Get ready to take a hike and connect with locals in Southwest Portugal
By: Ann Ruppenstein
For Rota Vicentina Association’s president Marta Cabral, its network of hiking and biking trails spread across Alentejo and Algarve aren’t just about getting out in nature to experience the stunning scenery but also about protecting and connecting with the people in the region.
“We are very well known for being a hiking destination. We released the first trails in 2012… we are more and more known for cycling,” Cabral said during a recent global press briefing. “But we also felt that we needed to work a little bit more on the local services apart from accommodations and restaurants. What are the local products and services that can enrich the touristic offer?”
Over the course of the pandemic, the nonprofit association worked with the local community, cultural agents, partners and travel companies to develop the newly launched ID Guide, which identifies main sustainable practices to drive the network forward, and a corresponding Agenda with the latest events featuring cultural activities and immersive experiences for travellers to take part in.
Marta Cabral
In general I would say we are truly committed to the local community. What does the local identity mean? What exactly do the local people have to offer that is truly authentic in their way of living? How can you experience the local life as a tourist, and how can this be accessible for every one that is visiting us?” she explained, outlining the goals of the association.
For agents with clients considering a visit to Portugal, Rota Vicentina’s website and app now include the Agenda listings with program options that range from one to two hour sessions to a full week worth of self-guided experiences.
“Our mindset is we are in love with this land and we want to share this land and the caring for this place,” Cabral said.
In addition to broadening the scope of experiences for visitors that “represent the true authenticity and identity of the region,” Rota Vicentina also expanded its network to include 750 km of marked walking and cycling trails. The launch of these trails were delayed by the pandemic but are now ready to be enjoyed. Rota Vicentina’s walking trails are divided into three main routes: The Historical Way, The Fishermen’s Trail and Circular Routes.
“The Historical Way passes through the main towns of the region, such as Porto Covo, Odemira, and São Teotónio, and then out of the Alentejo and down into the Algarve. It is mostly rural trails through gorgeous cork tree forests, rivers and valleys, and, in spring, fields of yellow wildflowers. Spanning 263 kilometres, it is divided into 13 sections of easy but beautiful terrain,” explained Ruben Obadia, of Visit Alentejo. “More challenging and more dramatic, The Fisherman’s Trail hugs the cliffs along the stunning Vicentina coast. It stretches 226.5 kilometres, also divided into 13 sections. There are stretches where the sand is as soft as a beach, and there’s often wind in your face, but those views of the crashing waves are captivating. In spring, when I did it, the ground around the trail was covered with succulents with purple and yellow blossoms.”
Meanwhile, the 24 Circular Routes journeys start and end in the same place, for those who are searching for simple options for day hikes with minimal planning.
“They were designed to complement the true hiking experience, they are usually shorter, and because they are circular the logistics are much easier,” Cabral said. “Then we have mountain biking trails, it’s mainly in the centre of the region, but within the next years we will also expand it north and south. It’s a huge network, 1,000 km, and we defined the trailheads through villages inland that we believe deserve much more attention from tourism. It’s not possible to cycle along the coast but it’s possible to visit the coast and back, so the invitation is to enjoy also the valleys, the villages and the more rural landscape of the area covered by Rota Vicentina.”
Visit https://rotavicentina.com/en/ for more information.
