The route from Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo is a part of the Fishermen’s Trail, a multi-day hiking route from Porto Covo to Lagos. The route goes half along the coast, and half inland. The coastal part offers spectacular views of the rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. The inland part goes through the fields that during the springtime covered in wildflowers.

Table of Contents
Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo route overview
- Total distance – 15 km/9 mi
- Time – 4-5 hours
- Total ascent – 500 m
- Total descent – 430 m
- Difficulty – moderate/difficult
- Starting point – Pipe Spot Surfshop in Carrapateira
- Finishing point – near LIDL in Vila do Bispo
- Walking route – Carrapateira – Amado Beach – Vila do Bispo

How long is the route?
The distance from Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo is 15 km/9 mi.
How difficult is the walk?
Despite the short distance, the walk is demanding due to steep ascents and descents. Strong inland wind makes it more challenging especially in summer/fall when it blows sand/dust in your face.
The most difficult part of the Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo route is in the middle (around 8 km at Praia da Pena Furada) when you go down and up 100 m on a very steep hill.

Where does it start and end?
The hiking trail starts in Carrapateira at Pipe Spot Surf shop you can see a route sign (blue and green stripes) on a pole in front of the shop.
The route ends in Vila do Bispo, near the ALDI supermarket. You can continue the walk to Sagres and on following the Fishermen’s Trail, a multi-day route that is a part of the Rota Vicentina network.

Can the trail be walked in either direction?
Yes, you can walk north to south from Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo or south to north. I saw many people walking south to north. Many think it’s better because you get wind from behind. When I walked the wind was offshore and the walking direction didn’t make a big difference.

Is the route well-marked?
The Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo route is marked with blue and green stripes painted on small wooden pools and rocks. The last couple of kilometers (the inland part) are marked with yellow and red stripes.
What is the scenery like?
If you walk north to south, the first 8 km are along the coast with spectacular views from the top of the cliffs. The last 7 km are through the fields which look beautiful in springtime when they’re covered in wildflowers.
If you’re looking for more coastal walks with incredible scenery i can recommend the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and the Trail of the Headlands in Southern Algarve.

What are the highlights of the route?
Amado Beach is a long sandy beach, 2,5 km/1,5 mi from Carrapateira. It’s a popular surf beach with board rental.
- Several smaller beaches on the route.
- Spectacular views from the top of the cliffs.
- Fields covered in flowers in springtime.
When is the best time for walking?
We live in the Algarve and walk the coastal route in different seasons. Spring is by far our favorite time for hiking in the Algarve. From mid-April to the end of May the fields along the coast are covered in wildflowers. The temperature is around 20-25°C and it’s not too busy.
The summer months of July, August, and the first half of September are very hot and busy. It’s better to hike early in the morning before it gets too hot.
The second half of September and October are good months for hiking. The only drawback is that after the hot summer months, the fields are dry and the road is dusty. It’s not as pretty as in spring.
As for hiking in the offseason between November and March, you can be lucky and get sunny and warm days or unlucky and get a lot of rain and wind.

How to get to Carrapateira/Vila do Bispo?
You can get to Carrapateira with a direct bus from Lisbon. As of October 2024 buses from Lisbon (Sete Rios Station) to Carrapateira leave every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7.30 am. The journey takes 4 hours. The price is from 7 euros. Check the departure times and buy tickets online.
To get from Lagos to Carrapateira you need two buses; Lagos to Vila do Bispo, and Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira. If you’re in Lagos it might be easier to start the walk in Vila do Bispo. Buses from Lagos (bus station) to Sagres leave every hour or two. It takes 40 minutes. The price is 5,8 euros. Check the timetable and buy tickets online. From Vila do Bispo to Carrapateira there is a bus. The drive is 15 minutes. You can take a taxi or Uber/Bolt, which will cost you 10-15 euros.
It’s easier to get to from Lisbon and Lagos to Vila do Bispo than to Carrapateira. You can get to Vila do Bispo by a direct bus from Lisbon and Lagos. There are several daily buses from Lisbon (Sete Rios) to Vila do Bispo. The journey takes 4 hours, the price is from 6 euros.

The Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo route description
0-1,7 km/0-1 mi – the route leaves Carrapateira and continues on a gravel road towards the coast.
1,7 km/1 mi – Restaurant Sitio do Forno
1,7-2,7 km/1-1,6 mi – tar road along the coast with very few cars
2,5 km/1,5 mi – Amado Beach, a popular surf beach with a big parking lot, two cafes, and toilets. It’s the only place to stop for food or drinks till Vila do Bispo.
2,7-3,6 km/1,6-2,2 mi – walking on a footpath along the coast
3,6-4 km/2,2-2,4 mi – walking on sand
4 km/2,4 mi – a short but steep ascent
4-5 km/2,4-3,1 mi – waking on a footpath
4,8 km/3,6 mi – a beach
5-7 km/3,1-4,3 mi – walking on a gravel road
7-8 km/4,3-5 mi – walking on a narrow footpath sometimes close to the edge of the cliffs
7,4-8 km/4,5-5 mi – Praia da Pena Furada. A steep and long ascent from the top of the cliffs to the beach with a subsequent long and steep descent back to the top.
8-15 km/5-9,3 mi – on a gravel road
8,5-15 km/5,2-9,3 mi – inland through the fields and plains to Vila do Bispo

What to pack for the walk?
You need a daypack with essentials. Don’t make your backpack heavy.
- Bring a water bottle, at least 1,5l or two 1l bottles. There are no places to refill water. The only place to buy water is at 2,5 km/1,5 mi (Amado Beach).
- A cap or a hat
- Comfortable shoes for walking (can be hiking or running shoes). Flipflops are not good for the walk.
- Sunscreen. Even in winter, the sun is strong.
- Comfortable clothes for hiking.
- Bring cash. Some places don’t accept cards.

Places to stay in Carrapateira
- Low-end | Hostel do Mar | Casa Luminosa |
- Mid-range | Carrapateiramar Guesthouse | Casa Olivia |
- High-end | Casa Presente Guesthouse |
Places to stay in Vila do Bispo
- Low-end | Casa Mestre |
- Mid-range | Cozy Rooms Vila do Bispo |
- High-end | Pure Fonte Velha B&B |