Welcome to Our Rota Vicentina Hiking Blog

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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...

Reflecting on Hiking Portugal's Rota Vicentina

Reflecting on Hiking Portugal's Rota Vicentina

 “Some beach, somewhere
There's nowhere to go when you got all day to get there”
                                                            Blake Shelton – Some Beach

Having completed the Rota Vicentina’s Fisherman’s Trail from Lagos to Sao Torpes neither of us wanted to leave southern Portugal or stop hiking.  Trails like all good things invariably come to an end.

The Rota Vicentina has been a wonderful experience which has involved trekking through beautiful landscapes, filled with astonishing flora and fauna, as well as great birding opportunities.  In addition, we have toured historical forts, visited welcoming towns, and been able to explore the rugged coastlines of southern Portugal.  In short, the Rota Vicentina has been amazing!

Advice for hiking the Rota Vicentina Portugal.

With that said, however, there is no denying that - in sections – it was a tougher trail than one might expect.  For any number of reasons, 20-25 km on a sandy beach or trail can be oddly exhausting, especially with a heavy backpack on.  Adding to this is the fact that it is a terrain (in our opinion) that is hard to prepare for.  Beyond these stretches of sand, there were several sections along the Rota Vicentina where the footpath along the cliff’s edge would not be advisable if you were (A) afraid of heights or (B) the region was experiencing either bad weather or high winds.  Finally, we also found that several of the climbs and descents were somewhat precarious feeling and that the need for trail users to crawl through sharp hedges was a little unnecessary.


Despite, and perhaps because of, these challenges our experiences on the Rota Vicentina have given way to memories of a wonderful trek while introducing us to another region in Portugal that we have quickly come to love.

As we leave the trail – heading towards the pilgrimage crowds of the Camino and the bustle of big cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Vigo and Santiago de Compostella – we know that we will miss the tranquillity of the Rota Vicentina.   Today we depart the Fisherman’s Trail with the memories of the long golden beaches, terrific hospitality, and weeks spent in nature.  

I also know that in the future when things get tough, I will be thinking… 

“Some beach, Somewhere
There's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair
Palm trees are growin' and warm breezes blowin'
I picture myself right there
On some beach, Somewhere”
                                                            Blake Shelton – Some Beach

See you on the Trail!

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