Circular routes around Cabo de São Vicente

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A superb route offering the chance to explore the rugged coastline amidst unspoilt nature.

Details

n°28569213
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 89 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 85 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 94 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 28 m
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Photos

The Lighthouse
The ocean
Seagull Rock
View from the cliff

Description of the walk

Car park near Cabo de São Vicente

(S/E) Head back along the road to the first junction.

(1) Take the red and white marked path on the left. It veers slightly north-east.

(2) Leave it to go to the viewpoint and retrace your steps. Take the path on the left again until you reach a marker.

(3) Opt for a short circular path: take the path on the left, then head slightly down the slope onto a faintly marked path to admire the view and the Rocher des Mouettes. Climb back up further on and return to the path.

(3) Continue straight on for about a hundred metres.

(4) Turn left and follow the green and blue markings. You will eventually reach another fork in the path.

(5) Ignore the path on the right. Go straight on to the cliff and then return to the fork.

(5) Then take the path on the left marked in white and red. It is not always easy to follow, but there is no risk of getting lost. Continue straight on at every junction.

(6) Continue along a wide path. A little further on, look out for a cairn on the right and carry on until you reach a T-junction.

(7) Turn left towards the coast until you reach a fork.

(8) Do not turn right; instead, follow the path on the left towards the coast. Do not head inland.

(9) “A lovely spot for a contemplative break at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the beach.”
Continue until you reach a stream.

(10) Turn left; the path then curves (do not go all the way to the headland) and zigzags. The end of this section is a wide path that is rather uninteresting, as is the next section.
You’ll reach a T-junction.

(11) Leave the Green-Blue markings and take the wide path on the right which descends due south. You’ll reach a crossroads.

(12) Continue straight ahead to the next crossroads.

(13) Take the path on the right which leads back to the route taken on the way out at the fork.

(8) Continue left, heading in the opposite direction to the outward route, paying attention to the junctions described below.

(5) Turn left, heading in the opposite direction to the outward route.

(4) Turn left and join the Via Algarviana. Follow it to the right until you reach the car park near Cabo de São Vicente (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 56 m - Car park near Cabo de São Vicente
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 57 m - Common junction (out and back)
  3. 2 : km 0.6 - alt. 57 m - T-junction (return) towards the viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 1.01 - alt. 55 m - Crossroads of the short circular loop
  5. 4 : km 1.48 - alt. 57 m - Common junction (out and back)
  6. 5 : km 2.1 - alt. 58 m - Junction. Return to the cliff
  7. 6 : km 2.74 - alt. 53 m - Wide path
  8. 7 : km 3.08 - alt. 63 m - Common junction (out and back)
  9. 8 : km 3.73 - alt. 56 m - Crossroads of the Circular Loop
  10. 9 : km 3.91 - alt. 45 m - View of the beach
  11. 10 : km 4.27 - alt. 43 m - Watercourses
  12. 11 : km 6.76 - alt. 91 m - Track on the right
  13. 12 : km 8.05 - alt. 76 m - Crossroads
  14. 13 : km 8.69 - alt. 66 m - Crossroads
  15. S/E : km 12.33 - alt. 56 m - Car park near Cabo de São Vicente

Notes

Hiking boots are essential as the paths are sometimes covered with a sharp limestone pavement (mini-lapiaz) or have vegetation on them.
It is difficult to give precise landmarks; a GPS may be helpful.
Not recommended in bad weather or fog

Worth a visit

Nearby:
Cape Sagres and its fortifications.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
bralec29
bralec29

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are very few hikers on this part of the route. We come across a few surfers who cross our path at the only accessible beach.

The circular return ‘loop’ is of no particular interest, apart from passing through a farm and seeing cows ‘grazing’.

Ultimately, returning via the same route is just as good, though it does lengthen the walk and the time taken.

The little “detours” off the marked path are fairly safe and you’re not that close to the edge of the cliff.

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14Dan
14Dan
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We completed the route in clear, windless weather. Stunning views of the ocean and the cliffs.
However, we did not follow the instructions on the guide sheet, which seemed rather restrictive to us; in fact, this walk runs along the cliffs and there are numerous ‘paths’ inviting us to go further, so we preferred to let ourselves be guided, with caution, by our own instincts, and were never far from the marked trail; moreover, the route is very open, with vegetation at ground level apart from a few trees, so visibility was excellent.
In the final section, as we approached the beach where we had to descend a small valley and climb back up the opposite side, we joined a marked path.

It’s worth wearing sturdy footwear (good walking shoes); the start of the path is uneven, with plenty of stones and sand slowing you down and making the going tougher. You need to be careful not to twist your ankle.

A superb walk “at the end of the world” in an idyllic setting. MAY 2024

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CarolineL
CarolineL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are some lovely views of the cliffs up to marker 9 above the beach. Beyond that, we found the route less interesting; it heads further inland, and in fact we didn’t see anyone else. If you follow the markings, this route corresponds to the blue and green markers, not the red and white ones (although the start of the route is the same).

I can confirm that good footwear is essential; a significant section of the path is very rocky, so watch your ankles. Apart from this point of caution, the route is very accessible.

There is plenty of parking available near the starting point.

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Paps
Paps

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route with little elevation gain, it is also one of the wildest spots, featuring a few secluded sandy beaches that are difficult to reach. Naturally, there are some superb photo opportunities to be had. It is also a little paradise for surfers.

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