Atlantic Coast – Nature Park – Rota Vicentina, self guided
The whole tour guides you through Vicentine Coast Natural Park. You will start at Carrapateira, a friendly sunny white washed little village where farmer, fishermen and surfers live. From here you will head off right away to the fantastic Atlantic coast line, you will hike over the cliffs coming across various viewpoints, with superb views of the escarpments, the sands of Bordeira and Amado and also the ruins of an ancient Islamic fishermen’s settlement.
The following days the route leads northwards switching from backland half-wild, backland with eucalyptus, pine, corkoak woods and macchie where rockrose (cistus landanifer), arbutus unedo, heather and lavender grow to unique cliff sceneries. You will stop at Arrifana, 100m above the cliffs, a huge bay with beach and traditional fishing harbor. You walk through the alleys of historic Aljezur, reigned over by a 10th century fortress before your hike ends at the donkey farm in the backland.
Donkey handling
After the first practical instruction you will have a daily routine with your long eared companion which means every morning packing your luggage in special bags, preparing the donkey (feeding & grooming) for the tour and, finally loading him. During the tour donkey needs some rest. While you picnic he uses his time to graze and, at the end of the day you will groom and feed him again before he gets to his pasture.
On our trekkings each two people enjoy the company of one donkey. He will carry your luggage, max. 10kg/ person. The donkeys own equimpent weights 8kg.
Destination: Portugal
Duration: 7 days
Departure: 01.02. - 30.06. & 15.09. - 15.11.
Price: starting from 730,00 eur p.p. in double room; discounts for children
- accommodation (6 nights) in dbl / twin room
- 3 breakfasts
- 5 days donkey rent & trekking equipment (saddle & luggage bags)
- introduction to the donkey handling on day 2
- transfers as per program on days 3,4,7
- road book, maps and information materials
- assistance during the tour
- costs of transportation for getting to Carrapateira and from Aljezur
- 3 breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- insurance
- anything not mentioned under “the price includes”
Itinerary
arrival in Carrapateira
Welcome to the picturesque village of Carrapateira, which is popular among surfers, hikers as well as summer holidaymakers and biologists….
You will stay in the idyllic Pensão das Dunas, very kindly hosted by Eduardo and Agnes. The breakfast is an highlight too.
Pontal da Carrapateira (10 km)
After the famous breakfast, you will be greeted by your guide who will introduce you to donkey trekking. Today is a light, short and easy walk along the wonderful coast, leaving you with time for sunbathing on the beaches or taking a swim in the sea. You will enjoy the magnificent views from the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean and of the beaches Bordeira and Amado and visit the archaeological site of a Moorish whale fisherman settlement.
Carrapateira - Arrifana (19.6 km)
Today is not a day for the faint-hearted, but what a day and what amazing sceneries! You will head directly towards the sea on small paths before walking by a more than 100 years old umbrella pine forest and climbing to a higher trail leading up and down through a colorful landscape. You leave behind Carrapateira and Bordeira beach. Soon after Monte Novo you will descent to another stunning, and this time stony, beach, Canal. You will then go up to the fishing and surfer village of Arrifana. Your destination today is situated on top of the cliffs, overlooking a fantastic, far-reaching bay. After visiting the town and its scenery, you will be transfered to Monte Clérigo, a peaceful and idyllic beach village of the 70s. You will enjoy this very special place for 3 nights.
Day 4: Arrifana - Monte Clérigo (11 km)
Today, the hike is predominantly on top of the cliffs, which will provide you with great views to both the north and south of the coast. If you are lucky, on a clear day, you can even see the Cap São Vicente, the southwestern tip of Europe. The walk is partly on sandy, narrow paths, surrounded by colorful coastal vegetation, and partly on solid ground and wider paths. Highlights of the day include: Atalaia, a promontory of high rocks, and the Ribat de Arrifana where an Arabic monastery once stood in the 12th century. Today a National Monument, it is recognized only by the floor plans. You return to Monte Clérigo in the afternoon right in time for a rest and relax at the beach.
Monte Clérigo - Free day!
Having breakfast at the beach café, visiting the donkey, joining the fishermen, throwing a glance at the neighbour beach, Amoreira, sunbathing on the beach, jumping in the water, admiring the surfers or having a try on the surfboard yourself… the day is long and the day is yours!
Monte Clérigo - Aljezur - Donkey Farm (13km)
After breakfast, you head towards a protected pasture valley, then uphill and downhill to the next valley, the Aljezur river valley. From here you can climb to the “Castelo de Aljezur”, castle ruins, which dominates the old town of Aljezur, and offers wonderful panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and of the Monchique Mountains in the east. You can choose between picnicking in the countryside or lunching at one of the restaurants. After this welcoming lunch break, you follow the historical road “Aljezur – Odeceixe” of the Rota Vicentina northwards for few kilometers before turning eastwards and continuing through hinterland with cork oaks, strawberry trees, wild lavender and cistus, to join your final destination, Vale das Amoreiras (valley of the mulberry trees), and the donkey farm, where you and your companion will be warmly welcomed by the herd. Accommodation in Aljezur (4 km from the donkey farm).
departure
After breakfast, take a deep breath before heading home. Or, stay for a while longer!
