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The Rota Vicentina is a community of mountain climbing trails within the Alentejo and Algarve provinces in Southern Portugal. The community contains two long-distance routes the Fisherman’s Path and the Historic Approach, and several other brief round routes a few of which could be included into one of many long-distance trails. We’ve walked each multi-day routes of the Rota Vicentina in addition to a few of the day hikes. On this submit, we describe totally different route choices, prices, transportation, and lodging on the Rota Vicentina.
What’s the Rota Vicentina in Portugal?
Rota Vicentina is a community of strolling routes within the Alentejo and Algarve provinces in Southern Portugal. The Rota contains two long-distance trails the Fishermen’s Path and the Historic Approach and lots of round day hikes. The coastal trails (Fishermen’s Path and a few day hikes) ranked as a few of the most scenic routes in Europe.
How lengthy does it take to hike the Rota Vicentina?
The time and distance of the Rota Vicentina rely on the chosen route. In the event you do the Fishermen’s Path it’ll take 12-13 days to finish the route. In the event you hike the Historic Approach you’ll want 6 days to finish it. You are able to do any part of the Rota Vicentina as an impartial hike. In the event you don’t have sufficient time to complete your entire path you’ll be able to select part of it.
The place does the Rota Vicentina begin?
The Fishermen’s Path of the Rota Vicentina begins at S.Torpes Seaside 10 km north of Porto Covo, Alentejo, and finishes in Lagos, Algarve.
The Historic Approach of the Rota Vicentina begins in Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, and finishes in Odeceixe, Algarve. From Odeceixe, you’ll be able to proceed strolling south following the Fishermen’s Path.
Each trails could be walked in both route: north to south or south to north.
Day hikes begin in several places all through the area.
What’s the greatest a part of the Rota Vicentina?
In my view, the a part of the Fishermen’s Path from Sagres to Lagos and the stroll from Carrapateirs to Vila do Bispo are a few of the most stunning elements of the Rota Vicentina. General your entire route is spectacular; pristine seashores, rugged cliffs, charming cities, and untouched nature.
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Rota Vicentina guidebooks
The official guidebook is the most effective one to make use of for the Rota Vicentina. You should buy it on-line on the official web site or at one of many info places of work alongside the route. You will get one at Papelaria O Correiro, Vasco da Gama Road 7b in Porto Covo the beginning of the Fishermen’s Path and on the vacationer info workplace in Santiago do Cacém (the beginning of the Historic Approach).
There’s a Cicerone guidebook on the Rota Vicentina that has a number of info on the path that you would be able to purchase on Amazon.
Rota Vicentina’s routes
As I already talked about there are two long-distance trails and lots of circuit routes/day hikes many of the brief routes could be included into one of many multi-day trails.
Totally different routes of the Rota Vicentina
| Title | The Historic Approach | The Fishermen’s Path | Day hikes (round routes) |
| Start line | Santiago do Cacém | S.Torpes Seaside (Porto Covo) | Totally different factors alongside the Vicentina Coast |
| Ending level | Odeceixe | Lagos | Totally different factors alongside the Vicentina Coast |
| Complete distance | 120 km/74 mi | 230 km/143 mi | 265 km/164 mi (24 trails) |
| Variety of days | 6 days | 11-13 days | 1 day |
The Historic Approach
- Complete distance – 120 km/74 mi
- Variety of days – 6 days
- Start line – Santiago do Cacém
- Ending level – Odeceixe
- Route marking – crimson & white markers
The Historic Approach has considerably fewer hikers than the coastal path. We noticed between 2 and 5 hikers a day on this route. General the world just isn’t touristy in comparison with the coast which is simply 20 km away. In consequence, lodging choices are fairly restricted. There are not any hostels or campsites on the Historic Approach. The one campsite and hostel on the route are in Odeceixe. Lodging works out dearer right here than on the Fishermen’s Path. Most locations don’t have a kitchen so you’ll be able to’t actually cook dinner if you would like a correct meal, not only a sandwich you need to eat in a restaurant or bar.
Consuming out on this a part of the Rota Vicentina is cheaper than alongside the coast eating places cater to locals, to not vacationers. You will get a set menu for 7-8 Euros, a dish for 6-7 Euros, a cup of espresso for 0,60 Euro, and so forth.
The surroundings on the Historic Approach is good and peaceable with a number of strolling by the fields (for those who stroll it in April-Might it is going to be coated in flowers), a little bit of forest, and various hills. It’s the route with probably the most ascents and descents although nothing could be very steep or lengthy. General the Historic Approach is a pleasant path to stroll if you wish to see off-the-beaten-path areas in southern Portugal. In our opinion, the surroundings just isn’t as spectacular as on the coastal route.
In the event you’re planning to stroll the Historic Approach you’ll be able to obtain our free PDF file with strolling phases and locations to remain on the route.
The Fishermen’s Path
- Complete distance – 230 km/143 mi
- Variety of days – 11-13 days
- Start line – S.Torpes Seaside, Porto Covo
- Ending level – Lagos
- Route marking – blue & inexperienced markers
The Fishermen’s Path (the Coastal route) of the Rota Vicentina is a well-liked route with many day walkers and weekend teams. The path goes by the touristy elements of the Alentejo and Algarve areas. Moreover hikers within the season, there are various holidaymakers. In the event you stroll this route in the course of the summer time months you’ll see many individuals. It’s extremely really helpful to e book lodging on the route beforehand.
The Fishermen’s Path has extra lodging choices and campsites as a result of it’s a standard summer time vacation vacation spot. It’s attainable to search out funds locations to remain. Consuming out on this path is dearer in comparison with the Historic Approach. For a set meal in a restaurant (Menu do Dia), you pay 25-30 Euro for 2 folks vs 15-20 Euro on the Historic Approach. You possibly can cut back your meals bills for those who keep in locations with a kitchen and cook dinner your self. Each city on the path has a grocery store or not less than a grocery retailer.
The a part of the Fishermen’s Path from Odeceixe to Lagos just isn’t as busy because the half from Corto Covo to Odeceixe. Most individuals end strolling in Odeceixe in all probability as a result of it was the tip of the route earlier than it was prolonged first to Cabo de S. Vicente (Sagres) and later to Lagos.
The surroundings on this route is really spectacular; rugged cliffs, sandy seashores, turquoise water, picturesque bays, hidden caves, breathtaking lookout factors, and charming cities. In the event you ask me I’d undoubtedly select the Fishermen‘s Path over the Historic Approach.
In the event you’re planning to stroll the Fishermen’s Path you’ll be able to obtain our free PDF file that features strolling phases and locations to remain alongside the route.
Day hikes on the Rota Vicentina
There are 24 round day mountain climbing trails on the Rota Vicentina with a complete distance of 265 km/164 mi. Distances of the day hikes fluctuate from brief 4-5-kilometer trails to 12-12-16-kilometer routes. All hikes are round routes. You don’t have to fret about getting again to your automotive or your resort after ending a hike. Many round routes are partly included in one of many lengthy trails. We haven’t walked any of the 24 trails but however now dwelling in Lagos we’re planning to start out mountain climbing them in an effort to put together for strolling the Portuguese Camino de Santiago with our 2-year-old daughter. The day mountain climbing trails are indicated with crimson and yellow markers.
The round routes supply a mixture of coastal and forest/discipline surroundings. You possibly can simply incorporate a few day hikes right into a highway journey or a seaside vacation in southern Portugal.
Methods to mix the paths?
You possibly can stroll your entire Fishermen’s Path or the Historic Route individually, you’ll be able to stroll solely elements of the routes, or mix them. The 2 routes merge in Odeceixe.
Choice 1. Porto Covo – Odeceixe – Santiago do Cacém. You stroll on the Fishermen’s Path from Porto Covo to Odeceixe. From Odeceixe as a substitute of constant alongside the coast, observe the Historic Approach and stroll to Santiago do Cacém. This manner you mix each nation and seaside surroundings and get to see totally different elements of the Alentejo area. The overall distance of this route possibility is 196 km/121 mi. To finish it you want 10 days. The route could be walked both manner beginning in Porto Covo or in Santiago do Cacém.
Choice 2. Santiago do Cacém – Odeceixe – Lagos. You stroll the Historic Approach from Santiago do Cacém to Odeceixe and from there proceed on the Fishermen’s Path by Cabo de S. Vicente to Lagos. The overall distance of this route is 274 km/170 mi. You want 13-14 days to finish it. It may be walked both manner. You possibly can lower it shorter for those who don’t have sufficient time to finish the route.
You possibly can stroll any stage of the 2 routes individually as a day hike or you’ll be able to select a few phases and do a 2 or 3-day hike.
There’s a nice possibility for individuals who wish to mix two out of doors actions (mountain climbing and browsing) and benefit from the sea as a lot as attainable. You possibly can begin strolling in Porto Covo and end in Arrifana. The place you’ll be able to keep in a surf hostel hire a board or take a few classes. Days wanted – 6, whole distance – 118 km.
The price of strolling the Rota Vicentina
The Algarve and Alentejo provinces are very fashionable summer time vacation locations which suggests within the peak season, between June and September the coast will get very busy and lodging costs improve considerably. How a lot cash you’ll spend strolling Rota Vicentina will depend on while you go. In the event you stroll in the course of the low season, between November and March it is going to be the most affordable, the bordering season, October, April, and Might are dearer. The summer time months from June to September are the most costly interval. We walked the Rota Vicentina in Might and did discover lodging costs fairly excessive in some standard touristy locations.
On common you’ll spend 35-40 Euro per particular person per day on the Rota Vicentina. It contains lodging (a room for 2 folks or a dorm mattress in a hostel), meals, and transport. In the event you’re going to make use of a baggage switch service you need to add 15 Euro per day further.
Lodging
Lodging is the primary expense of the Rota Vicentina. Relying on the kind of place you’ll pay between 10 Euro (tenting) and 30 Euro (a room in a resort) per particular person.
Tenting is the most affordable possibility although not each city on the route has a campsite. Even for those who like tenting you’ll have to remain typically indoors. Costs for tenting are between 10 and 12 Euro per particular person per day relying on the season. A downside of tenting is that you need to carry your tenting gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad, cooking stuff, and so forth.) which provides important weight to your backpack.
Hostels are the most affordable indoor lodging possibility on the Rota Vicentina. Similar to with tenting, not each city on the path has one. On the Fishermen’s Path, there are hostels however not on the Historic Approach. A mattress in a dormitory prices between 15 and 20 Euros per particular person relying on the season. In July, August, and September the costs are at their highest. The bottom costs are in the course of the offseason; from November to March.
Motels/guesthouses are the preferred lodging kind on the path. Costs fluctuate between 40 and 60 Euros for a double room. We had one or two locations the place we paid round 30 Euro per two folks. Throughout the low season, you’ll discover extra locations providing rooms on this worth vary.
Meals
Consuming out
Consuming out on the eating places on the Rota Vicentina was fairly costly in comparison with another areas in Portugal the place we traveled. Even in the identical space, there was a big worth distinction between locations positioned inland and seaside cities. Put together to pay 10 Euros for a dish, plus 2-4 Euros further for those who order drinks, bread, espresso, and so forth. Our common invoice was about 30 Euros for 2 folks after we went out for dinner. In the event you order a sandwich (Tosta Mista) and a espresso or a cool drink it’ll value round 3 Euros.
Portugal has one of many most cost-effective espresso in Europe; Espresso prices 0,70 Euro, and low with milk (Galao) – 1,2-1,5 Euros. In the event you order Americano you’ll pay about 1 Euro.
Buying
The most affordable meals possibility is to purchase stuff in a store and make your individual meals. To have the ability to cook dinner you need to keep in locations with a kitchen in any other case, you’ll be restricted to consuming sandwiches. Meals purchasing for 3 meals will value you round 10 Euros per particular person. Greater supermarkets (Lidl, InterMarche, Pingo Doce) have cafes or canteens the place you should purchase a well-priced meal, a sandwich, or a pastry.
Transport
Virtually each city on the Rota Vicentina could be reached by public transport. A bus from Lisbon to one of many beginning factors (Porto Covo or Santiago do Cacém) prices between 15 and 20 Euros a method. Getting from Lagos or Odeceixe to Lisbon will value you 20 Euros. On the RedeExpressos web site, you’ll be able to usually discover bus tickets to Lisbon for 7 or 10 euros. We regularly journey between Lagos and Lisbon by bus and normally pay between 7 and 10 euros per ticket. Buses between the cities on the route value between 3 and seven Euros relying on the gap.
Primarily based on all these I’d recommend an estimated funds of 25 Euros per particular person per day for those who’re planning to camp (when attainable) and make your individual meals; 35-45 Euros per particular person if staying indoors (hostels and funds rooms) and cooking for your self more often than not. And 50+ Euros to remain in motels and eat out not less than as soon as a day.
When is the most effective time for strolling the Rota Vicentina?
Summer time typically (July and August specifically) is the busiest season in Southern Portugal with the most individuals and the best costs. It will get extremely popular within the south of Portugal day temperatures go over 30°C. In the event you determine to stroll the route in the summertime months it’s really helpful to start out strolling early within the morning in an effort to be completed earlier than it will get too scorching. Reserving lodging on the Rota Vicentina prematurely is a must-do in the summertime.
Border season (April-Might and October) is an ideal time for strolling the Rota Vicentina; there are considerably fewer folks than in the summertime. It’s heat however not too scorching, lodging is cheaper, and also you don’t must e book it months prematurely. We actually like mountain climbing in Portugal within the spring the surroundings could be very stunning this time of the 12 months.
Low season (November-March) is nice if you wish to have a solitary and quiet stroll with only a few vacationers. Climate-wise it doesn’t get actually chilly on the Vicentina Coast and within the Algarve. The common temperatures in winter are between 13°C and 16°C but it surely may rain fairly a bit in November and December. The wind generally is a downside as effectively. As for lodging costs, they’re at their lowest (excluding Christmas and New 12 months) so you will get a very nice place for not costly.
Baggage switch service (Vicentina Transfers)
It’s attainable to rearrange a backpack supply on the Rota Vicentina. In the event you don’t wish to stroll carrying a giant backpack with all of your stuff it may be transferred on daily basis between your lodging locations. You possibly can stroll with a small day pack carrying solely valuables, water, and snacks.
Vicentina Transfers is the corporate that gives baggage supply service on the paths. The worth is 15€ per baggage merchandise per stage, and ech further piece of bags prices 5 euros. The burden restrict is 20 kg per baggage. It’s a door-to-door service your backpack is picked up within the morning (round 9 am) on the reception and delivered to the following place.
What’s the lodging like on the route?
Each city on the Rota Vicentina has motels and guesthouses, some extra standard touristy locations have hostels. A lot of the locations could be booked on-line by reserving websites. Some areas have extra lodging choices some much less. On the Historic Approach, there are not many locations to remain. The route goes by not touristy areas of the Alentejo area. On the Fishermen’s Path, there are extra lodging choices together with hostels and campsites, particularly in some cities resembling Sagres, Vilanova de Milsfontes, or Lagos. Throughout the peak summer time season, it’s extremely really helpful to e book your lodging on the Rota Vicentina a few months prematurely.
If you wish to make your individual meals it’s higher to keep in hostels or hire flats to have entry to the kitchen. In the event you keep in motels/visitor homes you’ll have to purchase ready-made meals or eat at eating places.
On the Fishermen’s Path campsites could be present in Porto Covo, Zambujeira do Mar, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Sagres, Salema, and Lagos. All campsites aren’t removed from the route. On the Historic Approach, there is just one campsite in Odeceixe. On the stretch between Santiago do Cacém and S.Teotónio there are not any locations to camp solely indoor lodging choices.
Methods to get to the Rota Vicentina?
Most cities on the Rota Vicentina have direct buses to Lisbon. It’s very simple to get from the capital to the path and again.
Getting from Lisbon to Santiago do Cacém, the Historic Approach
There are 9 every day buses from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station to Santiago do Cacém, the journey takes 2 hours, and the value is 14 Euros. In the event you’re planning to start out strolling on the identical day it’s higher to take the earliest bus. You should buy tickets and make sure the departure time on the Rede Expressos web site.
Getting from Lisbon to Porto Covo, the Fishermen’s Path
As of April 2023, there are 6 every day buses from Lisbon to Porto Covo. 5 buses go away from Sete Rios Bus Station and 1 from Oriente Station. The journey takes between 2 and three hours. The worth is 16,5 Euros.
Getting again to Lisbon from Odeceixe and Lagos
There are buses from Odeceixe (the tip of the Historic Approach) and Lagos (the tip of the Fishermen’s Path) to Lisbon. There are 4 buses from Odeceixe to Lisbon (3 to Sete Rios and 1 to Oriente), the journey takes 3h30min., the value is 19 Euros.
From Lagos, there are various buses to each bus stations in Lisbon: Sete Rios and Oriente. The usual worth is 20 Euro. Generally you will get a ticket with a reduction of seven or 10 euros. We regularly go to Lisbon from Lagos by bus and more often than not pay 10 euros per ticket. The journey takes 4 hours. You possibly can examine the itinerary and purchase tickets on-line.
There are trains from Lagos to Lisbon with one connection in Tunte. The connection is normally 5-10 minutes. You possibly can examine departure occasions and costs on the official web site.
Strolling the Rota Vicentina vs the Camino de Santiago
We met many individuals on the Camino de Santiago that wish to do the Rota Vicentina. I made a decision to check each walks primarily based on our expertise. We’ve walked 9 totally different routes of the Camino de Santiago; French Camino, Portuguese Camino, Camino Primitivo, Camino del Norte, Vía de la Plata, Camino Finisterre, Camino Inglés, Camino del Salvador, and Camino Gran Canaria and two routes of the Rota Vicentina; the Fishermen’s Path and the Historic Approach. Beneath I’m evaluating the surroundings, the price, and the services on the Camino de Santiago and on the Rota Vicentina.
Surroundings
It’s a troublesome selection however we’re each arms for the Fishermen’s Path we each love the ocean it’s not usually when your entire route follows the shoreline; dramatic cliffs, pristine seashores, hidden bays – all these sound like an ideal vacation path. You do get sea surroundings on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino and on the Northern Camino as effectively.
If you wish to hike a spectacular coastal route within the Algarve area and don’t have time to finish a long-distance path then the Seven Hanging Valleys Path is an ideal possibility for you. It’s a one-day hike that gives probably the greatest sceneries within the area.
Value
The Rota Vicentina is certainly dearer than the Camino de Santiago. The primary purpose is lodging there are not any albergues for pilgrims on the route solely hostels and motels (some cities have campsites). You pay for lodging between 20 and 40 Euros pp. relying on the season and kind of lodging you select. Tenting will value you between 10 and 12 Euro pp. The season is a crucial issue and also you’ll have to hold tenting gear with you.
Like some other standard vacation vacation spot, the world is sort of costly in comparison with the remainder of Portugal. On the Camino, you will get Menu del Dia for 7-10 Euro on the Fishermen’s Path you pay the identical for one dish. On the Historic Approach consuming out is cheaper you will get a menu for 7-8 Euros or a sandwich for two Euros.
Services
Each the Rota Vicentina and the Camino are well-marked you don’t really want GPS or a map to observe the route. As I already talked about there are not any albergues on the Rota Vicentina however there may be lodging in each city on the route in addition to ATMs, eating places, and outlets.
Strolling floor
Not like on some Camino routes on the Rota Vicentina you hardly stroll on the tar highway, more often than not it’s a footpath or a gravel highway which is a lot better for strolling because it’s not as arduous in your ft as asphalt. Some phases of the Fishermen’s Path are on the seaside or dunes which makes strolling harder and slower.
Remaining ideas
I’d say the Rota Vicentina, particularly the Fishermen’s Path is extra of a vacation trek. It has nothing to do with the pilgrimage. If you wish to hike for a few days or every week and mix the stroll with a seaside vacation the Rota Vicentina is the right possibility. In the event you’re searching for a non secular or cultural expertise (structure, historic cities, and so forth.) slightly stroll one of many Camino de Santiago routes.
Rota Vicentina planning sources
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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