Seven Hanging Valleys Trail | Lagoa

Elected as one of the very best hikes in Europe by European Best Destinations, this scenic route runs from Praia da Marinha in the east to Praia de Vale Centeanes in the west. Among others, it offers a string of notable stops at the Alfanzina lighthouse, and at the Benagil and Carvalho beaches. The walk takes place along the top of coastal cliffs defined by deeply sculpted shapes and beautiful ocher and golden hues; strikingly, the colours of the rock layers change through the day as the sunlight paints them in shades ranging from bright yellow to darkened copper. Crowning the cliffs near Praia da Marinha, the dense juniper and mastic undergrowth provides shelter to a variety of animals that include rabbits, foxes, mongooses, warblers, owls, and several species of butterflies. All this greenery bursts into flower in early spring, making for an especially perfumed and colourful ambience.

Praia da Marinha is widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe; the sweeping view over this beach reveals a rich array of outstanding landforms such as grottoes, stony arches, natural bridges and precarious sea stacks where seabirds nest and rest. At the bottom, a contrasting palette of azure and yellow is formed between the shallow waters over the gently sloping sand and the sprinkling of rocks that draw sea life and a few happy snorkelers. Seagulls and cormorants are seen crisscrossing the blue atmosphere above, before landing accurately on the vertical rocky walls; this very meandering hike then uncovers a series of hidden surprises like deep gorges, secluded coves, forested patches, and huge sinkholes where it is possible to hear the ocean waves reverberating down below.

At Benagil, visitors can jump aboard one of the skiffs offering trips to these spectacular sinkholes and sea caves; such trips usually make several stopovers, including at the large, light-filled dome of the famous Benagil Cave.  Observing sinkholes as natural skylights within a sea-sculpted cathedral really is a rare and gratifying experience. Skiffs depart from most of the major beaches between Carvoeiro and Praia da Marinha.

For thousands of years, the wind and the waves nibbled away at the sheer rock faces curled around the coves along these shores; the shoreline was also sliced by seven seasonal streams which, over time, originated the appropriately named ‘hanging valleys’. The narrow valleys are now ‘perched’ because the calcareous coastline has receded quite abruptly in the past, leaving the watercourses’ mouth not on the beach but on the cliffs higher above. Before Centeanes Beach there’s one last hanging valley where visitors can rest and take in the blissful scenery on a wooden belvedere. Enjoy!