My Aljezur to Arrifana walk on the fishermen’s path in Portugal

Today’s walk in the Aljezur fishermen’s path to Arrifana Marked our first day in the Algarve region, a section known for its golden cliffs, the epic coast and the relaxed surf peoples. Leaving Aljezur behind, we headed south under bright blue skies and a strong coastal wind, ready for what the path had reserved.

Distance: 17 km
Path section: Aljezur to Arrifana (the first day at the Algarve!)
Conditions: Blue heavens, suctionly, but without rain!

3 good things that happened today:

• He entered the Algarve region, known for his dream coast and his golden cliffs

• I saw wild goats walking through the cliff as total professionals

• The day ended with shrimp skewers and views at sunset by the sea

BY THE WAY – If you missed my blog yesterday on the path of the fishermen, I would recommend checking it!

I slowed down, I saw goats in a cliff and slept in a bedroom of the shelter: on the 6th on the coastal path of Portugal

Leaving Aljezur this morning felt like a mini milestone: I officially left the Alentejo region in Portugal and entered the Algarve, the famous southern region of Portugal known for its impressive beaches, vacation vibrations and dramatic coasts.

It was another beautiful day. The blue skies, the strong wind and the salty breeze that I have come to associate with the path of the fishermen.

But today, while walking, I noticed something: I had gotten into autopilot.

Ocean views have been so Consistently impressive that I was beginning to forget to look at them.

I was surprised beyond these incredible landscapes of the cliff as if they were … background noise. Then I stopped. Respite. Deceased. And really looked.

The waves that crash, wild flowers that bloom along the edge of the road, the birds that slide effortlessly over, the endless blue of the sea and the sky. Everything felt richer once I really stopped and assumed it.

Probably one of my favorite parts of this path so far is how much space there is to reduce speed. Because the daily distances are not too intense (compared to the 30-35 km that used to average on the PCT), there is a lot of time for long breaks, persistent lunches and absorbing the landscape. And I needed that today.

He slowed enough time to really see it: Wildflowers under the feet, the waves rolling and this endless beach section develops under the cliffs. The Algarve knows how to show off.

From thrones cliffs to soft sand dunes

Today’s land was wild. He felt as if we were walking through a game of Game of Thrones.

Masive cliffs, high rock walls, and these formations of irritated vertical rocks near the shore that looked like tectonic plates had been destroyed, such as this section of coast had been carved by something bigger than us.

(Geologists, do not feel free to intervene: this part of Portugal definitely has a story to tell).

He felt like walking on the edge of the world. I really enjoyed it.

These rock formations seemed torn in two. Passing with them he felt like entering another world, or maybe just a really epic season of Game of Thrones.

And just when I thought the landscape could not surprise me again, the path changed: soft sand dunes under my feet and open coastal views ahead. The beaches extended incessantly underneath, almost calling me to walk the shore or dive to swim. I could even see small traces of another person who had come down to walk the beach.

He has not felt warm enough, but I have promised: willpower Go to the Atlantic before this walk ends.

Soft sand, wide skies and the Atlantic that extends endless. I saw footprints below and I made a promise; Before this path ends, I will swim in that ocean.

Goat sightings + go alone

A really great climax today was that I saw a herd of wild goats that make their way along the edge of the cliffs as if it were not much. Oliver brought binoculars, so we stopped and saw them jump as if it were the easiest in the world. It was fascinating!

Tonight, I stay in a different shelter than Orion, Sandra and Oliver, my small team of trails. I reserved a 4 -bed female bedroom in the Lighthouse hostel in Arrifana (the first time that life in the bedroom in more than a decade, I feel old!) Something I have not done in more than a decade. Honestly, I was a little nervous, but it turned out to be a very good experience.

The beds had curtains and privacy points of sale (gain), and although the towels did not include, my trusted buff worked surprisingly well as an impromptu towel. Not bad for € 30 per night!

I finally washed my hiking clothes too, a few days had passed. He hung them in the wind to dry and cross the fingers.

First time in a bedroom of the shelter in more than a decade … and it was not bad at all! Privacy curtains, a quiet night and € 30 well spent (even if I had to go with my fan)

New company, the same ocean

In the shelter, I met a group of lovely women: some hikers, some solo travelers who enjoy Portugal at their own pace. He felt really refreshing to chat with people outside my little hiking bubble.

We went to a restaurant by the sea to dinner, and I had shrimp skewers with vegetables and grill potatoes. Meanwhile, my family of trails was enjoying nearby hamburgers. While it was strange to be separate, it was also a bit pleasant. As a solo mini adventure in the biggest trip.

Tomorrow we will meet and continue south. But tonight, I am falling asleep with the sound of the ocean, grateful for the caps for the ears, clean clothes and the reminder that there is beauty both in the company and in solitude.

3 lessons of the walk today (Aljezur to Arrifana):

• The fact that something becomes normal does not mean that it is not yet beautiful. Pause. Look. Thank.

• The benefits are excellent emergency towels.

• You do not always need to keep the group to feel connected. The solo time can be equally nutritious

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