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Rota Vicentina self-guided walking holiday
Overview
Introduction
With fabulous beaches, isolated fishing villages and 75-hectares of protected flora, fauna and coastline, this is a destination with immense appeal for nature lovers and best explored on foot. The Rota Vicentina has two walking trails: the Historical Way (240km) stretches from Santiago do Cacem (Alentejo) to the Cabo de Sao Vicente (Algarve); and Fisherman’s Trail (110km) meanders along the Atlantic coast from Porto Covo (Alentejo) to the Cabo de Sao Vicente (Algarve). Each walk has been divided into shorter trails to allow for a day’s exploration.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Faro Airport
- 8 day's car hire
- 4 Nights at Herdade do Touril, Zambujeira do Mar (Bed and Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Aldeia da Pedralva, Pedralva (Self Catering)
Agenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
On arrival at Faro airport, collect your hire car and drive to the Herdade do Touril (142km).
Overnight at the Herdade Do Touril, Baixo Alentejo (coastal).
Herdade Do Touril
Day 2 - Day of exploring
Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar (22km) After breakfast, take a taxi from Herdade do Touril to Almograve (payable locally). At Almograve the ‘Fisherman’s Way’ runs along the coastline to Zambujeira do Mar passing by small fishing harbours, reddish sand dunes and lunar landscapes. The marked trail is 22km (7 hours), and although steep and soft underfoot in places, is a pleasure to navigate.
Overnight at the Herdade Do Touril, Baixo Alentejo (coastal).
Zambujeira do Mar
Day 3 - Explore the Alentejo
Discover the cork fields, olive trees and vineyards of the Alentejo interior. The region, which covers a third of the country, is remarkably unspoiled and has a carpet of vibrant wild flowers in the spring.
Overnight at the Herdade Do Touril, Baixo Alentejo (coastal).
Vineyards of the Alentejo
Day 4 - Day of exploring
Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe (18km) Depart, on foot, following the marked ‘Fisherman’s Trail’ to Odeceixe. On this 18km trail (5½ hours) you will pass four beaches before reaching the fishing harbour of Azenha do Mar. One of the most outstanding views in the entire region – Odeceixe beach seen from the majestic Ponta em Branco - can be enjoyed during the walk. Return by taxi (payable locally).
Overnight at the Herdade Do Touril, Baixo Alentejo (coastal).
Azenha do Mar
Day 5 - Day of travel
Drive south to Pedralva (67.4km). The philosophy at the Aldeia da Pedralva is about ‘switching-off’ and relaxing: reading, playing cards, talking to fellow guests, swimming and walking. The property offers a range of activities from dolphin watching and boat excursions to birdwatching.
Overnight at the Aldeia da Pedralva, The Algarve.
Aldeia da Pedralva, Algarve
Day 6 - Fisherman's Trail
Carrapateira to Pedraiva (11km) Take a taxi to Carrapateira (payable locally). The ‘Fisherman’s Trail’ is marked back to Pedralva, a walk of 11km (4 hours), passing through small coastal and rural communities.
Overnight at the Aldeia da Pedralva, The Algarve.
Fishermans Trail walk
Day 7 - Vila do Bispo
Pedraiva to Vila do Bispo (21km) Today’s 21km walk (6½ hours) is to Vila do Bispo where you will see deep ravines, verdant hills, sheltered white sand beaches and the wild Alentejo coastline. Return by taxi (payable locally).
Overnight at the Aldeia da Pedralva, The Algarve.
Alentejo coastline
Day 8 - Day of departure
After breakfast, drive to Faro airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Herdade Do Touril - Night 1 to 4
Set on a 365 hectare estate within the Costa Vicentina National Park, the Herdade do Touril provides an ideal place to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Set on a 365 hectare estate within the Costa Vicentina National Park, the Herdade do Touril provides an ideal place to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life. With its whitewashed walls tinged with blue, tiled roofs and ceramic floors, the property retains all the rustic charm of the Alentejo, without forsaking any of the modern comforts. The twelve guest rooms, located in five separate houses, are simply but tastefully decorated and have French doors which lead out onto a private terrace.
Accommodation
- 12 rooms including standard rooms, suites, one-bedroom and two-bedroom houses
- All rooms have a bathroom (bath and/or shower), hairdryer, telephone, complimentary WiFi, satellite TV, DVD player, safe deposit box and private terrace
- Superior rooms have an ocean view and some have direct access to the pool and garden
- The suites have a double bedroom, bathroom (hydro-massage bath or shower), separate living room (one suite is open-plan) and kitchen (microwave, fridge, dishwasher, electric cooker and coffee machine). Breakfast ingredients are delivered to the suites prior to arrival and fresh bread is delivered each morning
- Some standard rooms will accommodate an extra bed for an adult or child (2-12yrs)
- Four standard rooms interconnect
Amenities/Leisure
- Breakfast room
- Small bar
- Lounge with cable TV, complimentary WiFi, hi-fi system and honesty bar
- Outdoor swimming pool (12 x 6m) - open all year
- Pool bar (bar open in summer only)
- Free parking
- Bicycle hire (free of charge) - 6km of marked cycle trails lead from the property
- 4km to a mini-market and 10km to a large supermarket
- 4km to the beach at Zambujeira do Mar
- 2km to two restaurants
- The Rota Vicentina's walking trail 'The Fisherman's Way' passes through the grounds of the property
Aldeia da Pedralva - Night 5 to 7
Located on the southwest coast of the Algarve in the unspoiled region of Costa Vicentina is Pedralva, the forgotten village of the Algarve. This once thriving agricultural village, was mostly abandoned in the 1980’s (9 inhabitants remained) - leaving a pile of destitute buildings.
Located on the southwest coast of the Algarve in the unspoiled region of Costa Vicentina is Pedralva, the forgotten village of the Algarve. This once thriving agricultural village, was mostly abandoned in the 1980’s (9 inhabitants remained) - leaving a pile of destitute buildings. In 2006, an organisation purchased 30 ruins and began to gradually rebuild the village with the aim of providing an authentic holiday experience. In 2010 the project was completed and today there are 26 traditional houses, with one, two and three-bedroom houses, each comfortably furnished and well-equipped.
Aldeia da Pedralva has an activities centre with 32 bikes and offers more than 300km of mountain bike trails to explore, as well as a surf school, hiking trails, driving courses, bird watching, boat excursions, diving, dolphin watching, fishing and jeep tours. This area provides a great base to keep all the family occupied.
Accommodation
- 26 village houses including one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units
- Daily cleaning and linen changed every 3 or 4 days
One-bedroom houses (sleep 2+2)
- All units have a bedroom, bathroom (shower), lounge with double sofa bed suitable for up to two children (2-12yrs) and kitchenette (electric oven and hobs, refrigerator, microwave, toaster and Nespresso coffee maker)
- One unit (Burgau) has a king size bed and three units (Castelejo, Mirouço and Tonel) have a queen size bed. All other units have a twin bedroom
- One unit (Castelejo) has a private patio and barbecue area
Two-bedroom houses (sleep 4+1)
- All units have two bedrooms, bathroom (shower), lounge and single sofa bed, kitchenette (electric oven and hobs, refrigerator, microwave, toaster and Nespresso coffee maker)
- Four units (Salema, Boca do Rio, Furnas and Figueira) have bunk beds in the second bedroom
- Four units have a patio with barbecue (Ingrina, Mareta, Zavial and Figueira)
Three-bedroom houses (sleep 6+1)
- All units have three bedrooms, bathroom (shower), lounge, kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, electric stove (2 hobs) and oven, toaster and Nespresso coffee maker).
- The sofa bed is suitable for a child (2-12 yrs)Two units have a patio with barbecue (Barriga and Murraco). These units have 2 bedrooms with king-size beds and a third bedroom with two bunk beds
- One unit (without patio) has 1 bedroom with queen-size bed, 1 bedroom with twin beds and an attic room (third bedroom – twin beds)
Amenities/Leisure
- ‘Café Central’ offering a buffet breakfast (can be booked via Sunvil Discovery or on request – payable locally), light meals and bar service
- ‘Sitio da Pedralva’ restaurant serving regional cuisine and is open daily for lunch and dinner. There is also an excellent pizzeria much frequented by locals
- Complimentary WiFi only in café central, lounge area and at reception
- Library
- Snooker (c.6 Euros per hour)
- Barbecue area
- Outdoor swimming pool (11 x 6m) open all year
- Free private parking
- Nearest beach is 'Praia Amado' which is within a10 minute drive which is also good for surfing. Or try the family friendly beaches of Salema, Boca do Rio or Cabanas Velhas
- Cultural highlights nearby include the Sea & Land Museum at Carrapateira, the Sagres Fortress (14km) and Museum and the interior of Cabo Sao Vicente de Sagres Lighthouse
- The Rota Vicentina walking trail ‘The Fisherman’s Way’ passes through the village