My final blogpost (Oct 17, 2025) for the Camino Norte walk with Paulo ended with the following:
"Next Long Walk
This planned walk is one that I am so very much looking forward to. Very brief details are a circular route through the Cotwolds area of England from/to Moreton-in-Marsh in May 2026. 72 kms over 7 days with an extra day in 3 locations…all organized by Mickledore Travel.
The group Dawn and me, Carol and Leonard who are longtime friends of ours dating back to 1976 3rd year University Stats class where I noticed/talked to this goofy looking fellow Leonard form this amazing group!”
There has been an unexpected change in plans ☺️...the next long walk will be the last week in February...first week in March 2026.
What & Where?
A walk that has been on my wish list for quite some time...228 kms Rota Vincentina - Fishermen’s Trail down the coast of Portugal.
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| Porto Covo to Lagos |
Description - Stingy Nomad’s website
“The Fisherman’s Trail is a walking route in the south of Portugal. It’s a part of the Rota Vicentina network. The trail is considered one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world. The scenery along the route is breathtaking; rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning lookout points, charming towns, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and diverse wildlife. We were so impressed by the beauty of the area that after completing the trail decided to move to the south of Portugal.”
Walking Partner
Leonard - the goofy looking fellow from 3rd year University mentioned in what I thought was my next long walk in May in the Cotswold area.
A little about Leonard - A long time avid outdoors person...canoeing, cross country skiing (led Dawn and me down into a steep ravine and up the other side on cross country skis 😳), long distance swimming, some running (but never a marathon...ahem ☺️), all manner of racket sports...squash, tennis, racquetball, pickleball.
An Actuary (you can look it up if interested 🤣) Leonard worked for what what seemed like umpteen different Insurance/Consulting companies in Winnipeg, Regina, Toronto, Kingston, Barbados, Cayman Islands.
However a long walk will be a first for Leonard...much like a long walk was a first for Greg in 2023 on the UK Wainwright Coast to Coast walk. And the young fellow Greg did exceptionally well on that walk!
Both Leonard and I have had health challenges over the past year+...both of us have recovered nicely. By the time we walk I will have recently turned 69...I know it’s not appropriate to mention someone else’s age so I will just say Leonard will be a few months shy of 2 years older than I am 😇.
Criteria for choosing a walk...~ 20kms daily walking...modest elevation gains/losses...baggage carry services limiting new gear purchases for Leonard and facilitating the long walk.
How did this unexpected walk come about
In the end similar timeframes for Greg and I on UK Coast to Coast walk and John and I on the Ireland Kerry Way...no time to lose...quick decision making. Coles notes for the Rota Vincentina - Fisherman’s Trail.
Nov 14 - Brief discussion…a walking window may exist
Nov 15 - I created and forwarded Rota Vincentina - Fisherman’s trail with Daily walking stages, Accommodation recommendations, Travel options
Nov 16 - Go Decision
Nov 18 - Flights booked
Nov 18 - Accommodation booked
Nov 19 - Booked Vincentina baggage transfers
Nov 19 - Booked transfer from Lisbon Airport to Porto Covo
Walking Plan
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| Excluding Lisbon the average daily cost is 34 Euros each |
The ever present risk of dangerous animals is always lurking on a long walk however we should be fine...no swimming involved so no shark, jellyfish, stingray attacks anticipated.
Sand - While not a risk the first couple of days out of Porto Covo are exclusively along sandy beaches. Walking on sand for a long ways will be a different experience. Camino Forum members responded to a posting made with the following suggestions.
"Definitely get some gaiters. I used a pair of Salomon trail running gaiters, but most brands should work. There is a substantial amount of sand walking. A short day (12 - 14 miles) will feel **much** longer because of the sand.”
"Pros of Using Trekking Pole Baskets in Sand
Prevents Sinking: Baskets provide a wider surface area, which helps the pole "float" on top of deep or soft sand, much like a snowshoe on snow. This is the primary benefit, as it stops the poles from plunging deeply with each step.”
Low cost gaiters for both of us purchased by Leonard...baskets that came with the trekking poles will be used.
Rogue Waves
Ok this is a new one...an AI search indicates that the main problem with rogue waves in Portugal occurs up north in Nazarre a small village known for surfing. Dawn and I spent a week there on our honeymoon in 1979.
A Camino forum member commented
"Finally, I was walking on the sand about 20-ish feet from the water and a surfer who was walking farther from the water told me to not walk quite so close to the ocean. Portugal coast is prone to rogue waves.--that would definitely ruin your day”
Ok duly noted...
Cliff top walking - fear of heights
Any summary of the Fisherman’s Trail mentions this. To be frank I am not comfortable with heights in specific situations ie a balcony on a high rise building...peering over the edge of high bridge etc.
I have walked numerous times along a path which weaves along cliff edges...high Phortse trail in Nepal (when meeting a Yak train one has to scramble up the cliff side 😳), Skerwink trail in Newfoundland, short section of the Kerry Way in Ireland, UK Coast Coast. To date none of these have caused issues...as long as I have extra space on the opposite side of the cliff edge...I shift over and all is good.
An excellent “10 things to know about the Fisherman’s Trail” by an outdoor enthusiast She made the point that she is afraid of heights and she had no problems. Other Camino Forum members also commented « no issues ».
However one comment on the Camino Forum...
"Much of the walking is on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The trail often goes right to the edge of the cliff--no big deal if the sun is up, but a little dicey once or twice in the dark (I like to walk early)."
Daily distances aren’t high...we will ensure that no walking in the dark with headlamps is on the agenda. ☺️
A little something interesting
A summary of my various long walks...including the Rota Vincentina - Fisherman’s Trail
Note the 5,488 kms walked and compare this to the 5,455 kms distance walking from Charlottetown PEI to Vancouver BC which is about as far as one can walk across Canada...without walking on water.
Well that’s a wrap...except for some sample pictures below from Stingy Nomad’s website. I am very much looking forward to this walk!
