Trail of the Headlands

Hiking

Activity

6.3 km

Distance

2h 30m

Duration

+120m

Elevation Gain

−120m

Elevation Loss

Easy

Difficulty

Safety Notes

Cliff edges are unstable in places. Stay on marked paths. Can be very windy.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round walking. Spring offers wildflowers. Less crowded than Seven Hanging Valleys.

Updated 3 months ago

About This Route

A clifftop walk along the central Algarve coast, passing the historic Torre da Lapa watchtower and offering dramatic ocean views.

Trail of the Headlands (Caminho dos Promontórios)

Inaugurated in 2018, this trail follows a spectacular stretch of the central Algarve coastline. Similar in character to the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, it offers dramatic cliff views with fewer crowds.

Historic Highlights

The route passes the restored Torre da Lapa, a 17th-century watchtower built to warn of pirate attacks. These towers were once positioned along the entire Algarve coast, part of a signaling network that could alert Lisbon to threats within hours.

The Landscape

The trail traverses typical Algarve cliff scenery - golden limestone, hidden coves, and turquoise waters. The clifftop vegetation includes wild rosemary, lavender, and sea thrift.

Connecting Walks

This trail can be combined with other coastal routes for a longer day out. The nearby Seven Hanging Valleys Trail offers a similar but more famous experience.