Top 5 Hiking Trails in Portugal
Portugal is often celebrated for its coastal cities, historic villages, and incredible food and wine. But beyond the well known sites, there’s another side of the country that’s best explored on foot.
Whether you're looking for a short coastal walk with ocean views, a multi-day challenging route, or a volcanic ridgeline to explore, Portugal has some remarkable hiking trails worth planning around. In this blog, we’ll cover some of the best hiking trails in Portugal.
1. Serra Devassa Trail, Azores
Few places in Europe, or the world for that matter, feel as wild as the Azores. The Azores is composed of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean off of mainland Portugal. To access the Azores from Portugal, you must take a flight from Lisbon or Porto as there are no active ferry routes. This volcanic archipelago is home to deep crater lakes, geothermal fields, dramatic coastlines, and lush hiking trails that are all well worth the travel to get there.
One of the most iconic hikes in the Azores is the Serra Devassa Trail on São Miguel Island.
This trail winds through rolling green hills, lakes, and provides many panoramic views. On clear days, you can even look down at the famous blue and green lakes of Sete Cidades.
What makes this trail so memorable is the contrast between rugged volcanic terrain and the greenery the Azores are known for. While the hike itself is relatively moderate, it’s still worth planning for a half or even full day on the trail so you can make the most of each view.
If you’re looking to combine hiking with cultural experiences, hot springs, whale watching, and incredible food, the Azores is one of our top recommendations. A version of this trail is featured on our Azores Island-Hopping Adventure, where we explore multiple islands throughout the archipelago through hiking, cultural experiences, and active exploration.
2. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Algarve
Algarve is all about sunny beaches and steep sea cliffs. It’s a place that offers some of the most dramatic views in Portugal, and experiencing this area through hiking is a very thoughtful way to take in the scenery. The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one that is well worth a trip to Algarve for.
Sitting along the coastline between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, this trail offers some spectacular coastal scenery. You look out and see limestone cliffs rising above turquoise water while hidden coves, sea arches, and golden beaches appear just when you think you’ve seen it all.
If you can visit during spring and fall, you’re rewarded with a particularly nice time to hike here when temperatures are milder or wildflowers begin to bloom. The hike itself is relatively accessible and can be completed as a day hike, and it is considered to be one of Portugal’s most popular trails. Despite its popularity, you can still find moments of quiet, particularly in the early morning or during the shoulder seasons. Along the route, you pass viewpoints that overlook the Benagil sea caves and the rugged coastline that southern Portugal is so well known for.
3. The Fishermen’s Trail, Rota Vicentina
If you’re looking for a longer-distance coastal hiking experience, the Fishermen’s Trail along Portugal’s southwestern coast is hard to beat. This trek is around 140 miles (226km) and is typically completed as a 4-13 day journey. The terrain can be challenging at times due to deep sand and constant elevation changes, but the rewards are found with every epic campsite and view.
This trail follows old fishing paths along cliffs and remote beaches between Porto Covo and Lagos, and is widely considered one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in Europe. There are coastal regions in Portugal that feel quite developed, but this stretch remains wild. The trail passes through protected parks, fishing villages, and rugged cliffs where storks famously nest on the rocks.
If you are someone who enjoys immersive, point-to-point hikes, this trail offers a chance to experience Portugal in a slow and connected way. It’s less about rushing toward a destination and more about experiencing the rhythm of coastal Portugal.
4. Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Madeira
Though technically Madeira is an autonomous Portuguese island rather than mainland Portugal, it deserves a spot on this list for its amazing hiking opportunities. Known as the “Island of Eternal Spring,” Madeira is famous for its lush landscapes and network of levadas (historic irrigation channels that now double as scenic walking paths throughout the island).
One of the most iconic hikes is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. This trail takes you deep into the ancient laurel forests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The path follows narrow levada channels through tunnels and across valleys that you can’t find anywhere else. Eventually, the trail arrives at Caldeirão Verde, a waterfall that flows into a green basin surrounded by steep volcanic walls.
The scenery and experience you’ll find on this trail feels quite different from mainland Portugal. Madeira’s landscapes are steeper, greener, more tropical, and shaped by the volcanic forces and constant Atlantic moisture. Because the island juts out sharply from the sea, lots of the hikes here involve a large elevation change, but this also means you’ll experience some dramatic viewpoints overlooking the coastline far below.
5. The Camino Portugués
Not all of Portugal’s best hiking trails are solely about the gorgeous scenery. Some are equally meaningful because of the history, culture, and human connection they offer along the way.
The Camino Portugués, or Portuguese Way, is one of those trails. This historic routes leads to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. You can start in either Lisbon or Porto, and the route winds through small towns, vineyards, forests, and centuries-old stone villages before eventually crossing into Spain. The route from Porto is particularly popular, offering a mix of coastal and inland scenery with reasonable distances between towns. Along the way, hikers pass Roman bridges, historic churches, vineyards, eucalyptus forests, and even some traditional Portuguese cafés.
The Camino Portugués isn’t as much about physical challenge as it is about immersing yourself in the experiences found along the way. For many travelers, the Camino becomes far more than a hike. It becomes a period of reflection, connection, and simplicity that stays with them long after the trail ends.
Time to Explore Some of Portugal’s Hiking Trails
Portugal’s hiking trails offer locals and travelers a side of the country many people never have a chance to experience. The variety of trails is one of our favorite things about hiking in Portugal, you can take a short walk through the Azores and be rewarded with a sweeping island view or you can set off on a multi-day backpacking expedition to explore inland Portugal, however you would like to hike, Portugal likely has it. What ties all of these hiking trails together is the opportunity to slow down and connect more deeply with the places you pass through. Happy hiking!
