Best beach trails in Portugal

A trip along the Algarve coast from Praia da Marinha in the east to Praia Vale de Centianes. The trail includes a variety of beaches and caves to explore. It can be walked from either direction and includes many signs on posts or painted rocks to guide the way.Show more

The trail starts in Ponta Delgada, next to the road to the old football field. You will walk along the tarmac road, always having the Northern coast and Corvo Island on your right. At the crossroads, near Albernaz Lighthouse, you can detour to the lighthouse or turn right to the left, ascend the cement road until you find an old track on your right. Follow the track, between hydrangeas and endemic vegetation, until you have an ascent on your left. You should not walk straight ahead because this old trail will take you to the landslide and will make you turn back. You will follow the track on the left, where the dominant vegetation is heath (Erica azorica) and cedar (Juniperus brevifoglia). When you reach the edge of the cliff you will find some wooden stairs and then the trail continues by descending to steep track with natural stone steps. You need to be careful, especially when the stones are wet. After the steep descent, you will find the old track that will take you along a stone track, until you reach Ponta da Fajã and Fajã Grande. Currently, the trail begins and ends in the same place as the previous one, but it contours the collapse by a section recently recovered. The course begins in Ponta Delgada, along the path that gives access to the old soccer field. We walk along the tar road always with the north coast and Corvo Island to our right. At the fork near the Albernaz Lighthouse we can make a detour to the lighthouse or turn left just up the cement road until you find an old path on our right. We follow this path between hydrangeas and endemic vegetation until a climb to the left. One should not go forward because this old railroad takes us to the collapse and will force us to turn around. We follow the path to the left where the dominant vegetation is constituted by Urze and Cedro-do-mato. When we reach the edge of the cliff we find a wooden staircase and then the trail begins to descend on a sloping floor with steps in natural stone. And you need to be careful especially when the stones are wet. After the steep descent you will find the ancient trail that leads us through a stone paved road to Ponta da Fajã and Fajã Grande.Show more

This is the beaches stage of the Rota Vicentina, where you will walk along the vast sand dunes area of Ilha do Pessegueiro, Aivados and Malhão beaches and discover small deserted coves that will surprise you. It is a tiring walking day though, given its extension and the constant sandy terrain. This is a portion of the Rota Vicentina, a multi day trip that can be hiked via a variety of routes. We have compiled a list of the sections here: https://www.alltrails.com/lists/rota-vicentina. Following that link you will find day hike sections of the trail for easy downloading.Show more

This is the shorter coastal route of the Camino Português. It starts in the city of Porto, this route, first traveled by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 12th century, heads north following the Atlantic coast of Portugal and Spain. You can find the longer coastal route starting in the city of Lisbon here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/lisbon/camino-portugues-coastal-lisbon-to-santiago-del-compostela This route also goes through smaller towns, and as it is on the coast the weather is more moderate than the inland route, you can find the central route here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/porto/the-portuguese-way-of-saint-james-central-routeShow more

This circular walk starts in the village of Carrapateira. Along the circuit you will see various viewpoints, escarpments, Bordeira, Amado, and also the ruins of an ancient Islamic fishermen's settlement.Show more

You will be passing Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados and Amália beaches on the way to Azenha do Mar, where you will find a fishing harbour. To top it all off, you'll enjoy one of the most outstanding views in the entire territory: Odeceixe beach seen from the majestic Ponta em Branco. This is a portion of the Rota Vicentina, a multi day trip that can be hiked via a variety of routes. We have compiled a list of the sections here: https://www.alltrails.com/lists/rota-vicentina. Following that link you will find day hike sections of the trail for easy downloading.Show more

Beautiful scenery and wonderful hidden gems. Some beaches are difficult to access, and should only be visited when the tide is low. In the Praia da Ursa valley you have to be very careful, with very steep descents and ascents.Show more