The Algarve isn’t just about sleepy villages, pretty little towns and sunbeds on the beach. Southern Portugal is also home to some of the best hiking trails in Portugal. Rugged cliffs, quiet coves, shady pine forests and lagoons full of flamingos: you’ll see most of it at its best on foot.
The most famous hike in the region is the Rota Vicentina Fishermen’s Trail, a multi-day route that follows almost the entire west coast. But that might be a bit much walking in one go. Luckily, the Algarve also has plenty of shorter trails. Lots of them, in fact. We spent a whole month here and went for a nature walk almost every single day, with our 8-month-old daughter. With a little one in a baby carrier or on dad’s shoulders, shorter walks are simply more fun, so we went looking for the best short and half-day hikes in the Algarve.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up the 15 best hiking trails in the Algarve, from spectacular cliff walks to easy strolls through some of southern Portugal’s most beautiful nature reserves.
Hiking in the Western Algarve: the best hikes near Sagres and Lagos
#1 Pontal da Carrapateira
- 19 kilometres, but with shorter options
- at Carrapateira on the west coast
One of the most impressive walks in the Algarve is the Pontal da Carrapateira on Portugal’s wild west coast. It’s also known as the Trail of Tides, and it’s all about the dramatic coastline here. The Atlantic slams into towering cliffs, and the waves are so big that this corner of the Algarve is a magnet for surfers. Chances are you’ll spot them out on the water at several points along the route, taking on the huge swell.
Tip: travelling with a pushchair or wheelchair? A stretch of about 5 kilometres of this circular route has been specially adapted for people with reduced mobility.
For the first stretch, the trail hugs the coast, with one viewpoint after another looking out over the cliffs. Is 19 kilometres a bit too much? Then go for a shorter version that still takes in this stretch with the best views.
There are two ways to shorten the hike. The route is shaped like a figure of eight with two loops, so you can simply walk just one of them. Halfway along that loop, a dirt road cuts across, which lets you shorten the walk even more.
#2 Castelejo Environmental Trail
- 3.5 kilometres
- at Vila do Bispo
Not far from Praia do Castelejo, a short trail takes you through a quiet nature reserve. The hike is only 3.5 kilometres long and starts at a picnic area close to the beach.
From there, you walk through a pine forest until you reach a valley. Water once carved it out on its way to the sea, so the valley runs all the way from the Castelejo nature reserve down to the beach. From this part of the hike, you can see right out to the ocean.
Tip: save some energy for a swim after the walk. Praia do Castelejo sits tucked between the rocks and has striking black rock formations.
#3 Lilac Trail
- 6 kilometres
- at Barão de São João
The Lilac Trail takes you into the forest of Mata Nacional do Barão de São João, a bit further inland and not far from Lagos. The route starts along a wide road with the odd car passing by, but you soon walk into a green pine forest. Not exactly what you’d expect in the Algarve!
A fun extra: along the trail through the forest, you’ll find sculptures with Portuguese poems. Towards the end, you leave the shade of the trees behind and walk past a wind farm with some seriously tall wind turbines.
#4 The Ponta da Piedade hike
- 10 kilometres
- near Lagos and Ponta da Piedade
- part of the longer Fisherman’s Trail
Ponta da Piedade near Lagos is the icon of the Algarve. You simply can’t visit Lagos without seeing these rocks just south of town. Golden cliffs form arches and jagged pinnacles, all set in a deep blue sea. You can look down from the viewpoint, but do take the stairs down too: that’s where you get the best view.
The best way to get there? On foot, from the village of Luz. You walk from Luz to Ponta da Piedade and then carry on into the old centre of Lagos.
Take a quick Uber from Lagos to Luz, so you don’t have to walk the route there and back. Luz is a sweet little town with a nice sandy beach. From here, you climb up to the rocky plateau of Rocha Negra. It’s a tough climb, but your reward is a phenomenal view over Praia da Luz and the rocky coastline.
From the top of Rocha Negra, the trail follows the coast to Ponta da Piedade, with that blue sea and the orange cliffs as your backdrop the whole way. From Ponta da Piedade, you walk along the coast to the viewpoint above Praia do Camilo. The staircase down to the beach itself has been closed since part of the cliff collapsed during winter storms, but you still get the view from the top. These days, most of the stretch towards Lagos follows wooden boardwalks with plenty of viewpoints. Then it’s just the last bit back into the old centre.
→ Discover the best things to do in Lagos, our favourite town in the Algarve
#5 Rocha Delicada Trail
- 8 kilometres
- from Mexilhoeira Grande train station at Portimão
The Rocha Delicada Trail is one of the few hikes in the Algarve you can do without a rental car. It starts and ends at Mexilhoeira Grande train station, not far from Portimão. There’s even a sign on the platform with a map of the route and some information about the area.
The route loops around the lagoon of the Alvor River, with the Passadiços de Alvor on the other side of the water. The best part is the stretch through the lagoon, roughly halfway. You’ve got a good chance of spotting flamingos here, and birdwatchers should definitely bring binoculars: it’s a popular breeding spot for birds.
Got a rental car and mainly interested in that middle section? Then you can skip the rest of the route. You can drive all the way to the lagoon, park there and walk just that part of the trail.
#6 The Passadiços de Alvor
- 4.5 kilometres
- Praia do Alvor at Portimão
This hike follows the wooden boardwalks of the Passadiços de Alvor and goes by the name ‘Ao Sabor da Maré’, which roughly means ‘at the whim of the tides’. You’ll find it near the coastal town of Portimão.
Where the Alvor River meets the sea, right by Praia do Alvor (one of the longer sandy beaches in the Algarve), a beautiful nature reserve has formed. A wide beach and sand dunes protect a lagoon and wetland, where lots of birds breed in a saltwater marsh.
The Alvor Walkways, or Passadiços de Alvor in Portuguese, run through the dunes, along the beach and beside the riverbed. This 4.5-kilometre walk follows the wooden boardwalks and mixes them with sandy tracks to form a great short route through the dunes. So close to the sea, the riverbed here follows the tides. We went at low tide, which meant we could even walk across the riverbed.
Hiking in the Central Algarve: the best hikes near Albufeira, Carvoeiro and Ferragudo
#7 Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
- 6 kilometres (or 12 kilometres round trip)
- between Praia do Vale de Centeanes and Praia da Marinha
The most famous hike in the Algarve is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, or Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos in Portuguese. This 6-kilometre trail (12 if you walk back to the start) follows the coastline past dramatic cliffs, little beaches, rock arches and viewpoints.
The route is marked with the yellow and red stripes you’ll see on almost every trail in southern Portugal, but someone was a bit stingy with the paint here. It was the only hike in the Algarve where we struggled to follow the exact path. Not that it really matters: you know the trail sticks to the coast, so getting lost is pretty much impossible.
Along the way, it’s mostly about the views: rock arches, moonscape-like rocks and jagged cliffs. You’ll also pass the Alfanzina Lighthouse, a pine forest, picnic spots, viewpoints with benches and several sinkholes where you can see or hear the sea rushing in.
The trail also passes Praia de Benagil, famous for the Benagil Caves, which you can only reach by water.
A boat trip or kayak tour is the only way to see the caves up close. Swimming there yourself has been banned since August 2024, and so has landing on the little beach inside the cave. Kayaks and SUPs are only allowed in with a licensed guide.
From Praia de Benagil, the route takes a slightly odd detour along a road before climbing back up the cliffs, right on top of the Benagil Caves. You walk past the famous hole in the cave roof (you’ve definitely seen it in photos) and can peek down into the caves from above.
Bring your swimming things, because the beaches along this trail are hard to resist. We stopped at Praia do Carvalho, a crescent-shaped cove with soft sand. You reach it through a tunnel with steps carved into the rock, which makes it a sight in itself.
Tip: the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail has become so popular that it can get really busy in high season, with full car parks and crowded paths. In 2026, local guides even raised the alarm about litter and erosion along the route. So go early in the morning or outside peak season, stick to the marked path and take your rubbish home with you. And good to know: there are no toilets along the way.
→ Discover our full guide to the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, including a map
#8 Carvoeiro Boardwalk
- 600 metres
- at the Algar Seco viewpoint in Carvoeiro
Does 600 metres sound like an impressive hike? That’s what we thought too. If we hadn’t been in Carvoeiro anyway, we’d probably have skipped the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, also known as the Caminho do Algar Seco. And we’re so glad we didn’t!
Because this mini hike isn’t really about the wooden boardwalk along the coast. It’s about the views. The boardwalk runs right along the impressive cliffs the Algarve is famous for. And as if that’s not enough, there are two spots where you can climb down to, through and onto those cliffs.
Those two descents are the real highlight. Paths and steps have been carved into the orange rocks, so you head into little tunnels, through arches and up and down stairs to reach the best spots. There are nooks and crannies everywhere, and it feels like you’re on a proper expedition between the Algarve cliffs.
At one of the two spots, you can even take a dip in a natural rock pool that the sea has carved out between the rocks. In winter, the sea is rough and it’s quite a show to watch the waves crash in. In the warmer months, though, it’s a great spot for a refreshing swim.
→ Discover everything about the Carvoeiro Boardwalk and Algar Seco Caves
#9 Trail of Headlands
- 6.5 kilometres (or 13 kilometres round trip)
- between Praia do Molhe (Ferragudo) and Praia do Paraiso (Carvoeiro)
The Trail of Headlands, or Caminho dos Promontórios in Portuguese, is the lesser-known alternative to the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Pretty much everyone has heard of the Seven Hanging Valleys, but hardly anyone knows about this one. Which is surprising, because both hikes are all about those iconic orange Algarve cliffs, and they’re not far apart either.
The trail is just over 6 kilometres long and marked with the usual red and yellow signs, though it’s hard to get lost anyway. The route runs right along the spectacular cliffs between pretty Ferragudo and the beach town of Carvoeiro. You’ll pass the Ferragudo lighthouse, big sinkholes where the sea flows in under the rocks, the centuries-old Torre da Lapa lookout and some gorgeous rock formations.
The walk ends near Carvoeiro, where you can grab an Uber back or simply walk back to the start. Pack your swimming things too, because you’ll pass some of the quietest and prettiest coves in the Algarve.
→ Discover Ferragudo, the perfect base for this hike
#10 Praia Grande Interpretation Trail
- 5.5 kilometres
- at Armação de Pêra, not far from Albufeira
This trail in the heart of the Algarve is a great short walk close to Albufeira. It runs along Praia Grande, partly on the sand and partly on the paths beside it. You start on a wooden boardwalk past a saltwater marsh, where you can spot all kinds of birds.
If birdwatching is your thing, make sure to stop at the bird hide at the Lagoa dos Salgados. Even if you’re not a birder, this landscape full of birds is fascinating to see. And so are the big flocks of flamingos standing in the salty water!
After the boardwalks, you walk across the wide sandy beach and through the dunes. Kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes. After that, the route follows sandy tracks, first along the beach and then through a meadow with a flock of sheep.
Is this the most spectacular hike in southern Portugal? Probably not. But it’s a wonderfully quiet, flat walk with beach, dunes and some really special landscapes. We also caught a gorgeous sunrise here, which made the whole experience even better.
Tip: the boardwalk along the Lagoa dos Salgados is flat, so it’s easy going with a pushchair or wheelchair too.
→ Discover why we wouldn’t recommend Albufeira’s Old Town and The Strip
#11 Paderne Castle Trail
- 3.5 kilometres
- at Paderne
Northeast of Albufeira lies the tiny village of Paderne. This is where you’ll find one of the nicer hikes in the Algarve, and for a change, it doesn’t take you to the beach. The star of this walk is the Castelo de Paderne, as you might have guessed from the name.
The old castle ruin sits on a hilltop, and its walls have been restored in recent years. You can walk around the castle freely, but the inside is only open at set times. In late summer, for example, it usually opens for free on Wednesdays during the Castelo de Portas Abertas programme. What makes the castle special is that it’s built from taipa: a mix of mud, lime and chalk that was turned into a kind of early concrete.
From the castle, you follow the riverbed, which is often dry. You cross it via an ancient bridge that’s said to date back to Roman times. There was once a mill right next to it, and you can still see the old millstone lying in the ruins.
After the bridge, you follow the riverbed back until you reach a watermill, the Moinho de Água de Paderne. Pay attention here, because at the mill you need to cross the riverbed again to get back to your starting point. Don’t take the rickety wooden bridge and don’t walk on too far either: you want the path through the little iron gate.
Is this one of the most impressive hikes in the Algarve? Definitely not. But if you have the time, it’s a nice change to do a walk further inland.
#12 Falésia Beach Trail
- 4 kilometres
- at Vilamoura
We couldn’t find any information about this trail online, but its name did pop up on Google Maps. Reviews described it as a beautiful cliff walk, and that was all we needed to hear. We read every single review to work out exactly where the hike went. And it was well worth the effort: the Falésia Beach Trail is one of the most beautiful short hikes in the Algarve!
The trail follows the orange cliffs along Praia da Falésia, so you can’t really get lost. You walk from the starting point towards the coastal town of Vilamoura, with the long beach of Falésia on your right the whole way. There are several places where you can climb down from the cliffs to the beach, so bring your swimming things for a dip in the sea.
Tip: travelling by campervan? There are two great wild camping spots at the start and halfway along this trail.
The whole Algarve coast is beautiful, and you’ve probably seen photos of those jagged orange cliffs. But here, the coast is just a little bit different. You’re in the area between the orange cliffs in the west and the Ria Formosa wetlands in the east, so you’ll see white and orange rock formations in all kinds of shapes. It almost looks like a moonscape. That makes this a trail you really don’t want to miss on your Algarve road trip.
Hiking in the Eastern Algarve: the best hikes near Faro and the Ria Formosa
#13 The Ludo Trail and Sao Lourenco Trail in Ria Formosa
- Combine the Sao Lourenco trail and Ludo trail
- 7 kilometres for the Sao Lourenco Trail only
- in the Ria Formosa nature reserve near Faro
Between the coastal towns of Faro and Tavira lies the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
While the western Algarve is all orange cliffs and pretty coves with sandy beaches, east of Faro you’ll find a maze of water, islands and peninsulas. Together, they make up a beautiful nature reserve: the Ria Formosa.
→ Discover our best tips for Faro
Just west of Faro, near the international airport and Praia de Faro, you’ll find one of the most beautiful and popular parts of the Ria Formosa. Two well-known hiking routes run through here: the Ludo Trail and the São Lourenço Trail. Funnily enough, these are two separate trails and not one. They connect seamlessly and make a perfect loop together.
Both trails wind through the lagoon. The Ludo Trail focuses on the salt marshes, while the São Lourenço Trail runs more through trees and past golf courses. Our favourite part was the Ludo stretch, through a marshy landscape full of water birds.
On both of our visits to this part of the Ria Formosa, we spotted flamingos in several places. The route also passes a salt production area with salt flats, pink lakes and huge white mountains of salt. It’s a very photogenic part of the park, and surprisingly, you’ll meet fewer people here than around the marshes.
#14 Barril Beach Trail
- 3 kilometres round trip
- from near Tavira to Praia do Barril
Between the pretty town of Tavira and the sandy beaches lies the Ria Formosa: marshes, water birds, salt flats and, above all, lots of water. In most places, you can only cross these wetlands by ferry. Except at Praia do Barril.
Here, a bridge takes you across the water, followed by a short walk to the beach. Don’t feel like walking? Then make it even easier and hop on the little tourist train. We loved the walk though, surrounded by wetlands. Birdwatchers in particular will be in their element anywhere in the Ria Formosa.
But even if you’re more of a beach person, you’ll be happy with the huge sandy beach on Tavira Island waiting at the end. Look out for the Cemitério das Âncoras, the anchor cemetery, lined up dramatically along the shore. It’s a reminder of the fishing village that once stood here.
These weren’t boat anchors. They were used to hold the tuna nets in place on the seabed, a less risky fishing method that was unique to this spot and is said to date back to Roman times. As tuna stocks in Portuguese waters dwindled, the local fishermen had to give up their trade. Their anchors have stayed on the beach ever since.
→ Discover the best things to do in Tavira
#15 Nature Discovery Trail
- 3 kilometres
- at Olhão
Close to the fishing town of Olhão is the Centro de Educação Ambiental de Marim, the visitor centre of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Inside, you can learn more about the nature reserve, but the short hike is the main reason to come here.
In this part of the park, you’ll again walk past freshwater marshes full of water birds, including flamingos. You’ll also wander through pine trees, past a freshwater lake and through the dunes. Along the way, you’ll pass bird hides, Roman ruins and an old water pump that was once powered by a donkey.
Don’t skip the Moinho de Maré de Marim, a mill powered by the tides. There used to be dozens of these tidal mills in the Ria Formosa, but this is the only one left. On some days, you can even go inside, where information boards explain how it works.
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