'Rota Vicentina' Historical Way 15D

location_onSantiago do Cacém, Portugal | Hiking & Trekking
A 15-day hiking tour of Portugal featuring historical villages and national heritage; Incredible nature trails; Fresh local products and delicious gastronomy; Wonderfull coastline and golden beaches
Starting at $1,649 per trip
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The south heritage through the mythic old trails
Discover the pictoresque villages, historical heritage, people lifestyles and delicious fresh local products from the south of Portugal. The historical trails will fascinate you in the most pleasantful way. From the arabic heritage, to the religious and popular architecture, to the coastal defence buildings, there are plenty of sites for you to discover. Come to discover this route on your foot and let us know if it's one of the best in Europe or not! One thing we can assure, in each step you will collect an experience and in each scenery a story that will be part of you forever.

Tour difficulty: Challenging

Hiking near beach
Hiking near beach (enlarge)
Typical Daykeyboard_double_arrow_up
Day 1: Welcome at airport or hotel in Lisbon.

Arriving to the airport our Guide will welcome you with great pleasure and drive to Santiago do Cacém, where you will spend next two nights. This is an emblematic town since 1186 and the birthplace of great Portuguese poets, musicians, painters and scientists that departed throughout the world. Enjoy your stay and explore the surroundings.

Day 2: Santiago Cacém to Monte do Xisto. Inland Hike Day (21 km, +300 m)
Ready to start your first day of adventure? This place holds a strong connection to the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela and so it will be from here that we will initiate our trip through the Rota Vicentina. The path is mainly rural with beautiful trails through cork oak forests. Enjoy the golden path, the infinite landscape and play with the horizons' perspectives. In the end of the day enjoy a delicious meal while recharging batteries for tomorrow.

Day 3: Monte do Xisto to Matinha. Inland Hike Day (22 km, +350 m)
Continuing the delightful countryside route you will pass some small agricultural properties. Soon the dam of Campilhas will be in your way, since 1954 sustainaing diverse ecosystems among fish, mammals, birds or insects. There you will find a great contrast between the green fields and the blue water. The guest house of Matinha is an unique charming place, enjoy the night looking at the dark sky full of stars.

Day 4: Matinha to São Luis. Inland Hike Day (18 km, +450 m)
Take a powerful breakfast because today you will hike one of the most hilly sections, with long ascent segments and harsh irregular terrain. Half way through the route you will find Rocha de Água d'Alte, a beautiful and unexpected waterfall. Close to the highest point of Alentejo you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the infinite plains. Close to the sky listen to the silence, let your imagination flow and celebrate such a beautiful landscape.

Day 5: Pastogal to Odemira. 10 min car transfer to Pastogal and Inland Hike Day (22 km, +300 m)
Today get ready to immerse yourself in a different and vibrant Alentejo that will reveal itself before your eyes. With refreshing water streams and ponds along the way, take a real swim in Pego das Pias' place. Ribeira do Torgal is the protagonist of valuable species. Later arriving in Odemira, that is one of the most coveted towns in Portuguese history, you might admire examples and features of architecture and surrender to the simple pleasures of life and local gastronomy.

Day 6: Odemira to Cerro da Borrega. Coastal Hike Day (26 km, +400 m)
Start your adventure close to the riverside, where maybe you have the chance to see an otter. Odemira is located in the hydrographical basin of the river Mira, which follows the valley until the Atlantic. While in the forest area find a straberry tree, the typical tree which come from the famous Medronho Fire Water. You must try it! Find some in the next village right before your resting place for today at the Cerro da Borrega Guest House.

Day 7: Cerro da Borrega to Odeceixe. Coastal Hiking day (11 km, +100 m)
Here it comes a memorable hiking day along inhospitable trails covered with well-preserved native vegetation and the seaside close by. While enjoying the view over the ocean let your senses be swept away by the scents of the aromatic herbs. Soon you must cross the river Seixe which separates the Alentejo and Algarve regions. This place is a wonder, as well the accommodation for today in the middle of the Odeceixe village. Walk around the small center and meet the local people.

Day 8: Odeceixe to Rogil. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (15 km, +250 m)
Start your walk side by side with the river Seixe and the wetlands until you get to Odeceixe beach. The trail over the ocean will let you wander and offer superb views of the beach. Close to the end cross inland to-wards João Roupeiro Hamlet. All adventurers need good food and the most famous sweet potato in the world is here, from the main dishes to the regional pastry the options are endlessly delicious.

Day 9: Rogil to Aljezur. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (13 km, +250 m)
Today you cross several agricultural fields, some of sweet potato, of course! And then follow a dirt road getting close to the Ocean. Awaiting you will be the beautiful beach and valley of Amoreira. Nevertheless there is still a last surprise for the day, Aljezur and its Moorish castle! This city founded by the Arabs on the 10th century and has an impressive archeologic site. Explore like a conqueror and go all the way up to the castle i - the view is mesmerizing.

Day 10: Aljezur to Arrifana. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (20 km, +500 m)
This day starts with a short transfer to the beach of Monte Clérigo from where your walk goes on by the coast, passing by the mythical Ponta da Atalaia, a fantastic promontory where we can see many ruins of an ancient Moorish fortress. The trail after this point carries on along the top of the cliffs with mediterranean bushland, aromatic plants and coastal dunes. Touch nature step by step and then have a great rest in beautiful village of Arrifana.

Day 11: Arrifana to Carrapateira. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (20 km, +350 m)
Feel the power of the sea breaking over ancient cliffs and quiet sandy-stony beaches. Take your camera because you will need it in Canal beach when you see Pedra da Agulha, a gorgeous stone in the ocean. In a succession of hills and valleys you pass over the most aggressive and inaccessible side of this coastal area. End up at the white washed village Carrapateira, where history speaks through the fortress built with defensing purposes, still in the portuguese discoveries era.

Day 12: Carrapateira to Pedralva. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (16 km, +300 m)
On this day between ocean and land the rural atmosphere will conquer your heart. On the steepest slopes you can admire the natural vegetation, virtually untouched by man with dense undergrowth arbutus and dozens of local plans and herbs. Soon you arrive at one of the most interesting places and accommodations. Pedralva is a little village that was nearly deserted a few years ago but now revived as charming Guest House Hamlet, keeping the original design together with charm and tradition.

Day 13: Pedralva to Vila do Bispo. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (21 km, +450 m)
After a great breakfast the day starts smooth crossing a forest and open land areas. Later by the beaches of Barriga, Cordoama and Castelejo the biodiversity is all around with reptiles, birds, mammals and amphibious. In the end you will arrive at Vila do Bispo town with traditional architecture, religious structures and the exploitation of natural resources. The local products, fruits and fresh fish are for sale daily on the municipal market, take a look and get some goodies for the next trip.

Day 14: Vila do Bispo to Sagres. Coastal/Inland Hiking day (14 km, +200 m)
The landscape is flat and the vegetation low. Today you will be walking towards the most south western point of Continental Europe, where you have a small but excellent Museu dos Faróis, showcasing Sagres role in Portugal's maritime history! This is an historical place where one can almost hear the echoes of the voices of sailors and pilgrims. Beyond here only the immense Atlantic Ocean remains a point of passage, arrival and encounters.

Day 15: Travel back to Lisbon on a private transfer (3 h).

Typical Houses
Typical Houses (enlarge)
Rates & Availabilitykeyboard_double_arrow_up
(All rates in USD $)
Season
PriceTypeIndividual Room Supplement
Low Season
1

+579€
High season (Jun and September)
1

+799€
Medium season (April, May, Out)
1

+659€
Special season (July and August, Easter)
1

+929€
Other Informationkeyboard_double_arrow_up
Price Includes:
- Detailed information about tour, including maps and GPS track.
- Lisbon Airport pick-up and briefing about tour.
- Transfer Lisbon to first hotel; transfer from last hotel to Lisbon.
- 14 nights lodging; 1 night 4* Hotel; 1 nights 3* Hotel; 1 night Hostal; - 11 night on Guest Houses.
- Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance.
- Telephone (free to call us).

Optional Services:
- Luggage Transfer during tour (up to 4 people) +459€
- GPS rental for tour +95€
- Guided Tour (please inquire)
Map & Directionskeyboard_double_arrow_up

Santiago do Cacém, Portugal

Points of Interest

hiking

Rota Vicentina by the Historical Way

Sines, Setubal
Host's Infokeyboard_double_arrow_up

Antonio Gavinho
Discover, feel and taste Portugal! Hiking or Cycling? Self-Guided or Guided Tour? No matter what you are looking for, Portugal Nature Trails will organize your dream holiday! Check our tours or ask us for a tailor made itinerary!
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