The Fisherman’s Path is a strolling route within the south of Portugal. It’s part of the Rota Vicentina community. The path is taken into account probably the most lovely coastal routes on the planet. The surroundings alongside the route is breathtaking; rugged cliffs, sandy seashores, beautiful lookouts, charming cities, clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and numerous wildlife. We had been so impressed by the great thing about the realm that after finishing the path we determined to maneuver to the south of Portugal the place we stay now.
The Fisherman’s Path route overview
- Whole distance – 230 km/143 mi
- Variety of days – 11-13 days
- Start line – S.Torpes Seaside, 10 km earlier than Porto Covo, Alentejo
- Ending level – Lagos, Algarve
- Route marking – picket poles with blue & inexperienced stripes
- Common value – 35 Euro per particular person per day
- Lodging choices – tenting, hostels, accommodations
Now we have an in depth Fishermen’s Path strolling itinerary submit the place you could find full info on every stage of the path with distances, elevation profiles, instances, and lodging choices. Obtain our PDF file with strolling phases and locations to remain alongside the route.
Totally different route choices
The path begins at S.Torpes Seaside, 10 km earlier than Porto Covo, and finishes in Lagos. We began strolling in Porto Covo skipping the primary 10 km as a result of logistically it labored out higher for us. We arrived a bit later to begin strolling and wished to remain for a day in Porto Covo. The final a part of the Fisherman’s Path from Sagres to Lagos was added to the route later. Initially the top of the path was in Sagres.
A wonderful thing about the path is that you simply don’t should stroll all the route you may stroll solely a bit of it relying on how a lot time you’ve gotten and the way far you wish to stroll. In actual fact, any a part of the Fisherman’s Path may be walked as a day hike. You may mix strolling the path with a seashore vacation.
The preferred route choices on the Fisherman’s Path
| Porto Covo – Odeceixe | S.Torpes Seaside/Porto Covo – Sagres | S.Torpes Seaside/Porto Covo – Lagos | S.Topres Seaside/Porto Covo – Santiago de Cacém |
| 76 km/47 mi 4 days |
191 km/118 mi 9-10 days |
230 km/142 mi 12-13 days |
196 km/121 mi 10-11 days |
Strolling the Fisherman’s Path from Porto Covo to Odeceixe. It’s the unique 4-day path that later was prolonged to Cabo de Sao Vicente (Sagres) after which all the best way to Lagos. The half Odeceixe to Sagres was once part of the Historic Route of the Rota Vicentina. Now the Historic Route begins in Santiago do Cacém and finishes in Odeceixe. The entire distance is 76 km/47 mi.
Beginning in Porto Covo or São Torpes Seaside and ending in Sagres is the best way we walked the path (the Sagres – Lagos extension was added later). The entire distance is 181 km/112 mi or 191 km/118 mi should you begin in St.Torpes Seaside. More often than not the route goes alongside the coast. You’ll want 9-10 days to finish it.
If you wish to full all the Fisherman’s Path from São Torpes Seaside to Lagos you’ll want 12-13 days. The entire distance of the route is 230 km/142 mi.
It’s attainable to mix the Fisherman’s Path with the Historic Manner. You can begin in São Torpes Seaside or Porto Covo stroll alongside the coast to Odeceixe and from there proceed on the Historic (inland) path to Santiago do Cacém. The entire distance of this route is 196 km/121 mi. You’ll want 10 days to finish it.
Sensible info
Faucet water in Portugal is ok to drink you don’t have to purchase bottled water or use filters.
The route is well-marked it’s straightforward to observe and plan by yourself you don’t want a information or a tour.
The Fisherman’s Path crosses the Alentejo and Algarve areas within the south of Portugal it will get very popular in the summertime. It’s advisable to begin strolling early with a view to escape the afternoon warmth.
For those who don’t really feel like strolling with a heavy backpack it’s attainable to rearrange baggage switch on the route from lodging to lodging. The principle firm that does transfers on the route is Vicentina Transfers.
Each city on the route has ATMs, retailers, and accommodations you don’t have to hold meals or a number of money with you, many locations settle for bank cards.
Distances between cities are fairly lengthy there may be nothing in between at all times make certain to have sufficient water for the entire day. There aren’t any faucets to refill it alongside the route.
In a e-book store in Porto Covo on Vasco da Gama road (a block away from the church) you should purchase an official guidebook and a route map.
There’s a Ciceron guidebook on the Rota Vicentina that has a number of info on the path.
The realm will get very busy in July and August because of this lodging costs enhance quite a bit, maintain it in thoughts when planning your mountaineering vacation.
Lodging on the Fisherman’s Path
Lodging on the trek was our major concern however ultimately, it wasn’t an issue. Since we couldn’t discover a checklist of lodging choices alongside the route we tried our greatest to make a full checklist of hostels, accommodations, and campsites alongside the best way.
Hostels, accommodations, and guesthouses may be present in each city alongside the route some locations have extra choices some much less. The campsites may be present in Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, Aljezur, and Sagres.
We don’t like reserving lodging upfront and often don’t do it, however for this route, we did e-book all of the locations a few days earlier than we began. Each place we stayed in was full primarily as a result of many of the hostels and guesthouses are very small; two or three non-public rooms or 8 to 10 beds so that they replenish rapidly. We walked the path originally of Might which isn’t the busiest season should you’re planning to stroll it between June and August we strongly advocate reserving lodging beforehand even should you’re planning to camp at the very least contact campsites to learn the way full they’re.
When reserving lodging;
- examine for the check-in time in most accommodations it’s fairly late, round 3 pm.
- make certain your lodge is within the city itself and never 5 km exterior of it
- discover your home on Google.maps beforehand as generally following the route you would possibly stroll previous it on the best way to the middle of the city
- examine should you pay for lodging when making a reserving or on arrival, most locations cost beforehand.
Obtain our PDF spreadsheet that can allow you to to systematize your bookings The Fishermen’s Path Rota Vicentina reserving spreadsheet.
Baggage supply on the route
It’s attainable to make use of a baggage switch service on the Fisherman’s Path should you don’t wish to stroll with a giant backpack or have an excessive amount of baggage to hold with you on daily basis. Vicentina Transfers is an organization that gives baggage supply service on the path. They’ll ship your baggage door to door between any kind of lodging alongside the route together with campsites. It’s 15 Euro per part for 1 piece of bags.
The corporate supplies solely baggage supply they don’t do lodging reserving for you. Earlier than you prepare the baggage service it’s important to e-book your lodging. The price of baggage supply on the Rota Vicentina is sort of excessive in comparison with for instance 6-7 Euro that you simply pay on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.
The price of strolling the Fisherman’s Path
The price of the path relies upon quite a bit on the kind of lodging you determine to remain in; tenting, dormitories, or non-public rooms and on the season. For those who’re planning to camp, to make your personal meals and to not exit for drinks each evening funds 25 Euro per particular person per day. To remain in dormitories and make your personal meals 30 Euro pp. per day. Staying in non-public and consuming out infrequently 35-40 Euro. If you wish to keep in non-public, eat out at the very least as soon as a day, and exit for drinks I’d recommend budgeting 45+ Euro per day per particular person.
Lodging
Tenting is essentially the most funds choice right here, costs nonetheless range relying on the season with August being the costliest month. The principle disadvantage right here is that it’s important to carry tenting gear with you (tent, mattress, sleeping bag, cooking stuff, and many others.) which provides a number of weight to your backpack. The value for tenting is between 6 to 10 Euro per particular person per evening.
A mattress in a dormitory is one other funds lodging choice on the Fisherman’s Path. There will not be many hostels on the route and they’re often absolutely booked as the realm is a very talked-about vacation vacation spot. To be able to get a spot within the season, it’s advisable to e-book your lodging upfront. The value for a dorm mattress is between 15 and 20 Euro relying on the season.
A personal room is essentially the most comfy lodging choice and generally a double room with a shared rest room value the identical as two beds in a dormitory. So should you’re two folks it’s a a lot better deal. There are a number of accommodations that supply triple and household rooms should you’re a bunch of individuals mountaineering you may share a much bigger room. Costs for a funds double room are between 30 and 40 Euro. We had one or two locations the place we paid 25 Euro for a double room with a non-public rest room. For those who stroll utterly low season between November and March it is perhaps kind of a typical worth.
Meals
There are grocery shops and mini markets in each city on the route should you’re on a good funds making your personal meals is the most suitable choice. At all times be sure you e-book lodging with a kitchen (most locations we stayed had at the very least a microwave). Relying on what sort of stuff you purchase procuring for 3 meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) prices between 8-10 Euro per particular person. Many supermarkets have cafes the place you will get a meal, a sandwich, or a pastry for comparatively low-cost in comparison with the restaurant costs.
Consuming out is sort of costly on the route the Costa Vicentina and the Algarve are well-liked vacationer locations costs in native eating places are increased than common in Portugal. Only a few eating places alongside the Fishermen’s Path provide Menu do Dia – a set lunch that often features a starter, major dish, drinks (beer, wine, cool drink), bread, espresso, or dessert. We had these menus in all places on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. In most locations on the path you pay a median of 10 Euro for a dish, each time we went out for dinner we paid about 15 Euro pp. together with drinks. Breakfast (toasted sandwich and low) you will get for 3 Euro.
We at all times cease quite a bit for espresso and Portugal is an actual paradise for espresso lovers, the espresso right here is nice and low-cost; for a cup of Espresso you pay about 0,7 Euro, for espresso with milk – 1 Euro. For those who order Americano it’ll value you extra, about 1,2 Euro, for cappuccino you’ll pay between 2 and three Euro (they add a number of milk and chocolate to it). Cafe con Leite (espresso with milk) is often comparable to what’s often known as cappuccino in different nations.
Our funds breakdown (2 folks, 11 days)
We didn’t camp on the path. We stayed in non-public rooms and dormitories, went out each different day however more often than not we made meals and stopped at the very least as soon as a day for espresso. We didn’t use a baggage switch service. For those who do add to our funds 15 Euro per particular person per day.
- Lodging – 422 Euro
- Purchasing (meals, toiletries) – 116 Euro
- Consuming out – 151 Euro
- Transport – 70 Euro, 15 Euro per particular person bus Lisbon – Porto Covo, 20 Euro per particular person bus Lagos – Lisbon
- Espresso+pastry – 35 Euro
Whole: 794 Euro or 36 Euro per particular person per day.
The perfect time for strolling the Fisherman’s Path
The Fishermen’s Path goes by the south of Portugal it’s by no means actually chilly right here and it doesn’t rain that a lot which suggests the route may be walked all yr spherical. We’ve finished a number of multi-day walks in Portugal and actually like mountaineering in spring, between April and Might. For us it’s the perfect time of the yr; not chilly however not sizzling but, not too many individuals like in summer time, many flowers and bushes in blossom, and costs are decrease than in peak season.
Summer time significantly July and August are the most well liked and the busiest months right here when you have a alternative I’d recommend strolling the route every other time even in Might. Over the weekends there have been many individuals on the route doing day hikes, I can think about in peak season there can be tons of of individuals. Costs for lodging go up in summer time fairly a bit so that you get extra folks, very popular climate, and better costs. April – June, and September – October are in all probability the finest months for strolling with essentially the most comfy climate and fewer folks.
As for strolling the route utterly offseason; November – March it’s time, many accommodations and hostels are open all yr spherical. It is perhaps very quiet like in every other seashore vacation space low season. So should you’re looking for a solitary and tranquil strolling vacation it’s the proper time of the yr to come back right here. As for the climate, it’s sunny within the south of Portugal even within the winter but it surely does get chilly, particularly in January-February and wet in November-December.
The right way to get to the path?
There are direct buses from Lisbon to Porto Covo/São Torpes Seaside. Rede Expressos buses go away all through the day from Sete Rios Bus station in Lisbon. As of March 2022, there are morning buses at 7.30 am and 9.30 am solely on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The journey takes 2h10min. The ticket prices 16,5 Euro. Tickets may be purchased on the bus terminal or on-line. Within the peak summer time season, I’d advocate buying tickets beforehand. You may examine the up-to-date itinerary and purchase tickets on-line.
For those who’re planning to begin strolling at S.Torpes Seaside which is 10 km north of Porto Covo you’ll should get off the bus earlier. S.Torpes Seaside is between Sines and Porto Covo. Ask a driver to cease at Praia de São Torpes.
There are direct buses to Lisbon from Odeceixe, Sagres, Lagos, and Santiago do Cacém. Wherever you determine to complete the Fisherman’s Path you’ll have the ability to get again to Lisbon by bus. From Odeceixe and Sagres there are one or two day by day buses to Lisbon. From Santiago do Cacém and Lagos there are a lot of. You may get a direct bus to Lisbon from just about each city on the route besides Arrifana and Salema. You should buy tickets and examine the present itinerary on the Rede Expressos web site.
For those who’re coming from Lisbon and wish to spend a few days there listed here are our suggestions on locations to remain within the metropolis.
Locations to remain in Lisbon
Excursions and actions in Lisbon
Lisbon is an incredible place with many vacationer sights and issues to do. When you’ve got a while in Lisbon earlier than or after the Fisherman’s Path listed here are some really helpful actions;
What to pack for the hike?
For those who’re planning to remain in accommodations or hostels you don’t want a lot stuff to hold which is nice you may pack actually mild for the hike and benefit from the path strolling with a day pack.
Backpack – a 30l backpack can be sufficient to pack mountaineering garments for 4 days and a few toiletries.
Comfy footwear for strolling, it is perhaps a pair of mild mountaineering footwear (a males’s mannequin), a pair of trainers (males’s mannequin), or a pair of sandals. The final will work nice for strolling over sand dunes and on the seashore.
GoPro HERO8 – on the Fishermen’s Path as a substitute of carrying our huge DSLR digicam we packed a brand new GoPro. The standard of the footage and images is nice, the digicam could be very mild and small, it might probably get moist, you may swim and dive with it. All images and movies on this submit are taken with the GoPro8.
Garmin Fenix 5 GPS watch – our new mountaineering companion, we used it to get the elevation profiles and the maps for this submit.
Kindle – we at all times take our Kindles Paperwhite with us when touring. For those who’re an proprietor of Kindle by becoming a member of Kindle limitless program by Amazon you’ll get entry to 1000’s of e-books and audiobooks.
For those who’re planning to camp (essentially the most budget-friendly lodging choice on the path), you’ll want a much bigger backpack and a few tenting gear;
