Partner

Rota Vicentina – Associação para a Promoção do Turismo de Natureza na Costa Alentejana e Vicentina

The non-profit association from Odemira that has run the Rota Vicentina since 2013: around 750 km of waymarked trails on Portugal's south-west coast, including the Fishermen's Trail to Lagos.

Visit websiterotavicentina.com

The Camino on the map

Caminos of this partner

Fischerpfad (Fishermen's Trail)The Fishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores) runs 223.7 kilometers from São Torpes, just south of Sines, along the Atlantic coast all the way to Lagos in the Algarve. It is the coastal section of the Rota Vicentina, waymarked since 2012, open to walkers only, and for long stretches it follows sand tracks and narrow cliff paths. Along the way lie Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Cape St. Vincent and Sagres. It is not an official Way of St. James – but it ends at a place pilgrims were already heading to in the Middle Ages.Explore this Camino

Who is behind the route

The Rota Vicentina – Associação para a Promoção do Turismo de Natureza na Costa Alentejana e Vicentina is a non-profit association based in Odemira in the Alentejo. Since it was founded on 5 June 2013, it has been the sole body that manages, maintains and promotes the Rota Vicentina trail network.

Its aim goes beyond the trails: south-west Portugal is to become an internationally known destination for nature tourism without harming its fragile coast. The association guides walkers through the protected areas, links the trails with local businesses, culture and villages, and promotes travel outside the high season. The network comprises around 750 km of walking trails (as of October 2026): the Historical Way (Caminho Histórico), 263 km from Santiago do Cacém to Cabo de São Vicente, the Fishermen's Trail along the cliffs and 24 circular routes; since 2019 more than 1,000 km of mountain-bike routes have been added.

The association's route

Fischerpfad (Fishermen's Trail) – the Rota Vicentina's coastal trail: 223.7 km from Sines or São Torpes beach via Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe and Carrapateira to Lagos, in 12 stages; the association itself divides it into 13 sections

The Fishermen's Trail is not a Camino de Santiago. It follows the paths fishermen used to reach their fishing spots on the cliffs and runs almost entirely through the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

What the association does for walkers

The association keeps the trails waymarked in both directions, with blue-and-green stripes on the Fishermen's Trail, and negotiates the right of way for walkers with the landowners. On its website and app, walkers find stage descriptions, maps, accommodation and events along the way. Local businesses and supporters can become members and help sustain the network.

Contact

The association is based in Odemira. Contact details, membership and all stages are on rotavicentina.com. An association that opens up a wild coast while protecting it.