Hiking The Seven Hanging Valleys (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos)

There are many types of people that venture on a villa holiday. Many seek relaxation through limited movement beyond a swim in the pool, a barbeque at the villa or a gentle stroll to a nearby restaurant.  

Yet for some visitors relaxation comes in a different form. They like to explore, either by car or walking/hiking for hours on end. You might consider yourself in both of these categories and for you the Seven Valleys walk might be just what you need. If taking the pathway in the summer, be careful of the heat and sun. You’ll be walking along exposed clifftops and the combination of the sun, heat and sea air can affect you very quickly. It’s also not a walk to take in poor footwear. Flipflops are not sensible shoes for hiking.

The route of Seven Hanging Valleys (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos), other otherwise known as ‘The walk of the slightly unhinged’ is a hiking trail along some of the most stunning coastline in the Algarve, between Vale de Centianes (close to Carvoeiro) in the west and the Praia da Marinha to the east. Along the way you’ll pass the beaches of:
 • Praia do Vale Centeanes – great sundrenched beach and a café/restaurant that’s worth a number of visits.
• Praia do Vale Espinhaço – This is a small and quaint beach and one of the quietest on the route
• Praia do Carvalho – Again a stunning long beach reached via a tunnel under the cliff
• Praia de Benagil – perfect as a starting point for boat trips to see the caves, plus it’s home to quite literally the best fish restaurant in the Algarve (O’Algar) which overlooks the valley
• Praia da Corredoura (only accessible by boat) – If you have access to a boat then it’s a must in the summer. You can sometimes get a boat taxi by asking the boat owners at Benagil, (Rui) at Marinha or the owners on the beach at Carvoeiro. But remember to arrange the trip back also.
• Praia da Mesquita (really part of Praia da Marinha)
• Praia da Marinha – a beautiful beach, accessed from the car park down a long set of steps and sloping pathways. It is extremely popular in the summer and the café is worth the visit. But as with many beaches facing the Atlantic, be careful of the undercurrent when paddling.
 
For More Information see the Algarve-Tourist website