Walking across Europe - 2013: Rota Vincentina The Fisherman’s Trail

Daily Information

Actual Distance: 19.9 kms

Actual Elevation G/L: 479 m (475) m
Cumulative Information
Actual Distance: 210.0 kms

Actual Elevation G/L: 2,575 m (2,549) m

Stage Description - Stingy Nomads Highlights & Challenges

"Highlights
Views of Mareta Beach, Sagres Fortress, and the coast from the top of the cliffs (if follow the alternative route along the coast).
Many spectacular beaches along the route: Martinhal Beach, Barranco Beach, Ingrina Beach, Zavial Beach, and Praia das Furnas.
The beautiful coastal town of Salema with a picturesque beach.
Challenges

Multiple steep ascents and descents with loose rocks in the second half of the day."
Without question my favourite day of the 10 day walk so far…and I dreaded it yesterday with the rain forecast…cautionary guide book words of « be careful of slippery conditions going down to beaches in rain »… »be cautious of cliff walking after X if concerned with heights » and the Challenges…see bullet above.

Well over 19.9 kms we sure covered multiple terrain options from super easy to very rough and tough ups/downs so the Challenges bullet was bag on. Holy « Billy goat » ascents and descents which are the worst on at least 3-4 occasions.

BUT while the wind was howling madly out of the East so in our faces mostly the rain essentially held off 😊…a few drops. So the slippery caution did not kick in.

Oh and there was a really scary dangerous animal encounter and the end of day accommodations are INCREDIBLE!!!

Think wind in your face and a master selfie!

Oh I almost forgot last night’s supper pizza with tuna topping…I did not finish it but it was 😋

And this morning’s breakfast…which was included…had everything one would want so a great way to start the day.

The day got off to an uncertain start with cloudy conditions and the usual uninspiring start out of town.

Through the day we made our way down to a succession of picturesque beaches

We had some very rough terrain to cover… with the highest elevation gains/losses of any day so far.

I took a little tumble on the way down (nothing serious)…likely practising for curling resumption next week where I slip and go splat 🫟 at least once a game. Only one injury last year a broken rib…I now wear a helmet all the time.

Also the trail is often a bit narrow and the little shrubs are a touch unkind at times.

We came across a property that one could likely get for a good price…perfect fixer upper for a handy person 🥴

And then shortly after this the dangerous animal encounter…no joking around here. Leonard says I went at least 100 meters off the path to circumvent the danger…no way hosay maybe 10 feet at most! Unfortunately my good friend Dennis who led our merry group through such an encounter in the 2015 Thames River walk was not here.

Somehow I survived!

He or she NEVER moved! NOTE THE HORNS!

After multiple ups/down the walking day was complete. We are now comfortably setup in Salema at the NAU Salema Village. Accommodations along the way per night have ranged from 45 Euros to 86 Euros.

Where I slept on a sofa bed with no bedding 85 Euros…where we could barely squeeze into and pretty old 85 Euros.

This place is a dream…I would gladly recommend to anyone including my family. It has an outdoor pool, pool bar, buggy service, two bedrooms (I snagged the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom), two other restrooms (one with whirlpool tub), kitchen, dining room table, lounge area and actual reception instead of a lock box, kids playground. Each accommodation is a separate villa with a « winding staircase » leading to a second floor.

The cost 86 Euros…I have no idea why so low?