The Fishermen’s Trail: The 5-6 Day Route We Keep Returning To
Some trails become favourites without you really planning it. For us, the Fishermen’s Trail is exactly that. We walk it on our own whenever we can, and we also run it as a group trip, simply because it offers the perfect mix of coastline, villages, and variety in just under a week.
We prefer the Alentejo section over the busier Algarve, so our go-to route focuses on the stretches that combine quiet trails, rugged cliffs and the kind of simplicity that makes multi-day hiking so satisfying.
Although the whole trail consists of 13 parts, our favorite itinerary is the following:
Vila Nova de Milfontes → Almograve → Zambujeira do Mar → Odeceixe → Aljezur → Arrifana → Carrapateira → Vila do Bispo.
Five to six days, depending on how we break it up.
Our Favorite 5–6 Day Fishermen’s Trail Itinerary
Day 1: Vila Nova de Milfontes → Almograve
We usually start in Vila Nova de Milfontes. The village is big enough to drink a good coffee in the morning and small enough to feel relaxed. After crossing the Mira river, the trail heads straight into scenic cliff paths and sandy stretches. It’s not technically hard, but you will feel it in your legs by the end of the day.
Our Gregory daypacks are perfect here: light, breathable and just enough space for the usual basics without overthinking what to bring.
When we reach Almograve, we like to end the day at Bar da Praia, right on the beach. It’s the perfect spot to sit back with a drink, watch the sun dip into the ocean.
Day 2: Almograve → Zambujeira do Mar
This is one of our favourite stages in Alentejo. The cliffs open up, the wind picks up, and the ocean feels incredibly close. There’s a sense of quiet freedom: just the trail, the wind, and an occasional fellow hiker.
Zambujeira do Mar has plenty of small restaurants serving fresh fish, and we usually choose one of the local spots for a simple, satisfying end to the day.
SHOP THE LOOK
Day 3: Zambujeira do Mar → Odeceixe
A classic Fishermen’s Trail day: slightly longer, but full of rewarding coastal views. Our favourite part is stopping for lunch on a quiet beach somewhere along the route. It feels like small reward that makes you grateful to hike at your own pace.
Reaching Odeceixe means arriving at the natural border between Alentejo and the Algarve. The town sits at the river mouth and marks a natural transition from the quiet Alentejo coast to the Algarve. It’s a charming place with plenty of good restaurants.
Day 4: Odeceixe → Aljezur
This stage takes you inland, away from the coast. The hills, farmland, and quiet paths of the Algarve replace the cliffs and beaches of the earlier days. Halfway along, there’s a small town with cafés, bakeries, and restaurants - a great place for a break.
Arriving at the village of Aljezur, you have reached the end of today’s hike. This small town is relaxed and easygoing, offering plenty of spots for a good meal and a good night’s rest before heading back toward the coast.
Day 5: Aljezur → Arrifana → Carrapateira
This is one of the most scenic stretches. The cliffs are dramatic, the views are wide, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the openness of the landscape. The final part descends to a long, beautiful beach. We love ending this day walking barefoot in the sand — sometimes even going in for a cold dip.
Day 6: Carrapateira → Vila do Bispo
The final stage gently guides you through dunes, small inland paths, and occasional boardwalks toward Vila do Bispo. It’s less dramatic than earlier days, but it’s a peaceful way to end the journey. Vila do Bispo is simple and quiet, exactly what you want at the end of a multi‑day hike.
Why we keep hiking this route
Over the years, we’ve tried different variations, but this combination of stages remains our sweet spot:
- Mostly Alentejo: quieter, more authentic, less busy
- 5–6 days: enough to fully disconnect without overpacking each day
- Diverse scenery: cliffs, beaches, villages, farmland
- Comfortable stops: towns with food, small cafés, and beach bars along the way
We see some hikers on the trail carrying heavy backpacks for multi-day trips, but for us, part of the appeal of this route is walking as light as possible. Just a small, comfortable daypack with the essentials lets us move freely and enjoy the scenery along the way.
It’s the blend of cliffs, beaches, inland paths, and small towns that keeps drawing us back.
Whether we’re hiking it on our own or guiding a group, the Fishermen’s Trail is a route we never get tired of and one we always look forward to returning to.
What to pack for a coastal walk
About the writer
Fora
We are Terry and Rowan from Fora, two adventurers who love discovering the most beautiful places in Portugal and beyond, and sharing them with fellow travelers through our travel organization. Portugal is our favorite country because of its mountains, rivers, forests, and charming villages. We live in northern Portugal, in a wooden house surrounded by our own fruit trees, in a beautiful valley with views of the mountains.
