Fishermen’s Trail

The Fishermen’s Trail is perfectly suited as your first long-distance walk. The hiking trails are certainly not easy in terms of physical condition; trudging through the soft sand on sometimes long stages while carrying a backpack is a real challenge. However, the trail will not be technically difficult, and with the right mindset, anyone can hike this long-distance trail. The path has so many beautiful aspects. The culture, the food, the fellow hikers you’ll meet, and so much more.

The Fishermen’s Trail starts after a bumpy 2.5h bus ride from Lisbon northward to Sines, and from there, you can take a cab to the starting point of the trail in São Torpes. You can also hike from Sines to the starting point but you’ll walk approx 5km alongside a busy road. Stepping off the asphalt, you’ll experience the sandy trails directly on the first stages. Luckily the first stage to Porto Covo is only 10 kilometers, a small fishing village with the characteristic white-painted houses of Portugal.

The second stage takes you about 20km and eight hours of walking to the next village. The trails will lead you almost entirely over deep, sandy paths. It’s a stunning stage of this coastal trail. Hiking along the coastline over cliffs, constantly hearing the sea crashing against them. Endpoint of this stage is Vila Nova de Milfontes, a surfing hotspot with a relaxed vibe. The trail goes inland a bit for the next few stages and is less sandy which makes it much easier. The paths occasionally cross the Historical Way.

On stage five you’ll walk next to bison, zebras, and ostriches. The trail actually runs along the private zoo of Isabella dos Santos, once considered the ‘richest woman in Africa.’ The story goes that she, the daughter of the former president of Angola, a former colony of Portugal, had taken some animals with her to Portugal when she fled the country. Remarkable. Many hikers choose to hike only the first six stages to Odeceixe which makes it a perfect, bit shorter long-distance trail within a week. After this town, you’ll leave Alentejo behind as the Fishermen’s Trail continues through the Algarve. The trail goes towards the most southwestern point of mainland Europe: Cabo de Sao Vicente.

Cabo de Sao Vicente is a special place. In ancient times, Europeans thought this was the end of the world. It was even a sacred site for the Greeks, who built a temple there in honor of the god Hercules. Later, it became a lookout and lighthouse for ships from the Mediterranean Sea. Many sea battles were fought here by the British, Spanish, Portuguese, and yes, the Dutch, which we often lost. The path runs along the high cliffs to the 24-meter-high lighthouse built in 1846. Rounding the cape feels like a kind of victory. From here, it is just three days to the endpoint, Lagos.

You’ll pass now some famous surfing hotspots like Sagres, Salema, and Luz towards Lagos. This area is a bit more touristy but most tourists mainly stay around the beautiful beaches. In these last three stages, you’ll climb and descend a lot from cliff to beach to cliff. You’ll enjoy the most beautiful views from the cliffs of the coves with their white sandy beaches. You’ll end with a perfect last stretch towards the bigger town, Lagos, at the train station after a walk on the boulevard. A perfect place to relax after completing the Fishermen’s Trail!

The best time of the year to hike the Fishermen’s Trail is in spring and fall, specifically from March to May and September to November. These periods offer the most pleasant weather conditions for hiking, with milder temperatures and less rain. Both seasons also provide great opportunities for bird watching, as these are the migration periods for many birds in the region.

Summer, especially from June to August, is usually very hot and might not be the best time for hiking, as the high temperatures can make this trail less comfortable and more challenging. Also, it can be busier along the coast with many other tourists visiting this area.

In winter it’s more of a gamble. It can be quite good with sun and milder temperatures, perfect for hiking, but there’s a higher chance of rain and strong winds from the Atlantic Sea which makes it less enjoyable. Some accommodations might also close during the winter months.

In this coastal area, it’s always wise to check the weather before setting out. On the coast, the weather can change rapidly with some strong winds and rain storms. Make sure you pack good rain clothing like hardshell layers and protect your skin with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Carry enough water, especially during warmer months, as there may not be many places to refill along some parts of the trail. The Fishermen’s Trail includes sections along cliffs and rocky paths. Stay on marked trails to avoid unstable edges and loose rocks.