Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
12 km (return) · Moderate
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, known in Portuguese as the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, is widely considered the finest coastal walk in the Algarve and regularly appears on lists of the best hikes in Europe. The route follows the cliff edge between Vale de Centianes, near Carvoeiro, and Praia da Marinha, traversing a succession of collapsed valley systems where erosion has carved deep gorges into the limestone coastline. The name refers to these hanging valleys, dry ravines that terminate abruptly at the cliff face, their former seaward extensions long since fallen into the ocean.
The standard route is approximately six kilometres one way, making twelve kilometres as a return walk. Most hikers allow three to four hours for the return trip, though those who linger at the beaches and viewpoints, as they should, can easily spend a full day on the trail. The path is well-marked with wooden posts bearing the trail symbol, a red and white horizontal stripe indicating a GR (Grande Rota) route, supplemented by local signage.
Starting from the car park at Vale de Centianes, the trail heads east along the clifftop through low scrubland of mastic, rosemary and cistus. Within the first kilometre, the path passes above the first of the hanging valleys, offering vertiginous views down into narrow ravines where turquoise water surges against the base of the cliffs. The rock here is Miocene limestone, soft enough to be sculpted by wave action into arches, stacks, blowholes and sea caves, but firm enough underfoot to make the walking straightforward on most sections.
The trail passes through and above several named features. Praia do Vale de Centeanes, the first beach, is accessible by a steep stairway and is worth the descent for a swim if the tide and swell are favourable. Further along, the Algar Seco area presents a natural rock amphitheatre with carved pools, tunnels and a famous viewpoint known as the Boneca, or doll, a rock formation that vaguely resembles a human figure. A wooden boardwalk section at Algar Seco protects the fragile cliff edge and provides a level, accessible stretch.
Continuing east, the path undulates through a sequence of valleys, each with its own character. Some are dry and lined with fig trees and agave; others open directly onto narrow cove beaches framed by towering rock walls. The Algar de Benagil, the Algarve's most famous sea cave, is visible from the clifftop roughly midway along the route. The cave itself can only be entered from the sea, by swimming or kayak from Praia de Benagil, but the clifftop perspective, looking down through the collapsed roof to the sand floor and the ocean beyond, is extraordinary.
The trail culminates at Praia da Marinha, consistently rated one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and in Europe. The beach is flanked by sculpted rock formations, including the iconic double arch visible on countless postcards and travel guides. Steps lead down from the clifftop to the sand, and the beach has a seasonal cafe. From Marinha, walkers can either retrace their steps to Vale de Centianes or arrange a taxi or bus back to their starting point.
The path surface varies between packed earth, rock and short boardwalk sections. In several places the trail passes very close to the unfenced cliff edge, and particular care is needed in windy conditions and with children. The route is exposed throughout, with no shade, and in summer the heat can be intense. Carrying water is essential, and sun protection is not optional. The walk is best undertaken in the morning or late afternoon between May and October, and at any time of day in the cooler months of November through April, when the wildflowers are at their best and the light is softer.
Highlights
- Clifftop views into Algar de Benagil, the Algarve's most famous sea cave
- Praia da Marinha with its iconic double arch, rated among Europe's finest beaches
- Succession of collapsed limestone valleys with turquoise water below
- Algar Seco rock formations and natural carved pools
- Wildflower displays on the cliff scrubland from February to May