Seven Hanging Valleys Trail: Hiking in Portugal’s Algarve

The Seven Hanging Valleys Path is a lovely simple hike alongside the coast of the Algarve in Portugal. It’s about 6 kilometres lengthy from level to level (12 km return) and alongside the best way you may get pleasure from lovely ocean views, cool cliffs and rock options and refreshing ocean dips.

The path begins both at Praia da Marinha Seaside or Praia de Vale Centianes Seaside relying on which means you select to do it. I began at Praia da Marinha and walked the 12km out and again since I did it as a solo stroll and Praia da Marinha was nearer to our Airbnb.

Under, I’ve included every little thing you might want to find out about mountain climbing the Algarve Seven Hanging Valleys Path together with find out how to get to the trailhead, what to anticipate and what to pack.

This path is without doubt one of the hottest walks within the Algarve however with this information, you’ll get extra data on find out how to keep away from the crowds and have an pleasing journey.

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Methods to get to the Seven Hanging Valleys Path?

For those who’re planning a visit to the Algarve and need to head out and discover a number of the close by cities and villages corresponding to Carvoeiro or Lagos and Sagres and the seashores in between out of your lodging I extremely suggest renting a automobile.

Whereas there are buses and a few practice stations within the Algarve, it’s arduous to get between a number of the smaller areas and one of the best seashores with no automobile. It additionally means you may’t begin as early or as late as you may need to because you’re reliant on bus schedules.

I exploit comparability websites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to e-book my automobile leases because it’s simple to examine costs and evaluate one of the best offers!

An alternative choice to achieve the trailhead is through the use of a hop-on-hop-off bus. There’s a round route known as Rota das Falesias (the cliffs route) that connects Portimão, Carvoeiro, and Marinha Seaside. The buses function every day from 9 am to six pm, and you should buy tickets on this Seven Hanging Valleys path bus.

Uber additionally works properly within the Algarve area. For those who favor to not lease a automobile and desire a handy technique of transportation, particularly for shorter distances with out ready for buses or trains, Uber is usually a good choice.

You can also take a guided hike of the trail with transport, a guide and food tastings!

The place does the 7 Valleys path begin?

You can begin the Seven Hanging Valleys Path both on the well-known Marinha Seaside or from Praia do Vale de Centeanes mountain climbing path in Carvoeiro.

I like to recommend beginning your hike at Praia da Marinha since there may be fairly a big free automobile park at Praia da Marinha.

Nevertheless, it’s best to keep in mind this will get fairly full by 10 am and even perhaps earlier in the summertime. Secondly, by mountain climbing within the route of Praia de Vale Centianes first, you gained’t have the solar shining straight in your face if you return to Praia da Marinha within the late afternoon.

I selected to begin from Marinha Seaside, which is positioned about 7 kilometres from Lagoa. which is barely inland and it’s additionally not removed from Porches or Carvoeiro.

On the Seven Hanging Valleys path car parking zone, there are some market stalls and stands arrange by locals promoting contemporary fruit juice and souvenirs. The juice particularly makes a pleasant refreshing drink to finish your hike!

Marinha Seaside has been acknowledged as one of many high 10 seashores in Europe and one of many 100 most lovely seashores on the earth by the Michelin Information.

The path doesn’t lead on to the seashore. From the lookout level on the Marinha Seaside Parking, you’ll see the seashore on the left-hand facet, down the steps, whereas the trailhead is on the proper.

The place does the path end?

For many, the Seven Hanging Valleys Path ends at Praia do Vale de Centianes in Carvoeiro.

This seashore is positioned roughly 2 kilometres away from the city centre and Carvoeiro Seaside the place you’ll discover the boardwalk and the Algar Seco Caves.

What to know earlier than the Seven Hanging Valleys path hike

Although the climate in Portugal’s Algarve area is mostly sunny and dry all 12 months spherical it’s best to nonetheless examine the climate simply in case. It’s vital to begin this hike early, or afterward within the day to keep away from the more serious of the warmth, pack a hat, and plenty of sun cream and drink a number of water to maintain you hydrated.

• At all times apply depart no hint ethics and pack out something you are taking with you.
• Persist with pre-existing trails to keep away from eroding the panorama
• The cliffs listed here are fragile and don’t go too near the sting of them.
• Don’t climb over fences and gates simply to get ‘the photograph
• This path will get. busy, begin early to keep away from crowds.
• Inform somebody the place you’re going and if you count on to be again.
• Be sure you stroll along with your 10 necessities.
• DO NOT put on sandals on this hike. There are tough, rocky sections and it’s dusty and sandy many of the means. Path trainers are an awesome choice for this hike. I put on Saucony Peregrines.

Whilst you stroll via Benagil Seaside and stroll alongside the highest of Benagil Caves, it’s best to know you can’t entry the caves on this hike. To go to the caves you might want to lease a kayak, or paddleboard or take this cool bodyboarding journey to Benagil Caves from Benagil Seaside itself.

Although the path is generally simple to observe (you’re going alongside the coast), there are. a number of sections the place it’s not 100% clear. For that purpose, I like to recommend having the path map on AllTrails+ downloaded.

AllTrails is my go-to mountain climbing app for locating, planning and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+, you might be assured you’re nonetheless heading in the right direction, even with out cell sign

When is one of the best time to hike the Algarve 7 Hanging Valleys Path?

The perfect time to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Path is throughout spring or autumn when the temperatures are a bit cooler and there are typically fewer crowds.

You may as well hike over winter although it’s possible you’ll discover you get rained on and there is likely to be extra clouds which obscures the turquoise colors of the water considerably.

I hiked this path in late April and temperatures had been round 30ºC by noon. Beginning round 7 am and ending earlier than 10 am I used to be capable of keep away from the warmth and the sturdy solar and had an pleasing hike with none crowds too.

Mountain climbing the 7 Hanging Valleys Path in Portugal

Stats for the Sete Vales Suspensos

• Distance: 12 km (out and again, 6 km a technique)
• Elevation achieve: 333 m
• Period: 2.5-5 hours
• Seven Hanging Valleys path issue: Straightforward-moderate. Straightforward in the event you’re pretty match. There are some steeper staircases and areas of uneven terrain
• Seven Hanging Valleys trail map

Seven Hanging Valleys Path Route: Marinha Seaside – Benagil Seaside

Ranging from Marinha Seaside, the primary part might be thought of to finish at Benagil Seaside which is the following spot you’ll attain homes and a village,

I discovered this part of the path to be the busiest. Even after I began round 7 am there have been a number of folks about getting drone photographs of the views and by the point I completed round 9.30 am the automobile park was just about full and there have been lots of people heading off on the hike.

Benagil too can also be very busy through the day given it’s the primary place to begin for kayaking excursions to Benagil Cave.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t;t suggest skipping this part simply to keep away from the crowds. It’s undoubtedly the prettiest a part of the route, particularly inside a 10-minute stroll from the automobile park the place you may look down onto the beautiful rock formations of Marinha Seaside.

I really got here again right here a number of evenings later with my husband who hadn’t accomplished the hike to benefit from the views with him.

To start out the path, head west (proper if going through the ocean) from the car parking zone at Praia da Marinha. For those who want to go to Marinha Seaside first, take the steps down in your left.

As you progress alongside the Seven Hanging Valleys Path, you’ll come throughout quite a few breathtaking lookout factors the place you may admire limestone stacks and pure arches round Marinha Seaside.

It takes roughly half-hour to 1 hour from the path’s place to begin to achieve Benagil Seaside.

Alongside the best way, you’ll stroll previous a number of seashores which might solely be accessed from the ocean in addition to a number of sinkhole areas and components which can be blocked off by fences, together with the opening to the Benagil Cave.

Respect the fences and don’t climb over them, they’re there to your security and the limestone rocks and cliffs are fragile!

The path will spit you out onto a street on a hill that goes all the way down to Benagil Seaside. Stroll down the hill on the paved street till you get to the seashore after which search for the staircases to the proper of the seashore as you’re trying on the sea.

Go up the staircase till they flip to the proper and in the event you look left you’ll see a path marker pointing you into a piece of timber and onto the path.

For those who’re thirsty or hungry at this level you may get a snack from the seashore cafes at Benagil. Alternatively, I like to recommend reserving lunch at O Pescador restaurant in Benagil which does scrumptious meals! We went there for dinner one night and also you additionally get nice views of the sundown from their terrace.

Benagil Seaside – Praia do Carvalho

Benagil Seaside is famend for its magnificence, however it’s notably in style due to its shut proximity to the well-known Benagil Cave (Algar de Benagil).

When you’re again on the path alongside the cliffs, you’ll quickly come to Praia do Carvalho the most effective seashores close to Carvoeiro and one of many coolest since it’s a must to undergo a tunnel to get onto the seashore itself!

The Seven Hanging Valleys stroll will get just a little quieter from this level onwards normally.

Praia do Carvalho – Praia do Vale de Centianes

The coastal path continues past Carvalho Seaside, up a reasonably lengthy staircase and continues alongside the cliff to Alfanzina Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is fenced off so that you’ll stroll round it on the non-cliff facet. It’s really open through the summer season on sure days and is a cool place to go to in the event you occur to be strolling this path when it’s open.

The path meanders alongside the shoreline, passing by one other secluded seashore accessible solely by boat.

After the lighthouse, you’ll embark on the ultimate stretch in direction of Praia de Vale Centianes.

There are some narrower sections of path right here and then you definately’ll finally go down an extended staircase that takes you to Praia do Vale de Centianes, the ultimate seashore of this hike.

There’s a restaurant on the seashore right here the place you may get some meals to finish your hike or as a half means level earlier than heading again.

The seashore can also be price strolling all the way down to, it’s a lot greater than it seems as you descend the steps!

From right here, in the event you’re doing the return journey, merely retrace your steps again to Praia do Marinha. Alternatively, you may e-book an Uber to move again to your lodging, or, in the event you got here with two automobiles, simply drive again!

Take a guided hike of the trail with transport, a guide and food tastings!

What to pack for the 7 Valleys Path

For the Seven Hanging Valleys Path in Portugal, it’s best to try my information to what to put on mountain climbing in sizzling climate because it’ll almost definitely be sizzling and dry throughout your hike.

You may as well check out every little thing I pack for a day hike and the 10 issues it’s best to take with you on each stroll and hike.

I even have a information on what to put on for summer season mountain climbing journeys which may very well be helpful for this.

Some necessities for this hike embody:

• Water: I wish to have a Nalgene bottle and generally a water bladder too
• Suncream
• SPF lip balm
• A hat
• Sun shades
• Swimwear to sit back off within the ocean!
• Some good mountain climbing footwear. I used my path runners there may be rocky terrain and slippery/dusty sections

FAQs about this hike in Portugal

Ultimate ideas on the Seven Hanging Valleys Mountain climbing Path

The Seven Hanging Valleys Path Portugal is without doubt one of the finest issues to do within the Algarve. This comparatively simple 12 km return journey hike has some lovely viewpoints and coastal surroundings that shouldn’t be missed.

Whether or not you select to embark on the complete Hanging Valleys Path within the Algarve, or discover sure sections, the path rewards you with beautiful views at each flip.

From the dramatic drops to the mesmerizing pinnacles and the turquoise waters crashing towards the cliffs, the 7 Valleys Path Portugal showcases the wonders of the Algarve Portugal shoreline.

Need extra? Try my Portugal journey guides!