Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos — Attraction in Lagoa

This hiking trail is definitely not for the faint of heart. Both in the trek you are about to make and the views that you will be rewarded as you take the hike along the gorgeous Algarve coastline.

To start, I would recommend bring beach towel, swim suits, hydration and light foods and sun screen.

For the athletically-inclined, I would highly recommend doing the hike back and fro. Whether you are starting from Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale Centeanes, I don’t think matters but if you are driving, Marinha should be the choice as there are more parking compared to Centeanes. Go early…. 1) to get a parking spot and 2) less hot in the day to start the trail.

Also note, the trail markers are sometimes on rocks which may be washed out and hard to follow so be sure to watch your way and not step off the cliffs. Shade is almost non-existent so if you are going there on a sunny day make sure you bring some hydration with you along with some light energy snacks.

If you opt for the “Best of” I would recommend doing the trail from Marinha and end in Praia de Benagil — that’s the beach right after you hit the top of the Benagil cave. You can’t miss it, as it’s a long walk down hill all the way to the beach with a lot of kayakers to start their paddle to the beach inside Benagil cave. And don’t miss the “Heart” and top of Benagil cave looking down onto the kayakers.

In the event you chose to continue the trail, this part of the trail gets a bit tricky as to when it starts again — once you get to the beach wrap around to go to Casa Pasto Lamy (a restaurant) and when you continue up the path in the back and you will see the trail marker start again.

The back half of the trail is actually more challenging compared to the first 1/3. There are a lot more steeper climbs and slippery rocks. And some may say not worth the view, which may be true but the beaches you pass by are some of the less reachable by car, more exclusive beach you will walk by in the Algarve. So make sure you bring a nice beach towel and swim suit and dive in once the...

The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, or Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, is a must-do for anyone visiting the Algarve. The trail offers stunning views of the coastline, with hidden coves, arches, and sea caves. There are also karst cavities at the bottom of which the sea arrives to form a beach inside the sea cave. The show is guaranteed, so bring your camera, a pair of shoes, water, a windbreaker and let's go. There are also bars along the way.

If you are short on time, the most beautiful part of the trail is from Praia da Marina to Benagil. I did the whole thing and it was definitely worth it, but I did more than that. When I arrived at Benagil beach, I took a guided kayak tour, which you can book from one of the many operators on the beach. From the kayak I was able to admire the caves and coves seen from above the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos. Don't be afraid to get wet, I dried up quickly in the sun and you can store your personal belongings in a waterproof bag that the facility provides.

Here are some additional tips for hiking the trail:

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Bring plenty of water, especially in the summer months. Start the hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Be aware of the weather conditions and be prepared for rain or strong winds. Respect the natural environment and leave no trace of your passage.

I highly recommend the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos to anyone looking for a beautiful and challenging hike. It is an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories that will...

Beautiful hiking trail! The views were stunning. We walked from Carvoeiro to Praia de Marinha.

There are a few trail markings (yellow and red parallel lines - if they're in a cross shape, you're going the wrong way!). However occasionally it was a bit confusing to know which way to go (although luckily the trail is pretty popular so you can often just watch where other people are going..!) It unexpectedly rained on the trail while we were walking, which was a little scary because the trail became a bit slippery, and some of the trail is just loose gravel pathways right next to huge cliffs. We just stopped for awhile and then, after the rain stopped, took it very slowly and carefully until the sun dried the trail again. Ideally you need a moderate level of fitness because you need to occasionally scramble up/down rocks etc.

Wear good shoes, bring a rain jacket or little umbrella, a hat, sunscreen, lots of water, a few snacks. Might also want to bring a towel and swimmers if you want to have a swim at one of the beaches. We bought some sandwiches but there are also places to eat along the way (eg, "O Stop" at Praia de Vale Centeanes).

There are toilets at Praia de Vale Centeanes, Benagil, and Praia de Marinha.

We planned to get a taxi/rideshare from Benagil, however by the time we were leaving (around 6pm), everyone else at the beach wanted to get a lift home too, so we got a bit stranded. We ended up walking about 30 minutes up the road and ended up managing to get an...