Posts

Showing posts from April, 2024

Welcome to Our Rota Vicentina Hiking Blog

Image
Welcome to Our Rota Vicentina Hiking Blog Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail Hike Welcome to our Rota Vicentina hiking blog as we trek Portugal's Fisherman's Trail !  The Rota Vicentina Fisherman’s Trail is a stunning network of hiking trails located along the rugged southwest coast of Portugal, offering hikers an immersive journey through breathtaking landscapes. Spanning over 400 kilometres, this trail takes you through diverse terrains, from dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches to peaceful forests and charming villages. Known for its striking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Rota Vicentina provides an authentic way to connect with nature while exploring Portugal’s natural beauty. Whether you're seeking a leisurely day walk or a more challenging trek, the trail offers something for every level of hiker.  Over the span of 12 days in the spring, we completed this 230 km route from Lagos to Cabo de Sao Vicente to Porto Covo Portugal.  It was a wonderful experience that w...

Surf’s Up on the Rota Vicentina : Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira

Image
Surf's Up on the Rota Vicentina Morning on the Fisherman's Trail This morning began with the familiar sounds of a rooster crowing.  He was joined a few minutes later by the soft but persistent 'hoo HOO hoo' calls of what were likely Rock Pigeons but could possibly have been something more interesting – but to be honest, at 6 AM I was more intent on enjoying my snuggly bed than racing outside to identify bird species.  With a short trek of only 16 km today from Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira we admittedly relaxed and took our time.  We made instant coffee in our room and ate croissants while sitting on the steps of the home we were being hosted in.  We watched as the sky shifted from its soft pinks into a beautiful blue and we could feel the warmth of the day already building.   Having enjoyed our morning repast and coffee we slowly folded and stuffed our gear into our backpacks.  Ready to head out, we left a small note of thanks to our hosts and placed ...

Birding the Fisherman’s Trail: Sagres to Vila do Bispo

Image
Birding the Fisherman's Trail Birds along the Rota Vicentina Festival observacao de aves Today is May 1st, which is a holiday here in Portugal.  While usually this gives way to challenges when hiking or on pilgrimage in Spain and Portugal, the fact is that in this region some things may stay open in the tourist oceanside towns.  However, we couldn't be certain, and in any case, we are still in the habit of leaving early, before most cafés and bars open in the morning.  As a result, we began the day enjoying the croissants we bought yesterday and the instant coffee that we made in our room.  A little after 7 AM we headed out into a gloriously cool morning (15°C) which is almost perfect weather with a backpack on.  The sky above the ocean was stained a soft pink by the rising sun, and the streets were still sleepy and quiet, with few people out and about yet. Even so, we passed a man watering his garden wearing jeans, a sweater, a down jacket, and a woollen hat wh...