Seven Hanging Valleys Walk – The Algarve

We’re arriving at the Praia da Marinha parking at the entrance to the Seven Hanging Valleys walk on a glorious sunny afternoon. Unfortunately though, we soon realise parking isn’t possible in the campervan. That’s because the access road has a ‘No motorhome’ sign and although there’s a parking area at the end, spaces are small and it’s very busy.

Instead, we’re parking on a large, open grassy area which is about a 15 minute walk away, making an ideal parking spot. The walk starting here at Praia da Marinha is in Lagoa, but there are other places to access different parts of the walk.

We arrive in the late afternoon and it’s fairly busy with other motorhomes and cars parking along the undulating, dirt area which is free to park.

This will be our parking for the night after finding it on the Park4Night App, we find a fairly level place and park up.

An early start

There’s several motorhomes staying overnight, but it’s just a basic parking area with no services. After a quiet night, we’re ready the next morning for an early start.

We’re here in April, towards the end of a Winter campervan tour covering Spain and Morocco with bright blue skies and warm air.

Now we’re walking to the start of the Seven Hanging Valleys Walk and we can’t wait to begin.

A route with amazing views

There’s a steady stream of people walking towards the start, but it’s not overly busy. Just after the car park are stalls selling refreshments and notice boards giving trail details.

This is an out and back route with amazing views on a marked trail over cliffs. Ultimately, it’s such a wonderful part of The Algarve. The walk is famous for fine views and huge rock formations where sandy beaches link the erosion worn cliffs.

Apparently it’s about 7.5 miles long, and has little shade, so we’re weary of the weather. If it gets too hot, we’ll just call it a day early and turn back, but the aim is to reach the end at Praia do Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro.

Boat trips and Blow holes – Seven Hanging Valleys Walk

Joining a dirt path brings our first glimpse of the amazing beach of Praia da Marinha. Here, orange tinge cliffs fall to the most spectacular sandy beach. It’s stunning, with a turquoise Atlantic looking relatively calm today.

We just stand and admire the views for a moment. Enjoying the pristine clarity under blue skies, it’s just such a superb place to see.

This stretch of coast is also a popular for boat trips. Tourists take tours of cavernous formations, which we glimpse from the cliff.

Massive blow holes surrounding the paths have wooden fences with vast caverns below. All the while, the ocean roars beneath in spectacular fashion. There’s no access over the fences as it’s too dangerous, but we stop and look down from a safe distance.

Benagil Beach – Seven Hanging Valleys Walk

Although we find the walk relatively easy, we’re glad to arrive at Benagil Beach. This is the departure point for many trips to the caves, as well as kayak hire.

It’s a hive of activity, with boats coming and going and people taking a break in cafes above the beach.

Benagil Beach seems a really popular place and after taking in some refreshments and a toilet stop, a series of steps take us back up onto the cliff walk.

Lighthouse and a tunnel

Trundling on along the walking route from Benagil Beach leads to more cliff top paths. They are well sign posted marker posts, but there are moments where it’s easy to stray.

We’re often looking out for the lost marker post to lead us back on track, thankfully we don’t stray too much!

Our turning round point turns out to be coming up, simply because it’s warm and we’re tiring on these clifftops. Farol de Alfanzina is a prominent lighthouse in the distance, so we decide to reach there before turning back.

There’s no access to the lighthouse as it’s surrounded by a large wire fence, but it’s good to get this far.

One of the more interesting quirks to the walk comes in the way of a staircase tunnel carved out the rock. It’s a great way to reach Carvalho Beach, walking down the dimly lit stone steps inside the rock tunnel before emerging onto a hidden oasis!

Unfortunately, we’re not alone and Carvalho Beach is quite a busy attraction, but great to see.

The return walk to the camper seems to go on forever! Why is re-tracing your steps so long winded?

Continuing the next day

So this section of the walk takes us about 3 hours to complete, arriving at the campervan in time for rest.

We’re a little annoyed that we haven’t finished the whole walk though. So, with this in mind, we decide to walk the final section the next morning.

Once again, we’re up early, but this time we drive to a parking area in Carvoeiro. This is a narrow and busy resort where parking would no doubt be really tricky. Luckily, we’re able to slot into a proper parking space in a car park, helped by Nigel’s good driving skills with little room for error.

From here, the start or end of the Seven Hanging Valleys Walk begins, so we waste no time getting started.

Finishing the trail

It’s another glorious weather day in the Algarve. As the sun shines and turquoise Atlantic glistens, it’s easy to get distracted.

This part of the trail begins on a staircase leading up to the cliff path. The whole route here has plenty of foliage to break up the rock, providing plenty of contrast.

As we’re here in Spring, we’re blessed to see beautiful wild flowers begin to blossom. The bright yellow and pinks look startlingly bright and wonderful.

Along the cliff tops we come across fossils and a bench to sit and enjoy the views.

Altogether, it seems a quieter end of the walk than the Praia da Marinha side. Once we reach the lighthouse again, we turn back to Carvoeiro, but this time return via residential areas leading into the resort.

Carvoeiro is actually really nice. It’s a small resort, with a vibrant old centre leading to a beach. We came here 30 years ago, staying in a hotel on the cliff, which is still there but looks so different now.

We’re glad we came to finish the last section of the Seven Hanging Valleys Walk, it’s been great.

April has probably been a good time to do the route, it’s been warm but not overly hot, making an enjoyable, leisurely walk.

Now we’re going to drive on, but just have to navigate our way out of the small parking area. Wish us luck!