Hiking in Portugal: The 5 Most Spectacular Trails

Sharing is caring!

Portugal is known for being the country with one of the most dramatically beautiful coastlines in Europe. The jagged red and yellow limestone cliffs framing white sand beaches are undeniably beautiful. But it’s also a great place for hiking. But, people often forgo hiking in Portugal in favour of relaxing on the beautiful beaches!

However, some of the best walks in Portugal will rival those around the rest of Europe. Of course, the beauty of Sintra, Lisbon and Porto is known worldwide. However, step outside of those main hubs and you’ll find some gorgeous hidden European gems that many won’t have even heard of!

The best part? Because they’re less well-known, these hiking trails are much quieter. It’s also more peaceful than some of the busier hikes in Europe.

Undeniably, the best way to experience any destination is by walking. So, from the wild, western coast, to the signature limestone stacks of the Algarve, these are the best routes for hiking in Portugal.

What are the best places for hiking in Portugal?

So, whether you’re looking for an energetic day trip from Lisbon, or a secluded hidden hiking path along the coast, continue reading to discover the 5 best hikes in Portugal.

1. Pena Palace hike

The hike up to Pena Palace took me by surprise. 

I was spending a few days in Lisbon at the time and decided to take a day trip to Sintra. The most common routes from the centre of Sintra up to the Palace were a tour bus or a tuk-tuk and I wasn’t overly keen on either.

It took a while before I came across a third option – the hike – because a few people had talked down the idea. Plus, I’ll admit, I wasn’t really planning on hiking in Portugal. However, after seeing the price of the tuk-tuks, the hike was looking a lot more appealing!

It wasn’t too hard to find; there’s a little path called the Villa Sassetti path off the main square. Once you find the path, you’ll also realise that most of it is uphill. The hike is virtually uphill all the way. Although it’s a varying degree of incline it was easier in some parts than others. 

It took about an hour in total, including a few stops for photo opportunities because Portugal is a wonderful place for outdoor adventures. The views are pretty stunning. The walk was also scattered with cute little sculptures and wooden chairs, birdbaths and even a flower arch. 

If you’re planning on doing this, be prepared to do a lot of walking in total (we did around 11 miles that day). I also suggest wearing shoes with good grip as the trail can be muddy in parts and slippery in others. 

But, if you enjoy nature, gardens and beautiful walking trails, you won’t want to see Sintra in any other way. It’s definitely one of the best walks in Portugal.

2. Fisherman’s Trail

There are very few places suitable for hiking in Portugal all year round. There are even fewer that allow you to spend multiple days walking from village to village along a stunning coastline.

Possibly the best of all is the criminally underrated Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal.

This gorgeous route runs for 75 kilometres between the pretty whitewashed fishing village of Porto Covo (2.5 hrs by bus from Lisbon) and the spectacular horseshoe beach at Odeceixe, which is located on the border dividing the Alentejo region from the famous Algarve. 

This unbelievable 4-day journey is one of the best hikes in Portugal. It’s the most spectacular section of the larger Rota Vicentina trail. It follows the coast down to the lighthouse at Cabo Sao Vicente and on to the Algarve beach favourite of Lagos.

The trail is moderately difficult, with 1,200 metres of elevation spread out over 4 days. But for much of that time, you will be walking along sand dunes. This will make for great photos but rather exhausting hiking. 

On the bright side, a picture-perfect Portuguese beach village is waiting for you at the end of every day. They all offer a good selection of accommodation, terrific restaurants and traditional beauty. 

The Fisherman’s Trail is perfect for intermediate hikers who like exceptional coastal views and unbeatable Atlantic seafood.

3. Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo – Madeira

One of the best walks in Portugal can be found on the island of Madeira. 

The famous Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is an 11 km hike (there and back) where you hike from Madeira’s third highest peak Arieiro (1818m), to the highest peak of the island; Pico Ruivo (1862m). This might sound like only 50 meters of incline, but don’t be fooled but the numbers. 

The hike is fairly hilly but easy to follow as it’s paved for most of the trail with a fence on the side. The total incline is about 1000 meters. You will have to conquer a lot of stairs but the rewards are amazing.

There are several official viewpoints along the way such as Ninho da Manta and Pedra Rija. But throughout the entire trail, the views are incredible. You will have to pass a few tunnels though, so take a headlamp with you and make sure to wear good hiking shoes.

To get to the starting point you’ll have several options. The first option is to drive to the parking lot of Pico do Arieiro which brings you directly to the trailhead. You could combine it with watching the sunrise on Pico do Arieiro and start the hike right after. 

How to get there

If you parked the car at Arieiro, it means you will have to return there which makes the hike quite hard. But, for experienced hikers, it is a great day hike that will take you between 4 and 6 hours in total depending on your pace. 

The other option is to go one way. But this means you’ll have to continue from Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira, which is the other starting point of an easier hike to Pico Ruivo. There, you can get a taxi back to Pico Arieiro, which takes about an hour. 

This one-way Portugal hiking trail takes about 3 hours from Arieiro to Ruivo to the car park at Achada do Teixeira. 

As with all hiking in Portugal, make sure to bring enough water. Also, check the weather forecast beforehand, so you won’t be hiking in rain, storms, or even snow in the winter months.

4. Rota Vicentina

The Rota Vicentina is a picturesque southern Portuguese hiking trail. It starts in the small town of Santiago do Cacém in Alentejo and finishes at Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. 

It’s easy to get to the starting point by public buses from the Sete Rios bus terminal in Lisbon. The bus journey takes about 2 hours. 

The total distance of the trek is 230 km. It’s one of the best multi-day hikes in Portugal. It takes roughly 11 days to complete the trial (with an average daily distance is 20 km).

Every stage of the trail finishes in a small town or village where hikers can stay at a guesthouse. The route is well-marked and easy without strenuous climbs or exhaustingly long stretches. The Rota Vicentina is suitable for couples, families with older children, solo travellers, and elderly hikers.

The route is a combination of the tranquil Portuguese countryside and the stunning coastal scenery. The first half from Santiago do Cacém is an inland trail.

In comparison, the second half, all the way to Cabo de São Vicente, is mostly along the rugged Atlantic coast. You’ll pass sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking look-outs. 

Spring, (between April and May), is the best time for hiking the Rota Vicentina. At this time of year, the fields and hills along the coast are covered in wildflowers, the temperatures are moderate and there are not too many tourists. 

5. The Levada do Risco – Madeira

Madeira is famous for its Levada hikes – irrigation channels lined with paths that crisscross this mountainous island. The Levada do Risco is one of the most scenic and interesting walks in Madeira. 

Simple wooden signs mark the start of the hike that can only be reached by car from the nearby Calheta. The 7-kilometre round trip starts in an aromatic Eucalyptus forest which opens out to hug a steep hillside providing incredible views of the Atlantic. 

The path continues into a 1-kilometre-long unlit tunnel – torches are a must! Hikers emerge on a densely forested track lined with ferns and orchids.

Follow the gently undulating path to arrive at the impressive Risco waterfall which, tumbling into the forest from an impossible height, looks like a setting from a movie. The last small section of the path joins a paved sightseer’s path. 

The Levada do Risco hike has some slopes and climbs but it is not technically challenging. It is essential to keep to the path as, on one side, the Levadas are deeper than they look. The sheer drop on the other side of the path edge is often hidden by thin vegetation. 

This is a spectacular spot for hiking in Portugal and it’s suitable for all ages (as long as you have a head for heights!). In total, it will take around 2-3 hours. 

Disclosure: Some of the links above may be affiliate links that earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. If you purchase through my links – thank you so much! I only recommend products and companies that I use and love.