Lagoa’s Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is best hike in Europe
Lagoa’s Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Sete Vales Suspensos) has been named the Best Hiking Destination in Europe by online portal European Best Destinations.
The ranking, based on votes from over 28,000 travellers from 153 countries, is led by Lagoa’s stunning coastal trail, which is described as “breathtaking, unforgettable and one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe”. The portal went on to list some of the trail’s best features: “This little corner of paradise brings together exceptional sites such as the Chapel of Senhora da Rocha, the beach of Cova Redonda and the beach of Carvoeiro, elected most beautiful beach in Europe, the fishing town of Ferragudo, the lighthouse of Alfanzina, the cliffs from Marinha, the Albandeira beach and the caves of Benagil.”
The 5.7km trail links Praia de Vale Centeanes to Praia da Marinha and gives hikers a chance to walk along paths and beaches that are “very clean” and “observe the fauna and flora, beautiful birds and even little rabbits”, added the site. The Algarve’s tourism chief João Fernandes has said: “It is an honour to see the region’s natural beauty acknowledged by thousands of tourists from all over the world”. Hikers can begin their walk at the chapel Senhora da Rocha in Porches and end in Carvoeiro or, for occasional walkers, begin at Praia da Marinha and end in Carvoeiro.
Text: Michael Bruxo