Walking the Rota Vicentina Fishermans Trail Rediscovering adventure on Portugal’s wild Atlantic coast
This autumn I dusted off my hiking boots and set off on a long-overdue adventure, walking the Rota Vicentina Fishermen’s Trail along Portugal’s stunning south-west coast. I did the trip with my lovely friend Kaz, who first suggested it after a friend of hers couldn’t stop raving about how incredible it was. And they weren’t wrong. We also got to do lots of swimming, photography and wine and even managed to capture a few Portuguese washing lines….a personal project of washing lines is on going and where ever I am if I see great washing line, the camera is at the ready!
From the very first day, it felt like pressing pause on real life and stepping into a slower rhythm, where the sound of the Atlantic, the warmth of the sun, and the smell of wild herbs on the cliffs took over. After years of focusing on work and family, it reminded me just how much I love to travel, to see new landscapes, and to meet people whose lives are shaped by such different surroundings. We booked our self guided walk through Macs Adventures…which was brilliant, a great app and maps. They organised all the perfect little hotels and rooms along the way, all the luggage transfers so we didn’t have to lug our big packs anywhere…. and off we went.
on the trail…
The Fishermen’s Trail is every bit as dramatic and beautiful as I’d hoped. It follows old paths used by local fishermen, winding along cliffs that rise high above turquoise coves, through tiny whitewashed villages, and across endless sandy beaches. Every day brought something new — jaw-dropping coastal views, quiet forest paths, and those classic Portuguese colours that seem made for a camera.
swim, swim, swim….
And then there were the swims. So many swims. This was as much a swimming holiday as it was a hike. We made the most of every opportunity to dip into the sea, from wild, windswept coves to calm stretches of estuary. Nothing quite beats peeling off dusty walking boots and plunging into cool Atlantic water after a few hours on the trail. Travelling with Kaz made it even better. She’s one of those friends who is always up for an adventure, but equally terrified of high cliffs (which, on this route, made for quite a lot of nervous laughter!). We found ourselves laughing our way along the trail, sometimes around the trail to avoid the scary bits, sharing picnics overlooking the ocean, and never missing an opportunity to stop for a glass or two of beautiful Portuguese wine. We even managed a 6 mile kayak trip at the end of the hikes.
cocktails and sunsets…..
The people we met along the way were a huge part of what made the trip so special. The Portuguese are such warm, welcoming people, with a quiet pride in their landscape and traditions.
And then there was our final stop at the beautiful little river town of Odeciexe and the gorgeous little hotel @odeceixeverde.pt, which turned out to be the perfect place to finish the walk. A rooftop jacuzzi, free glasses of local wine, a pool and the most loveliest staff … it felt very well-earned after several days of sun, sand, swims, and serious cliffside mileage!
The whole experience was the perfect mix of laughter, friendship, wild scenery, and the joy of simply moving through a landscape with nothing but a backpack and a camera. It reminded me how travel recharges creativity, how seeing new colours, light, and people fills up the soul in ways few things can.
I came home with tired legs, salty hair, a full heart, and a memory card overflowing with images — but mostly, a reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover the things you love.