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Great - thanks for the tipMette,
Here is one place to keep in mind.
and an earlier thread to browse
Happy planning and Bom caminho
Great - looks like a lovely place for my 2nd nightPura Vida Divehouse in Sagres would be a good place to start.
They have a 4-bed bunk beds room for about 23 euros.
They drove us to the start of the trail after breakfast for no extra charge.
Thank Jill - I saw the thread, but to be honest I didn't read it yet because it seemed a few years old so wasn't sure how accurate any food and sleeping tips would still be.
Awesome - and it looks stunning... I am slightly concerned if the sand will kill meI walked the Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail from north to south in April 2019. It has outstanding beauty..
I booked all hostels, guest houses and small hotels before leaving home as I'd read that the surfer community can fill up less expensive lodging choices quickly. It worked out very well for me with much less stress involved.
Unfortunately I am not back home until March 1st, so do not have my itinerary and notes at hand. If you send me a PM, I can get back to you later if you still need some suggestions.
View attachment 117228
Please do reach out! I will add that this trail had absolutely NO Camino feel or vibe, but a bit of a backpacking/hiking feel, although we rarely saw anyone during the day. I knew that ahead of time and did not have any expectations as I walked it with my son.Awesome - and it looks stunning... I am slightly concerned if the sand will kill me- but everything else I can't wait to experience.
I also plan on booking as much as possible in advance - I know people are different but I am a slow walker "stop to smell the flowers" - and I like to know where I am going
If I think of something or need something - I'll reach out after March 1
Tbh - not that I don't love the camino - I do and I am sure I will walk more of those in the future as well - but what you are saying just makes me wanna go even more. My favourite part of the camino was when I felt alone in the world. No one if front or behind, just beauty. I'm still considering if I should ask a friend to join me - if nothing else then for the company for dinner - because the walking I prefer to do alonePlease do reach out! I will add that this trail had absolutely NO Camino feel or vibe, but a bit of a backpacking/hiking feel, although we rarely saw anyone during the day. I knew that ahead of time and did not have any expectations as I walked it with my son.
I also prefer to walk alone, but I did the Rota Vicentina out of season (Feb 2016), and so I decided to ask a friend to join me for the company.I'm still considering if I should ask a friend to join me - if nothing else then for the company for dinner
I love places like that. It looks sooo lovely. Thanks for this tip.Near Carrapateira we really liked Surf n Sand Eco House, which is so laid back it’s horizontal. However, we didn’t stay in the dormitory, as when we got there it was already full, and they let us stay in one of the cottages for no extra charge, which is probably why we liked it so much!
Video on Surf 'N' Sand Eco House
Take a break and enjoy a real slice of Portuguese nature. Our beautiful eco house in Carrapateira includes a forest of olive and fig trees, our organic herb garden, mountains, the lagoon and untou…surfnsandecohostel.wordpress.com
I understand what you're staying, but I am a little concerned if I actually know anyone I would enjoy 10-14 days withI also prefer to walk alone, but I did the Rota Vicentina out of season (Feb 2016), and so I decided to ask a friend to join me for the company.
I asked a friend that I had walked with before (we met on the CF), so I knew in advance that we were compatible. So glad I did.
First of all for the company. We saw very few hikers, and it was fun going out in the evening finding places to eat – I would have found that quite difficult on my own on a non-pilgrim trail.
Secondly, because there are not many hostels, we had to find cheap hotels – and it was cheaper to share a room than get a single room. One place only had a small double bed, so we slept top-to-tail – one inside the sheets, the other in her sleeping bag the other way round.
There were very few cafes during the day, so we carried snacks in case there was nothing at all.
I see the Rotavicentina website has the newest edition of their Field Guide for sale at €15. I used the last edition for planning purposes of daily stages and places to stay along the way. Should you decide to order one it will be very beneficial to you and helpful in answering questions that you will have, giving you additional confidence that you can do it!Tbh - not that I don't love the camino - I do and I am sure I will walk more of those in the future as well - but what you are saying just makes me wanna go even more. My favourite part of the camino was when I felt alone in the world. No one if front or behind, just beauty. I'm still considering if I should ask a friend to join me - if nothing else then for the company for dinner - because the walking I prefer to do alone
I am not sure how frequently it'll be possible to get a coffee and a (real ;-) ) toilet hehe - and I will miss my daily tortilla - but I'm sure all the fish I'll be eating will make up for it.
So far me and https://rotavicentina.com/en/walking/fishermens-trail/ haven't become best friends, especially not from ipad and phone - so it does seem to require a bit of extra work / research to decide where to stop or when to take an alternative route. Less handholding than with all the camino apps and websites available.
Great - thanks for pointing me in that direction. Just ordered itI see the Rotavicentina website has the newest edition of their Field Guide for sale at €15. I used the last edition for planning purposes of daily stages and places to stay along the way. Should you decide to order one it will be very beneficial to you and helpful in answering questions that you will have, giving you additional confidence that you can do it!
Thank you so much for the offer.Hi @Mettchen Lucky you!
We loved the Rota Vicentina. We walked north from the southern most tip at Cabo de S. Vicente weaving between the Historical Way (at the southern end) and then sticking to the Fisherman's Trail. I did a bit of research beforehand to try to include 'the best of both' so we got to enjoy both rural and coastal.
We used this site for planning - but made our bookings directly. Send me a PM if you're interested in our stages.
Rota Vicentina
Hiking or cycling through Portugal Southwest Coast. Explore the Fishermen's Trail, the Historical Way or the Circular Routes of Rota Vicentina.rotavicentina.com
We then travelled to Lisbon, then train to Porto and walked to Santiago.
Enjoy!
PS Just saw that you have visited the RV site that I linked to above, but not finding it to be your friend.
I walked north to south from Santiago do Cacem (Historical Trail) on to Porto Covo (Fisherman's Trail) down to the Cabo March 2016. I never found it a problem finding a bed in a surfer's hostel. Back then they were about €15 in a dorm with sheets and towels included. I started out alone but I met an Italian in Porto Covo who asked if he could join me. We ended up walking together the whole way which came in handy as he helped me in a couple of spots down a few steep cliffs.
Two or three days out of Porto Covo were quite sandy. I didn't find it too bad but then again I walk frequently on the beach.
It's stunning, in fact IMHO even more beautiful than the Norte. But...forget culture. Do it for the scenery as there is little else.
We started in Porto Covo, too, going north to south. Yes, those first two or three days gave my legs a good workout in 4" sand! Thankfully the trail "mellowed out" considersbly the rest of the way.Two or three days out of Porto Covo were quite sandy. I didn't find it too bad but then again I walk frequently on the beach.
No worries as there are only a couple of steep up and down on cliffs. Most of the ocean views are seen from the cliff tops with the majority being flat walking, staying on top...such lovely memories!I hope my hiking poles can help me up/down steep cliffs
I stayed with my dog in Sagres near beach in Jan 2020 at Tonel Apartments. Had a private room with sheets, blankets and towels, shared 2 new bathrooms/showers (male and female separate) with 3 other rooms mostly surfers and a well equipped kitchen. Price for 1 with dog was €25Dear all,
I am contemplating whether to walk another Camino (from Porto) in March or The Fisherman's Trail - and I think it'll be the latter - and starting from Lagos and walking north.
I know I won't be able to find albergues here as when I've walked my caminos and I am ok with that. But what I did when I walked my caminos - was that I would often chose my distance for the day on where there was somewhere interesting to sleep and/or eat
I will gladly walk 35km + (not everyday ;-) ) or take a short day for the right accommodation or dinner option.
So if you have any favourite hotels/hostels/airBNBs (or restaurants) on the route, please share.
Thank you!
Best,
Mette
My wife and I walked the Rota Vicentina in 2014, the Alentejo part on the coast and the inland section as well. It is not a Camino but a long distance hiking trail, comparable with trails like Coast to Coast in England or the GR trails in France. It is very beautiful with spectacular stages on the coast and a very rural Portuguese countryside. We had a booked vacation with luggage transport, but I am sure you can find yourself hostals and B&B's by checking on the Rota Vincentina accommodation page, or searching at Booking.com or sites of local tourist offices in Algarve and Alentejo. Have a nice walk.
Yes, Rota Vicentina is red and white marked as well, as are most trails in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Spain. No yellow arrows there.GR? Is that the red and white marked trails around Europe?
I too took a long bus ride from Lagos to Porto to walk part of the Portuguese (only had time to walk to Tui). My original ticket was to Lisbon but when we arrived it was hailing so I hopped back on the bus and headed north. The sun was shining when we arrivedWe started in Porto Covo, too, going north to south. Yes, those first two or three days gave my legs a good workout in 4" sand! Thankfully the trail "mellowed out" considersbly the rest of the way.
I agree, it has more consistently stunning cliff views than the Norte has, but loved them each in a different way. We then took a very comfortable long bus ride up to Porto to begin the Poruguese Camino. After walking to Matosinhos, we turned inland to the Central route as I wanted to get a more "Frances feel" with more villages as I'd experienced the best ocean views already on the Fisherman's Trail and Algarve coast.
The Rota V also has official pretty blue&green markers.
A very inclusive trail
Hi, I would star the Rota Vicentina Fisherman's trails in september 2022. About the path I heard that there is a lot of sand and this is very difficult for walking. It's so?I walked the Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail from north to south in April 2019. It has outstanding beauty..
I booked all hostels, guest houses and small hotels before leaving home as I'd read that the surfer community can fill up less expensive lodging choices quickly. It worked out very well for me with much less stress involved.
Unfortunately I am not back home until March 1st, so do not have my itinerary and notes at hand. If you send me a PM, I can get back to you later if you still need some suggestions.
There is quite a bit of sand the first 2-3 days up on the cliffs, but don't let that put you off as the views, and the flowers and succulents are outstanding. The rest of the days are not as difficult.Hi, I would star the Rota Vicentina Fisherman's trails in september 2022. About the path I heard that there is a lot of sand and this is very difficult for walking. It's so?
Many thanks
Nick, you are quick to reply and always have good advice to share!You can do it all the way to Sagres in 8 days. This is what we did, two less days than the official stages due to cutting out the mini Sines-Porto Covo stage and the loop to Arrifana.
That looks very doable, thanks so much!!You can do it all the way to Sagres in 8 days. This is what we did, two less days than the official stages due to cutting out the mini Sines-Porto Covo stage and the loop to Arrifana.
1 - Porto Covo - Vila Nova de Milfontes 20km
2 - Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve 15.5km
3 - Almograve - Zambujeira do Mar 22km
4 - Zambujeira do Mar - Odeceixe 18.5km
5 - Odeceixe - Aljezur 18.5km
6 - Aljezur - Carrapateira 24km
7 - Carrapateira - Vila do Bispo 16km
8 - Vila do Bispo - Sagres 20.5km
Thanks so much, I will look into these places!Hi @Lori Butler,
I walked the Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail in April 2019.
We took a bus from Lisbon to Porto Covo to start, and ended in Sagres. We then took a long bus ride up to Porto to start the Portuguese Camino.
I have taken a screenshot of my basic notes for where we stayed each night. I hope this helps; I am sure others will be more helpful than me. I absolutely loved this route once I got past the first few days of walking in deep sand, although the views were stunning!
View attachment 132045
If shortening your walk has any appeal, you can easily skip the Arrifana loop and walk directly from Aljezur to Carrapateira in one day instead. I was in Arrifana a couple of days ago and it's just a surf town that didn't have any appeal to me.30/03 stay ARRIFANA= Hi Arrifana Destination Hostel
We stayed in Casa Dias for €38/double.01/04 stay Vila Do Bispo= ****
Hard to find a cheap place here. We stayed at Salema Eco Camp for €65/double.03/04 stay Salema= ****
annieann,Hi,
I am planning on walking the Fisherman's trail in the latter half of March.
I've got around 6-8 days and would love to start from the South, walking up to the North.
Does anyone have tips for the itinerary and what not to miss or underestimate?
Thank you in advance, have a lovely day
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