An Introduction to the Rota Vicentina

Where is the Rota Vicentina?

Starting well to the south of Lisbon, the long-distance Rota Vicentina links the rural town of Santiago do Cacém with Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost extremity of Portugal that juts out into the vast Atlantic Ocean.

The route traverses two beautiful and fascinating regions of southern Portugal, the Alentejo and the Algarve. The Alentejo is reputedly the least developed of Portugal which for visitors translates as excellent walking country, a feature it has in common with the Algarve. Both of these regions offer walkers a remarkable range of landscapes and habitats, from rolling hills to splendid wooded river valleys then olive groves and cultivated fields which back the exciting Atlantic coast.

The Historical Way or the Fishermen's Trail?

The Rota Vicentina consists of two marked routes: the Caminho Histórico or the Historical Way and the Trilho dos Pescadores or the Fishermen’s Trail. The former links Santiago do Cacém on an inland route over rolling hills to Odeceixe before moving closer to the coast the rest of the way south to Cabo de São Vicente. The shorter Fishermen’s Trail mostly sticks to breathtaking clifftops from Porto Covo down as far as Odeceixe. The Cicerone guidebook uses a savvy combination with the best of both routes.

How long is the Rota Vicentina?

The route Cicerone describes is 224km in a total of 12 day stages. Each stage concludes in a hospitable village with excellent facilities and thanks to local transport, days can be varied and walkers can easily put together their own itineraries to suit individual holiday schedules.

Where can I stay?

An excellent range of high-standard alojamento (accommodation) for all budgets is available for walkers all the way along the Rota Vicentina. These start with the many hostels, some known as pousada de juventude. The next step ‘up’ are immaculately kept private rooms (quartos) known as alojamento locale, residencial or hospedaria. The choice continues through to mid-range hotels as well as boutique B&Bs in historic buildings.

Advance reservation is only usually necessary at top-end places (which may be booked ahead by agencies for groups or self-guided clients) or around public holidays.

How difficult is the Rota Vicentina?

Covering level ground for the most part, the Rota Vicentina is suitable for all fit walkers and has no technical difficulties. The walking follows a string of clear paths, lanes and country dirt roads with abundant waymarks and signposting. The odd steep section is included but overall it’s easy to average walking. The sun is one factor to take into account as shade is at a premium and the wind should not be underestimated as this is the Atlantic coast and spending a day being battered can be tiring albeit exhilarating.

Is it well waymarked?

The Rota Vicentina is pretty well marked and checked on a regular basis by volunteers. Waymarking for the Historical Way sections consists of adjoining red/white painted stripes, which are green/blue for the Fishermen’s Trail. Where the way changes direction so do the stripes; whereas crossed stripes mean ‘wrong way’. The markings are found on poles, rocks, tree trunks, buildings and fences. Rota Vicentina signposts supplement these with the addition of destination and distance.

When is the best time to go?

Generally speaking, the September to June period is feasible for walking the Rota Vicentina. The spring months of March to May/early June then the late summer–autumn period of September to November are arguably the best times of year to walk the route. Despite cooling sea breezes, late June to August are generally stiflingly hot and not recommended as the route has a dearth of shade; the possibility of heatstroke should not be underestimated. It is best to wait until the extreme heat of the summer has abated.

The midwinter months can be mild and quite superb albeit of course windy and chilly, although temperatures don’t usually drop below 10°C at night. Rainfall tends to be heaviest December to January. Bottom line: don’t be put off in the winter but do wrap up warmly and take reliable rain gear.

Getting to the Rota Vicentina

Portugal has excellent reliable trains and a capillary network of buses; up-to-date timetables (horários) can be consulted on company websites. The easiest way to reach the trek start, Santiago do Cacém, is on a Rede Expressos bus from Lisbon’s Terminal Rodoviário at Sete Rios. It’s a 146km/2hr journey.

Which part is a personal highlight?

A huge chunk of this trek is in the realms of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina where plant and bird life are protected. This encompasses the most extensive consolidated sand dunes in the whole of Portugal along with stunningly rugged headlands, eroded cliffs of coloured rock and wild beaches for swimmers and surfers alike. What’s more, the park area guarantees that this beautiful coastline remains pristine. One of its great beauties is that it feels remote and you can walk for hours on end without meeting anyone. Even the villages and resort towns are low key and pretty quiet in low season – which is walking season. Naturally as summer approaches temperatures and price rise as visitors pour in, but in any case it’s too hot for walking then.