Beautiful Atlantic Coast Walking

Our trip begins in Lisbon, Portugal with a 9:00 a.m. rendezvous at the Lisboa Plaza Hotel. We will make a short transfer to Sintra, a romantic mountain village nestled in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park contains a stunning diversity of landscapes including mountains, forests, lakes, sand dunes and a rugged coastline with high cliffs interspersed between lovely beaches. The area is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human presence with its palaces, manor houses, and gardens, and nature itself. We will hike through forest up to the Pena Palace gardens, visit to the Moorish castle and descend along the castle walls to São Pedro de Penafarrim for a traditional Portuguese lunch.

Tonight we sleep in Sintra, where we’ll stay for 2 nights and dine on delicious local specialties such as roasted duck rice and grilled Atlantic fresh fish. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: Pena Palace gardens and Moorish Castle: 5 miles (8 km); Terrain: paved road, cobblestones, stone steps, dirt trails with some steeper sections. Driving: 45 min

From Sintra, we take a short drive to Portugal’s spectacular Atlantic Coast. We hike among the coastal flora on trails from Praia Grande beach to Cabo da Roca cape, the western-most point of continental Europe. From the windswept landscape of the Cape we marvel at views of the wild Atlantic and local fisherman perched on the cliffs ready to hook their day’s catch.

After a enjoying a typical seafood lunch near the cape, we transfer back to the hotel in Sintra by mid-afternoon leaving you time to explore the town on your own. Lunch included.

Hiking: Praia Grande to Cabo da Roca: 4.8 miles (7.7 km); Terrain: Packed dirt and rocky trails with some steeper sections. Driving: 30 min

We begin the day with a visit to the contemplative moss-covered Capuchos Convent, located high on the northeastern flank of the Sintra mountains. It was built by Franciscan monks in complete harmony with its surroundings. Next, we make our way towards the dramatic location of Peninha Sanctuary. The chapel here dates back to the 17th century. According to local legend, the Virgin Mary appeared here in the 16th century. From this peaceful place, we meander downhill on trails to Guincho beach for lunch with option to transfer to hotel or continue walking along the pedestrian boardwalk all the way to the attractive fishing town of Cascais. The views, not the exertion, will render us breathless today.

Cascais is a charming tourist destination on a sheltered bay.  Once a quiet fishing village and strategic port, it became the preferred summer residence of the royal family in the 19th century. Take the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs and enjoy the favorite local ice cream. We stay the night in Cascais overlooking the bay. Breakfast and dinner included.

Hiking: 4.9 miles (7.8 km), optional extra: 7.9 miles (12.7 km); Terrain: forest trails, slightly rocky coastal paths, beach walking, paved walking path, mostly downhill. Driving: 15 min

Today we begin by strolling along the seafront boardwalk from Cascais to Estoril before transferring south of Lisbon over the Tejo River, the longest in Iberia. We’ll stop at a local tile workshop for a demonstration and explanation abut this traditional art form. Azujelos, painted ceramic tiles are found throughout Portugal and are a tradition that is at least five centuries old. These decorative tiles are found everywhere from churches and palaces to ordinary homes and railway stations. Next we’ll head to Azeitão for a visit and tasting at the famous winery, José Maria da Fonseca.

There is free time for lunch in town nearby before beginning our hike along a portion of the Rota dos Moinhos in the Arrábida Natural Park. Named for the traditional windmills along the trail, this gentle hike offers panoramic views of the region’s mountain ranges, Palmela Castle and the Tejo River estuary. We stay in a charming rural hotel near Zambujeira do Mar for next two nights. Tonight we dine at the hotel. Breakfast and dinner included.

Hiking: 2.4 miles (3.8 km); Terrain: mostly rolling with an initial steep ascent. Driving: 3.5 hours

The remainder of our hiking route runs through the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. This park encompasses the entire southwest coast of Portugal from north of Vila Nova de Milfontes to Sagres and Cape Saint Vincent at its southern tip, protecting the dramatic and rugged scenery from development. We hike from Praia das Furnas to Almograve, a quiet coastal village blessed with two distinctive beaches that are considered two of the most beautiful along the Alentejo Coast. The northern Almograve beach is spread over gentle sand dunes, while the southern beach has dramatic black shale rocks jutting from the steep cliffs. This afternoon, trip members can choose to transfer to our lodgings or opt to continue hiking to Cabo Sardão, where storks nest on the cliffs above the Atlantic. Tonight we’ll take you to town for dinner on your own. Night in same rural hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking:  Praia das Furnas – Almograve, 6 miles (9.6 km); optional extra: Almograve – Cabo Sardão, 5 miles (8 km); Terrain: sandy coastal paths through low shrubbery along top of cliffs; mostly gently grades with occasional steeper sections. Driving: 45 min

Today we depart from Zambujeira do Mar and continue along quintessential Atlantic coast trails with sea breezes and sweeping views. Our route takes us along one of the most beautiful sections of Portugal’s famous Rota Vicentina, a 210-mile long coastal hiking trail used by fishermen to reach the prime fishing spots and now by hikers eager to experience Southern Europe’s wildest stretch of coast. We end our hike at Odeceixe beach on the Seixe river delta which marks the border between the Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal. We will spend the next two nights in the village of Sagres, a pretty town with typical Algarvean houses clustered around the 16th century church. Breakfast and dinner included.

Hiking: 8.6 miles (13.8 km); Terrain: sandy coastal paths along cliff tops, some beach walking, mostly flat. Driving: 1.25 hrs

After a short transfer we begin our final hike at Salema beach, where brightly colored fishing boats are still launched from its golden sands by a tractor. En route to Sagres, the trail takes us through fields of wildflowers in the spring and past steep shale cliffs along the southern Algarve coast. The beauty of Sagres beaches, many of them nearly deserted, the unspoilt coastline, the pristine bays, grottos and towering cliffs are visual delights. Many of the locals still devote their time to the sea and land, taking advantage of nature’s abundance which results in varied and tasty cuisine. Sagres is one of the few places in the Algarve region where the wilderness, in conjunction with a rich historical and cultural heritage, remain intact. Night in same hotel in Sagres. Breakfast and dinner included.

Hiking: Salema Beach – Zavial Beach, 5.5 miles (8.9 km); optional extra: Ingrina-Sagres, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) or visit to Sagres fort; Terrain: coastal trails with rocky surfaces, possible beach walking, some climbs and descents down to beaches between cliffs. Driving: 15 min

Our journey along Portugal’s wild Atlantic Coast comes to an end. Continue exploring the famed Algarve coast on your own or transfer back to Lisbon with the guides. Breakfast included.

Driving: 3 hrs

Note on Itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.