard, that will keep you going!

The southwestern coastline is protected and you won’t see mass scale resorts and hotels en route. Villages offer authentic, locally owned accommodation, often very close to the sea. We typically book 3-star hotels and guesthouses with excellent reviews. At Bookatrekking.com, we know which charming guesthouse to arrange for you on the Fisherman’s Trail.

Walking the full version of the Fisherman’s Trail can take 11 to 13 days. However, not all of us have the luxury to embark on such a long hike. Besides offering the full hike, we created two shorter versions of the route, the northern half and the southern half. Let’s get deeper into what to expect for each half.

It’s easy and cheap to fly to Portugal’s capital Lisbon and Faro in the Algarve. Portugal itself is one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe to travel in. Getting to and from the trailhead/end by public transport is efficient and won’t cost more than 50 Euro in total. A local draught beer in Portugal costs 2 Euro and you can have a meal for around 10 Euro. Breakfast is ready for you every day so you only have to put money aside for your lunch and dinner. And a trip at Bookatrekking.com? For less than 700 Euro per person, you can already be on the trail with a comprehensive offer from Bookatrekking.com.

The Fisherman’s Trail is a safe trail to hike independently. In the towns, though, keep an eye out for petty crime. This means pickpocketing and muggings can occur. This is relative to any other holiday destinations in Western Europe. On beaches, always keep a close eye on the warning flags and don't swim too far into the sea. The currents in the Atlantic Ocean can be very strong and drownings do occur on the Portuguese coast. Some of the trail sections get close to the cliffs. Make sure you keep your distance, as some cliff edges may collapse due to erosion. Bring enough water, make sure your phone is charged and it's a good idea to bring a map, which you can buy in Porto Covo. On the Fisherman’s Trail, you are never far from civilisation and you will always meet several people on the route.