The Algarve é sinónimo de praia e diversão.

Few people while in Algarve think about doing anything beyond just heading to the nearest beach and staying there until sunset.

However, there is a hike you absolutely must do in Algarve, if you want to understand why our coastline is inevitably one of the most beautiful in the world.

Are you ready to spend 3 hours of your vacation discovering one of the most stunning landscapes in the world??

7 Hanging Valleys Trail

Let's start by deciphering the name of this trail - Hanging Valleys.

The The name comes from seven "Hanging that open up above sea level – hence"Hanging Valleys"”. Porém, quando chove é mais fácil decifrar os "Hanging, mas não te preocupes, pois vais percebê-los nas subidas e descidas do trilho.

Moreover, the trail is linear with a length of 6 km (12 km round trip). This means that if you don’t want to walk back (the return is exactly the same path), you will need transportation at the end to bring you back to the start.

One suggestion is to do the trail early in the morning, go to the beach, and return at the end of the day. This way, you avoid the hottest hours and experience two different aspects in one day: one with high sun exposure and the other during the “golden hour,” which is sunset.

Additionally, the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail is certified, meaning it is marked, although there is little chance of straying from the designated path.

Despite being a short trail, you should plan for about 3 hours to complete it at a leisurely pace. If there are trails that deserve to be enjoyed slowly, this is definitely one of them. You might even want to descend to some beaches to cool off or grab a bite to eat.

What Do I Need to Know Before Doing the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail?

1 - Trail Location

The trail of 7 Hanging Valleys is located in the Burough of Lagoa and you can start at Praia da Marinha or na Praia de Vale de Centeanes.

Some say that the most breathtaking arrival is from Vale de Centeanes to Praia da Marinha. In reality, it doesn’t matter much, as the entire route is stunning. It’s just a matter of preference if you want to see the most beautiful part at the end or the beginning. We always like to save the best for last, so we recommend finishing at Praia da Marinha.

To reach the trailhead, the best options are by car or taxi/uber. While this might not be the most economical choice, it is certainly the most effective. However, there are also buses from various areas that stop at Praia da Marinha.

2 – Precautions to Take

To complete the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail you should take certain precautions and follow the recommendations listed below:

1. 1. Usa calçado apropriado (sapatilhas ou outro calçado fechado) – O piso é arenoso e rochoso, e por isso pode ser escorregadio, já para não mencionar as raízes das árvores. Porém, é na sua maior parte plano.
   2. Be Prepared: Bring water, snacks, sun protection, a hat, swimwear, and a small towel if you plan to swim.
   3. Follow Signage and Safety Barriers: The cliffs are highly unstable, and safety barriers are there solely for your protection. Don’t risk your safety for a selfie.
   4. Avoid Peak Heat Hours: With temperatures above 30°C (86°F) , the trail can become extremely hot since there is little shade and the area is very arid. Preferably, do the hike early in the morning or late in the day. If you hike late, bring a flashlight in case you finish the trail after dark.
   5. Crianças – Children: Assess whether the children are accustomed to hiking, especially in the heat. Extra caution is needed, as the terrain is quite rugged and can cause falls. However, you don’t need to complete the entire trail; you can exit or turn back Praia do Carvalho or in Benagil Despite the extra precautions needed when traveling with children, this trail doesn’t present major difficulties.

3 – Shade and Rest Areas

Another important thing to know is whether there are shade and resting areas..

The answer may not please you much, as the vegetation is quite low, providing little opportunity for shade.

However, there is a pic-nic area in the forest near Praia do Vale EspinhaçoThroughout the trail, you will find some wooden structures where you can sit for a bit, as well as other picnic spots, but they are all highly exposed.

Remember that you don’t have to complete the entire trail in one go. There are several beaches along the route with direct access to the town, such as Praia do Carvalho and Benagil

In a similar way, there are no water or food points along the trail. Therefore, make sure to bring enough water and snacks if you plan not to leave the trail.

4 – Important Contacts

Here are some important contact links to help you plan your adventure without any worries:

• Buses
• Taxis

5 – Extra Tip

If you want to add about 5 km (10 km for a round trip) and make this experience even more incredible, we recommend starting at Ermida da Senhora da Rocha, Porches and finishing in Vale de Centeanes (or the other way arround)

For this option, we suggest doing the trail in Spring or Autumn, as it is quite a distance to cover during the summer months. You should allocate at least 6 hours for this hike.

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