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What to expect

Six Fully Guided Walks

Six Fully Guided Walks

Explore Portugal's south west coast

Half Board

Half Board

Daily breakfast & dinner included

Fortresses

Fortresses

See historic fortresses built to protect

Coastal Beauty

Coastal Beauty

Unspoilt beaches, forests & harbours

About this trip...

Join Solos on this 8-day escorted walking holiday on the Vincentina route - From the sea to land along the stunning South West Coast of Portugal, centres in Vila de Milfontes and Aljezur, in the middle of the South West Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.
 
Considered one of the finest stretches of preserved European coastlines, the area is home to the famous Rota Vicentina - a 340 km long-distance path that begins in Santiago do Cacém and finishes at the once called the edge of the known world - Cape of St. Vincent. 
 
The Historic Route brings us inland, along the pastoral landscape and farming terrains that connect the small house clusters scattered in this vast area. It’s common to find shepherds and their herds of goats or sheep, moving from field to field. Here, locals are used to walk along the calm roads, to visit their orchards, talk to their neighbours or just to keep life moving! Both trail are a rewarding way of seeing the real Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal and walk on unforgettable routes full of tradition. Our uniquely designed “opt-out system” allows you to walk the whole walk or just parts of it, so that you can spend more time sightseeing if you prefer! We start our walking week in Porto Covo, a small fishing village that is a favourite for the Portuguese. The blue transparent waters, the colourful houses and the pleasant square, paint a romantic picture of the songs in the radio. Not far from here, Vila Nova de Milfontes is our home for some of the days. Standing tall and exquisite on the north margin of the Mira River, this is the region of vast beaches, dramatic coastlines, and unspoilt rural countryside. In Odemira, where the luxuriant green valleys are, the streams shape the landscape. The smells are different, the flowers have vibrant colours and the views over the hills are breathtaking. Unique places shape this week. In small villages like Carrapateira and Arrifana, the Atlantic sea is king. From the sea comes life, surf, goose barnacles, seasonal changes and calm sea breezes. And as we reach the end of the Vicentina Route and we look beyond the cliffs of São Vicente and the vastness of the sea in front of us, we understand why this is one of the most beautiful places in the south western coast of Portugal.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included?

  • Return flights and transfers
  • Airport taxes and charges
  • 7 nights double room for sole use
  • Half-Board : Buffet Breakfast and dinner with drinks daily
  • Welcome drink and information meeting
  • Fully guided walking days
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully financially protected

What's extra:

  • Insurance click here

Itinerary

  • Arrive Faro
  • Porto Covo Walk
  • Odemira Walk
  • Odeceixe Walk
  • Arrifana Walk
  • Carrapateira Walk
  • Vila do Bispo Walk
  • Depart Faro

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrive in Faro

Day One: Arrive in Faro

We touch down at Faro airport and transfer to Vila Nova de Milfontes with our fellow solo travellers and Tour Leader. If time allows, an introductory walk will be offered.
 
  • Dinner with drinks included
Day Two: Porto Covo Walk

Day Two: Porto Covo Walk

Home to some of the most wild and unspoilt beaches in the country, the small fishing village of Porto Covo became eternalised in a song of a Portuguese singer. Here, local traditions and habits emanate from the songs, the rugged cliffs that hide the clear, transparent blue waters and the secluded beaches. Our walk will bring us through the gems of this part of the west coast, passing by the Fort of the Pessegueiro - built in the 16th century to protect this precious coast - towards Vila Nova de Milfontes. 
 
Distance: 16km/10mi; Ascent/Descent: 91m/-104m; Opt out: at 7km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Three: Odemira Walk

Day Three: Odemira Walk

This is the lush section of the trail, where a different, green and vibrant Alentejo reveals itself before our eyes, with refreshing water streams and ponds. Much of the route follows the Ribeira do Torgal where forests of valuable species such as ash, willow and alder clothe the banks of the streams. Birds and mammals are abundant in the area. We may well find evidence of Wild Boar, a species quite common in this region. Amongst the undergrowth, there are many scented and medicinal plants, such as Genista tridentata found during spring, Oregano during summer and Wild Asparagus during autumn. 

 
Distance: 15km; 9.3mi; Ascent/Descent: 170m/-275m; Opt out: at 10km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included

Day Four: Odeceixe Walk

Day Four: Odeceixe Walk

This wonderful coastal walk passes many isolated beaches on the way to Azenha do Mar, a natural fishing harbour. There are outstanding views throughout the walk, particularly over Odeceixe beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. In Odeceixe, where the Fishermen’s trail and the Historic way coincide, the trails pass through a maze of wetlands which provide essential habitat for wildlife & then on towards the sea where the waters from Monchique flood the Seixe River and spill abundantly into the ocean. At the end of the walk, we transfer to our new hotel. 

 
Distance: 14km; 8.6mi; Ascent/Descent: 273m/-299m; Opt out: at 10km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included

Day Five: Arrifana Walk

Day Five: Arrifana Walk

The Fishermen’s trail brings us today on a journey through time. The cliffs hide traces of prehistoric human life. History tells us that this area was occupied by various peoples, from Phoenicians to the Arabs. The Ponta da Atalaia is the mandatory stopping point. Here, we find the 'Ribat of Arrifana'- an Islamic fortress-convent built in the 12th century by warrior monks, to be both a pillar of prayer and protection. The rugged coast below with its sharped edges beaten by the strong waves is the home for goose barnacles, a local delicacy that is only accessible at the extremely low spring tides. 

 
Distance: 13km; 8mi; Ascent/Descent: +-118m; Opt out: at 5km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included

Day Six: Carrapateira Walk

Day Six: Carrapateira Walk

The small village of Carrapateira is a unique place that has been attracting surfers, walkers, fishermen, goose barnacle hunters and birders alike. Here, the life in the village is calm and days go by between the sound of the waves hitting the cliffs below and the chirping of the birds migrating south. Our walk brings us along the dunes, where the exuberant displays of vegetation collide with the vibrating sounds of the sea. Thyme, yellow shrubby everlasting, rosemary, lavender and rockroses grow as the rocks turn to limestone. 

 
Distance: 10km/6.2mi; Ascent/Descent: +-82m; Opt out: at 7km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included

Day Seven: Vila do Bispo Walk

Day Seven: Vila do Bispo Walk

Today marks the final section of the Vicentina route. This walk, starting from the small town of Vila de Bispo was designed to provide us with the ultimate opportunity to witness the expansive open countryside, the dramatic cliffs and a cape that was once believed to be the end of the world. The fisherman’s trail finishes in the Cape of Saint Vincent, the most south westerly point of Europe. This famous geological headland was a central stage for the Portuguese explorer’s history, pirate stories and nowadays, it’s a famous hotspot for the observation of migratory bird species.

 
Distance: 14km/8.6mi; Ascent/Descent: 78m/-126m; Opt out: at 10km
 
  • Breakfast & dinner with drinks included

Day Eight: Depart Faro

Day Eight: Depart Faro

After a final breakfast together as a group, we check-out and head to Faro airport for our flight home.

 
  • Breakfast included

Accommodation

South West Algarve

West Alentejo
  • Hotel Porto Covo - 3 star - 4 nights
South West Algarve
  • Hotel Vale da Telha, Aljezur - 2 star - 3 nights

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
4 Oct 2025 11 Oct 2025 7
£1785
   Please call for regional flights
26 Apr 2026 3 May 2026 7
£1899
   Please call for regional flights
4 Oct 2026 11 Oct 2026 7
£1889
   Please call for regional flights

Essential Information

Transfer Time
The transfer time from Faro to your hotel in Porto Covo is aprroximately 2hrs 20mins.
 
The transfer from Aljezur to Faro Airport is approximately 1hr 40mins.
Walking Schedule
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. This walking holidays is graded as Medium to Challenging. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain and the length of the walks that you will be walking. 
 
It is recommended to bring water & snacks for the walk. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. 
 
Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to Wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. The weather, even in summer, can be unpredictable. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
  • Walking boots with good ankle support
  • Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
  • Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
  • Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
  • Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
  • Walking socks – several pairs
  • Lightweight fleece or jumper
  • Hat & gloves
  • Daysack/rucksack for walking
  • Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
  • Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
  • Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
  • Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses.
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.
Passport & Visas
To enter Portugal or Madeira your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be: 
  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’) 
  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’) 
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old. 
 
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
 
 It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit;  Portugal Foreign Advice 
 
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Health Requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None. 
 
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Portugal
Currency
Euro

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