Vicentina Route – The trails of the Costa Vicentina

The Vicentina Route was inaugurated in 2012 and developed together with public entities and local businesspeople who invest heavily in nature tourism in this region. The trails of the Costa Vicentina form one of the most famous long-distance routes in Portugal.

For those who enjoy a good hiking, it presents magnificent landscapes of the Portuguese coast, and with great places to try regional cuisine.

The Vicentina Route

The Vicentina Route is divided into two main trails of the Costa Vicentina, called Trilho dos Pescadores (Fishermen’s trail) and Caminho Histórico (Historic route), which total more than 400 km of walking. There are also several other circular routes available and secondary paths that you can explore.

In 2016, the Vicentina Route achieved its first certification, called Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe. This award demonstrates that it is listed as one of the best long-distance walking attractions in Europe. The research was carried out by the European Ramblers Association, experts in developing long routes.

The trails of the Costa Vicentina

Historic Route of the Rota Vicentina

The Historic route is the longest route. It starts in the city of Santiago do Cacém and continues to Cabo de São Vicente, 230 km, on a very bucolic route. Visit the main towns and villages on a rural itinerary with several centuries of history.

With several historical points, villages, towns and mountains with centuries of history, it also offers some trails of the Costa Vicentina, many in forested areas, which you can follow along the way. It is possible to observe the typical rural animals of the region, such as cows and sheep, but there is still a huge biodiversity of fauna to admire, especially the birds.

It is a route best suited for walking, but it is possible to do it on bicycles. Some choose to travel the route motorized, with motorbikes, jeeps or even passenger cars. For these options, you will need to check the places with allowed passage.

Vicentina Route Fisherman’s Trail

The Fishermen’s Trail is a route that follows the sea and offers many panoramic views of the fishing grounds and beaches. Starting in Porto Covo, it continues to Cabo de São Vicente, a total of 120 km, which can be covered on foot or by bicycle.

Due to the amount of sand, at some points along the route using bicycles can become quite complicated.

It is important to know that it is a tour with limited people per group. A maximum of 20 people are allowed in each group. There are indications and also some restrictions throughout the route. It is not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.

Circular Trails of the Vicentina Route

For those who have little time, some difficulty or low physical resistance, you can opt for the circular routes. These are shorter trails that always start and end in the same place. There are alternative trails on the Costa Vicentina, which most of the time take the ecotourist to some attraction in the region.

They are also a great option for tourists with vehicles who want to do a practical and quick walk.

There are 24 routes between Santiago do Cacém and Lagos, which complement and enrich the classic Historic route and the Fishermen’s trail. Together, the circular routes total 263 km of trails.

Each stage is never longer than 25 kilometers and can be completed in just one day. The tourist who chooses how he wants to travel the route; with the possibility of trying only those that best suit your preferences or physical conditions.

It is extremely important to follow the rules and instructions provided by the Rota Vicentina Association, which is the tourist administration entity for the route. This way, it will be possible to enjoy the natural environment, leaving a minimal, sustainable, safe impact and without major problems.

The Rota Vicentina Association

The Rota Vicentina – Association for the Promotion of Nature Tourism on the Alentejo and Vicentina Coast, is the entity responsible for the management, integration, stimulation, development and promotion of the Vicentina Route hiking trails, as well as the associated tourist offer. Find out more about the Rota Vicentina association!

Opening hours (Please note, opening hours and service information may change without prior notice. For official information, visit the Associação Rota Vicentina website).

• Monday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Wednesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
• Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm

Address: Passeio Quinta da Estrela, 3, Odemira, Portugal.

How to get to the Vicentina Route?

The circuit is located between Lisbon and the Algarve, passing through Alentejo. It is possible to reach the main locations on the Vicentina Route by bus, private vehicles such as cars and motorbikes, and also by train.

It is also possible to fly to Lisbon or Faro from the main capitals of Europe. Lisbon airport is located in the north of Vicentina Route and Faro in the south. Although Lisbon has more public transport, it is possible to go to both places and return using public transport.

The Vicentina Route is a long trail made up of several smaller trails so that visitors can also rely on local taxi services.

Taxis and Transfers on Vicentina Route

There are taxis and transfers available that help you have greater flexibility to enjoy the region. Tourists can rely on this transport service to get from the accommodation to the trailhead, to transfer luggage, to the nearest station, airports, etc.

The cost of the taxi service is approximately €1/km and is calculated including the round trip.

What to do on Vicentina Route?

The activities and programs proposed by Vicentina Route are very diverse. Some can last a few hours, others all day. Traveling the complete route along any of its trails will certainly take several days, depending on your choice.

Among the village alleys, there are several regional traditions. A very evident culture that is mainly made up of handicrafts. There are everything from workshops for children to surfing lessons for all ages. Tourists can also enjoy horse riding and relaxing massages.

There are some companies that put together packages for the Rota Vicentina, which can include accommodation and other services, such as:

• Specialized Guides
• Birdwatching, Surfing, Diving activities, among others.
• Fishing Experiences
• Boat Trips
• Bike Rental
• Horse rides
• Traditional regional activities to enjoy a complete experience.