Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Algarve, Portugal

Usha Nalliah
Aug 7
4 min read

The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is a spectacular coastal walk in the Algarve in southern Portugal. Stretching from Praia da Marinha Beach to Praia do Vale de Centeanes Beach, the trail features breathtaking scenic views with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and picturesque coastal landscapes.

**The Benagil Caves are one of Portugal's most iconic natural wonders.**

The easiest way to get to the start of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is by car. If you’re planning to explore the Algarve and visit several locations renting a car is highly recommended. For navigating put Marinha Beach in Google Maps and it’ll lead you directly to the parking lot by the beach.

Seven Hanging Valleys: Hike Details

First, an overview of the full out-and-back hike.

Length: 7 miles / 11.4 km
Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft. / 365 meters
Season: Year round (more on this below)
Trail Type: Out and Back (we have ideas on alternate routes below)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Trailhead Location: Either Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Dog Friendly: Yes!

The trail hugs the coastline, providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, golden cliffs, and secluded beaches.

Expect to see impressive rock formations, including the famous "Elephant Rock" with its double-arched cliff and heart-shaped perspective.

You have a few options, depending on how much walking you’re up for, how much time you have, and what you’re interested in seeing. In the detailed trail guide below, we have the hike broken down into four distinct parts.

In general, we think that the best part of the hike is along the eastern end of the trail, between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Carvalho. If you have limited time and / or energy, focus on that section.

Here are your three route options as we see them. Of course, you can go until any point when you feel like turning around, then simply turn around and walk back. But these are the three ways we would do it if we were you.

Option 1: The Full Hike, Round Trip – 7 miles / 1,200 feet of elevation gain (11.4 km / 365 m). Hike the entire trail out-and-back from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, and then back the way you came.
Option 2: The Full Hike, One Way – 3.5 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (6 km / 180 m). Do the entire hike, but only one way. This requires using either taxis, Uber, or hitching a ride to get back to your car at the first trailhead (or finding a way to get there without a car).
Option 3: Partial Hike, Out and Back – 3.3 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (5.6 km / 180 m). Hike the section between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Carvalho, which in our opinion is the best part of the trail. You can continue on to the nice lighthouse – Farol de Alfanzina, for an additional 2 miles (3.2 km) added to your round-trip distance.

The trail is considered moderately challenging, with some steep sections and uneven terrain, making it suitable for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.

The trail is generally well-marked with yellow and red stripes, making it easy to follow.

Tips for Hiking:

Wear appropriate footwear: The trail can be uneven and rocky, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
Bring water and snacks: Staying hydrated and fueled is important, especially during warmer months.
Check weather conditions: Be aware of the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Consider transportation options: If you're not hiking back, plan for transportation back to your starting point.
Enjoy the views: Take your time to appreciate the stunning scenery and unique rock formations along the way.

We have divided our day into two parts. We started our hike in early morning and the second half we did the boat tour to Benagil Caves.

The best way to see the most beautiful Algarve sea caves, including the Benagil Cave, is by taking a boat tour. Visiting sea caves by boat allows you to experience how special the Algarve coastline really is (Benagil Cave is just one of the many amazing places that you’ll get to see!).

The sunlight filtering through the "eye" illuminates the cave's interior, highlighting the golden hues of the surrounding rock formations and the sandy beach below. The contrast between the golden light, the turquoise water, and the rugged rock creates a stunning visual spectacle

The cave's most striking feature is its massive, dome-shaped ceiling with a large opening at the top, often called the "eye". This opening acts as a natural skylight, allowing sunlight to flood the cave and create a dramatic, ethereal effect.

The cave's walls are sculpted by the sea over centuries, resulting in intricate and impressive limestone formations with varying shades and textures. These formations add to the cave's unique character and beauty.

Despite its popularity, the interior of the cave offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, with the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore adding to the ambiance.

Photography credit goes to my husband Kuru.