VICENTINA TRAVEL is a Tour operator specialized in self-guided walks and bicycle holidays in ROTA Vicentina - SW Portugal
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#3 - HISTORICAL & FISHERMEN´S TRAIL ALENTEJO - PART1
SELF-GUIDED TOURS by FOOT
Self-guided hiking is an adventure without any stress.
You travel where you want, with whom you want, and when you want without having to worry about the organization or the logistics.
We live and we run our programs in the most beautiful part of Portugal where Rota Vicentina exists.
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By booking with a local company you are contributing to a sustainable way of traveling.
FROM SANTIAGO DO CACÉM
TO ZAMBUJEIRA DO MAR
ITINERARY: Arrival to Santiago do Cacém
DAY 1
Briefing at the Hotel
Arriving in Santiago do Cacém, situated in the inland of Alentejo’s coast, is well worth exploring, it is an interesting town, passage point of walkers since the medieval age, it is nowadays council’s head-office; great panoramic views over the city and towards the hill with the castle and city’s church on top. Now we also have 90% of our routes marked on the field in Costa Vicentina Route, this way you can get more of all this hiking and exploring experience.
Overnight: Santiago do Cacém
Meals included: Breakfast
STAGE - Santiago to Vale Seco
Day 2
DISTANCE: 20Km/12,5Miles;
DURATION: 6h;
CLIMB 456 M;
DESCENT: 501 M;
Time to start your adventure, following the inner Alentejo’s coast, this path will take you through forests and montado (forests of cork oaks) areas, where you’ll have the chance to take a close look over this very important tree; there’s also the chance of seeing some species of bird who use the montado areas to settle their nests.
Overnight: Vale Seco
Meals included: N/A. Breakfast is not included but the place offers the use of a kitchen, also with a small café 500 meters away.
STAGE - Vale Seco to Cercal do Alentejo
Day 3
DISTANCE: 20Km/12,4Miles;
DURATION: 5h;
CLIMB 295M;
DESCENT: 338M;
The third day brings a strong rural feeling to the walk, passing by many farms and cultivated fields, a good opportunity to see a different rhythm and lifestyle. Walking through forests, open cultivated fields, olive fields, small dams, and reservoirs of water. Before getting to Cercal the path takes you around the beautiful Campilhas damp, a nice place to refresh and go for a quick swim in the warmer days.
Overnight: Cercal do Alentejo
Meals included: Breakfast
STAGE - Cercal to Porto Côvo
Day 4
DISTANCE: 17Km/10,5Miles;
DURATION: 5h;
CLIMB 289 M;
DESCENT: 417 M;
Now it’s time to go closer to the sea, this stage is the connection with the fisherman’s trail. After the first Kms by small farms and their beautiful cultivated gardens, we can even feel the eucalyptus in the air as we pass by a plantation. We’ll know the sea’s getting closer as soon as we find some flat cereal fields, with the blue already on the horizon.
Overnight: Porto Covo
Meals included: Breakfast
STAGE - Porto Côvo to Milfontes
DAY 5
DISTANCE: 20Km/12,5Miles;
DURATION: 6h;
CLIMB 167 M;
DESCENT: 149 M;
Wonderful walk along the coastline always with an amazing sea view. Starting in a very picture historical village called Porto Côvo, passing a small Island called "Ilha do Pessegueiro" with the option to go by the beach taken the hard sand or going a little bit more inland by the dunes path. You will find some stunning beaches, some of the desert, and after that, almost at the end, you have a fishing arbor in the "north area" of Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Overnight: Vila Nova de Milfontes
Meals included: Breakfast
STAGE - Milfontes to Almograve
Day 6
DISTANCE: 15Km/9,3Miles or 12Km/7,4Miles using the Ferry Boat option;
DURATION: 5h;
CLIMB 263 M;
DESCENT: 283 M;
In the morning with your body full of energy, you have 2 solutions to start the journey:
A) Catching a small ferry-boat to do the river crossing, or,
B) Crossing through the bridge, taking the path from the beginning.
Both options will lead you to an easy day walking crossing fields and small cliffs, with access to several beaches, heading to Almograve, further South.
Nice place to have lunch and enjoy the local gastronomy. After lunch, it´s time to go and explore the Almograve beach. Almograve is a really small place so depending on the season we may need to pick you there to have a second night in Vila Nova de Milfontes (don´t worry we will assume those transfers from/to) Almograve.
Overnight: Almograve or Vila Nova de Milfontes (Almograve has limited options)
STAGE - Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar
Day 7
DISTANCE: 21km/13Miles;
DURATION: 6h;
CLIMB 203 M;
DESCENT: 193 M
Depending on your overnight place:
From Milfontes: After a morning transfer to Almogave,
From Longueira: In the morning is time to get back on the trail, hiking through the cycle path that provides access to Almograve (20-minute walk). If not in the mood to walk this connection segment, you can always ask for a táxi from the host, of your accommodation there.
From Almograve: you will be once again exploring the landscapes along the unspoiled coastal Alentejo. Passing by Zambujeira's fishing arbor (Entrada da Barca – on route). Allowing you to walk next to the cliffs with panoramic sceneries, where you'll be able to watch cliff-nesting storks. You can use the small village of Cavaleiro to make a stop, buy some supplies and enjoy a good and homemade local dish, just before head West to the beautiful lighthouse of Cabo Sardão. The end will be in Zambujeira do Mar, with one of the most amazing urban beaches in Portugal.
Overnight in Zambujeira do Mar
Meals included: Breakfast
DEPARTURE
Day 8
Possible to add extra nights along the trail or to develop a tailor-made proposal.
Connections to Faro and Lisbon available. Check our instructions of how-to and from, above on this same page.
If any doubts, let us know and we will figure out a solution.
HOW TO BOOK WITH US?
STEP BY STEP
BOOKING PROCEEDINGS:
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We need to receive an email from you using our online form or through our email info@vicentinatravel.com. PLEASE: let us know, which program are you seeking and your room preference (single/twin/matrimonial);
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After your request we need a couple of days to confirm all accommodations availability - pre-reservation;
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You will receive an email from us with the final hotel list and booking/payment conditions (booking ref., deposit, balance, etc) and also the e-voucher. This email is a pre-reservation that will become valid after a 30% deposit;
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After deposit confirmation, you will receive our final confirmation and your trip code will become valid. At this point, we will ask you to provide us your arrival time to prepare all our logistics accordingly.
General Information
Hotels: The hotels described are our standard choice of accommodation, however, if these are not available then alternatives will be used using the same standard.
All rooms have a private bathroom.
Baths/Showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space.
Breakfast: In countries such as Portugal is usually coffee and toast/bread/croissant, in some places it has more diversity available.
Special Dietary Requirements: It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.
Single Supplements: are payable in every tour.
The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin
rooms.
Language: When traveling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English.
Remember you are experiencing a different culture, buy a phrasebook and try to learn a little of the local language!
Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to your room awaiting your arrival.
However, don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance.
Guidebook/Map: Please note that one set of route notes per room booked is included in the cost of the holiday. If you require more sets of guidebooks and maps then there is a charge of 25€ per set ordered.
Insurance: All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities included for the duration of our trip.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is mainly on a bed and breakfast basis using local and small hotels. The places we use for this tour are all owned locally and have plenty of Portuguese character.
A recommended list of local restaurants (based on our personal experience) will be supplied on arrival.
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/ FROM LISBON
TO SANTIAGO DO CACÉM
FROM ZAMBUJEIRA DO MAR
ARRIVALS
Lisboa to Santiago do Cacém:
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International Lisbon Airport link: http://www.lisbon-airport.com/
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BUS Service - Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ (it goes directly to Santiago do Cacém).
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PRIVATE TRANSFER from Lisboa to Vila Nova de Milfontes (on request);
DEPARTURES
Zambujeira to Lisboa:
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You can get a private transfer to Funcheira train station (about 1Hour drive, around 85€ extra cost) – Direct Train to Lisbon;
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BUS Service – Rede Expressos- http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ - You can take the Bus directly to Lisbon
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PRIVATE TRANSFER from Zambujeira to Lisboa (on request);
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/FROM FARO
TO SANTIAGO DO CACÉM
FROM ZAMBUJEIRA DO MAR
ARRIVALS
Faro to Santiago do Cacém:
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International Faro Airport link: http://www.faro-airport.org/
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BUS Service - EVABUS and REDE EXPRESSOS - You will have to take the bus to Lagos and then from there to Vila Nova de Milfontes. More info at http://www.eva-bus.com/ and http://www.rede-expressos.pt/.
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PRIVATE TRANSFER from Faro to Santiago do Cacém (on request);
DEPARTURES
Zambujeira do Mar to Faro:
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You can get a private transfer to Funcheira train station (about 1Hour drive, around 85€ extra cost) – Direct Train to Faro;
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BUS Service - EVABUS and REDE EXPRESSOS – You can take the bus to Lagos and then from there to Faro. More info at http://www.eva-bus.com/ and http://www.rede-expressos.pt/;
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PRIVATE TRANSFER from Aljezur to Faro (on request);
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SELF-GUIDED HOLIDAYS
ROTA VICENTINA
WHEN TO GO/BOOK?
OPEN SEASONS FOR 2025
The client is free to choose
a starting date
1.º SEASON
- from 01 February
- to 23 June (last departure)
2.º SEASON
- from 22 SEPTEMBER
- to 30 NOVEMBER (last departure)
- Other dates on request;
Groups max. limit is 16 pax inside the natural park - on request.
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