FROM SANTIAGO DO CACEM
TO SAGRES OR LAGOS
ITINERARY: Arrival to Santiago do Cacém

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

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.

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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

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

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

DISTANCE: 20Km/12,5Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 167 M;

DESCENT: 149 M;

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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.

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Overnight: Vila Nova de Milfontes

Meals included: Breakfast

STAGE - Milfontes to Almograve

DISTANCE: 15Km/9,3Miles or 12Km/7,4Miles using the Ferry Boat option;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 263 M;

DESCENT: 283 M;

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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

DISTANCE: 21km/13Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 203 M;

DESCENT: 193 M

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Depending on your overnight place:

From Milfontes: After a morning transfer to Almogave,

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.

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Overnight in Zambujeira do Mar

Meals included: Breakfast