To put it plainly, we hail from coastal California (which we realized over the span of our Algarve road excursion remarkably resembles the Algarve in terms of scenery, flora, and fauna) and we still thought this hike was spectacular.
If you lack familiarity with sweeping coastal panoramas, waters of blue-green hue that perfectly contrast with the golden sand of countless beautiful beaches, and unique sinkholes that form deep caverns accessible solely by boat, then we can solely envision the sheer delight you’re going to experience as you hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
The views seen along the route are akin to a fusion of Big Sur and Point Reyes, two locales in California (Alysha`s home state) held in high regard.
We`ve traversed numerous landscapes all across the globe, and this excursion ranks among the top ten treks we`ve ever embarked upon (perhaps we ought to dedicate time to systematically organizing such experiences we`ve previously enjoyed). Should you find yourself exploring the Algarve region in search of a journey to undertake, this route would be our primary recommendation.
The Seven Hanging Valleys hike is one of the most popular routes in the Algarve region, and likely ranks among the top experiences for walking in Portugal overall. With preparation, you can avoid crowds (and heat) to fully appreciate the stunning coastal scenery.
Below we will provide the necessary information and a trail description so you feel confident and safe, while understanding what to anticipate.
Also included are alternative route selections should a one way journey not be preferred, alongside other practical information aimed to benefit your planning.
Sound good? Let’s get into it!
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Table of Contents
Seven Hanging Valleys: Hike Details
First, an overview of the full return hike.
- Length: 7 miles / 11.4 km
- Ascent Gain: 1,200 ft. / 365 meters
- Period: All year round (more details on this below)
- Trail Format: Out and Back (we have ideas on alternate routes below)
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Starting point for the trail: Either the Praia da Marinha beach or the Praia do Vale de Centeanes beach
- Dog Friendly: Yes!
Which Route Should You Take??
This hike is a point-to-point hike along Portugal’s gorgeous southern coast. In other words, it’s either a shorter one-way hike (if transportation can be found to / from the trailheads), or a longer out-and-back hike.
You have several options, depending on how much walking you’re willing to do, how much time you have available, and what sights interest you most. In the detailed trail guide below, we break down the hike into four distinct sections.
Generally speaking, we feel that the best part of the hike is along the eastern end of the trail, between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Carvalho. If you have limited time and/or stamina, focus on that portion.
The three route options we see it are detailed below. You can of course turn around at any point you feel like. But if we were undertaking it, these are the three ways we would do it.
- Option 1: The Full Route, Round Trip – 7 miles / 1,200 feet of elevation gain (11.4 km / 365 m). Hike the entire path out-and-back from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, and then back the same way you came.
- Option 2: Completing the Entire Route in One Direction – 3.5 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (6 km / 180 m). For this choice, hike the full trail but only travel in one direction. Transportation must then be arranged via taxi, rideshare, or other means to return your vehicle parked at the first trailhead (or find an alternative to driving).
- Option 3: Partial Hike Out and Back – 3.3 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (5.6 km / 180 m). Hike the section between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Carvalho, which we feel showcases the trail`s best attractions. You can continue on to the picturesque Farol de Alfanzina lighthouse for an extra 2 miles (3.2 km) roundtrip.
Which Direction Should You Hike?
As we feel the eastern leg holds the best of what the trail offers, we recommend starting your hike from Praia da Marinha traveling west along the coastline.
An added benefit of adopting this approach is that, if you start in the morning, you’ll never be hiking directly facing the sun. On the way out, the sun will be behind you. On the return journey, the sun will be higher in the sky, so it won’t be as bothersome.
The parking area at Praia da Marinha also happens to be significantly more expansive, which is another reason to start from there.
Getting To and From the Trailheads
If you have a car, drive. The end.
Public transportation to and from the trailheads isn`t exceptionally reliable (nobody could furnish me a bus we could take to arrive), so an Uber or taxi may be your sole option if you lack a rental vehicle.
If you decide to do the one-way hike, the best way to get back to your car is also Uber / taxi. You should be able to find one near the beach at the end of the hike, especially if you walk back up the hill towards the town.
When referring to “Uber,” I mean any app that can be utilized for requesting ride-sharing or taxi services as preferred. You could also try FreeNow, which based on our findings tends to be more dependable in most European cities.
The Best Time to Hike the the Seven Hanging Valleys
The first thing you should be aware of concerning this trail is the total lack of shade throughout.
It’s very exposed, meaning on a hot summer day, it will be uncomfortable around midday. If you’re hiking between June and August, roughly, get an early start such as 8:00 am or earlier if possible.
It is also the busiest time of the year, so planning to arrive at the parking lot early is recommended to secure a space.
Spring and fall provide pleasant rather than sweltering temperatures. Still, starting early benefits dodging midday heat while carrying adequate water, sun protection, and head/eye covering. Crowds remain problematic during these seasons, so beginning in the morning secures prime parking.
We completed this hike on December 1st, and it was absolutely charming. It’s much more manageable in the winter, with its mild temperatures, but there’s a chance of some rain.
The whole “leave early” thing isn’t as big of an issue in the winter since it doesn’t get nearly as hot, but we were surprised to find a completely full parking lot when we returned to our car around 1:00 pm.
Things to Know Before You Hike
Here are a couple reminders about this hike before delving into the detailed trail description.
It will certainly be warm. Particularly in summer, but also in spring and fall to a lesser degree. Be sure to bring plenty of water – preferably in a reusable bottle – and sun protection. A hat that shades the sun and eyewear to block rays are also basically essential items, mainly in summer months.
There are limited places to eat and drink along the trail, especially in the off-season (though there are a few places near Benagil Beach). Pack lunch and snacks for the journey. And plenty of water.
While passing Benagil Beach, you are unable to directly access the Benagil Caves from the trail, or many of the beaches along the way. You would need to rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard from the beach to do that, or join a guided excursion that takes you there.
Please do not leave human waste or toilet paper along the trail. If you carried it in, you can carry it out.
Have an electronic map of the trail accessible. We lost the trail a couple of times – nothing serious, we simply realized we weren’t on the official route anymore and had to correct course – and we were pleased to have the Alltrails app open so that we could figure out where we were intended to be. Red and yellow trail markers are present along the way, but they can be easy to miss.
The elevation gain seems significant, but it mostly involves small up-and-down gradients, not huge climbs. Coming from the western United States coast where most hikes tend toward straight mountain ascents, this hike is a breeze in comparison though still somewhere between easy and moderate.
Hiking with sandals is not advised. Sneakers will suffice, though hiking shoes are even better for traction and support.
Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail: A Complete Trail Guide
Now, onto the description of the trail so you know exactly what to expect along the way. This description follows the trail from east to west, starting at Marinha Beach and ending at Praia do Vale de Centeanes.
To make it a little easier, we’re dividing it into four distinct segments. They are:
- Marinha Beach to Benagil Beach
- Benagil Beach to Praia do Carvalho
- Praia do Carvalho to the Alfanzina Lighthouse (Farol de Alfanzina)
- The trip from Alfanzina Lighthouse to Praia do Vale de Centeanes
For each section of the hike, we’ll provide you the approximate distance covered so that you can make an educated decision about how much of the walk to undertake.
If the direction is reversed, comprehending what is in store is facile by reversing this portrayal.
Marinha Beach to Benagil Beach
Distance Covered: 1.1 Miles / 1.8 km
The hike originates from the parking area at Marinha Beach, where breathtaking panoramas immediately capture your attention. Sheer limestone precipices appear to plunge straight into the ocean below, and the water is crystalline clear, giving it a brilliant azure-green hue when the sun is high overhead.
This is also the part of the hike where you’ll find the highest concentration of sinkholes, along with some beneficial signage in English explaining the geological process resulting in them.
Hiking along a trail cluttered with sinkholes can be unsettling, but you’ll quickly become distracted by the views.
As you head out along the bluffs, you’ll circle the point and turn inland, where you’re met with the first of many beautiful beaches you’ll see along the trail – Praia do Cão Raivoso.
We`re fairly certain boat access is necessary to reach this beach, but please comment if we`re mistaken on the access. Someone had clearly visited, writing “CHEERS!” in large letters across the sand.
Continue back out of the hanging valley and around another point where you’ll see your second beach – also inaccessible without a boat – and then make your way down to Benagil Beach.
This was a point where we became perplexed slightly. To arrive, follow the downhill trail and emerge onto the road immediately beside O Algar ( here on Google Maps), a restaurant. Take a left, and follow the road directly down to the beach.
Benagil Beach to Praia do Carvalho
Length Traveled: 0.5 Miles / 0.8 km
This portion of navigating the area required a brief period of exploration to comprehend fully.
Essentially, you need to ascend to the bluff on the opposite side of the beach, and there are two possible routes to do so. Initially, you can head up the road from the beach to the left, and take a left turn at Casa Lamy ( here on Google Maps), pass the restaurant, and follow the stone steps upwards along the hillside.
Secondly, you can head down to the shoreline and take the stairs or ramp located on the right side, which leads up to the same location, connecting with the trail (approximately here on Google Maps).
There`s a nice perspective back towards the beach atop that cliff, where we paused to take a few images before advancing.
From there, follow the trail away from the populated areas – NOT towards the housing developments. After a short walk, you’ll arrive at our favorite of the beautiful beaches along this route – Praia do Carvalho.
We stopped there during our return journey to enjoy a meal, and the setting was quite pleasant. To access the beach you descend a stairway located to the right of the trail which takes you through a cave that emerges directly onto the shoreline.
Praia do Carvalho to the Alfanzina Lighthouse (Farol de Alfanzina)
Distance Covered: 0.8 Miles / 1.3 km
One of the best perspectives of the entire hike is along this portion of the trail as you come around a bend and the lighthouse appears before you, with Cabo Carvoeiro protruding into the ocean.
The azure-green water flowing into a large sea cave in the foreground with the lighthouse towering in the background makes for a nice picture. We stopped and sat on the benches here and admired the view for a few minutes before continuing on.
The trail winds along the coastline, passing by another secluded beach only accessible by boat, before you have to tackle a steep ascent that can require careful footing. Proceed slowly, find stable places to step, and you’ll be fine.
Your reward at the top is… well, a lighthouse. However, when we were there, public access was restricted as the entrance was closed off and fully enclosed.
The perspectives back along the trail that we described above are much better than the view from up close, in our opinion anyway.
You are able to conduct a tour of the lighthouse during the summer months, which would provide a nice respite from the sun, but we visited during the winter and it was closed.
Alfanzina Lighthouse to Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Distance Covered: 1.1 Miles / 1.8 km
This section of the trail closest to the coast lacked excitement for us personally. It continues alongside the shoreline, but travelers walk in a narrow zone between the residential complexes on one side and the body of water on the other. The housing developments diminish the atmosphere to some degree.
There is a wonderful perspective of the shore from the top of the cliffs before descending to the sand to either finish your hike or turn around and retrace your steps.
Planning a visit to Portugal?
Here are our other Portugal travel guides to help plan an incredible trip (even if gluten must be avoided!).
If there isn’t a connection noted below, it signifies we’re still working diligently on compiling it – thorough, in-depth guides require time and care. However, rest assured we are dedicating effort to the task.
Portugal:
Lisbon
- 25 Remarkable Activities to Do in Lisbon: A Complete Guide
- 3 Days in Lisbon: Planning the Perfect Itinerary for Lisbon
- Experiencing Lisbon in One Day: The Top Sites in 24 Hours
- Places to Remain in Lisbon: Our Guide to 4 Amazing Locations to Remain
- Gluten Free Lisbon: A Complete Guide to Lisbon’s Best Gluten Free Eateries
- Outstanding Coffee Establishments in Lisbon: 9 Remarkable Lisbon Coffee Houses to Add to Your List
Porto:
- Spending a Day Exploring Porto.
- Where to Reside in Porto, Portugal: The 3 Best Places to Reside
Gluten Free Options in Seattle, Washington
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The Algarve:
