The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, follows the clifftop between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes in the municipality of Lagoa. It is roughly six kilometres from one end to the other, and it earns its name because the path dips in and out of a series of dry valleys that hang above the sea, each ending abruptly in a cliff over a small cove. The scenery is the Algarve at its most photogenic: ochre and honey-coloured sandstone cliffs, collapsed sea caves, stacks, natural arches and blowholes, turquoise water and beaches reached only by steps or by boat. The route passes close to Benagil, so you can look down onto the cove from which the boats leave, and it is one of the few ways to see the coast without paying for a boat. Visit Algarve lists it as an official walking route and the path is marked, though it is not a hike with shade or services, and it follows unfenced cliff edges. Most visitors walk it one way and then return by taxi, or walk out and back along the same route, which makes a half-day or longer outing at an easy pace.
When to go: spring and autumn are ideal, with warm days and soft light, and November can be mild and clear, though rain can make the sandy and clay sections slippery and the Atlantic can be blustery. In summer the path is exposed and hot, so start at sunrise or go in the evening. Bring more water than you think you need, a hat, sunscreen and shoes with grip rather than flip-flops.
Safety and manners: keep well back from the cliff edge, which is unstable in places and has been the site of accidents, and never climb over barriers or fences to reach a viewpoint. Stay on the marked path, which protects the fragile clifftop vegetation, and do not take drones near the cliffs without checking local rules. Take your rubbish with you. Dogs should be kept on a lead.
Making it a day: the route runs from the beach at Marinha, where the stairs down to the sand are worth the climb, through the Benagil area and on toward Carvoeiro, and many walkers combine it with a boat tour that starts at Benagil Beach to see the same cliffs from below. A guided version with transport sometimes appears on tour platforms, but the trail itself is free, and the simplest plan is to park at one end, walk as far as you like and return.
What to expect
The experience
A marked, free clifftop path of about six kilometres between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes, with no shade or services en route.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, and spring or autumn; avoid the midday heat in summer.
How long
About three to five hours for the full route one way at a relaxed pace, with photo stops.
Tips
Carry plenty of water, wear grippy shoes, keep away from the unfenced edge and arrange a taxi or a return walk.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Confident walkers who want the coast's best scenery without paying for a boat.
- Families
- Fine for older children on short sections, but the unfenced cliffs need close supervision.
- Couples
- A sunrise or late-afternoon walk with a swim stop at Marinha.
- Pair with
- Praia da Marinha, a Benagil boat tour and Algar Seco.
- Time needed
- Half a day, plus transport back to your start.
Good questions
How long is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail?+
It is roughly six kilometres one way between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes. Allow three to five hours at an easy pace.
Is the trail free?+
Yes, it is a public coastal path with no charge. Parking and any guided or transport-included tours are separate.
Is it safe?+
It is generally easy underfoot, but it runs along unfenced, unstable cliff edges with no shade. Stay on the path, keep back from the edge and avoid windy or very hot hours.
Can I walk it one way?+
Yes, many people walk one way and take a taxi back, or walk out and return the same way. Check your timing before you set off.
Does it pass Benagil Cave?+
It passes the Benagil area and looks down on the cove where boats depart, but the cave itself can only be entered on a licensed tour by sea.
