The Seven Placing Valleys Path (Sete Vales Suspensos) is a gorgeous coastal hike situated within the Algarve area of southern Portugal. This half-day hike is without doubt one of the most sensible issues to do within the Algarve, with gorgeous seashores, herbal arches, limestone cliffs, and perspectives of the placing Atlantic coast. Regardless of the place you’re staying within the Algarve area of Portugal, make sure you hike the Seven Placing Valleys Path for a once-in-a-lifetime enjoy.
Seven Placing Valleys Path – The Main points
The Seven Placing Valleys path runs between the seashores of Vale Centeanes and Praia da Marinha. You’ll get started from both finish, however maximum hikers start at Praia da Marinha, referred to as one of the vital gorgeous seashores in Europe.
Hugging the Atlantic Ocean with prime viewpoints, seaside get admission to, or even puts to revel in meals and wine, the commute begins with beautiful perspectives of Acro Herbal, or as our information preferred to name it, Elephant Rock and Praia da Marinha Seashore. It’s a fairly difficult hike, so make sure you put on excellent mountain climbing footwear and elevate water.
- Location: Algarve, Portugal
- Duration: 5.7 kilometers (a method)
- Issue: Average
- Length: 3-4 hours (a method)
- Very best Time to Talk over with: Spring (March to Might) and Autumn (September to November)
Getting There
By means of Automotive: From Faro, it’s a couple of 45-minute pressure to Praia da Marinha. There’s parking to be had close to the trailhead. Parking fills up temporarily, and it’s tough to discover a spot. Overflow parking so much are filled with potholes and dust roads, so watch out when you’ve got rented a automobile. We just about bottomed out, seeking to get out of the car parking zone.
If you happen to pressure, you’ll have to hike again, so make sure you issue that into your time.
Public Delivery: Buses run from primary cities within the Algarve to Carvoeiro. From there, you’ll rent a taxi, Uber, or Tuk Tuk.
From Carvoeiro, you’ll take a taxi to the trailhead or hike at once from the seaside. The path connects to Carvoeiro; it is going to simply upload a little bit extra time
We stayed on the Tivoli Carvoiero Lodge in Carvoiero, which introduced loose shuttles to the beginning of the Seven Placing Valleys Path, and lets hike all the as far back as the resort.
What to Be expecting at the Seven Placing Valleys Hike
All through the Seven Placing Valleys path hike, you’ll be expecting to look one of the most lovely landscapes on earth. A couple of years in the past, we hiked the Nice Ocean Highway in Australia and idea there may well be not more gorgeous position on earth. Then again, the Seven Placing Valleys has a an identical panorama, compacted into one small space, making it one bizarre view after every other. You’ll see prime sea cliffs, hidden caves, and panoramic ocean perspectives; this path gives an unforgettable enjoy for everybody.
If you happen to don’t need to hike all the 5.7 km, there are parking so much dotted all through the hike, so you’ll pass out and spot a portion of the path and its perspectives. So, even though you aren’t up for a hike, a minimum of make it to at least one or two of the lookout issues.
It’s an up-and-down climb (it’s referred to as the Seven Placing Valleys Path, in the end), so you’ll be mountain climbing as much as plateaus overlooking the Atlantic Ocean after which mountain climbing down into villages and seashores. It’s now not overly tough, however when you’ve got mobility problems, this is a drawback, and the bottom is asymmetric.
From the car parking zone of Praia da Marinha, it’s even so that you don’t need to climb as much as get started the commute. If you wish to pass to the seaside, there may be one get admission to level and you’ll have to scramble down. So simply keep in mind, you’ll have to come again up.
Which Path Must You Hike?
Essentially the most picturesque a part of the Seven Placing Valleys Path starts at Praia da Marina, so we advise beginning right here. Plus, if you’re taking all day, you’ll lead to Carvoiero to revel in dinner, beverages or buying groceries.
Remember to get started early within the morning when it’s cooler and no more crowds.
Issues to See at the Seven Placing Valleys Hike
Right here’s a complete information that will help you benefit from your journey.
1. Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is the start line for many hikers, and it is without doubt one of the maximum crowded puts. A large number of other people hike out only a quick distance to view Elephant Rock and considered one of Portugal’s most lovely seashores from the path prior to heading again. If you happen to proceed to stroll you’ll in finding that the crowds skinny out.
Ensure that to make the effort to hike out to the quite a lot of viewpoints. There’s seaside get admission to, and you’ll pass right down to chill out at the golden sands, revel in other perspectives of the seaside’s iconic double arch, and discover sea caves.
2. Clifftop Perspectives
As you ascend from Praia da Marinha, you’ll be greeted with extra placing perspectives of the Atlantic Ocean. Trails lead out to a prime plateau, providing quite a lot of perspectives of the ocean arches and suggestive beach.
3. Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave is without doubt one of the celebrity points of interest of the Algarve, and it’s imaginable to look it from the path via its skylight. Then again, there’s no get admission to to the interior, and there are ropes round it, so the view isn’t the most productive.
This can be a widespread prevent at the Seven Placing Valleys Path, and there’s a within reach car parking zone, so other people merely stroll out to look it.
If you happen to in point of fact need to see Benagil Cave, we advise reserving an arranged excursion via boat or kayak. The principles referring to the way to see it are continuously converting, and we now have lined them right here. Then again, no person is authorized to swim or step foot at the seaside within the cave, and handiest arranged excursions can take you. So make sure you guide with an authorized information.
4. Praia de Benagil
The following prevent is Praia de Benagil. It is a great spot to take a damage, grasp some lunch, and benefit from the seaside. You’ll have to stroll down a collection of stairs to the seaside and the city, however the path is well-marked with yellow and purple stripes on rocks and signposts. Those markers will information you alongside the course. We had no hassle discovering our manner.
The path is dotted with wildflowers and resilient shrubs. You will be taking a look down on the perspectives of the water continuously, however make sure you glance up each from time to time and stay an eye fixed out for seabirds hovering overhead. From time to time, you may even see dolphins within the waters beneath. We noticed them on our boat excursion only a quick distance offshore.
5. Farol de Alfanzina (Alfanzina Lighthouse)
The path from Benagil to Alfanzina Lighthouse winds alongside cliffs which can be a little bit extra rugged than the remainder of the path. From Benagil, its an uphill climb up a collection of stairs. As you method Alfanzina Lighthouse, you’ll come upon lush Mediterranean plants and the occasional sighting of seabirds.
The lighthouse itself is perched on a prime cliff and is a placing sight with its vintage white tower and purple roof.
This phase of the path is somewhat reasonable, with well-marked paths that from time to time transform rocky and asymmetric. Alongside the way in which, hikers can look forward to finding a lot of alternatives to pause and take within the vistas, together with the rock formation at Cabo Caroeir and the well-known Leixão do Ladrão.
6. Vale Centeanes Seashore
Vale Centeanes Seashore is the path’s endpoint and a very good position to chill out, hire an umbrella, or revel in a lager. This pretty seaside has a big sea cave, golden sand, and welcoming transparent waters. Towering limestone cliffs body the seaside, which gives a number of small caves and grottos to discover.
There’s a snack bar, and excursions can also be booked right here. Regardless of its herbal good looks and facilities, Vale Centeanes Seashore is frequently much less crowded than one of the extra well-known Algarve seashores. Most of the people don’t make it this a long way at the Seven Placing Valleys Path, so it’s a excellent position to chill out prior to transferring on or calling a taxi.
7. Tivoli Carvoiero and Vale Covo Seashore
In case you are staying on the Tivoli Carvoeiro like us, you’ll proceed to stroll to the resort from the seaside. You’ll in fact stroll the entire strategy to the city of Carvoiero from the Seven Placing Valleys Path.
Vale Covo Seashore is an bizarre prevent with a large sea cave to view. There are stairs right down to the seaside which is handiest obtainable at low tide.
Despite the fact that you don’t seem to be staying on the Tivoli Carvoiero, you’ll proceed to stroll in opposition to the city. We noticed numerous other people going in the course of the gates for get admission to.
8. Algar Seco
After every other up-and-down and back-up hike, you’ll come to the well-known rock formations of Algar Seco. That is identified for perspectives via its rock home windows. Essentially the most notable is Boneca Cave, which interprets to “Doll’s Cave.” This herbal formation has two window-like openings that body shocking perspectives of the sea. A brief walkway and steps lead guests into the cave, the place they are able to benefit from the picturesque vistas.
9. Boardwalks
The path can proceed all alongside the coast, however it is a excellent level to simply benefit from the boardwalks and perspectives till you get to the city of Carvoeiro. The boardwalk is available and a ravishing strategy to benefit from the coastal perspectives as you’re making your strategy to the general vacation spot.
10. Carvoeiro
The Seven Placing Valleys Path ended a couple of stops in the past, however it’s price mountain climbing directly to Carvoeiro. There are many eating choices, equivalent to sitting on a patio to revel in perspectives of the seaside, consuming some seafood, and sipping a cocktail.
Additionally it is more uncomplicated to rent an Uber or taxi from right here. Mountaineering a method fairly than out and again means that you can see a lot more of the Carvoeiro Coastal Stroll that continues after the Seven Placing Valleys Path. Plus, Carvoeiro has a seaside the place you’ll revel in a dip within the sea prior to heading again in your resort.
Pointers for Mountaineering the Seven Placing Valleys Path
Put on Correct Shoes: The path is rocky and asymmetric in puts. Robust mountain climbing boots or footwear with excellent grip are very important.
Keep Hydrated: There are not any amenities alongside the path, so deliver various water and a few snacks.
Solar Coverage: The Algarve solar can also be intense. Put on sunscreen, a hat, and shades.
Take a look at the Climate: Keep away from mountain climbing throughout excessive warmth or inclement climate. Keep away from the path throughout prime winds or rain, as it may be unhealthy Early mornings or overdue afternoons are best.
Recognize Nature: Keep on with marked paths to give protection to the delicate coastal surroundings and steer clear of tense natural world.
Protection First: Some portions of the path are with regards to cliff edges. Watch your doorstep and stay a protected distance from the threshold. Keep away from venturing too with regards to the cliff edges, as they are able to be volatile. We noticed numerous other people status dangerously with regards to the threshold.
Lodging
The place to Keep: The within reach cities of Carvoeiro and Lagoa be offering various lodging choices, starting from budget-friendly hostels to sumptuous motels. We stayed on the Tivoli Carvoeiro, which is in an excellent location. Learn extra about the place to stick within the Algarve at our put up: The place to Keep in Algarve: 5 Very best Spaces To Keep
The Seven Placing Valleys Path is a must-do for somebody visiting the Algarve. With its dramatic cliffs, hidden seashores, and shocking ocean perspectives, this path showcases the herbal great thing about Portugal’s southern coast. Whether or not you’re an skilled hiker or simply on the lookout for a scenic stroll, the Seven Placing Valleys Path guarantees an unforgettable enjoy.
So pack your digicam, lace up your mountain climbing boots, and get able to discover considered one of Portugal’s most lovely coastal trails!
