The best trekking routes in Portugal

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Portugal is criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails and pilgrimage routes. Away from the holiday resorts of the Algarve, explore the mountains and the spectacular Atlantic coast. You can walk along the coast following the Portuguese Way from Porto to Santiago, or, for wonderful hiking conditions between September and April, Madeira and the Azores can provide more exotic scenery with a myriad of routes.

The Algarve enjoys a mild climate, beautiful scenery and easy access for transport. It is best known for its spectacular coastline: sinkholes, dramatic cliffs and rocky beaches. However, the interior is just as beautiful and other walks explore the wooded slopes of Monchique and the tranquil scenery between the mountains and the coast. The region's scenery includes Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe; the Algarve's highest peak, Fóia (902m); historic sites; spectacular cliffs, arches and promenades; and idyllic beaches.

On the Portuguese island of Madeira and Porto Santo, you can explore the spectacular coastline of cliffs, picturesque levadas (irrigation channels), dense laurel forests and high mountain peaks.

Portugal is an undiscovered gem for hikers. A multitude of trails boast fantastic scenery and are rich in natural, historical and cultural interest. They include granite peaks, wildflower meadows, forests, waterfalls, castles, churches and archaeological remains. And thanks to its variety of microclimates, it is possible to find suitable conditions for hiking in all seasons.

Index

Practical guide

When to go?

With such a variety of microclimates, it is possible to find a pleasant climate for walking at any time of the year.

In the Algarve, the best times are spring and autumn. The winter months are the wettest, but spring comes early. In spring, wild flowers add a touch of colour to the landscape.

As for Madeira, it is a year-round destination: hot and humid in summer, cooler and a little more humid in winter.

Cities & Services

Peneda-Gerês National Park; Montesinho Natural Park; Alvão Natural Park; Douro International Natural Park; shale villages near Coimbra; Serra da Estrela Natural Park; Lisbon; Tagus and São Mamede Natural Parks; Monsaraz and Évora; Algarve, Costa Vicentina and Guadiana.

In the Algarve: Sagres, Luz, Lagos, Salema, Cabo de São Vicente, Monchique, Caldas de Monchique, Fóia, Marmelete, Carrapateira, Mealha, Furnazinhas, Praia da Marinha, Albufeira, Barragem de Bravura, Arrifana, Bordeira

Madeira: Funchal, Ribeira Brava, Santana, Porto Moniz, Porto Santo

Not to be missed

The dramatic glacial landscape of the Zêzere Valley
Solitude and nature in the Peneda-Gerês National Park
Waterfalls in Rota das Cascatas.
Fantastic views from the Candeeiros summit
Historical Marvão
Odeceixe beach
Parque Natural da Madeira, Pico Ruivo, levadas, laurisilva forests, Ponta de São Lourenço

The routes

The routes are spread throughout Portugal, with a special focus on the country's many natural and national parks, including Peneda-Gerês, Serra da Estrela and Costa Vicentina, including the country's highest peak at Serra da Estrela, as well as visiting traditional villages built in stone and slate and places of historical interest.

From the rugged mountains of the north to the UNESCO-listed Douro river valley, from the traditional shale villages to the unique geology of the Algarve coast, the best places Portugal has to offer.

Northern Portugal

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Caminho dos Mortos, Real
Trilho Castrejo, Castro Laboreiro
Circular Peneda
Pertinho do Ceu, Gavieira
Bicos and Pedrada
Pitões das Júnias and Capela de São João da Fraga
Minas dos Carris, Portela de Homem
Gerês Circular
Águia do Sarilhão and Via Nova, Campo do Gerês
Trilho dos Currais, Vila do Gerês

Montesinho Natural Park

Trilho da Calçada, Moimenta
Peaks of Montesinho

Around the Alvão Natural Park

Senhora da Graça, Mondim de Basto
Top of Marão

Douro International Natural Park

Azeite, Bruçó
Ribeira do Mosteiro

Central Portugal and Lisbon

Schist Villages

Schist Villages Lousã
Caminho do Xisto das Aldeias de Góis and Lousã summit
Trilho do Vale do Ceira, Cabreira

Serra da Estrela Natural Park

Sun and Rota das Faias, Manteigas
Rota do Carvão, Manteigas
Javali and Poço do Inferno, Manteigas
Rota do Glaciar, Torre-Manteigas
Poios Brancos, Manteigas

Around Lisbon

Castelejo, Alvados
Chãos
Peninha, Sintra
Cape Espichel, Arrábida

Tejo e São Mamede Natural Park

Rota dos Abutres, Salvaterra do Extremo
GR29 Rota dos Veados
Marvão

Monsaraz and Évora

Évora aqueduct and Ecopista
Monsaraz

Southern Portugal: Algarve, Costa Vicentina and Guadiana

The routes take in the sunny south coast, the rugged coast of Vicentina, the mountains of Monchique and the traditional villages of the eastern Algarve.

Odeceixe beach route
Cape São Vicente
Rota das Cascatas, Monchique
Trilho da Fóia, Monchique
Pulo do Lobo, Guadiana
GR23
Serra do Caldeirão, Parizes
Via Algarviana (GR13) Great walking route through the Algarve mountains and rural Algarve.

Eastern Algarve

Canyons
Mina e Albufeira
Masmorra Trail
Cerro dos Negros
Benémola Spring
Rocha da Pena
Paderne Castle

Central region

Levada Trail
Fonte Santa
Monchique-Fóia loop
Caldas de Monchique to Picota and Monchique
Circular Fóia-Penedo do Buraco
Circular Barbelote Waterfall
Circular Marmelete
Barragem da Bravura
Barão de São João Art Trail
Circular to the forest Barão de São João

South Coast

Albufeira to Galé
Praia do Vale do Olival to Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha a Praia Vale de Centeanes
Praia Vale de Centeanes a Ferragudo
Praia do Barranco das Canas Coastal Promenade
Alvor promenade
Lakes to Light
Light to Salema
Salema to Sagres
Sagres to Cabo de São Vicente

Costa Vicentina

Circular Cape of São Vicente-Praia do Telheiro
Castelejo Circular
Circular Carrapateira
Circular Bordeira
Circular Fortaleza da Arrifana
Circular Praia da Amoreira

Madeira and Porto Santo

Day trips exploring Madeira's network of levadas, as well as routes through steep and rugged mountains, with bare rock slopes or laurel forest. The neighbouring island of Porto Santo also offers some easy walking and a sandy beach.

As Madeira's rugged terrain does not easily support circular walks, many of the routes are linear, however, most are accessible by public transport and there is the option of linking routes to create longer outings and multi-day trips.

With a favourable climate and stunning scenery, Madeira is a fantastic walking destination.

The routes in this guide are spread across the island, and visitors can choose to settle in the capital, Funchal, or in one of the many smaller towns and villages.

Regular flights and ferries link Madeira with Porto Santo, which has an exceptional sandy beach and a pleasant and easy route.

East Madeira

Levada dos Tornos: Monte a Camacha
Levada dos Tornos: Camacha a Quatro Estradas
Levada da Serra: Campo do Pomar a Camacha
Levada da Serra: Camacha a Santo da Serra
Levada Nova from Santo da Serra
Baia d'Abra and Ponta de São Lourenço
Levada do Caniçal: Maroços to Caniçal
Levada da Portela: Santo da Serra a Portela
Vereda das Funduras: Portela a Maroços
North Coast: Porto da Cruz to Ribeira Seca

Funchal to Santana

Penha d'Águia Trail
Levada do Furado: Portela to Ribeiro Frio
Caminho Velha: Poiso to Porto da Cruz
Fajã da Nogueira and Levada da Serra
Caminho Velha: Poiso a Santana
Levada do Barreiro: Poço da Neve a Monte
Levada da Negra: Poço da Neve a Barreira
Levada do Curral: Curral das Freiras a Funchal
Levada dos Piornais: Lombada a Funchal

The high mountains

Boca da Encumeada to Achada do Teixeira
Boca da Encumeada to Curral das Freiras
Pico do Cedro and Pico do Areeiro
Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo, Vale da Lapa and Ilha
Pico Ruivo, Queimadas and Santana
Levada do Caldeirão Verde from Pico das Pedras
Levada do Rei from Quebradas
Santana, Calhau and São Jorge
Boca da Encumeada and Pico Grande
Colmeal and Pico Grande
Fajã dos Cardos to Fajã do Penedo
Boca da Encumeada a Colmeal

Jardim Da Serra

Boca da Encumeada a Marco e Fonte
Boca da Corrida and Curral das Freiras
Boca dos Namorados and Curral das Freiras
Marco e Fonte a Fontes
Terreiros from Boca da Corrida
Crista do Espigão from Fontes
Fajã da Ribeira, Levada Norte and Boa Morte
Levada do Norte: Boa Morte to Estreito de Câmara de Lobos

Paul Da Serra

Pico Ruivo do Paúl da Serra from Estanquinhos
Rabaçal, Levada do Risco and 25 Fontes
Levada do Paúl: Rabaçal a Cristo Rei
Levada das Rabaças and Cascalho
Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal
Levada dos Cedros: Fanal a Ribeira da Janela
Levada da Janela: Fonte do Bispo to Porto Moniz

Western Madeira

Ponta do Pargo to Fonte do Bispo
Levada do Moinho: Tornadouro a Ribeira da Cruz
Levada da Calheta - Ponta do Pargo to Ponta do Pargo
Levada da Calheta - Ponta do Pargo to Prazéres
Caminho Real: Prazéres a Paúl do Mar
Levada da Calheta - Ponta do Pargo to Lombo dos Faias
Levada da Calheta - Ponta do Sol to Ponta do Sol
Levada Nova and Levada do Moinho from Ponta do Sol
Levada Nova: Jangão a Ribeira Brava
Lombo do Mouro to Ribeira Brava

Porto Santo

Pico do Castelo, Pico do Facho and Pico Branco
Campo de Baixo, Bárbara Gomes and Eiras
Ponta, Pico de Ana Ferreira, Pico do Espigão and Calheta
Ilhas Desertas Cruise (one-day cruise to the nearby uninhabited Desertas Islands)

The Portuguese Way "

The Portuguese Way is a 620 km long route from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. There are two options with around 25 stages along the way. One route runs inland and the other along the coast. In either case you will discover a great diversity of landscapes, historical and religious sites. On the following guide information on preparation, planning and accommodation will be available.