Rota Vicentina (Fisherman’s trail) is a coastal trail in Portugal with a total length of 226km, split into 13 steps. I walked 4 steps in 2 days: walking Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve on the first day, and then Almograve – Zambujeira do Mar – Odeceixe on the second. This was my first proper long hike.

I reached the starting point Porto Covo by bus from Lisbon (Rede Expressos) and started walking the next morning. I didn’t book accommodation in advance because I wasn’t sure where I would end up at the end of the day and I saw that options were available. I wasn’t even sure how long I would be walking for, but presumed 3 days. Since my experience was solitary and quiet, this post will use few words.

At the start of each day I ensured to have equal amounts of water and wine, and proceeded to walk South.

Porto Covo

This stretch was mostly on a sandy path.

Vila Nova de Milfontes

I didn’t have hiking shoes. The trail is easy.

I swam in the ocean.

Almograve

I stayed at an eerie hostel, which seemed like a converted hospital. I was alone in the room. I could hear the wind, footsteps, and slamming doors, but there was nobody around.

As darkness fell, I went for a walk. I admired the clear starry sky and recalled constellations, listening to the ocean and contemplating how I ended up here, all by myself.

I realized how there’s nothing to do in the evening without technology, especially in a small town. I went to sleep early and started the hike early the next morning.

I saw very few other hikers: fewer than 10 a day. Time was spent in solitude.

I saw very cool birds: storks.

Zambujeira do Mar

Odeceixe

When I started the hike, I thought I would walk for 3 days, but I ended up doing just 2 days because I had got so far (~75km) and the trail didn’t seem as scenic further on as it was going inland. So that evening I went to Lagos by bus.

Conclusions: I love walking in nature and I can walk all day.