Rota Vicentina is a network of trails extending 450Km from Alentejo to Algarve and since it’s opening it’s been widely considered one of the best, if not the best trail in Europe.
Volunteering
We have been waiting for the best time to take our son to this trail but always felt it might be too much for him. When we heard about the volunteering program we jumped at the opportunity because we knew that cleaning the route and painting the signs would make the experience much more entertaining for him.
We called the organization and they were super nice letting us try and take him along, he was the youngest to make the program, but it was all good in the end. He loved it and so did we.
Becoming part of the program
Rota Vicentina is always running some sort of program from field trips, conservation activities to volunteer work like we did, or even why not consider godparenting a route.
Learn more about it here:
https://rotavicentina.com/en/volunteering/
Accommodation
There are some parts where you will find many options while in other places it may be harder so trying to schedule your sections following the official route will allow getting to the main villages or town where sleeping arrangements are easier to come by. We camp in this area all the time and that’s always an option if you don’t mind carrying a tent.
Check out some of the options on booking to find the best prices around.
Booking.com
Restaurants
This could easily become a book as the options and quality of restaurants along the way are just phenomenal. We would recommend based on location the following.
Porto Covo
Tasca do Xico
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Tasca do Celso
Porto de Barcas
Zambujeira do Mar
Ti Vitória
O Sacas
Azenhas do Mar
Palhinhas
Odeceixe
Taberna do Gabão
Aljezur
La preferida
Carrapateira
Quiosque do Zé
Castelejo beach
Castelejo
Vila do Bispo
Tasca do Careca
Sagres
Retiro do Pescador
The Historical Route
This route was awarded “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe” and it goes along the coast of Alentejo and Algarve but not always along the cliffs and the beaches. It’s possible to take this route either walking or cycling. The route runs through the main towns and villages and is divided into 13 sections with a total of 263Km.
The Fishermen’s Trail
Reserved solely for walkers this trail is the most famous of the two because you get to walk along the coast and cross many of the beaches along the way. It’s the best way to discover both Alentejo’s and Algarve’s unspoiled coastline and I promise you that it will leave everlasting memories.
Always running by the sea you will be tired but happy to finish each of the 13 sections and reaching the end after making 226,5Km.
Map for the route
Wikiloc is a great way to keep track of your progress and to program your route so check out the fishermen’s trail map here: