Along the coastline of Carvoeiro, in Lagoa Municipality, between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centeanes, you will find a breath-taking landscape, recently awarded the best trail destination in Europe, by European Best Destinations.
The trail is 6 kilometers long in a linear path. Although the travel guides tell you to start at Praia da Marinha, you can choose your starting point. Either way, the trail has been signposted the whole way, telling you where to go, as well as information on how the landscape was formed, about wildlife and botany.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is known for its steep limestone cliffs, narrow dirt paths, and unique views. Grab your hiking shoes, we are going on a journey!
However, you can start at your Ferragudo accommodation and walk along the coastline, on the cliffs, all the way to Praia do Vale de Centeanes. From there, you can start the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Start walking from your accomodation in Ferragudo. Follow the harbor in Farragudo and pass through the narrow passage behind the Marine Aid building at the end of the harbor.
Follow the beach. At low tide you can pass the castle Castelo de São João do Arade at the seaside. Otherwise walk the road around it. Walk Praia Grande towards the lighthouse. In the end of the beach you will find a path, partly hidden, up the hill in direction the lighthouse. From there the trail is easy to find and follow.
Expect at least 2 hours walking for this route, one way, depending on your fitness, speed and time to make photos and enjoy the views. You can return on the same path, or return on the road, or walk all the way to Carvoeiro and further to Praia da Marinha.
As your first walk, we recommend to follow this trail to Torre da Lapa. Then return at the same path to Praia dos Caneiros, and from there or from the lighthouse you walk back to Ferragudo on the road, indicated by blue dots on the map. Chose the north-eastern route around the campsite and you will pass nice and peaceful rural surroundings before you return to the center of Ferragudo and your accommodation. Expect 2 hours for this walk.
Start walking from the church in Carvoeiro at the Carvoeiro Boardwalk. It may be hard to find parking space in Carvoeiro, but surprisingly, the road by the boardwalk usually has available parking also in the mid summer season. From here you can walk the path to Praia do Carvalho. Walking to Praia do Carvalho and back to Carvoeiro takes about 2 hours. Remember to bring something to drink. At Algar Seco you may walk down the stairways to come very close to the caves and the sea.
Your Ferragudo accommodation is located 9 kilometers away from Praia do Vale de Centeanes. Unless you rent a car or a scooter, it is recommended you get a taxi, or Uber, to drive you to the nearest starting point.
These two trails will introduce you to places not included in the local trails, such as Ponta do Altar, Leixão da Gaivota, Torre da Lapa, Boneca, and Algar Seco.
The Trail of Headlands and the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail combined are roughly 15 kilometers, one way. If you follow this tip, be sure to pack water and snacks to eat along the hike. When the temp is hot, calculate 1 liter of water per hour per adult.
Also, you can start by the Boardwalk in Carvoeiro. Surprisingly, the road by the boardwalk usually has available parking also in the mid summer season. From here you can walk the path to Praia do Carvalho. Walking to Praia do Carvalho and back to Carvoeiro takes about 2 hours. Remember to bring something to drink.
So, you can decide to walk the two trails or do them separately. You can start in Ferragudo, in Carvoeiro, Praia de Vale Centeanes or walk the other direction from Praia da Marinha.
Whether you decide to walk the two trails or do them separately, you will find many viewpoints, some of them prepared with wooden seats and shades. Get some rest, sit for a moment, relax and, just enjoy the views!
Nevertheless, the best months to explore the Seven Hanging Valleys would be between March to May and later, in September to November. The mild temperatures, low rainfall, and the sea conditions are perfect during these months.
Although this is the Algarve, Winter can become stormy now and then. As such, being on the cliffs when it’s raining, with strong winds and big waves, might be dangerous so it is recommended you avoid walking in stormy weather.
On the other hand, the summer months might be too warm for a hike with little shade. If you prefer warmer weather, choose the earlier hours of the day for this hike.
Regardless of the season, good quality, well-soled hiking shoes are the most important. Along the trail, you will notice loose rocks, dirt path, and cliffs, and if you are not wearing proper shoes, you might get injured. As such, it is recommended that you avoid flip-flops, open sandals, running shoes, or any other shoe that doesn’t have adequate grip.
During Spring and Autumn, it is recommended you wear light clothes, such as t-shirts, shorts or trousers. If you prefer the winter months, a light jacket or a windbreaker jacket might be good options.
Although the path is very well signposted, occasionally, you might miss a marking because you were enjoying the view.
The yellow and red markings can be spotted on rocks, trees, or any other man-made piece to show you are on the right path and where to turn. In case you are not sure, look for the code PR-1-LGA. This is the specific code for the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Over the years, layer upon layer of limestone, sandstone, and clay formed the yellow-layered cliffs you will be walking on. The wind, sea, and small streams created canyons and needle-shaped rocks.
Did you know that the name “Seven Hanging Valleys” refers to the seven valleys formed by the streams that used to flow into the sea? Due to the climate, most of the streams are dry all year round.
Along the trail, you will find the cliffs filled with shrubs of juniper, kermes oak, and the Aleppo pine, very common in the Mediterranean countries.
Among the local birds, you can find common blackbirds, little owls, the great tit, and the yellow-legged hull. Since most of these are mainly active during the night, it will be harder to spot them.
During the day, you might see rabbits, foxes, and Egyptian mongooses.
The Alfanzina Lighthouse was built in 1920, to guide the ships along the coastline and avoid shipwrecks. The lighthouse keeper’s job was to guarantee proper maintenance and keep the light produced by the oil vapor alive. Thirty years later, the lighthouse was electrified and a house for the lighthouse keeper’s family was built. Should you like to see the lighthouse from within, every Wednesday the building is open to the public, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The Praia de Vale Espinhaço has only 120 meters in length, which makes it one of the smallest in the region. Since it is only accessible by sea, most visitors arrive on small boats or kayaks. Furthermore, the cliffs make it hard and dangerous to climb all the way down.
Right beside Praia de Vale Espinhaço, you will find a promontory with a cove used by smugglers and pirates to hide merchandise. In Portuguese, it is called “Leixão do Ladrão”, meaning thief´s piglet. However, in English, it has a completely different name: “Eyes of the Devil”.
The Praia do Carvalho is very well-known for its fascinating history. Pirates and smugglers chose this beach due to its exclusive access by sea and because it was far away from the nearest village. They carved a path on the cliff by hand, providing access from land to the shore. Later, another path was carved onto the cliff’s side, especially for larger boats that could not dock at the beach. Still today, you can walk down to the beach using the same path the pirates built. Impressive, isn’t it?
Praia de Benagil is probably one of the most well-known beaches in the Algarve. Even if you have never been on vacation in the Algarve, it is most likely that you have already heard of it. The village’s tiny houses of white-washed walls and colourful windows stand out from the landscape with their typical Algarvian architecture. The Gruta de Benagil, however, is the reason this place receives visitors from all over the world. The dome-shaped cave with a hole at the top and a secluded beach provide one the most beautiful sights in the region. Since you are on a hike, you will only be able to see it from the top, where the hole is located. Due to safety, it is not recommended you climb down into the cave, nor try to swim there.
The Praia da Corredoura sits between Benagil cave and Praia da Marinha. This beach only has access by sea and is mostly visited by groups in boat tours for a short lunch stop. Its crystal-clear waters are often praised by swimmers who enjoy snorkelling.
The Praia do Cão Raivoso is one of the tiniest on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Since the sandbank is covered by a dome-shaped cliff, and due to being accessible only by boat, it is often overlooked by visitors. It is one of the least known on the Algarvian coastline.
And finally, the grand prize: Praia da Marinha! This beach has received multiple awards for one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by CNN, the Michelin Guide, and European Best Destinations. Once you reach the end of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail you will recognize that there aren’t enough awards to describe such a beauty. The natural arches are one of the most recognizable and photographed places in the Algarve.