The Fishermen’s Trail, Southwest Portugal - Day 7 - Arrifana to Carrapateira

This is a relatively long day of 13 miles, with 1,000 feet of elevation, taking about 7 hours. Some of the cliffs are 300 feet high, with spectacular rock strata. We would have preferred to skip breakfast and leave at 7am, but due to a shortage of open cafes along the route, we decided to eat breakfast-a good call.

We had an amazing buffet breakfast in Vale de Telha hotel, served from 8am. Having purchased lunch the previous night from the local shop, we were soon on our way. Leaving at 8.45am, we walked down the road towards Arrifana, turning left just before the village, then headed right down a signed track. After following it for an hour (2.7 miles) we had fabulous views over the beach at Praia do Canal, and the coastline south. It was a steep path down and up, before turning inland along a track, through eucalyptus woods. We took a road before arriving for drinks at Quarenta & Quatro (11.30am), where there is new accommodation with a swimming pool. We were tempted to stay, but had places to be.

We continued in a SW direction passing houses, at 11.50am we turned right towards wind mills on the horizon, then right along another sandy track right signed to Carrapateria 9km.

We were very surprised to see a geodetic mark-which was safely ascended by some of the party. A geodetic marker is a highly accurate surveying reference point established on the surface of the earth by local, state and national agencies. They determine the precise position of permanent point on the earth’s surface, taking into account the shape, size and curvature of the earth. Down the other side of the hill, we sat and ate our lunch on the cliff tops (1.05pm). Twenty minutes after lunch we had views over the beach- Praia da Bordeira. As the tide was out, we walked along the beach, paddling and playing in the sea. We stopped for drinks under the shady bar of Carrapateira Surf school at the end of the beach. (If the tide is in you would need to follow signs to the pine forest of Bordalete, cross the river, then walk down the road to Carrapateira).

From the surf school there is a choice of routes, either to head straight to the back of the beach then over a bridge into town, or the route that we took up the cliff then along a road, before turning right at a blue and green sign across the sand dunes.

We arrived at Pensao das Dunas at 3.30pm. There are en-suite rooms, and rooms which share a bathroom. There is a drinks fridge with an honesty box, peaceful inside and outside areas, which were lovely to sit in and meet other walkers.

We went to Alecrim restaurant for dinner, sitting outside, there is a good choice of fish, pizza, curry and salad.

Distance 13.6 Miles (22km)

Duration of Walk 7 Hours

Average Pace 31 Min/Mile

Steps 41218

Elevation Gained 999 feet (305m)

Websites used

[ Ссылка ] Hotel

[ Ссылка ] Restaurant

свернуть