feature-photo by Ferhat Deniz Fors on Unsplash
Portugal isn’t yet on many hikers’ radar when planning their next vacation. However, the country is a wonderful destination for all sun-seeking hikers and anyone looking to soak up some sun in the winter. The trail network is still relatively small, but you can already find fantastic routes for exploring the country on a longer hiking holiday.
The climate in Portugal is generally mild throughout the year. In the north, the hiking season is typically from Easter to October. It’s a bit cooler and rainier than the south, so it’s usually suitable for exploring in the summer.
In the south, particularly in the Algarve and inland, the hiking season is almost the opposite. From June to October, the area often suffers from heat and drought, which can spoil your hiking experience. However, the land becomes green again with the first rains around November. And when the fruit trees start blooming in February, the countryside blooms throughout the spring until a sort of summer rest sets in around the end of May.
Here, you can extend the hiking season well into the winter and explore the region and beaches without the crowds of summer tourists. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast, as winter is also the time for storms and rain, which can be particularly dangerous along the coasts.
Portugal is therefore ideal for opening the hiking season very early in the year or ending it late in the year.
Hiking Trails in Portugal
How many hiking trails are there in Portugal?
Portugal is still developing as a hiking destination, so there are relatively few established trails, and maps and signage often leave much to be desired. Still, with over 8,000 km (4,970 miles) of hiking trails now available, you’re likely to find something suitable, or you can set off on your own with a map, compass, and enough experience to explore the country freely. Be ready to turn back if you can’t proceed forward.
Overview of Hiking Trails in Portugal, Based on Data from the OSM Database
The Most Popular Hiking Trails in Portugal
For beginners or those who prefer somewhat established trails, Portugal offers great options:
Rota Vicentina: A 750 km (466 miles) network of trails to explore the Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park. It consists of the well-known Fishermen’s Trail and the Historical Way, plus a network of shorter routes, mostly circular paths, exploring the Atlantic coast. The Rota Vicentina is one of two ERA Best of Europe Trails in Portugal.
Douro Valley: If you want to hike in Portugal’s most famous wine-growing region, you can explore the “GR36 – Grande Rota do Douro Internacional ao Douro Vinhateiro.” The hiking trail runs about 200 km (124 miles), mostly along the Douro River, allowing you to discover the wines and Portuguese cuisine along the way.
Via Algarviana – The Algarve Way: A pilgrimage route that doesn’t lead to Santiago de Compostela but rather to the relics of Saint Vincent. The route covers over 300 km (186 miles) through the Algarve, charming villages, and picturesque cork oak forests.
Camino Portugues: The Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, from Porto. This hiking trail is particularly suitable for beginners in long-distance hiking, as it is “only” 250 km (155 miles) long. It is well supported with hiker-friendly infrastructure and is quite flat for the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can start in Lisbon and hike the Caminho Portugues.
Of course, the Portuguese islands of Madeira (the flower island with its world-famous levadas) and the stunning Azores islands are also well-known hiking destinations. However, since these islands don’t really count as part of mainland Europe, I’ll leave them out here. You can easily find information about them online.
Where can you sleep while hiking?
While hiking in Portugal, you will mainly find small guesthouses and hostels along the way, with a few small hotels in larger towns. Here and there, you might also find one of the charming, but slightly more expensive, white country houses.
If you prefer traveling with a tent, you’ll find some campsites, though they can be scarce inland and especially in the south. Wild camping is forbidden, and you should respect this, particularly in summer. It is monitored on the coast, and inland you risk being caught in a fire in the worst case.
On the Via Algarviana, you will have to do without campsites and should book the available accommodation in hostels, guesthouses, or the few hotels early. There aren’t many of these on the route yet.
What Equipment is Needed?
To hike in Portugal, apart from the usual trio of well-fitting hiking boots with good grip, quick-drying hiking clothes with a high sun protection factor, and a well-fitting backpack, you need one thing above all:
sun protection!
Sunglasses, a sun hat (preferably with a wind strap), and sunscreen with a high SPF definitely belong in your hiking gear. And if you’re hiking right by the sea, it’s best to use an even higher SPF.
We always carry our UV-protective sun umbrellas, which allow you to hike or rest as if under an artificial cloud, as long as you’re not in a windy spot. Unfortunately, they can’t be used in windy conditions, so they’re of limited use for coastal hikes. But they’re a dream in open terrain inland.
Of course, you should also pack large water bottles or hydration bladders, especially if you’re hiking during the summer months. However, you should never underestimate how much the sun and sometimes the wind on the coast can dry you out even in the rest of the year.
How to Replace/Supplement Equipment?
In Portugal, shops selling hiking gear are still somewhat rare. So if you find that you’re missing a piece of equipment or it breaks while you’re on the trail, you’ll mostly have to rely on the internet.
The best approach is to shop online and have the package delivered to the nearest pickup point along your route within a few days. The largest parcel service providers in Portugal are CTT (Portugal Post), DHL, FedEx, and UPS.
However, delivery times from international locations vary greatly. Packages to mainland Portugal may take up to 9 working days or longer depending on the courier and the originating country. Most holidays could be over before the package arrives, especially if you’re hiking in more remote areas like the Azores or Madeira, where packages can take up to 2-3 weeks to arrive.
You might have a little more luck with Amazon, which ships to Portugal from Spain, so a package should arrive a bit quicker. Be sure to pay attention to the delivery date! Unfortunately, they don’t deliver to pick-up stations, so you need to find a conveniently located pick-up shop or consider the following option.
You could also politely ask one of your upcoming accommodations in advance if you can have a package delivered there. This usually isn’t a problem, and the package often awaits you in your room.
Provisions: How to Get Food on Your Hike
In Portugal, small markets and village shops are still quite common, where you can restock your food supplies. If you pass through a town with a shopping mall, you might be lucky enough to shop almost around the clock. Regular shops are usually open from 9 am to 6 pm, and small shops often take a lunch break from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Additionally, there are plenty of small and large restaurants and cafés to discover in the towns. Restaurants usually open from 12 pm to 3 pm and from 7:30 pm to 11 pm.
Since Portugal is relatively sparsely populated, you need to plan a little, so you can specifically target supermarkets or village shops and not find yourself facing closed doors on a holiday.
Drinking – Tips for Water Supply on the Go
In Portugal, it’s best to fill up your water in hostels for the hiking day unless you pass through a town where you can reliably stock up at a supermarket or café (check opening hours!).
Especially in the summer, you shouldn’t rely on wells or springs, and many smaller surface waters have dried up. At the same time, you will need more water than usual on hot or windy days, and you should plan on up to 1 litre of water per 4 km of hiking. An extra hydration bladder in your backpack can help you stay well-hydrated throughout the day.
Quick Information for Travel
Language: Portuguese
Communication: Mainly Portuguese. The most common foreign language in the country is French. Basic Spanish is understood by many, as the languages are closely related. In many tourist areas, service staff speak English. In case of need, Google Translate or the Deepl app can help.
Currency: Euro
Payment methods: Cash or credit card. Cash is still quite common, but credit cards are now also widely accepted.
Time zone: Mainland Portugal is in the WET (Western European Time) which is the same time as the UTC. During the summer months, Portugal follows daylight saving time. The mainland then moves to Western European Summer Time (WEST).
By Air
Portugal has several international airports that cater to travelers from all over Europe. The main airports are Lisbon (Humberto Delgado Airport) and Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport). For those heading to the Algarve region, Faro Airport is the best option.
By Train
For a more adventurous journey, you can travel to Portugal by train from various parts of Europe. High-speed trains such as the TGV and AVE connect Portugal with major European cities. For example, travelers can take a TGV to Paris and then connect to Barcelona by train. From there, they can continue to Madrid, Mérida, and then on to the Spanish-Portuguese border station of Badajoz before reaching Entroncamento. From Entroncamento, trains to Lisbon and Porto are available. For such a journey, planning at least one overnight stay is advisable. An InterRail ticket can be a cost-effective option for travelers who want to explore several destinations.
By Bus
Long-distance bus services like Eurolines and FlixBus connect Portugal to many European countries, making it possible to reach Portugal by bus from Central Europe in about two days. This option can be suitable for travelers who don’t mind long travel times and want to explore more of Europe en route.
Portugal has a fairly well-developed railway network that primarily connects various cities and towns. Often, the train is the fastest way to get from one place to another.
Additionally, there is a well-developed bus system. Intercity buses cover the entire country and can take you to places where trains don’t go. Local bus networks then meet local transportation needs, ensuring there are few places you can’t reach.
In Portugal the standard voltage is 220V. If you are traveling with devices that have Europlugs, you should not need an adapter.
Safety & Emergencies
Portugal is generally a very safe country with a hospitable population. On the Global Peace Index, it ranks third, behind Iceland and New Zealand. However, you should still be cautious of pickpockets in tourist areas and keep an eye on your belongings.
You shouldn’t expect to encounter large wild animals or dangerous plants. Still, you should follow the usual safety precautions around the Mediterranean to avoid snakes, scorpions, or other biting critters. Although there are very few creatures with deadly venom, bites and stings need treatment and can still seriously hurt in the best case.
A more significant danger, particularly in summer, is the sun. Sufficient water supplies are essential on every summer hike. You should also be aware of the risk of wildfires during the summer. Avoid doing anything that could cause a fire, and pay attention to warnings and closures.
As Portugal is still developing as a hiking destination, maps are often suboptimal or non-existent. In such cases, a compass and sense of direction are needed.
If you have an emergency despite all precautions, dial 112 for the fire brigade, police, or ambulance. However, in sparsely populated areas, it may take some time for help to arrive, so being able to help yourself initially is essential.
Where Can You Find More Information About Hiking?
Excellent information on hiking and cycling routes in Portugal can be found on portuguesetrails.com.
For general travel information about Portugal you can just visit visitportugal.com, or you can check the UK government’s Foreign Office travel advice.
Portugal is a fascinating hiking destination for all sun-seeking hikers or those who want to lace up their hiking boots in winter without freezing unnecessarily or enduring long flights. And if you want to go a bit further, you can hike straight into Spain.
Happy hiking!