By Monika
How to Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Portugal: Guide + Tips
If you’re heading to the Algarve and love a good hike, the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is a must.
This hiking trail takes you along some of the most scenic cliffs in southern Portugal, with stunning views of limestone arches, turquoise ocean waters, and secret beaches popping up around every bend.
We were so taken by the incredible landscapes that it took us nearly double the estimated time to hike it! But more on that later in this guide.
Let me walk you through what to expect on this beautiful coastal trail in the Algarve, how to plan your day, and why completing even a part of the hike is absolutely worth it!
Here we go!
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- How to Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Portugal: Guide + Tips
- Trail info:
- What are “Hanging Valleys”?
- Seven Hanging Valleys start point
- How to get to the trailhead
- Our experience on the Seven Hanging Valleys trail:
- How do I get back to my starting point?
- How much time do I need for the Seven Hanging Valley hike?
- Are there places to eat along the trail?
- What to bring on the hike
- Best time to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
- Are there tours to this trail?
- Where to stay to be close to the trailhead
- Nearby attractions:
- FAQ:
Trail info:
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos) is a 5.7 km (3.5 miles) coastal nature walk stretching between two beautiful beaches: Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale da Centeanes.
With the elevation gain of about 365 m (1200 ft) it’s considered an easy to moderate trail.
It’s an out-and-back trail, taking about 3 hours (on average) to complete one way. Read below why I think you should allow much more time for this hike!
Fun fact: this trail was named the “Best Walking Destination in Europe” in 2019 by “European Best Destinations“, a travel organization promoting tourism and culture in Europe through yearly competitions designed to find the best vacation destinations in various categories.
What are “Hanging Valleys”?
The “hanging valleys” formed as a result of water erosion and coastline recession. They are the spots where the rivers used to join the ocean.
Seven Hanging Valleys start point
This trail can be hiked both ways, meaning you can start at either endpoint.
Even though Praia do Vale de Centeanes is the official starting point, most people start the hike at Praia da Marinha, which is what we did as well.
How to get to the trailhead
If you’re starting from Praia da Marinha:
The best way to get to the beach (and to get around the Algarve in general) is by car. It is the most convenient and time-effective mode of transportation for this area.
We drove straight from Lisbon, but later stayed in Albufeira, and from there it takes about 30 minutes to get to the parking lot. From Lagoa and Carvoeiro, it’s a 10-15 minute drive.
READ MORE: Driving in Portugal Made Easy: My Best Tips for a Safe Road Trip.
There is a bus from Lagoa to Marinha Beach, #77, that takes about 15 minutes. It departs only on weekdays. During the weekend, you can take bus #52.
The other alternative is a rideshare app – Uber and Bolt make a reliable transportation option in Portugal.
If you’re starting from Praia do Vale de Centeanes:
Driving or taking an Uber/Bolt is the best way to get here, just like with Praia da Marinha.
You can also take a bus, #107, either from Carvoeiro (5-minute ride) or from Lagoa (15-minute ride to Vale Cove + a 15-minute walk to the beach)
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Our experience on the Seven Hanging Valleys trail:
As I mentioned earlier, we drove to the Algarve from Lisbon and arrived at the Praia Marinha parking lot around 11 am.
Helpful tip: if you want to grab a parking spot at the actual beach parking lot, you want to be there much earlier than that. 9 am seems like the most recommended time.
That late in the day, the lot was full, but we noticed cars turning onto a dirt road next to it, so we followed them.
There was a spot on the side of the narrow track, and we decided that we’ll figure out afterwards how we’ll get back on the road – there was no way to just turn around here! For now, we just wanted to get on the trail.
So we walked down to the beach and found a large sign with trail information, also listing the beaches and other points of interest you will pass on the hike:
- Praia da Marinha (Marinha Beach)
- Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach)
- Praia do Carvalho (Carvalho Beach)
- Farol de Alfanzina (Alfanzina Lighthouse)
- Praia do Vale de Centeanes (Vale de Centeanes Beach)
Seven Hanging Valleys trail map
This is the map you’ll find at the start of the trail:
Praia da Marinha to Praia de Benagil
Marinha Beach is right below the parking lot.
You can take the stairs down to the beach or veer to the right and start hiking. The trail leads along the coast and the views are breathtaking.
You’ll pass by the limestone rock formations…
…see the sea arches…
…and you’ll have a chance to look down through the opening of the iconic Benagil Cave (Algar de Benagil)
Safety tip: the openings of the caves are fenced in for a reason – please do not go past the fencing to get a photo! It’s not safe for you and for the people inside the cave.
Can you see the people inside the fence? Please, don’t put yourself and others in danger for a photo!
You’ll also see all the boats and kayaks touring the cave and the coast.
LEARN MORE: How to Visit Benagil Cave Portugal – Tips, Tours and the Best Ways to See It
The trail is fairly flat, with some dips, but nothing strenuous.
As you can see in the photos above, there are areas with no barriers and some with wooden fences set up on the coast side.
Just stay within the safe areas and obey the signs warning about unstable cliffs.
The end of this section of the trail is marked by Benagil Beach. You’ll recognize it by the kayak rental companies and cafes and restaurants surrounding it.
We went down towards the beach and explored for a bit.
By the time we arrived, we were ready for lunch (a very late one!), so we headed up the ramp on the opposite side and had a well-deserved rest and some delicious Portuguese food at Casa Lamy. This spot also gave us a terrific view of the beach!
Praia de Benagil to Praia do Carvalho
After lunch, we followed the coast to our next stop – Carvalho Beach.
The most interesting thing about this beach is how you access it. You go through a short stone tunnel with a staircase and come out at the beach on the other side!
Right before you get to the beach, there is a small cave to your left with a “window” that is fun to explore!
We spent some time at the beach as it was a beautiful spot with not many people there.
Some of us even went for a swim!
This was the point we decided to head back to Praia da Marinha instead of continuing the hike.
We took our time and enjoyed the scenery and our stops so much that we realized we had already spent over 3 hours on the trail. We still had to get to our accommodation in Albufeira and wanted to see some of the town, so we started heading back.
We will definitely come back to hike the entire trail, as it’s one of those destinations you can enjoy multiple times.
Praia do Carvalho to Praia do Vale de Centeanes
If you choose to continue the hike, you’ll need to climb the staircase from the beach to get back on the trail.
Here are the highlights of the rest of the trail:
The distance from Praia do Carvalho to Praia do Vale de Centeanes is about the same as the distance between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Benagil.
How do I get back to my starting point?
You have two ways to get back to your starting point:
- Walk: just retrace your steps and hike back to the beach you started from.
You’ll most likely walk at a faster pace as you will now be familiar with the landscape and the trail, plus you’ll get to see the scenery from the opposite direction, which often provides a new perspective.
- Uber/Bolt: book a ride through Uber or Bolt. It’s a reliable form of transportation and will get you back to your starting point fast. A great option if you’re short on time. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes.
How much time do I need for the Seven Hanging Valley hike?
I’ll give you the answer that no one likes to hear – it depends!
It realy does, on so many things.
If you’re just walking, without any beach breaks, with just quick photo stops, then about 3 hours one way is probably a good estimate.
If you’re like us and stop frequently, exploring every beautiful spot and taking tons of photos, I’d allow much more time, probably 4-5 hours one way.
If you plan on eating at one of the Benagil Beach restaurants – add time for that.
If you’re planning to spend some time at one or more beaches along the way – add time for that.
And decide if you’re going to walk back or take a ride back, and plan your time accordingly.
You can make this hike as long or as short as you want, depending on your hiking style and time allowed in your itinerary.
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Are there places to eat along the trail?
Yes, there are restaurants and cafes at Benagil Beach and Vale de Centeanes Beach, and food trucks and ice cream stands at Marinha Beach.
What to bring on the hike
- Good walking shoes – I personally don’t think you need full hiking boots, but a good pair of trail runners or sneakers is recommended.
- Snacks and water – It’s always a good idea to bring some snacks to keep your energy up and you should definitely bring enough water to keep you hydrated on the hike, especially on hot summer days.
- Sunscreen and hat – you may spend a long time in the sun, it’s very easy to get sunburned.
- Camera to capture those awesome views!
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Best time to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
I’d recommend avoiding the summer months as it will be VERY HOT. We hiked in April and had a very warm, sunny day, but anything more than that would probably be uncomfortable.
If you do plan to hike this trail in the summer, start very early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
If you visit in the winter, the trail won’t be as busy but you may face cooler temperatures and possibly more rain and/or wind. This area is pretty exposed so hiking the trail on a windy day may not be the best experience for you.
Are there tours to this trail?
There are!
If you prefer to hike with a guide, you can absolutely book a guided hike, starting either at Praia do Vale de Centeanes or at Praia da Marinha, depending on where yoy’re staying and which location is more convenient for you.
You can also make hiking a section of this trail a part of a full-day organized tour. Here are some highly rated experiences:
- Albufeira: Benagil, Algar Seco, Marinha, and 7 Valleys Tour
- From Faro: Benagil, Marinha, 7 Valleys, and Algar Seco Tour
Where to stay to be close to the trailhead
To be close to Praia da Marinha choose a place to stay in Lagoa (11-minute drive) or Albufeira (35-minute drive).
To be closer to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, book your accommodation in Carvoeiro (5-minute drive), Ferragudo (17-minute drive), or Portimão (22-minute drive).
Nearby attractions:
FAQ:
While not very difficult, this trail is not accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Because of the uneven terrain, it’s not a great option for travelers with mobility issues.
Absolutely! The views are amazing at any point of the hike, and walking even a short part of it is an amazing experience, definitely worth your time.
Walking the Seven Hanging Valleys trail was one of my favorite experiences in the Algarve, even though we didn’t finish the hike.
Yes, the trail is very well marked by wooden posts with yellow and red markings.
It can be, especially in high season or midday. We hiked it on a beautiful April day, and it wasn’t extremely crowded, but we definitely had company.
Yes, you can start at either Marinha Beach or Vale de Centeanes Beach. You can even start in the middle, at either Benagil Beach or Carvalho Beach, and hike from there in either direction.
I hope that this guide helped you prepare for hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail!
Wondering how to fit this amazing hike into your travel plans? Check out our 7-day Lisbon and Algarve itinerary for some ideas!
👉 To learn about my trusted travel planning resources that help me (and will help you too!) plan trips easily and save money, read this guide: How to Plan a Trip to Europe: My Favorite Travel Resources Revealed.
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About Monika
An avid traveler and a passionate trip planner, mildly obsessed with being organized and prepared 🙂
Well aware of how precious travel time is, I’m here to share my experience and help you get the most out of your vacation time.
“Taking the hassle out of trip planning”