Hiking along the Costa Vicentina in the western Algarve immerses you in a stunning landscape of wild beaches backed by windswept headlands and steep cliffs. Pontal da Carrapateiraīest for wild coastline 10.5km (6.5 miles) roundtrip 3-4 hours, medium The remains of defensive walls on the trail probably date back to the Celtiberians who pre-date the Romans, while the caves in the area were the presumed last refuge for the Almohad peoples who fled the bloody Christian reconquest in the 13th century. The distant views were greatly valued by early peoples in the area. The views over the countryside are impressive, particularly if you make the short but steep detour up to Talefe, the highest point in the Rocha da Pena at 479m (1571ft). While the reserve is not particularly abundant in birdlife, keep an eye out for griffon vultures or Bonelli’s eagles wheeling overhead. The 2km (1.2 miles) escarpment of Rocha da Pena dominates the landscape, and as you follow a well-marked trail, you’ll have the chance to spy bee orchids, peonies and other wildflowers amid the scent of thyme, lavender and rosemary in this botanically rich region. Less than an hour’s drive northwest of Faro, the coast transitions into a region of mixed woodlands and rocky outcroppings. Rocha da Penaīest inland walk 6.6km (4.1 miles) round-trip, 2-3 hours, medium There are plenty of high points for epic views © EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images 4. Just east of there, you can see a few fragments from the Presa da Moura, a reservoir built by the Romans for salting and preserving fish. Unlike its better-known sibling, however, the Caminho dos Promontórios passes some historic monuments, including the Torre da Lapa, a restored 17th-century watchtower used to alert villagers of impending dangers – pirate attacks mostly – lurking off the coast. Like the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail nearby, this one takes you along the cliff tops with jaw-dropping views for the duration of your hike. Inaugurated in 2018, the Trail of the Headlands is one of the Algarve’s newest walks. Caminho dos Promontóriosīest historic hike on the coastline 6.3km (3.9 miles) one-way, 2-3 hours, medium You can also go for a swim at Praia da Marinha, the stunning beach at the journey’s end.

Be sure to bring along your swimsuit for a dip off Carvalho beach along the way. The walk passes right above the Benagil Caves, but if you want to see the hidden beach inside, head down to Praia de Benagil where you can arrange an excursion (by boat, paddleboard or kayak).

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