The Historic Manner of the Rota Vicentina

The Historic Manner is a 6-day inland route of the Rota Vicentina. It’s one of many two long-distance routes of the Vicentina networks. The route takes hikers by non-touristy areas of the Alentejo area within the south of Portugal. The Historic Manner could be walked as a separate route or mixed with the Fisherman’s Path.

The Historic Manner route overview

• Distance – 120 km/74 mi
• The required time – 6 days
• Start line – Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo
• Ending level – Odeceixe, Algarve
• Whole ascent (over 6 days) – 2505 m
• Whole descent (over 6 days) – 2629 m
• Strolling floor – gravel street, footpath
• Route marking – white and pink markers
• Common price – 30-40 Euro per particular person per day (together with transport, lodging, meals, and many others.)
• Lodging – accommodations, guesthouses

The Historic Manner itinerary downloadable PDF

To make your planning simpler we’ve created a downloadable PDF file that comprises strolling levels and locations to remain on the Historic Manner of the Rota Vicentina.

What’s the Historic Manner in Portugal?

The Historic Manner is a 6-day climbing route of the Rota Vicentina path community in Southern Portugal. It begins in Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, and finishes in Odeceixe, Algarve. The path goes by the forest and rural areas. It may be mixed with the Fishermen’s Path, a multi-day path alongside the coast.

Strolling the Historic Manner vs the Fishermen’s Path

The Historic Manner is a 100% inland route. The closest it will get to the ocean is Odeceixe, which is about 2 km from the seashore. The Fishermen’s Path follows the shoreline more often than not. We’ve walked each multi-day routes of the Rota Vicentina and like the surroundings on the Fishermen’s Path to the Historic Manner.

Benefits of the Fishermen’s Path

• To start with, as a result of we get pleasure from strolling alongside the coast.
• The surroundings on the coastal route was extra spectacular than on the inland route.
• There are extra locations to remain on the Fishermen’s Path together with campsites and hostels.

Benefits of the Historic Manner

• The route is much less crowded even within the peak summer time season there are only a few folks on the path.
• It is likely to be choice to stroll if strolling near the sting of steep cliffs provides you vertigo.

Learn how to mix the Historic Manner with the coastal route?

Each routes are stunning all of it will depend on what surroundings you like the coast or fields/forest. If you’d like you’ll be able to mix each routes.

Choice 1. Begin strolling on the Historic Manner from Santiago do Cacém to Odeceixe and from there proceed south following the Fishermen’s Path all the way in which to Lagos or cease earlier. The route from Santiago do Cacém to Lagos is 274 km/170 mi. It takes 13 days to finish.

Choice 2. Begin in Santiago do Cacém stroll to Odeceixe and from there proceed north on the Fishermen’s Path in the direction of Porto Covo. The entire distance of this route is 196 km/121 mi. You want 10 days to finish it.

When is the most effective time for climbing in Southern Portugal?

Spring months between mid-March to Could is the most effective time for strolling the Historic Manner of the Rota Vicentina. It’s our favourite time for climbing in Portugal. We’ve achieved a number of routes together with the Portuguese Camino within the spring. The climate is sweet, it’s heat and sunny however not as sizzling because it will get in the course of the summer time. There are usually not too many individuals. It doesn’t matter in the event you stroll solely the inland route however in the event you determine to mix it with the coastal route it’s fairly vital. In June it begins getting sizzling and busy however it’s nonetheless month for strolling.

The height summer time season July to mid-September is the most popular time within the Alentejo area. It’s not the most effective time for climbing particularly the inland route with out a contemporary sea breeze it will get even hotter right here than by the coast. These months are the height touristy season you must guide lodging and plan your journey prematurely.

From mid-September to mid-November is an efficient time for climbing. It’s nonetheless heat and normally sunny although in November you may get some rain and there are usually not many vacationers.

Winter months December to February are wonderful for strolling you simply should be ready that it’d rain particularly in December. It will get fairly chilly, particularly within the mornings and at evening it’s higher to deliver hotter garments not only for climbing however for carrying indoors as homes in Portugal are usually not effectively insulated generally it’s colder inside than outdoors.

The price of strolling the Historic Manner

Right here is the whole breakdown of our spending on the Historic Manner, 6 days, 2 folks. We didn’t camp or keep in hostels (there is just one campsite and one hostel on the route in Odeceixe) lodging was our most important expense. Half of the time we went out for lunch or dinner half of the time purchased meals in outlets and supermarkets. We weren’t on a really strict funds however tried not to spend so much.

Our funds breakdown

• Lodging – 230 Euro
• Consuming out – 82 Euro
• Purchasing – 50 Euro
• Espresso, beer, desserts – 18 Euro
• Transport – 65 Euro; bus Lisbon – Santiago do Cacém, 14 Euro per particular person, bus Odeceixe – Lisbon, 18,5 Euro pp.

Whole: 445 Euro for two folks in 6 days or 37 Euro per particular person per day.

Learn how to get to the Historic Manner of the Rota Vicentina?

Santiago do Cacém, the start line of the Historic Manner could be reached by bus from Lisbon and lots of different cities and cities in Portugal. There are 7-8 every day buses from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus station to Santiago do Cacém. Buses go away all through the day. The journey takes 2 hours. The ticket prices 14€.

After ending the hike in Odeceixe you may get again to Lisbon by bus. There are 3-4 direct every day buses. The journey takes 3h30min. The ticket prices 18,5€. You may verify the up-to-date itinerary and purchase tickets on-line on the Rede Expressos web site.

Locations to remain in Santiago do Cacém

Lodging on the Historic Manner

Each city on the route has a few accommodations/guesthouses. The path goes by off-the-beaten-path areas of the Alentejo area because of this there are fewer lodging choices than on the Fishermen’s Path (the coastal route). Some locations could be booked on-line some solely by way of e-mail or over the telephone.

There is just one campsite and one hostel on the Historic Manner each are in Odeceixe. In the event you’re planning to stroll this route it’s not value carrying a tent and tenting gear except you don’t thoughts wild tenting.

The Historic Manner – a 6-day strolling itinerary

Day 1. Santiago de Cacém – Vale Seco, 18,5 km/11,4 mi

• Distance – 18,5 km/11,5 mi
• Time – 4h.
• Ascent – 496 m
• Descent – 434 m
• Problem degree – 3 out of 5

Observe! For today we’d extremely suggest reserving lodging beforehand.

The path begins on the Parish Church (Igreja Matriz) of Santiago do Cacém on the high of the hill, subsequent to the fort, it’s about 500 m uphill from the data workplace. On the church, you’ll see the gap indicators and route markers – pink and white stripes which can be painted on small wood poles, timber, and rocks all alongside the route. From the church, the route goes right down to the valley and continues by the fields and hills with a number of ascents and descents within the first half of the stroll, after about 7 km the route turns into flatter and simpler.

Be certain that to hold sufficient water with there can be no place alongside the way in which to get extra water and with all of the ups and downs you get fairly thirsty.

Highlights

• Spectacular fort and church of Santiago do Cacém crowning the highest of the hill – the start line of the route.
• Peaceable pastoral surroundings on the second half of the route.

Challenges

• A number of ascents and descents initially of the day.
• No locations to cease for meals or water alongside the way in which.
• A few unfriendly canine although all of them had been chained or behind the fence in order that they couldn’t do any hurt to us.

Vale Seco

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – no
• Campsite – no
• ATM – no
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – no
• Seashore – no

This place was our most important concern we couldn’t discover a lot details about the world and only a few lodging choices. We went to the data workplace in Santiago do Cacém they phoned a few locations however all the things appeared absolutely booked. Fortunately we obtained a telephone variety of a visitor home from our good friend from Porto Covo.

Vale Seco shouldn’t be a city or village, it’s a few farms and a bar/store within the center. On the bar you may get espresso, sandwiches, snacks, beer, the bar store may be very small with restricted choices; bread, cheese, ham, drinks, some greens, and fruit. Convey money with you’ll be able to’t draw cash right here or pay by card.

Casinhas da Aldeia visitor home

We had been fortunate to search out this place, our good friend Nicolau (the proprietor of Ahoy Hostel in Porto Covo) gave us contact particulars for this place, and we booked it over the telephone. It’s 600 m away from the bar proper on the route, you gained’t miss it there are an enormous gate and a banner with the telephone quantity.

We cherished this place, it’s a farm with a few small visitor homes, very tranquil and comfortable. We obtained a double room with a rest room, the room is spacious, clear, snug and has all you want. The homeowners Fatima & Ludgero are very good folks, tremendous pleasant and welcome. In the event you’re on the lookout for a peaceable place to remain for a day or two this can be a excellent possibility. Cellphone +351-926-135-594, +351-962-284-363 Fatima.Krus@gmail.com

Amenities

• Kitchen – sure, a small kitchenette with a microwave, kettle, fridge, cups, and plates
• Scorching bathe – sure
• Wi-fi – sure
• Energy sockets within the room – sure
• Washer – sure
• Further – towels, TV, swimming pool, bottled water

Day 2. Vale Seco – Cercal do Alentejo, 22 km/13,6 mi

• Distance – 22 km/13,6 mi
• Time – 4h30min.
• Ascent – 374 m
• Descent – 409 m
• Problem degree – 3 out of 5

It was a quiet strolling day largely by the fields, the route was well-marked and simple to observe. In actual fact, the day went so rapidly that we didn’t even discover it. We stopped twice to drink espresso at Vale de Éguas and to relaxation on the lake.

Highlights

• Very peaceable surroundings; pasture fields with cows and sheep, patches of eucalyptus forest, and farms in between.
• Albufeira de Campilhas – a pleasant and fairly massive lake on a pleasant day it’s a terrific spot to cease for relaxation.

Challenges

The stroll was fairly simple our most important problem for the day was the final little bit of strolling to Cercal do Alentejo – a whole lot of flies got here from nowhere and we walked within the fly cloud for about 1 km.

Stops on the route

• At 8 km a tiny village Vale de Éguas with two eating places.

Cercal do Alentejo

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – no
• Campsite – no
• ATM – sure
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – sure
• Seashore – no

It’s fairly an enormous and never very touristy place, there are a number of lodging choices, many bars and eating places and a few outlets. There’s a self-service laundry as effectively however it’s fairly costly, 4,5 Euro for laundry and 1,5 Euro for drying.

From Cercal do Alentejo you might have two route choices; go to Sao Luis (19 km) which implies persevering with inland on the Historic Manner or go to the coast to Porto Covo (18 km) and stroll the Fishermen’s Path.

Locations to remain in Cercal

Day 3. Cercal do Alentejo – S.Luís, 19 km/12 mi

• Distance – 19 km/12 mi
• Time – 4h15min.
• Ascent – 550 m
• Descent – 542 m
• Problem degree – 3 out of 5 it was most likely one of the difficult days on the route because of the many ascents and descents and no shade to cover and nowhere to cease for meals or water.

The stroll was fairly good, the primary 8 km from Cercal weren’t too tiring, and the surroundings was stunning; lush inexperienced hills, and a bit little bit of forest. The second half was more difficult over the hills with many ascends and descends and gorgeous views over the world.

Highlights

Nice views within the second a part of the stroll from the highest of the mountains you’ll be able to see the ocean, valleys, small villages, and many others.

A viewpoint at 17 km (2 km earlier than Sao Luis), it’s about 1,5 km additional to stroll there and again and various up and down. The view is nice however not a lot completely different from what you see on the final 7 km so in the event you don’t really feel like strolling additional don’t fear about it.

Challenges

• After the primary 8 km, the path goes up and down all the way in which to Sao Luis
• No place to cease for meals or water

S.Luís

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – no
• Campsite – no
• ATM – sure
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – sure
• Seashore – no

We arrived right here on Sunday and because of this, outlets had been closed and we needed to eat in an area bar. The most effective place we may discover was Restaurante O Pinguim their omelets with French fries are fairly massive and filling. Not like somewhere else, no one right here may communicate any English it was a bit difficult to clarify what we would like in Spanish.

Locations to remain in S.Luis

Day 4. S.Luis – Odemira, 24 km/15 mi

• Distance – 24 km/15 mi
• Time – 5h.
• Ascent – 379 m
• Descent – 536 m
• Problem degree – 3 out of 5

The entire day could be divided into two components; the primary half with typical for the route surroundings; fields and hills and the second half is thru the attractive lush forest. Once more very solitary stroll for the entire day we noticed one different hiker and never even a bicycle owner on the route. In Could after we walked the Rota the world was lined in flowers from far it appeared like a colourful carpet.

Highlights

Stunning forest walks within the second half of the day, after the primary 12 km; enormous timber, lush vegetation, small rivers, and lots of birds and butterflies round.

Challenges

• No place to cease for meals or water for twenty-four km ensure to take at the least 1,5l of water per particular person
• All day slight ascents and descents

Stops on the route

• At about 14 km a picnic spot with a desk and two benches however no meals or water there.

Odemira

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – sure
• Campsite – no
• ATM – sure
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – sure
• Seashore – no

One other off-the-beaten-path city on the route I suppose individuals who stroll the Historic Manner are the one vacationers right here.

Locations to remain in Odemira

Day 5. Odemira – S.Teotónio, 19,5 km/12 mi

• Distance – 19,5 km/12 mi
• Time – 4h.
• Ascent – 437 m
• Descent – 288 m
• Problem degree – 2 out of 5

The route from Odemira continues over the bridge and alongside the street for about 1 km after which turns into the fields providing some peaceable countryside surroundings; inexperienced hills and the Eucalyptus forest. The day went fairly rapidly for us we noticed three different hikers on the picnic spot and no one else in the entire day.

Highlights

• A really quiet strolling day by the fields and forest with stunning surroundings

Challenges

• A few steep however brief ascents

Stops on the route

• At 13 km there’s a picnic spot you may get cool drinks, espresso, and a few snacks right here (it’s extra like a stall unsure if it’s all the time open).

S.Teotónio

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – sure
• Campsite – no
• ATM – sure
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – sure
• Seashore – no

Probably not a vacationer vacation spot extra of an area city with not a lot to see or to do. The central sq. in entrance of the church is a pleasant place to come back for beer or espresso however we stayed about 700 m away from there so we went for espresso and lunch on the close by grocery store. There’s a restaurant inside the place you may get a set menu with salad, most important dish, drink, bread, and low for six,5 Euro, it’s a terrific worth for cash.

Locations to remain in São Teotónio

Day 6. S.Teotónio – Odeceixe, 17 km/10,5 mi

• Distance – 17 km/10,5 mi
• Time – 3h40min.
• Ascent – 269 m
• Descent – 420 m
• Problem degree – 2 out of 5, a brief strolling day with a few brief ascents and descents on the way in which

At this time is the final day of strolling inland from tomorrow on there can be route choices that take hikers to the coast. At 3 km there’s a cut up; each routes undergo the forest and fields to Odeceixe one is 15 km the opposite is 17 km. We took the 17 km route the day is fairly brief anyway we didn’t really feel like slicing 2 km from it however it’s completely as much as you I don’t assume in the event you take a shorter route you’ll miss out on quite a bit.

The stroll was very good and quiet the entire day we noticed solely a gaggle of cyclists and one climbing couple strolling in the wrong way. From Odeceixe, you’ll be able to proceed strolling to Cabo de S. Vicente and Lagos following the Fishermen’s Path itinerary of the Rota Vicentina.

Highlights

• Inexperienced hills, pine forest, fields lined in wildflowers – very peaceable surroundings.

Challenges

• A steep descent at 9 km
• No place to cease for meals or water for about 15 km from S.Teotonio to S.Miguel.

Stops on the route

• At 15 km S.Miguel – a small city with a few eating places, a grocery retailer, and a campsite

Odeceixe

• Resort – sure
• Hostel – sure
• Campsite – sure, 3 km earlier than the city on the route
• ATM – sure
• Restaurant – sure
• Grocery store/store – sure
• Pharmacy – sure
• Seashore – sure, 3 km away

A picturesque city on the foot of the hill, surrounded by pasture fields, about 3 km away from the seashore. From Odeceixe, you’ll begin seeing extra folks on the path. The Historic Manner and the Fishermen’s Path be a part of there.

In the event you’re planning to camp take into account that the closest campsite is about 3 km earlier than Odeceixe, in S. Miguel, don’t miss it.

If you wish to keep on the seashore you’ll be able to stroll 3 km to Praia de Odeceixe simply take into account that lodging choices there are restricted and costlier and there’s no grocery store solely two or three eating places.

Locations to remain in Odeceixe

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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack quite than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.