The Fisherman’s Trail five-day itinerary

What to know before you go

Our suggested walking itinerary begins in the town of Santiago do Cacém, which is easy to reach by bus from Lisbon coach station. The coach is inexpensive and takes only two hours, with plenty of stunning coastal and rural scenery along the way. If you’d like to spend a few days in southern Portugal before your walk, you can also get a bus from Faro to Lagos and approach Santiago do Cacém from the south. 

Out of the five days hiking the Rota Vicentina, the first two are along the Historical Way, which is waymarked with a classic red and yellow blaze. The final three days are on the Fishermen’s Trail, marked with a blue and green blaze. 

We recommend walking the trail in spring or autumn, as summer in Alentejo can reach temperatures of 40 degrees. 

Start: Santiago do Cacém
Finish: Odeceixe
Distance: 97km

Day 1: Santiago do Cacém to Vale Seco

Distance: 21.8km

You start with a day of two halves. First, the trail goes through springy cork oak forests, past farms and onto open, rolling pastures dotted with working hamlets. There are a couple of rural cafés to stop at for a break. This is a gentle start to hiking the Alentejo, easing you into the landscape. 

 

Day 2: Leave Vale Seco and make your way to Cercal Alentejo

Distance: 19.8km

This section brings more rural exploration along old roads and private tracks, passing little villages full of life. After pastel de nata and a coffee in Cercal, catch the local bus a short way to Vila Nova de Milfontes, and stay in the old centre by the fort. Take a short walk in the evening out to the headland at the end of the sheltered beach. It’s a great view back and you can look south along the coast to see where your journey continues on the Fishermen’s Way. 

 

Day 3: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Cavaleiro

Distance: 24.7km

The Fishermen’s Way takes a few miles to get into its stride, but when it does, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s craggy and dramatic, sea spray curling up the cliffs, the whole area technicoloured blue, purple and orange. 

You want to start early and make it to Almograve for a long lunch and a rest, before walking the final section to Cavaleiro. That way you’ll be walking with the setting sun, and the red-rocked cliffs will seem to glow. The section between Almograve and Cavaleiro is arguably the best of the entire Fishermen’s Way. 

Day 4: Cavaleiro to Zambujeira do Mar

Distance: 11.3km

Again, make an early start, just so you can see the Lighthouse at Cavaleiro at its sun-soaked best. As you head south, stop to spot the nesting stork pairs balanced on many amazingly-stacked nests along the coast. This again is a very dramatic section of the walk, whatever the weather. 

You pass through the very atmospheric fishing harbour Porto das Barcas. There’s a couple of places to grab a fresh seafood lunch here, but we thought O Sacas was particularly good (it’s also just up the short hill from the little harbour). 

Zambujeira do Mar is quite large and lively, with a lovely beach below the town that is perfect for an evening stroll. 

 

Day 5: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe, Algarve

Distance: 19.4km

Your final day on the Rota Vicentina walking trail brings a farewell to Alentejo, as you cross the river into Odeceixe and on into the Algarve. The final stretch of the Fishermen’s Way rewards you with a spectacular view over Odeceixe’s windmills and coastline. 

There’s again a good place to get a local seafood lunch in Azenha do Mar, little more than halfway along the route for the day. This village is another excellent place to spot storks in the rocky bay below before you drop into Odeceixe and finish the trail. 

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