Rota Vicentina

The way, accomodation, resupply, daily stages, GPS track of Rota Vicentina following the Fishermen’s Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores).

Rota Vicentina – Fishermen’s Trail

There are two options for the Rota Vicentina: the historic path inland or the Fishermen’s Trail along the coast. I chose this second option but on different occasions I went more directly or closer to the coast and I do not regret these choices. Some options taken are not possible in high or rough sea (see table below). From Lagos to São Torpes (Morgavel – north of Porto Corvo), my way is 187km, 34km less than the official route. The main differences are: bypassing Vila do Bispo, directly to Aljezur (bypassing Arrifana), fording the river at Praia de Odeceixe, shortcuts near Azenha do Mar and Cavaleiro, bypassing Almograve and crossing by boat at Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Rota Vicentina is a beautiful path, very well marked with regular accommodation, few roads and along a coast that is still wild. In spring, there are also many flowers.
I recommend not to skip the part between Lagos and Sagres. The south coast is also wild and the landscapes are different from those of the west coast. The sea, calmer and warmer, makes swimming easier.
Walking on the sand should not be underestimated. At the top of the cliffs it is dry and soft and quite strenuous. There are also sometimes parts a bit far from the coast. So don’t expect permanent views of the Atlantic. Finally, it is a popular path and in the spring, accommodation fills up quickly.

The pictures

By clicking the image below :

Useful informations :

Resupply :
Water : you must bring the water for the hike between two localities. There are no water points between. Note that on the part after Aljezur, there were regularly streams to cross (for lovers of bivouacs with filters to purify, this can be useful).

Food : there are grocery stores in the village crossed. In principle, it is not necessary to carry more than one day’s worth of food.

Accomodation : it is possible to sleep in a hostel/hotel by doing stages of around 20km (see the table below). There are several nice hostels on the way with shared kitchen. Counterpart of the success of the Rota Vicentina, they fill up quickly. Second half of March, in several places they were full. The price of a bed in a dormitory is around 20€. For a hotel room, in low season, it’s around 50€. In camping, the price for a tent is around 15€.

Bivouac in Portugal : it seems that it is forbidden but tolerated outside the summer period and outside the beaches.

River Crossing:
Carrapateira: the ribeira of Carrapateira does not go to the sea. Crossing on foot by the beach.
Odeceixe (Seixe river): at Odeceixe beach, at low tide with water up to your knees.
Vila Nova de Milfontes (from das Furnas beach across the Mira river): a ferry operates from February until autumn and avoids a 5km detour partly along the road (5€).

Trail marks : Rota Vicentina is very well marked. I sometimes took options off marked paths.

Natural protected areas :
Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park

Weather : I hiked second half of March. The conditions were ideal for walking: no rain, cool in the morning, good and almost hot in the afternoon. Not recommended of course in summer.

Equipment : see the list of my equipment in the introduction page of my Vuelta-volta.

Internet websites:

See the official website of Rota Vicentina for all the information about this trail : GPS track, useful informations, natural and historical places along the way, guidebook (15€).

There are various blogs with information about the Rota Vicentina. This is the case for example on Stingy Nomads and on Routinely Nomadic.

GPS track – Maps :

To draw a track, the website Brouter.de (see video) allows to draw following the existing ways and trails.
When I’m on my way, I’m using the Iphigénie application. With it, you can have offline OpenTopoMap. Those maps are good with paths, huts, springs… It’s also possible to send beacons of your position (if there is network); this can be reassuring on certain occasions.
The application Mapy .cz is great and free too with marked trails, springs, points of interest, shelters, huts… It is possible to download the maps to have access offline.

GPS track :

Attention ! The GPS track below has been made at my return. In all cases, the reality on the ground should be privileged. Some parts are not possible in high or rough sea. In case of way through private land, ensure the authorization of the owner.
Link to download the track in GPX format :

The stages :

From Alcoutim to Lagos and then to Cape São Vincente, see the page Via Algarviana.

Rota Vicentina	Km	Cumul km	D+	Info
Cabo de São Vicente	0	0		Bar
Santo António (Praia do Telheiro)	4	4	60	Monte Bagao Tél.+351 917798288 – Monte de Santo Antonio Tél.+351 917798288
Praia da Cordoama	10	14	180	Abrigo das Nortadas Tél.+351 936665675
Carrapateira	12	26	410	Pensão das Dunas Tél.+351 282973118 – Hostel do Mar Tél.+351 960269668 – Casa da Horta Tél.+351 968806876 – Casa Sol Tél.+351 960298462 – Casa de Estela Tél. – Carrapateiramar Guest House Tél.+351 965123272 – épicerie
18 Sagres – Carrapateira		En suivant la Rota Vicentina sauf sans passer par Vila do Bispo mais en traversant la plage de Cordoama et option par la plage de Murracão. Très belles portions avant et après le cap Saint Vincent et à partir de la plage de Cordoama. 34km 930m de dénivelés.
Monte Novo	10	36	220	Russo Surf Camp Tél.+351 964 342 391 – bar
Arrifana	8	44	160	Hi Arrifana Guesthouse Tél.+351 282997455 – Living Lodge Tél.+351 917687728 Utopia Guesthouse Tél.+351 962 424 632 – commerces
Aljezur	9	53	170	Amazig Hostel Tél.+351 282997502 – Hostel Carpe Diem Tél.+351 963 984 221 – Camping Serrao Tél.+351 282990220- Vicentina Hotel Tél.+351 282990030 – commerces
19 Carrapateira – Aljezur		Moins de vues sur la côte sur cette étape avec la plage de Bordeira au début puis celle de Canal. Quelques parties sur du sable. 27km 540m de dénivelés.
Rogil	6	59	130	Cantinho na Vicentina Tél.+351 967672211 – Hotel Alcatruz Tél.+351 282998203 Quinta Pero Vicente Tél.+351 282 995 192 – Retiro do Mocho Tél.+351 282 998 697 – commerces
Odeceixe (plage)	12	71	320	Casa Dorita Tél.+351 282947581 – Carlos Beach Guest House Tél.+351 916274348 – Quinta Azul Tél.+351 964981338
Azenha do Mar	5	76	190	Bar – restaurant
Carvalhal da Rocha	6	82	140	Monte Carvalhal da Rocha Tél.+351 282 947 293
Zambujeira do Mar	4	86	110	Camping Villa Park Tél.+351 968292236 – Hostel Nature Tél.+351 960001720 – Hostel Hakunamatata Tél.+351 918470038 – commerces
20 Aljezur – Zambujeira do Mar		Sur la Rota Vicentina jusqu’un peu avant Rogil. Ensuite via la plage do Vale dos Homens. Quelques parties raides ou un peu aériennes. Éviter par mer haute ou agitée. J’ai traversé le Rio Siexe à la plage d’Odeceixe (de l’eau jusqu’aux genoux à marée montante). Ensuite, j’ai à peu près suivi le balisage (toujours excellent) de la Rota Vicentina. 33km 930m de dénivelés.
Entrada da Barca	4	90	100	Bar – restaurant
Farol do Cabo Sardão	8	98	170	Casa da Figueira Tél.+34 607 58 67 67 – épicerie
Almograve	7	105	200	Auberge de jeunesse Tél.+351 283 010 532 – Almograve Beach Hostel Tél.+351 963373635 – commerces
Vila Nova de Milfontes	10	115	160	Selina Tél.+351 927514681 – Camping Milfontes Tél.+351 283996140 – Pirata Hostel Tél.+351 966145325 – Blue Bamboo Tél.+351 283990074 – Hotel Mar e Sol Tél.+351 967550622 – Casa Amarela Tél.+351 934204610 – commerces.
21 Zambujeira do Mar – Vila Nova de Milfontes		En suivant la Rota Vicentina avec les variantes suivantes : sans le crochet par Cavaleiro (le sentier qui coupe passe bien), sans passer par Almograve (par la plage da Foz dos Ouriços), par la plage do Brejo Largo (à éviter par mer haute ou agitée) et en prenant le ferry entre la plage das Furnas et Vila Nova de Milfontes (fonctionne à partir de février). 28km 650m de dénivelés.
Malhão	9	124	150	Camping Orbitur Tél.+351 283 890 100
Porto Covo	9	133	120	Camping Ilha do Pessegueiro Tél.+351 269 905 178 – Camping Porto Covo Tél.+351 269905136 – Camping Costa do Vizir Tél.+351 269959100 – Ahoy Hostel Tél.+351 961370095 – The Mute Tél.+351 269096246 – commerces
São Torpes – Morgavel	7	140	90	Campigir Tél.+351 269632105 – bar
22 Vila Nova de Milfontes – São Torpes (Morgavel)		En suivant la Rota Vicentina et, pour éviter la marche pénible sur le sable mou, quand cela est possible (marée basse), passage en bord de mer . C’est le cas notamment entre la plage de Malhão et celle de Queimado ou au nord de Porto Covo. 25km 370m de dénivelés.
	140	140	2 990