Hike the Rota Vicentina in Portugal

• Orientation Meeting: 6pm
• Meals Included: Dinner 
• Accommodations: Hotel

Say hello to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal simply stuffed full of lovely restaurants and intriguing history. If you get to Lisbon early, feel free to explore some of the city, perhaps walking through the quaint Alfama neighborhood or visiting Sao Jorge Castle. Your tour with Intrepid begins with an orientation meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your fellow travelers and your local group leader who will guide you on your trek. After the meeting, head out with your group to an included dinner at a local restaurant where you can get to know each other better and take a guided walk around the city which has an exciting nightlife. 

Please be sure to attend the orientation meeting this evening as you will need to provide insurance and emergency contact information at this time. If you are going to be late, please contact Intrepid or let the hotel know.

• Travel: Drive from Lisbon to Malhao
• Activities Included: Malhao to Vila Nova de Milfontes Guided Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 6.5MI / 10KM
• Accommodation: Hotel 

Your hiking begins as you leave Lisbon and drive toward the beginning of the Fisherman’s Trail. This ancient coastal walk is comprised of many hikes all connected through Alentejo and the Algarve. You’ll soon arrive at Porto Covo where you will pull on your hiking boots and get ready to start your trek. This entire trail is seaside and today, you’ll be hugging the coastline along many sandy beaches and the wind swept dunes of Aivados and Malhao. Each beach you pass today will offer something different from the last, so keep your eye out for springs of freshwater, hidden coves and caves, and dramatic cliffs. Your leader will narrate to the group about some of the plants that manage to thrive here in a harsh climate of scorching sun, low nutrient soil, and salty air. You’ll finish your hike at Vila Nova de Milfontes where you can take a dip in the great Atlantic if you’d like

• Activities Included: Boat to Praia das Furnas, Vila Nove de Milfontes to Almograve Guided Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Hiking Distance: 7.5MI / 12KM
• Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Begin your day with a lovely cruise from the mouth of the Mira River to Praia das Furnas where today’s hike will begin to Almograve. Follow the coastline again today and lookout for wildlife that thrives in this area. Many of the marshes and estuaries that you will pass serve as breeding grounds for various fish and you’ll likely see swifts flying overhead if you’re hiking in summer. Your guide will continue to point out various types of vegetation along the coast as well as the invasive acacia that often drives out native species. Local fisherman will probably to be out along the coast and see if you can spot small, stone-age quarries among the sand dunes.

• Activities Included: Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar Guided Walk, Typical Seafood Lunch in Zambujeira do Mar, Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar Evening Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch 
• Hiking Distance: 13.5MI / 22KM
• Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Get up bright and early this morning to get on the trail on the way to Zambujeira do Mar through some of the most spectacular sights you will see on this trip. Hike passed dizzyingly high cliffs that serve as nesting ground for nearly 20 specious of birds such as rock doves, peregrine falcons, jackdaws, and kestrels. Besides wildlife, this area has a very active and interesting geological past which will be apparent to you as you see the oxidized red sandstone which gives evidence of a tropical climate and the remains of cold climate animals from a colder era. You’ll come to Zambujeira do Mar around lunch, just in time to head into town for an included meal at a local eatery that has all the seafood classics of this area, brought in fresh the from sea. Shrimp, hake, whelk, and clams will all be options so take your pick of what sounds good. The group will take a short walk around town later in the afternoon to Capela de Nossa Senhora do Mar, a quaint seaside chapel with stunning views. Bring a picnic dinner here if you’d like and watch the sun sink in to the majestic Atlantic. 

• Activities Included: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe Guided Walk 
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Hiking Distance: 11MI /18KM
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

You’ll get to enjoy a later start today before getting onto the trail for another great hike on your way to Odeceixe with stunning coastal scenery along the way. Stroll along clifftops past the beaches of Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália as you arrive at Azenha do Mar, a natural fishing bay. There is more wildlife to see today, many of which live among and under the sand dunes. They are can be difficult to spot, but keep a keen eye out for the burrows and tracks of Egyptian mongooses, beach Martens, otters, weasels, genets, and badgers. Arrive in Odeceixe at the end of your hike to lounge on the beach in the sun or explore the village. Later in the evening, the group will take a public bus to Aljezur where your accommodation will be waiting for you. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Guesthouse

The schedule is clear for you today to do as you please in Aljezur. If you are still feeling like you want to get out and hike, there are plenty of scenic trails in the area ranging from 3 miles to nearly 10 miles where you can continue to enjoy the sights of this fantastic region. There are also water activities in Praia da Amoreira such as stand up paddle boarding, surfing, and even classes for these activities. Another great way to explore the area is by bicycle so you can travel farther, faster. Of course, there are many lovely beaches where you can simply relax and stretch out to sunbath.

• Travel: Transfer to Vila do Bispo
• Activities Included: Vila do Bispo to Sagres Guided Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 12.5MI / 20KM
• Accommodation: Hotel

Get ready for you last day of trekking as your group is transferred from Aliezur to Vila do Bispo where you’ll set out on the trail. First, trek towards Cabo de São Vicente, the southernmost point of the European mainland. Continue on toward the end of your journey as your group leader tells stories about this region’s maritime, Phoenician and Roman history. Observe rare flora found only in this area of Portugal as you come around the coast to Sagres, a favorite destination for surfers and vacationers. Portugal’s staple beer is named after this town, which might be why the name sounds familiar. Stop into one of the local eateries to try out a glass of cerveja tonight to go with dinner with your group. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast 

Your tour with Intrepid comes to an end this morning after breakfast as there are no activities or walks planned for today. If you’d like to stay long, Intrepid would be happy to arrange additional accommodations for you if availability allows.