Hiking in Portugal: 4 Fantastic Hikes on the Edge of Europe

Portugal is much more than golf courses and retirement homes. With almost 1800 kilometers of coastline, this southern European country is a treasure chest when it comes to hiking. Large sections of the Portuguese coast are protected, prohibiting mass scale tourism development. The interior is sparsely populated, with rolling hills and villages that seem to be frozen in time. Let’s take a closer look!

The northern half of Portugal has some well-established hiking routes, with some of them being a part of the pilgrimage network of trails to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Portugues. Another great long-distance trail is the Grande Rota das Aldeias Históricas de Portugal (GR22), which takes you to historical villages and ancient castles in the borderlands of Portugal and Spain.

However, the star of the show has to be the Fisherman's Trail, which runs all along the southwest coast of Portugal. The route is part of the Rota Vicentina and follows the sandy coastal trails for more than 200 kilometers. One of the absolute highlights is reaching the lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente, the most south westerly point in continental Europe. Here, the Fisherman’s Trail meets another iconic Portuguese walking route, the Via Algarviana (GR13). Typically starting at the Spanish border, this trail slices through the heartland of the Algarve province and allows you a glimpse of the real Portugal. Although some stages are fairly lengthy, the hike itself is mellow with plenty of opportunities to immerse into Portugal’s rural life. What about the Atlantic islands? Well, they are very different from mainland Portugal. Madeira’s interior is a theater of dramatic mountain scapes draped in lush cloud forests. The Madeirans have built an ingenious system of water and walk ways to connect the coast with the mountains, making it possible to traverse the whole island from coast to coast. Finally the volcanic archipelago of the Azores , which forms literally the edge of Europe. It is home to the highest peak in Portugal, aptly named Pico (Peak) and possibly the only hut to hut trekking route in the country, the Grande Rota de Santa Maria.

Where: Southwest Coast Portugal

When: All year

Distances: Full 199 km, Northern Half 85km, Southern Half 114 km

Difficulty: T2 (easy/moderate)

Best known for: Endless beaches and hidden coves

The Portuguese coast is the final frontier in continental Europe and lucky for us hikers, there is a splendid hiking trail to enjoy its natural and cultural treasures. This is the Fisherman’s Trail , a picturesque route that winds along the Atlantic Ocean's rocky shores. Originally used by local fishermen, this sandy path takes you to secluded coves, quiet beaches, and charming fishing villages. As part of the Rota Vicentina trail network in southern Portugal, the Fisherman's Trail spans nearly 230 kilometers from Porto Covo to Lagos. You can complete it in 11 stages or hike the northern or southern portions separately. Keep in mind that over 60% of the paths are sandy, adding some difficulty to your journey. If you crave sunshine, solitude, and breathtaking sea views, the Fisherman's Trail awaits!

Where: Algarve

When: All year

Distance: Loulé-Silves 92 km

Difficulty: T2 (easy/moderate)

Best known for: Rolling hills and quaint rural villages

The Via Algarviana, also known as GR13, is a long-distance hiking route traversing the Algarve's picturesque hills and rural landscapes. Stretching from Alcoutim at the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente, it retraces the historic path once taken by pilgrims on their way to the historically significant Promontory of Sagres. This well-marked trail covers about 300 kilometers, divided into 14 stages, and offers access to small rural communities that provide essential services, dining options, and places to stay.

Starting in Alcoutim near the Guadiana River, the route crosses the cork-producing region of Serra do Caldeirão, passing through charming villages like Salir, Benafim, and Alte. After São Bartolomeu de Messines, the trail follows Ribeira do Arade, offering breathtaking landscapes. Ascending Serra de Monchique, you'll enjoy panoramic views from Picota and Foia, the Algarve's highest peaks, and explore the historic town of Silves. The Via Algarviana concludes within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, where the trail coincides with the trail network of the Rota Vicentina.

Where: Madeira

When: All year

Distance: 85 km

Difficulty: T3 (hard)

Best known for: Levadas and Verenas across towering mountains

Madeira, also dubbed the Hawaii of the Atlantic, is a glorious sub-tropical island more than a 1000 kilometers off the coast of Portugal. As seen from space, it’s a small green dot surrounded by the vast Atlantic Ocean. From the coastal strip the land goes straight up, reaching elevations of over 1800 meters. Somehow the islanders have overcome the complex geography by creating a network of levadas (waterways) and verenas (mountain paths) to transport water and access higher ground. The unique laurel forests that cover parts of the mountainous interior are UNESCO listed. How to explore the wonders of Madeira better than on foot? The Bookatrekking.com team has created an epic coast to coast route right across the island called the Madeira Trail . The east to west traverse includes Madeira’s highest peak Pico Ruivo (1862m) and passes deep gorges and thundering waterfalls. It's a hiker's dream come true, and it's waiting for you to explore!

Where: Santa Maria, Azores

When: April-October

Distance: 69 km

Difficulty: T3 (hard)

Best known for: Cosy scenic huts and dramatic coastline

A hut-to-hut trek on a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? The Azores aren't typically associated with hiking, and even those who are aware of it might not know about the Atlantic's best-kept secret for trekking: the Grande Rota de Santa Maria . This 5-day circular trek is undoubtedly one of the most diverse trekking experiences in Portugal. You're always close to the ocean, featuring rugged, windswept cliffs and both black and white sand beaches. At the end of each day's hike, you can find comfort in one of the cozy shelters along the route. Santa Maria’s mild temperatures, evergreen forests, steep coastal cliffs and tranquil villages make the Grande Rota de Santa Maria a worthy alternative for hut to hut treks in the Alps and the Pyrenees .

In theory you can go hiking in Portugal year-round. It depends a little on personal preference. There is a clear distinction between mainland Portugal and the islands, as the climate and elevation is rather different.

The best time for hiking in mainland Portugal is spring and autumn. Temperatures are more pleasant as the summer months can be scorching hot. It’s also less crowded on the trails. Winters are still possible, though it can get a little chilly and it rains more. It’s likely you have the trails for yourself. The islands of Madeira and the Azores have a longer continuous hiking season, as temperatures are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The period from April until October is a great time to explore these island’s wonders. Outside of these months you can still go on a walking holiday to these places, but you should expect more rain and plenty of wind.

Portugal is well-served by airlines from both sides of the Atlantic. The main hub is Lisbon, but especially for the Fisherman’s Trail and the Via Algarviana the airport of choice is Faro in the Algarve Province. This airport is the main entry point for holiday makers in southern Portugal and therefore it’s a direct flight from most major airports. The trailheads of both hiking routes are reachable by public transport.

Despite the remote locations, it’s easy and affordable to fly to Madeira and Azores (Santa Maria) from the USA and Europe. On Madeira getting around is fairly straightforward, though you may have to use a taxi. Both the port and the airport are pretty much next to the trailhead and end of the Grande Rota de Santa Maria, so you can technically start walking straight after your arrival.