Hiking the Fishermen’s Trail. Introduction
The Fishermen’s Trail is considered one of if not the most beautiful coastal trails. I had it bookmarked mentally and virtually for quite some time, and in November 2024, I finally set out to hike it. I did my due diligence in research and preparation and even brought my iPad, thinking I might be blogging in the evening. Which I did not. Which is why it is now 2026 and I am only now going through hundreds of photos, of coasts one more beautiful than the other, of fond memories of trails, people, and a country I fell in love with a long time ago. Whether you are a fellow hiker looking for inspiration, a fan of my writing or my life in general or just bored – enjoy these few chapters on me, myself and the Trilho des Pescadores.
Most of the data stems from the official Rota Vicentina website and I will be quoting it quite often for numbers, stats, and botanic vocabulary that exceeds my own. At the bottom of each post you can find links to sites I found to be helpful and as a reward for reading, a little gallery of the prettiest sights. And there were plenty.
226.5 km. 13 segments. In 2012, the Portuguese government and locals collaborated to make the region south of Lisboa, Alentejo and Vicentina, more appeasing for tourist to make living there economically worthwhile and at the same time preserving its natural character of the simple fisher life. The trail is part of the Rota Vicentina, a broader hiking network in Portugal, and interlopes now and then with historic hiking routes. The trail leads all the way down the Atlantic coast until the formerly known “end of the world”, Cabo de Sao Vicente, and from there along the Algarve all the way to Lagos.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that there are no mountains along the trail. Just because it is not high/alpine, or as a matter of fact, alpine, doesn’t mean it’s an easy hike. To use a famous German idiom: Der Fischerpfad verläuft im Sande. Wortwörtlich. The Fishermen’s trail fizzles out, would be an appropriate translation of said idiom, literally: gets lost in the sand. And you just might! At least a third of those +200k are on sand. Sandy beaches, sandbanks, seemingly sandy deserts right next to the ocean. Rule of thumb says every step on soft sand counts double. On top of that, you’re constantly exposed to strong winds so at the end of the day, you’re either covered in sea salt, or sand, or, most likely, both. The wind in Portugal is crude and brutal. The sun is merciless and there’s hardly any shade along the trail. So SPF up. Even in November.
But no matter how badly the elementary natural forces have it out for you: it’s absolutely worth it. I was in constant awe.
For single female hikers, the Fishermen’s Trail is one of the safest hikes out there. Every section ends in a little hamlet where you find accommodation and people, also a hot shower, mostly comfy beds and yummy food. Which also makes it a great trek for first-time long-distance hikers who don’t like the idea of going without a shower for days and eating nothing but cold Ravioli straight from the tin.
Initially, I was gonna take Max, my golden good boy, with me. Alas, he’s a rescue, and has really weak joints due to being chained up most of his life (fucking human scumbags) and thus wouldn’t have been able to handle the sand, and as much as I hate being apart form him, he is quite slow, quite lazy, and too heavy to carry on top of my luggage. So he got to stay with my mum as I headed out to Portugal. Sadly, I had to put him down soon after. Miss you, Max, my Portuguese rescue. I will always love you, you bestest of all the good boys.
Next time, read all about what I packed, which items are essential and which aren’t, and all that jazz.
For general info visit https://rotavicentina.com/en // For chapter 2, click here!
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