Rota Vicentina 11 days - 9 walks.
Circular tour from Cercal to Cercal.
Self guided walking over eleven days along the Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina from Cercal do Alentejo to Odeceixe on the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo. Then heading northwards on the Fishermen's Trail to Porto Covo and back to Cercal do Alentejo.
The package includes 10 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in family owned and managed guest houses, together with pic-nic lunches. Optional airport transfers by taxi/minibus can also be arranged.
This package includes: 10 nights bed and breakfast, 9 simple packed lunches + 1.5 l of water each day, baggage transfers during tour, emergency support phone line, 4x4 emergency support vehicle, walk information pack, obligatory personal accident insurance.
Day one: Arrival in the Alentejo. Overnighting in theo village of Cercal do Alentejo. The night will be spent at an art nouveau style guesthouse in the centre of the village.
Day two: Welcome meeting after breakfast at your guest house before the first walk from Cercal do Alentejo to São Luis. A 21 km (6-7 hours) through the "serras" with views to the coast and inland over the Alentejo plains. The night will be spent at a rural guesthouse in a typical Alentejano style farmhouse just outside the village.
Day three: São Luis to Odemira. A 25 km (7-8 hours) walk known as the water section of the Historical Way, where there is an optional but recommended side trail to Pego da Pias pools. The night will be spent at a family owned pension in the centre of Odemira .
Day four: Odemira to São Teotónio. A 19km (6 hours) walk , for much of the route, the trail follows the River Mira and the River S. Teotonio along wide trails. The night will be spent in a small hotel on the edge of the town.
Day five: São Teotónio to Odeceixe. A 17 km (5½-6 hours) walk along some inhospitable but truly memorable trails to the Algarve village of Odeceixe. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the river and the village centre.
Day six: Odeceixe to Zambujeira do Mar. An 18 km (5½-6 hours) walk along a coastal path, visiting the fishing village of Azenha do Mar. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the village centre.
Day seven: Zambujeira do Mar to Almograve. A 21km (6-7 hours) walk heading north to Almograve, passing through the village of Cavaleiro and the historic Cabo Sardão lighthouse. You will spend the night at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes.
Day eight: Almograve to Vila Nova de Milfontes. A 15 km (4½-5 hours) easy walk continuing on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast. You will spend the night at a small hotel or guesthouse near to the historic centre of the village, close to the castle.
Day nine: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Porto Covo. A 20 km (6-7 hours) hike heading to the northernmost point of the Fishermen's Trail. The night will be spent at a small inn in the main street off the village square.
Day ten: Porto Covo to Cercal do Alentejo. An 18 km (4½- 5 hour) walk along a stage connecting the Fishermen's Trail to the Historical Way. Your accommodation for the night is an Art Nouveau-style inn featuring traditional Alentejo-style décor near the centre of the town.
Day eleven: Departure from Cercal.
An optional extra night at Odeceixe, where you can undertake a 15km circular walk taking in the awarding winning beach , is recommended.