The Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina

The Historic Means is a 6-day inland route of the Rota Vicentina. It’s one of many two long-distance routes of the Vicentina networks. The route takes hikers by non-touristy areas of the Alentejo area within the south of Portugal. The Historic Means might be walked as a separate route or mixed with the Fisherman’s Path.

The Historic Means route overview

Distance – 120 km/74 mi

The required time – 6 days

Place to begin – Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo

Ending level – Odeceixe, Algarve

Complete ascent (over 6 days) – 2505 m

Complete descent (over 6 days) – 2629 m

Strolling floor – gravel street, footpath

Route marking – white and purple markers

Common value – 30-40 Euro per particular person per day (together with transport, lodging, meals, and many others.)

Lodging – resorts, guesthouses

The Historic Means itinerary downloadable PDF

To make your planning simpler we’ve created a downloadable PDF file that comprises strolling levels and locations to remain on the Historic Means of the Rota Vicentina.

What’s the Historic Means in Portugal?

The Historic Means is a 6-day mountaineering route of the Rota Vicentina path community in Southern Portugal. It begins in Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, and finishes in Odeceixe, Algarve. The path goes by the forest and rural areas. It may be mixed with the Fishermen’s Path, a multi-day path alongside the coast.

Strolling the Historic Means vs the Fishermen’s Path

The Historic Means is a 100% inland route. The closest it will get to the ocean is Odeceixe, which is about 2 km from the seaside. The Fishermen’s Path follows the shoreline more often than not. We’ve walked each multi-day routes of the Rota Vicentina and like the surroundings on the Fishermen’s Path to the Historic Means.

Benefits of the Fishermen’s Path

To start with, as a result of we get pleasure from strolling alongside the coast.

The surroundings on the coastal route was extra spectacular than on the inland route.

There are extra locations to remain on the Fishermen’s Path together with campsites and hostels.

Benefits of the Historic Means

The route is much less crowded even within the peak summer time season there are only a few individuals on the path.

It is perhaps a very good choice to stroll if strolling near the sting of steep cliffs provides you vertigo.

The best way to mix the Historic Means with the coastal route?

Each routes are lovely all of it depends upon what surroundings you favor the coast or fields/forest. In order for you you may mix each routes.

Possibility 1. Begin strolling on the Historic Means from Santiago do Cacém to Odeceixe and from there proceed south following the Fishermen’s Path all the best way to Lagos or cease earlier. The route from Santiago do Cacém to Lagos is 274 km/170 mi. It takes 13 days to finish.

Possibility 2. Begin in Santiago do Cacém stroll to Odeceixe and from there proceed north on the Fishermen’s Path in the direction of Porto Covo. The full distance of this route is 196 km/121 mi. You want 10 days to finish it.

When is the very best time for mountaineering in Southern Portugal?

Spring months between mid-March to Could is the very best time for strolling the Historic Means of the Rota Vicentina. It’s our favourite time for mountaineering in Portugal. We’ve carried out a number of routes together with the Portuguese Camino within the spring. The climate is sweet, it’s heat and sunny however not as sizzling because it will get in the course of the summer time. There are usually not too many individuals. It doesn’t matter when you stroll solely the inland route however when you resolve to mix it with the coastal route it’s fairly essential. In June it begins getting sizzling and busy nevertheless it’s nonetheless a very good month for strolling.

The height summer time season July to mid-September is the most well liked time within the Alentejo area. It’s not the very best time for mountaineering particularly the inland route with out a contemporary sea breeze it will get even hotter right here than by the coast. These months are the height touristy season you must e-book lodging and plan your journey prematurely.

From mid-September to mid-November is an effective time for mountaineering. It’s nonetheless heat and normally sunny although in November you would possibly get some rain and there are usually not many vacationers.

Winter months December to February are superb for strolling you simply should be ready that it’d rain particularly in December. It will get fairly chilly, particularly within the mornings and at evening it’s higher to deliver hotter garments not only for mountaineering however for carrying indoors as homes in Portugal are usually not properly insulated typically it’s colder inside than exterior.

The price of strolling the Historic Means

Right here is the entire breakdown of our spending on the Historic Means, 6 days, 2 individuals. We didn’t camp or keep in hostels (there is just one campsite and one hostel on the route in Odeceixe) lodging was our essential expense. Half of the time we went out for lunch or dinner half of the time purchased meals in retailers and supermarkets. We weren’t on a really strict price range however tried not to spend so much.

Our price range breakdown

Lodging – 230 Euro

Consuming out – 82 Euro

Purchasing – 50 Euro

Espresso, beer, desserts – 18 Euro

Transport – 65 Euro; bus Lisbon – Santiago do Cacém, 14 Euro per particular person, bus Odeceixe – Lisbon, 18,5 Euro pp.

Complete: 445 Euro for two individuals in 6 days or 37 Euro per particular person per day.

The best way to get to the Historic Means of the Rota Vicentina?

Santiago do Cacém, the start line of the Historic Means might be reached by bus from Lisbon and lots of different cities and cities in Portugal. There are 7-8 every day buses from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus station to Santiago do Cacém. Buses depart all through the day. The journey takes 2 hours. The ticket prices 14€.

After ending the hike in Odeceixe you may get again to Lisbon by bus. There are 3-4 direct every day buses. The journey takes 3h30min. The ticket prices 18,5€. You may verify the up-to-date itinerary and purchase tickets on-line on the Rede Expressos web site.

Locations to remain in Santiago do Cacém

Lodging on the Historic Means

Each city on the route has a few resorts/guesthouses. The path goes by off-the-beaten-path areas of the Alentejo area in consequence there are fewer lodging choices than on the Fishermen’s Path (the coastal route). Some locations might be booked on-line some solely through e-mail or over the cellphone.

There is just one campsite and one hostel on the Historic Means each are in Odeceixe. In the event you’re planning to stroll this route it’s not value carrying a tent and tenting gear except you don’t thoughts wild tenting.

The Historic Means – a 6-day strolling itinerary

Day 1. Santiago de Cacém – Vale Seco, 18,5 km/11,4 mi

Distance – 18,5 km/11,5 mi

Time – 4h.

Ascent – 496 m

Descent – 434 m

Problem degree – 3 out of 5

Be aware! For at the present time we’d extremely suggest reserving lodging beforehand.

The path begins on the Parish Church (Igreja Matriz) of Santiago do Cacém on the high of the hill, subsequent to the fort, it’s about 500 m uphill from the data workplace. On the church, you’ll see the gap indicators and route markers – purple and white stripes which can be painted on small wood poles, timber, and rocks all alongside the route. From the church, the route goes all the way down to the valley and continues by the fields and hills with a number of ascents and descents within the first half of the stroll, after about 7 km the route turns into flatter and simpler.

Be certain to hold sufficient water with there will likely be no place alongside the best way to get extra water and with all of the ups and downs you get fairly thirsty.

Highlights

Spectacular fort and church of Santiago do Cacém crowning the highest of the hill – the start line of the route.

Peaceable pastoral surroundings on the second half of the route.

Challenges

A number of ascents and descents originally of the day.

No locations to cease for meals or water alongside the best way.

A few unfriendly canines although all of them had been chained or behind the fence in order that they couldn’t do any hurt to us.

Vale Seco

Lodge – sure

Hostel – no

Campsite – no

ATM – no

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – no

Seaside – no

This place was our essential concern we couldn’t discover a lot details about the world and only a few lodging choices. We went to the data workplace in Santiago do Cacém they phoned a few locations however all the things appeared totally booked. Fortunately we bought a cellphone variety of a visitor home from our good friend from Porto Covo.

Vale Seco just isn’t a city or village, it’s a few farms and a bar/store within the center. On the bar you may get espresso, sandwiches, snacks, beer, the bar store could be very small with restricted choices; bread, cheese, ham, drinks, some greens, and fruit. Carry money with you may’t draw cash right here or pay by card.

Casinhas da Aldeia visitor home

We had been fortunate to search out this place, our good friend Nicolau (the proprietor of Ahoy Hostel in Porto Covo) gave us contact particulars for this place, and we booked it over the cellphone. It’s 600 m away from the bar proper on the route, you gained’t miss it there are an enormous gate and a banner with the cellphone quantity.

We cherished this place, it’s a farm with a few small visitor homes, very tranquil and comfy. We bought a double room with a rest room, the room is spacious, clear, comfy and has all you want. The homeowners Fatima & Ludgero are very good individuals, tremendous pleasant and welcome. In the event you’re searching for a peaceable place to remain for a day or two this can be a good possibility. Cellphone +351-926-135-594, +351-962-284-363 Fatima.Krus@gmail.com

Amenities

Kitchen – sure, a small kitchenette with a microwave, kettle, fridge, cups, and plates

Scorching bathe – sure

Wi-fi – sure

Energy sockets within the room – sure

Washer – sure

Additional – towels, TV, swimming pool, bottled water

Day 2. Vale Seco – Cercal do Alentejo, 22 km/13,6 mi

Distance – 22 km/13,6 mi

Time – 4h30min.

Ascent – 374 m

Descent – 409 m

Problem degree – 3 out of 5

It was a quiet strolling day principally by the fields, the route was well-marked and simple to comply with. In reality, the day went so rapidly that we didn’t even discover it. We stopped twice to drink espresso at Vale de Éguas and to relaxation on the lake.

Highlights

Very peaceable surroundings; pasture fields with cows and sheep, patches of eucalyptus forest, and farms in between.

Albufeira de Campilhas – a pleasant and fairly massive lake on a pleasant day it’s a terrific spot to cease for relaxation.

Challenges

The stroll was fairly straightforward our essential problem for the day was the final little bit of strolling to Cercal do Alentejo – tons of of flies got here from nowhere and we walked within the fly cloud for about 1 km.

Stops on the route

At 8 km a tiny village Vale de Éguas with two eating places.

Cercal do Alentejo

Lodge – sure

Hostel – no

Campsite – no

ATM – sure

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – sure

Seaside – no

It’s fairly an enormous and never very touristy place, there are a number of lodging choices, many bars and eating places and a few retailers. There’s a self-service laundry as properly nevertheless it’s fairly costly, 4,5 Euro for laundry and 1,5 Euro for drying.

From Cercal do Alentejo you’ve got two route choices; go to Sao Luis (19 km) which implies persevering with inland on the Historic Means or go to the coast to Porto Covo (18 km) and stroll the Fishermen’s Path.

Locations to remain in Cercal

Day 3. Cercal do Alentejo – S.Luís, 19 km/12 mi

Distance – 19 km/12 mi

Time – 4h15min.

Ascent – 550 m

Descent – 542 m

Problem degree – 3 out of 5 it was most likely probably the most difficult days on the route because of the many ascents and descents and no shade to cover and nowhere to cease for meals or water.

The stroll was fairly good, the primary 8 km from Cercal weren’t too tiring, and the surroundings was lovely; lush inexperienced hills, and slightly little bit of forest. The second half was more difficult over the hills with many ascends and descends and beautiful views over the world.

Highlights

Nice views within the second a part of the stroll from the highest of the mountains you may see the ocean, valleys, small villages, and many others.

A viewpoint at 17 km (2 km earlier than Sao Luis), it’s about 1,5 km additional to stroll there and again and various up and down. The view is nice however not a lot completely different from what you see on the final 7 km so when you don’t really feel like strolling additional don’t fear about it.

Challenges

After the primary 8 km, the path goes up and down all the best way to Sao Luis

No place to cease for meals or water

S.Luís

Lodge – sure

Hostel – no

Campsite – no

ATM – sure

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – sure

Seaside – no

We arrived right here on Sunday and in consequence, retailers had been closed and we needed to eat in a neighborhood bar. One of the best place we may discover was Restaurante O Pinguim their omelets with French fries are fairly massive and filling. In contrast to somewhere else, no person right here may converse any English it was a bit difficult to elucidate what we would like in Spanish.

Locations to remain in S.Luis

Day 4. S.Luis – Odemira, 24 km/15 mi

Distance – 24 km/15 mi

Time – 5h.

Ascent – 379 m

Descent – 536 m

Problem degree – 3 out of 5

The entire day might be divided into two components; the primary half with typical for the route surroundings; fields and hills and the second half is thru the attractive lush forest. Once more very solitary stroll for the entire day we noticed one different hiker and never even a bicycle owner on the route. In Could once we walked the Rota the world was lined in flowers from far it seemed like a colourful carpet.

Highlights

Lovely forest walks within the second half of the day, after the primary 12 km; large timber, lush vegetation, small rivers, and lots of birds and butterflies round.

Challenges

No place to cease for meals or water for twenty-four km make certain to take at the least 1,5l of water per particular person

All day slight ascents and descents

Stops on the route

At about 14 km a picnic spot with a desk and two benches however no meals or water there.

Odemira

Lodge – sure

Hostel – sure

Campsite – no

ATM – sure

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – sure

Seaside – no

One other off-the-beaten-path city on the route I assume individuals who stroll the Historic Means are the one vacationers right here.

Locations to remain in Odemira

Day 5. Odemira – S.Teotónio, 19,5 km/12 mi

Distance – 19,5 km/12 mi

Time – 4h.

Ascent – 437 m

Descent – 288 m

Problem degree – 2 out of 5

The route from Odemira continues over the bridge and alongside the street for about 1 km after which turns into the fields providing some peaceable countryside surroundings; inexperienced hills and the Eucalyptus forest. The day went fairly rapidly for us we noticed three different hikers on the picnic spot and no person else in the entire day.

Highlights

A really quiet strolling day by the fields and forest with lovely surroundings

Challenges

A few steep however quick ascents

Stops on the route

At 13 km there’s a picnic spot you may get cool drinks, espresso, and a few snacks right here (it’s extra like a stall undecided if it’s at all times open).

S.Teotónio

Lodge – sure

Hostel – sure

Campsite – no

ATM – sure

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – sure

Seaside – no

Not likely a vacationer vacation spot extra of a neighborhood city with not a lot to see or to do. The central sq. in entrance of the church is a pleasant place to return for beer or espresso however we stayed about 700 m away from there so we went for espresso and lunch on the close by grocery store. There’s a restaurant inside the place you may get a set menu with salad, essential dish, drink, bread, and occasional for six,5 Euro, it’s a terrific worth for cash.

Locations to remain in São Teotónio

Day 6. S.Teotónio – Odeceixe, 17 km/10,5 mi

Distance – 17 km/10,5 mi

Time – 3h40min.

Ascent – 269 m

Descent – 420 m

Problem degree – 2 out of 5, a brief strolling day with a few quick ascents and descents on the best way

Immediately is the final day of strolling inland from tomorrow on there will likely be route choices that take hikers to the coast. At 3 km there’s a break up; each routes undergo the forest and fields to Odeceixe one is 15 km the opposite is 17 km. We took the 17 km route the day is fairly quick anyway we didn’t really feel like slicing 2 km from it nevertheless it’s completely as much as you I don’t suppose when you take a shorter route you’ll miss out on loads.

The stroll was very good and quiet the entire day we noticed solely a bunch of cyclists and one mountaineering couple strolling in the wrong way. From Odeceixe, you may proceed strolling to Cabo de S. Vicente and Lagos following the Fishermen’s Path itinerary of the Rota Vicentina.

Highlights

Inexperienced hills, pine forest, fields lined in wildflowers – very peaceable surroundings.

Challenges

A steep descent at 9 km

No place to cease for meals or water for about 15 km from S.Teotonio to S.Miguel.

Stops on the route

At 15 km S.Miguel – a small city with a few eating places, a grocery retailer, and a campsite

Odeceixe

Lodge – sure

Hostel – sure

Campsite – sure, 3 km earlier than the city on the route

ATM – sure

Restaurant – sure

Grocery store/store – sure

Pharmacy – sure

Seaside – sure, 3 km away

A picturesque city on the foot of the hill, surrounded by pasture fields, about 3 km away from the seaside. From Odeceixe, you’ll begin seeing extra individuals on the path. The Historic Means and the Fishermen’s Path be part of there.

In the event you’re planning to camp remember the fact that the closest campsite is about 3 km earlier than Odeceixe, in S. Miguel, don’t miss it.

If you wish to keep on the seaside you may stroll 3 km to Praia de Odeceixe simply remember the fact that lodging choices there are restricted and costlier and there’s no grocery store solely two or three eating places.

Locations to remain in Odeceixe

Questions or Feedback?

Bought any questions or feedback? We’d love to assist! All questions and feedback will likely be answered by us personally in Purchase Me a Espresso. Click on beneath and ask away.

Be happy to help our website by shopping for us a espresso!