Porto Covo » Vila Nova de Milfontes
This is the beaches section, where you will walk along the vast sand dunes area of Ilha do Pessegueiro, Aivados and Malhão beaches and discover small deserted coves that will surprise you. It is a tiring walking day though, given its extension and the constant sandy terrain.
The diversity of beaches you will find just on this section is absolutely fantastic! Beaches like Aivados with pebbles shaped by the constant rough and tumble of the waves. Beaches like Faquir or Farol where lace-like sandstone dunes seem to slide down into the ocean. Sandy beaches like Malhão gently and constantly changing. Beaches such as Milfontes (which means thousand fountains), with either rivers, small streams or tiny fresh water springs fed from the hilly interior through a network of underground channels. These beaches are interspersed by ancient, dark erosion-resistant rocks that make up the cliffs and tiny islands (locally called “palheirões”) that one comes across from time to time.
The sand dunes’ biodiversity and plant life is remarkable and reaches its peak between March and June, with a vast array of amazing colours, aromas and shapes. These plants are true masters of adaptation in this hostile environment and have to put up with poor quality soil, a dry season that can last over six months and a constant buffeting by the strong, salty winds, and you will see that the most obvious adaptation is their shape. Pines, rosemary and rockrose are bent nearly horizontal and thus better adapted to these harsh conditions. Some of these plant species are endemic to this coast and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Where to start
Porto Covo
From the market square (Largo do Mercado) head towards the fishing harbour.
Vila Nova de Milfontes
At the tourist office in the village (Rua António Mantas), going down Rua Custódio Brás Pacheco towards the river.
Datasheet
Degree of Difficulty: Hard
Extension: 20KM
Approximate duration: 8 h
Accumulated ascent: 200m
Accumulated descent: 180m
Maximum ALTITUDE: 50m
Minimum ALTITUDE: 0m
Recommended Season: September till June
Rules and Recommendations
THE CIRCULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES PUTS WALKERS AT RISK
AVOID DOING THE HISTORICAL WAY ON A MOTOR CYCLE OR IN A JEEP, LOOK INTO OTHER OPTIONS
DO NOT LIGHT FIRES
SEVERAL FARMS AND CATTLE HERDS ARE PROTECTED BY GUARD DOGS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION
BE CAUTIOUS WITH CATTLE. ALTHOUGH GENTLE, THEY DO NOT LIKE STRANGERS APPROACHING THEIR CALVES
THESE TRAILS PASS BY PRIVATE PROPERTY. RESPECT IT AND CLOSE GATES AND FENCES YOU WILL FIND ON THE WAY
THERE ARE VERY FEW SUPPORT SERVICES ALONG THE TRAILS. BRING WATER AND FOOD SUPPLIES WITH YOU.
IN SOME PARTS OF THE TRAILS YOU WILL HAVE TO CROSS PAVED ROADS. BE CAREFUL!
YOU WILL FIND SEVERAL LOCATIONS IDEAL FOR PICNICS. DO NOT, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAVE TRASH BEHIND
BE FRIENDLY WITH THE LOCALS, TELL THEM WHY YOU’RE THERE AND SHARE EXPERIENCES.
Tips
Refreshments along the way
At km 3.5, on the beach of Ilha do Pessegueiro.
At km 6.5, making a detour of 1.8 km to Ribeira da Azenha.
At km 16, at the fishing harbour of Canal.
Shorten this section
Finish this walk at Canal (fishing harbour) and get a taxi to Milfontes, saving the last 3 km.
You can combine this section with the circular Routes ‘Sissal Beach’ or ‘Mediterranean ponds’.
Warnings
Unmarked path
Between the beaches of Queimado and Malhão, the path is not fully signposted. Follow the broad sand track that skirts the extensive succession of dunes, of the beaches of Aivados, Galé and Malhão, following the instructions that you find on the signs. Alternatively, and only at low tide, you can walk along the beach.
A long and tiring section!
Covering 20 km and with a sandy path, this section is long and tiring, especially if you are going to start your journey through Porto Covo. Prepare yourself well and bring at least 1.5 L of water.
Pay attention to the signage as there are intersections with several Circular Routes.
Caretaker of this trail
António Moura – Casa Lamelas & SUSANA E CALHI - RETROMOVEMENT HOUSE
Shared Section
« It was in 1974 that I met Porto Covo, the birthplace of my wife's family, from the father to the paternal great-grandparents. It became my holidays destination in the family home that we recently renovated for Local Accommodation, Casa Lamelas. I'm a trail runner and diver, hobbies that led me to get to know all the walking trails around Porto Covo and also to enjoy the atlantic sea. Being the caretaker of a Rota Vicentina's trail is an opportunity to help the region's charms and leisure moments that are generally not available to everyone. » António, Godfather since 2020
« My name is Susana Cascalheira and I graduated in Food Engineering and joined the world of wines in 2003. During my professional career, I worked in several projects in the Alentejo region, where I met “Calhi”. I have decorated and managed together with Filipe accommodation initiatives, whilst we have been raising our family and building friendships with guests and students. Partner in all my husband’s initiatives, I have contributed to a family, warm and professional environment in all the projects we have developed together.
My name is Filipe Queimada, known as “Calhi”, surfing instructor since 1996, Technical Course of Agro-alimentary Industries at the Professional School of Paiã and Permaculture Design Course. My connection to Milfontes is old, there are family roots here and a long history of surfing these waters with friends. From a very early age, I was able to live the dream of surfing. Life offered me more than that. I built a farm where we live with our two children. Surfer, coach and fisherman, I am also committed to the environmental cause and pioneer in teaching surfing in Portugal. » Susana e Calhi, Caretakers since 2012
