A self-guided Portugal walking holiday or Portugal cycling trip along the stunning Vicentine coast
The Vicentine coast is a popular destination for lovers of active tourism and is one of the wildest in Europe; a paradise for hiking, cycling and surf enthusiasts. The Vicentine coast runs along the west coast of the Algarve in the southern region of Portugal. To be more accurate (and to stick to the name and limits of the Vicentine Natural Park), we should say the "Southwest Alentejo & Vicentine Coast" because this wonderful hiking and cycling terrain is spread over 2 regions, the Algarve in the south and the Alentejo in the north
Here are the secrets of this sublime coast revealed by our track-finders and for you to discover on your cycling holiday in Portugal or your Portugal walking stay :
The Vicentine coastline has been protected since 1988 and the creation of the Natural Park dates back to 1995. It is around 110km long and covers around 130,000 hectares, more than half of which are land-based. The specific nature of the rocks, fauna and flora make this Coastal Natural Park one of the best-preserved coastlines in Europe. Biodiversity is extremely high, for example, more than 1,000 plant species have been recorded among the different ecosystems: coastal cliffs and plateaus, dune belts, forests, valleys, agricultural plains, etc. The park lists about 100 endemic species from the south of the Iberian Peninsula, 12 of which are exclusively endemic to this Natural Park.
A little bird watching on your self-guided Portugal walking trip or self-guided cycling tour
The Vicentine coast is also well known to ornithologists, especially for the observation of the migratory route that passes through Cape Saint-Vincent, and it is the only place in the world where storks nest in the islets and cliffs by the sea. We could also mention Egyptian mongoose, bluebirds, dolphins, and many other species to evoke the richness of this biodiversity.
The different stages along this coastline on your Portugal walking holiday or cycling tour in Portugal consist of typical villages that are welcoming and endearing, and add to the charm of this south-western coast of Lusitania: Vila Nova de Milfontes, Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Monte Clerigo, Vila do Bispo or Sagres.. everywhere you go, you will come across white-washed houses with colourful borders, small lively markets, good seafood restaurants, café and restaurant seafront terraces and the famous Portuguese hospitality.
See our selection of walking and cycling holidays along the Vicentine coast below
Portugal walking holiday : The wild Vicentine coast
