Why I’m Excited to Hike the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal

This blog post is all about why I chose the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal and what made it such an appealing option. (this article originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here)

After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail, I’ve been craving another long-distance hiking adventure—but this time, something different. I wanted to explore a new corner of the world on foot, but with a little more comfort. Think: no tent, no dehydrated meals, and no crawling into a sleeping bag at the end of a 30-mile day. Instead, I found myself curious about Europe’s version of a “luxury” thru-hike: long days on trail, with warm showers, real beds, and fresh food waiting at the end.

So this past April, I went to Portugal to hike the Fisherman’s Trail, and I brought a few friends along for the ride. And now, a few months later, I’m finally sitting down to write about it.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing daily trail entries from this hike—so if you're curious about the trail, want some inspiration, or are planning a similar trip, make sure to subscribe at the bottom of this page to follow along. I truly think this is a fantastic hike for beginners looking to get into backpacking—especially if you like the idea of ending each day with a warm meal and a cozy bed.

You can also follow me over on my Instagram page for more photos and updates!

I'm sharing the full story of the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal—why I chose this hike, what makes it special, and how it compares to other long-distance trails—now live on The Trek!

Trail At-a-Glance

• Total Distance: 226 km (140 miles)

• Start: Porto Covo

• End: Lagos

• Typical Days: 10–13 days

• Daily Distance: 12–22 km (7 - 14 miles)

• Elevation: Low and rolling with cliffs and beach walking. (50–400 meters / 150 - 1300 ft) 

• Way-marking: Excellent—trail is well marked

• Terrain: A mix of sandy dunes, coastal cliffs, rocky paths, and some road walking

Here’s the full route of the Fisherman's Trail —from Porto Covo to Lagos along Portugal’s stunning coast.

Why The Fisherman's Trail in Portugal?

I briefly considered the Camino de Santiago, but to be honest, the idea of racing from village to village just to line up for a bed didn’t excite me. I’m not into the crowd vibes or the rush. So I started researching other European trails with a similar infrastructure and stumbled upon the Fisherman’s Trail, a coastal route that follows Portugal’s Rota Vicentina.

From the moment I landed on the trail’s website, I was hooked. The official Rota Vicentina site is one of the most detailed, well-designed trail resources I’ve ever seen. Daily itineraries, distances, elevation profiles, accommodation listings, town amenities—it was all laid out in a way that made me feel instantly confident that this hike would be well-supported and beautiful.

The Fisherman’s Trail runs along Portugal’s dramatic southwestern coastline, covering nearly 230 km from Porto Covo to Lagos. The trail passes through sleepy fishing villages, wild surf beaches, towering cliffs, and colorful farmland. It’s described as moderately challenging—not a walk in the park, but definitely more accessible than the Sierra Nevada or Colorado Rockies. Days typically range between 15–22 km, with a mix of soft sand, coastal paths, farmland tracks, and the occasional short climb or descent to a beach (not bad)

For someone like me, who loves long hikes but also loves warm food and a good mattress, this seemed like the perfect mix:

• Rugged cliffs and wild ocean views.

• Cozy guesthouses in coastal towns.

• Affordable food and lodging.

• Trail distances that are manageable but still satisfying.

The official website also includes downloadable GPX/KML files for each section, which made navigation easy. I used Gaia GPS, but there are plenty of free apps that work great.

While there’s an option to have your bags delivered to each accommodation daily, I opted to carry everything on my back. It felt good to still lean into the thru-hiker mindset, even if it meant wearing the same hiking clothes every day. A little hiker trash never hurt anyone!

Coastal views like this? Every. Single. Day.

Why Portugal?

Portugal felt like the ideal destination for a spring hike. April is still early season, so the trails wouldn’t be too crowded, and the weather—while variable—is generally cool and sunny. (Don’t be fooled by Portugal’s warm-weather reputation—the Atlantic breeze can be strong and chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings.)

Accommodation is budget-friendly, with hostel beds around €30 and charming private apartments or guesthouses between €60–80 per night. Food is fresh and flavorful, with the promise of daily local fish, coffee, pastries, and wine. We carried our gear, but with no need for tents, cooking gear, or water filters, it made for a much lighter load than our usual thru-hikes!

What Makes The Fisherman's Trail in Portugal Special

• You hike through local villages every day, which means no need to carry a full sleep system, days of food or loads of water.

• Cafes and bakeries are a daily treat. Expect coffee and "bolo" (cakes in Portugese) in the morning and seafood and wine by night! 

• It’s affordable. Hostels start at €30, and I've booked a few private apartments for around €60–€80 a night (split between two people)

• The scenery looks unreal. Every photo I’ve seen includes dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, wildflowers, and the most colorful sunsets.

• It’s accessible. This isn’t a grueling mountain trek. Most days are 12–20km with very gentle elevation gain - a perfect hiking holiday for beginners or someone looking to simple enjoy the moment. 

Just follow the blue and green stripes—easy navigation, stunning views, and a gentle reminder to stay on trail and protect the fragile coastal vegetation.

The Logistics for the Fisherman's Trail

We drove from Spain in my camper van and parked it at our endpoint: Sagres, the southwesternmost town in Europe. A lovely local hotel agreed to let us park while we hiked—shoutout to that classic Portuguese hospitality!

From Sagres, we took a Rede Expressos bus to Porto Covo, our starting point. The bus was around €5 and offered a direct route from Lisbon if you’re flying in.

We hiked southbound from Porto Covo to Lagos, which is the standard direction. The trail signage is designed to be followed this way, and it keeps the sun mostly at your back.

This €5 bus ride kicked off our Fisherman’s Trail adventure leaving Sagres and driving north to the starting point in Porto Covo

My Gear List for the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal

The moment you've been waiting for. Okay, what gear am I bringing for the Fisherman's Trail?

Since we’re not camping, my pack is much lighter than a typical thru-hike setup. Here’s what I’m bringing:

• Backpack: Gossamer Gear G4-20 frameless 42L

• Shoes: Hoka Speedgoats + Injinji sock liners + Darn Tough socks

• Worn Clothing: Smartwool sun hoodie, Lululemon running shorts, smartwool underwear and Patagonia barely worn bra. Sun hat and Ombraz frameless sunglasses. 

• Rain jacket: My old 66 North shell I bought in Iceland years ago

• Windbreaker: A thrifted gem from a charity shop in Scotland

• Snacks & water: No filter needed—we’ll pass through towns daily. I’m packing Tang and electrolytes, though, just in case the tap water isn’t great.

Gaiters are essential for this trail, as you're walking through sand dunes the majority of the time. But unfortunately, I don't have them with me while I'm travelling around Europe and I don't want to buy another pair, so no gaiters with me this time. We'll see how that goes! 

A quick note: wild camping is not allowed on this trail. This is a protected region with delicate flora, and the official site clearly asks hikers not to camp. Please respect the environment and stay in town—it’s part of what makes this trail special.

Carrying only the essential.

Who I'm Hiking With on the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal 

This time around, I’m not hiking solo or just with Orion. We invited two friends—Sandra and Oliver—to join us. Orion met them on the PCT back in 2023, and they became trail family in the desert section. They now live in Switzerland and were immediately up for the idea when we pitched it.

I’m so excited for this new kind of adventure—still wild, but with a bit of European flair.

What I Hoped to Experience

I first came to Portugal eight years ago for a yoga and surf retreat, and I remember being blown away by the cliffs and coastlines. This hike felt like a full-circle moment.

I was excited to:

• Wake up in cozy guesthouses and smell fresh bread in the morning

• Hike along rugged cliffs with waves crashing below

• Enjoy grilled fish and local produce every night

• Practice my Portuguese and learn from locals

• Soak in the simplicity of a slower trail rhythm

• Share the journey with friends

Oh—and Orion and I were also scouting Portugal as a potential place to live for 6–12 months. As digital nomads, we’re always looking for walkable towns with good food, nature, and warm community vibes.

This trail checked so many boxes.

One look at this view and I knew—I had to hike the Fisherman’s Trail.

If you're curious about the Fisherman's Trail, stay tuned for daily trail entries, practical hiking tips, and honest reflections. I’ll be publishing one day at a time right here on my blog page! 

NEXT post: Day 1 – Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes

Have you ever hiked in Portugal? Let me know your tips, trail memories, or food recs—especially if you’ve done the Fisherman’s Trail!

Let the coastal adventure begin!