The Algarve region on the spectacular South Coast of Portugal is famous for its golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and fantastic weather. Coastal hiking trails take you past breathtaking sandstone cliffs, unreal rock formations, and caves, through vibey beach towns and charming fishing villages. Hiking trails away from the coast will show you the Algarve’s beautiful forest and mountain landscapes.
With about 300 days of sunshine and 150 km of coastline, Algarve hiking is a dream. Living in the stunning beach town of Lagos we often explore the amazing hiking trails around the region. In this article, we share some of our favorite day hikes, boardwalks, and multi-day hikes in the South of Portugal
Day Hikes and Multi-day hiking trails in the Algarve
Hiking in the Algarve is possible for everyone from serious hiking addicts to people just doing the occasional stroll. Many trails are easily accessible from the main towns with the walking difficulty ranging from very easy flat, wide boardwalks to challenging single-track routes. Boardwalks are constructed on the beach, cliffs, and other beautiful areas. These trails are often wheelchair accessible and suitable for pushing children in strollers. Day hikes and multi-day hikes on well-marked trails explore some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe. Hiking for several days is possible on well-marked routes with various accommodations available along the way.
Day Hikes in the Algarve
The Algarve has plenty of excellent, well-maintained hiking trails exploring the beach, cliffs, and mountainous areas that can be walked within a couple of hours. Many coastal routes have beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs. Walking on the beach is fun, but the sand makes hiking challenging. Not all routes are circular, so transport is often arranged from the endpoint after the hike.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Lagoa
One of Europe’s most spectacular trails the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is known for its breathtaking scenery, unreal views of picturesque beaches, rugged limestone cliffs, and natural caves on the Algarve coastline. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail starts at Marinha Beach, Lagoa, and ends at Praia do Vale de Centianes, Carvoeiro. Marinha Beach and Benagil Cave are two famous landmarks on the trail. Marinha Beach is rated one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world, while the Benagil Cave is probably the most famous natural attraction in the Algarve. This is a linear route taking about 2 hours to walk.
Total distance – 6 km/3,7 mi one way
Time – from 2 hours
Difficulty – Moderate Difficulty, fairly flat with few ascents and descents.
How to walk the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Starting the Hike – The trailhead is on the right-hand side of the lookout point at the Marinha Beach Parking when facing the ocean and can be reached by car. There is sufficient parking, but try to get there early in summer. You can get to the trailhead with an Uber from Lagoa, Carvoeiro, or Armação de Pêra.
Returning to Your Car – this is a linear route. Walking back following the same trail is an option. The total distance of the return hike is 12 km. You can take an Uber to get back to your car. It is a 15-minute drive usually costing between 5 and 7 euros.
About the Trail – The trail is a good footpath with some rocky parts but no loose rocks or slippery ground. This hike is not recommended with small children. Cycling is not allowed.
See our Complete Guide to Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail for more information.
The Trail of the Headlands, Carvoeiro
The Trail of the Headlands is a magnificent route along the rugged Algarve coast, following unspoiled beaches, dramatic drops, caverns, and arches, with amazing lookouts, over the turquoise ocean. The 6-kilometer coastal hiking trail starts at Praia do Paraiso in Carvoeiro and finishes at Praia do Molhe in Ferragudo. This trail is a great alternative to the Seven Hanging Valleys trail which can get very busy in season.
Total distance – 6,5 km/4 mi, one way
Time – 2 hours
Difficulty easy-moderate route
How to walk the Trail of the Headlands
Starting the Hike – The trail stretches from the parking area of the Praia do Paraiso (Paradise Beach) in Carvoeiro to Praia do Molhe in Ferragudo (close to Molhe restaurant).
Carvoeiro has very few public transport options. Renting a car is the best way to get here.
Returning to Your Car – This is a linear trail, you can walk back the same route. The total distance of the return hike is 12 km. You can take an Uber back to your car for about EUR 5.
About the Trail – you will walk on a rocky footpath with some loose small rocks that make descending a bit tricky. Not a trail recommended for small children.
The Praia da Luz to Lagos hike
The Praia da Luz to Lagos walk is a beautiful 10-kilometer hike with a challenging hill, fantastic scenery, and diverse landscapes. The trail passes some of the best sites on the Algarve coast including the incredible Ponta da Piedade, Praia Dona Ana, and Praia do Camilo, some of the best beaches in Lagos. This hike is the last stage of the breathtaking Fishermen´s Trail multi-day hiking route.
Praia da Luz and Lagos are two beautiful towns and taking a dip in the ocean at Luz Beach or Porto de Mos Beach in Lagos are good options! The trail can be walked in both directions. The route officially ends at the train station in Lagos, but you can end your day anywhere in town. Check here for the best accommodation options in Lagos.
Total distance – 10,5 km/6.5 mi, one-way
Time – 2.5 to 3 hours
Difficulty easy-moderate route
How to walk the Praia da Luz to Lagos Trail
Starting the hike – The trail is clearly marked from Luz beach to Lagos train station by the green and blue stripes marking the way on the Fishermen´s Trail. It’s easy to get from Lagos to Praia da Luz by Uber, the cost is usually between EUR 5 – 7, and is around a 15 min ride. You can also take public bus #4 from the bus station in Lagos to Igreja Sra. da Luz (a church near the beach in Luz).
About the Hike – The most challenging part of the walk is a steep 900-meter ascent from Praia da Luz to the top of the cliffs. The rest of the hike is fairly flat and easy. Walking from Luz beach you are about halfway to the train station when you reach Porto de Mos beach in Lagos.
The Ludo Trail, Faro
The Ludo Trail is a nice and easy day hiking trail in Ria Formosa Natural Park in Faro, used for hiking, running, and cycling. The trail goes through the wetlands of the São Lourenço River, saltpans, and pine and eucalyptus forests. This is a flat gravel road with no hills, we walked it with our daughter in a stroller and saw several runners and cyclists.
Total distance – 7 km/4.3 mi, circular
Time – 2 hours
Difficulty easy
Walking through marshall areas, forests, and saltpans the scenery on the trail is diverse. This is a fantastic trail for birders with flamingos, storks, ducks, and a variety of other birds such as magpies can be seen in the area. Also, watch for chameleons, hedgehogs, tortoises, snakes and frogs.
Location of the Ludo Trail – The trailhead is at Estrada Praia do Faro, between Faro Beach and the airport. Google.maps Pin Ludo Hiking Trail.
You can also reach Ludo Trail by public bus from Faro or by Uber.
Multi-Day Hiking Trails in the Algarve
Portugal has some excellent options if you want to do a long-distance hike for a couple of days, the Camino Portuguese is the most popular hiking trail in the country. For hiking on the beach, The Rota Vincentina trails in the Algarve have some great options. The Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails in the Alentejo and Algarve provinces in Southern Portugal. Two long-distance routes the Fisherman’s Trail and the Historical Way are the main hiking trails on the Rota Vicentina. Several short circular routes are also part of the network of trails.
The Fishermen’s Trail
The Fishermen´s Trail hugging the south coast of Portugal is known as one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. It is a part of the Rota Vicentina network of hiking trails. If you want to walk next to the ocean for days this is the trail for you. Hike on the sandstone cliffs of the Algarve with endless views of the Atlantic Ocean and on the beach, doing some challenging hiking in the sand with the waves breaking next to your feet. We wrote a comprehensive Guide to Walk the Fishermen’s Trail.
The separate stages of the Fishermen´s Trail are fantastic day hikes. Walk one day or a week, as long and far as suits you. You can start and finish at any town along the route. All the towns on the trail are accessible by public transport and have hotels, shops, and restaurants.
The total distance of the Fishemens´s trail is 230 km/143 mi. To complete the entire route from S.Torpez Beach to Lagos you need 12-14 days.
Starting point – Porto Covo or S.Torpez Beach
Finishing point – Lagos
Route Markings – the Fishermen’s Trail is clearly marked with blue and green stripes painted on small wooden poles and rocks. The trail is easy to follow.
The Historical Way – Rota Vicentina
The Historical Way is the inland route of the Rota Vicentina passing through non-touristy areas of the Alentejo and Algarve regions in the south of Portugal. We preferred walking the Fishermen´s trail, following the coast, and hiking on the sand, but the Historical Way had some nice scenery with lush green forests and fields of colorful flowers in May. The route never goes close to the ocean.
Hiking the historical way of the Rota Vicentina from Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, to the end in Odeceixe, Algarve takes about 6 days. If you want to walk a route with fewer people these off-the-beaten-path areas of the Alentejo region is an excellent hiking option in Portugal.
See our Complete Guide to Hiking The Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina.
The total distance of the Historical Way is 120 km/74 mi. To complete the entire route you need 6 days.
Starting point – Santiago do Cacém in Alentejo Portugal
Finishing point – Odeceixe in Algarve
Route Markings – the Historical Way of Rota Vicentina is clearly marked with white and red markers The trail is easy to follow.
Algarve Boardwalks
There are many well-constructed and well-maintained boardwalks on the beach, along the sandstone cliffs, and even in the mountainous regions in the Algarve. Some boardwalks stretch several kilometers, allowing long walks on an easy route in these stunning areas. Most boardwalks are suitable for traveling by wheelchair, bicycle, or pushing a stroller.
The Loulé boardwalk is a linear wooden walkway along the coast connecting Praia do Garão with Quinta do Lago.This boardwalk is a 4,7 km route one way. It takes between 1 and 1h30min. to walk. If you walk it as a return trail it’s 9,4 km, 2-3 hours.
The Meia Praia boardwalk in Lagos is a 3 km walkway on the beach past several nice restaurants, this is a nice 6 km return walk. The beach continues for another 2 kilometers, allowing for a longer walk if you want to continue walking on the sand.
The Praia da Rocha Boardwalk is a nice 1.5 km wooden path right on the stunning beach of Portimao lined with shops and restaurants. From the boardwalk, stairs lead to the top of the cliffs to explore the lively and pedestrian-friendly Avenue Tomás Cabreira.
Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk, Lagos
Ponta da Piedade is a spectacular rocky cape famous for its unusual rock formations, caves, turquoise water, and natural arches. The beautiful peninsula is close to the city center of Lagos. Visiting the cape is one of the highlights of the Algarve. This amazing area can be explored by boat or on foot. Walking on the cliffs, 20 meters above the ocean and admiring the breathtaking scenery below is an experience not to miss.
Stairs to Ponta da Piadade – There is a long staircase that takes you down all the way to Ponta da Piedade. From the lighthouse on the lefthand side follow a footpath to a couple of very nice viewpoints and a long staircase leading down to a small pier. Small boat tours leave from this old fishing pier.
The Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk – A fantastic boardwalk has been constructed on top of the cliffs making this amazing site safe and accessible to everyone. There are some footpaths running parallel to the boardwalk that are nice to walk, but walking close to the edge of the sandstone cliffs is dangerous. The boardwalk at Ponta da Piedade is around 2 km in length (one way). It is a wide, well-constructed wooden walkway that’s suitable for wheelchairs and baby strollers. We often walked here with our daughter in a stroller when she was younger. The boardwalk on its own is a 4km out-and-back walk.
Location of the Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk – The boardwalk starts close to the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse with parking, toilets, and a restaurant with a small shop. The lighthouse is a 10 to 15-minute drive from the center of Lagos.
Walking to Ponta Piedade from Lagos Old Town is a good way to extend the Ponta da Piedade walk. The route goes past two of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos, Praia Dona Ana and Camilo Beach where you can go for a swim. The scenic route along the cliffs, past the beaches is about 3,5 km and the walk takes about 1 hour to the lighthouse. The shorter route along the road takes about 30 minutes to walk the 2.7 km. Walking from the Old Town to the end of the boardwalk is about a 10 km return walk.
A Ponta da Piedade small boat tour is the most popular way to explore this fantastic site and an activity not to miss when visiting Lagos.
Barranco do Demo Walkway (Monchique)
The Barranco do Demo walkway is a brand new hiking attraction near Monchique that opened in October 2023. The trail is mostly steep wooden staircases on the rugged cliffs from the village of Alferce to Castle Hill. Barranco do Demo means ´Devil’s Gorge´ in Portuguese. The walkway includes an amazing 50 m-long suspension bridge over Barranco do Demo (the gorge) with a narrow stream of freshwater flowing from the surrounding mountains. The walkway can be walked as part of the Circular Route of The Barranco do Demo walkway. This is a 7km circular route taking on average 2 h 20 min to complete.
Start of the trail – The Baranco do Demo walkway starts at the village of Alferce near the cemetery. Due to its location, it is often just called ´Passadiço do Alferce´ (the Alferce walkway).
Trail Distance – The Baranco do Demo walkway is a 1km route. This walkway is made relatively challenging by a steep set of stairs at each end. The return walk will be 2 km with more than 500 steps to climb.
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
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