Portugal’s Algarve coast is understood for fairly a number of issues: golden sea cliffs full of grottos and arches; historic white-washed villages; and seashores lapped by turquoise waters. It’s also residence to some superb coastal mountain climbing!
I am not usually an enormous hiker, nevertheless it was unimaginable for me to disregard the gorgeous cliff prime views that beckoned in Lagos, Portugal. Lagos is a small city on the Algarve coast, identified for its picturesque outdated city and scrumptious seafood – and its proximity to Ponta da Piedade.
What’s Ponte de Piedade?
With its identify translating roughly to “Level of Mercy” or “Piety Level,” Ponta da Piedade is assortment of craggy rock formations that kind a coastal headland not removed from central Lagos. The golden-colored rocks of the headland twist into sea arches and pure caves, hiding fairly grottos and tiny spectacular seashores.
It is comprehensible that this is without doubt one of the most well-known landscapes in all of Portugal.
Visiting Ponta da Piedade is without doubt one of the hottest things to do in Lagos, and there are a pair other ways to do it. You may merely drive out to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade; you possibly can take a boat tour from Lagos to see the rock formations from the water (I like to recommend this, too!), or you possibly can hike to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos.
I did each the boat tour and the hike, and personally loved the hike extra since you possibly can take your time and see much more.
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The Ponta da Piedade hike
Mountain climbing from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade just isn’t a troublesome or lengthy hike; the truth is, it is solely about 1.5 miles one-way, and largely flat alongside picket boardwalks.
The hike generally is a bit complicated ranging from central Lagos, nevertheless, as you might assume you possibly can stroll alongside the seaside itself, or maybe alongside the tops of the cliffs. However you possibly can’t.
The principle seaside in Lagos city (Praia da Batata) IS linked to a couple smaller seashores by way of rock-hewn tunnels which are accessible at low tide. Nonetheless, this path solely goes so far as Praia dos Estudantes – so do not trouble attempting to observe the seaside.
The place to begin the Ponta da Piedade hike
That is the place you’ll want to listen. Older guides and weblog posts may inform you which you can stroll instantly from the seashores in Lagos alongside the sting of the coastal cliffs all the best way out to Ponta da Piedade. And this was true a number of years in the past.
Sadly, erosion and landslides have taken their toll on this a part of the Algarve, and the clifftop coastal path is not a secure method to stroll out to Ponta da Piedade. Some posts will inform you to begin your hike at Praia do Pinhão, a reasonably little seaside just a few minutes’ stroll alongside the highway from Lagos.
And whereas you may get TO Praia do Pinhão, elements of the outdated coastal path past this seaside are both utterly washed out, or fragile sufficient that strolling alongside them just isn’t suggested.* (Should you select to strive it, simply know that you just’re doing it at your personal danger!)
As an alternative, the perfect place to start your hike is on the (new) official start line of the Ponta da Piedade hike, near Praia de Dona Ana. This is without doubt one of the extra fashionable seashores within the Lagos space, and is effectively price a go to by itself!
Within the final couple of years, the regional council in Lagos has labored on constructing a system of picket boardwalks to attach numerous seashores and viewpoints alongside the coast surrounding Ponta da Piedade. You will get on this new boardwalk system on the finish of the Praia de Dona Ana parking space (Parking Dona Ana); the beginning of the boardwalk is precisely marked on Google Maps as “Ponta da Piedade Walkway Entry.”
You may both get to this boardwalk entry level by strolling from Lagos city (it is a few 20-minute stroll, nevertheless it’s largely alongside roads; you may take Av. dos Descobrimentos, flip left on Estrada Ponta da Piedade, after which left once more on Alameda Dr. Armando Soares Ribeiro), or by taking a taxi up to now.
*Word: There are plans to increase the boardwalk system to attach Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Pinhão, nevertheless it hasn’t been began but! Maybe in a number of extra years, the whole coastal stroll WILL be doable from Lagos.
Ponta da Piedade boardwalk
From right here, the boardwalk meanders near the coast – however not too shut, since landslides are nonetheless a hazard right here. There are offshoots to varied viewpoints, and some areas with benches alongside the best way.
The boardwalks are huge and flat, making this an easy stroll!
The boardwalk at the moment ends shortly earlier than the parking space on the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse, although there are plans to utterly re-do this space, too, with new parking areas, viewpoints, and extra boardwalks.
For now, the stroll from the present boardwalk entry to the lighthouse with none main detours will take you perhaps half-hour.
BUT, there are positively some detours you may wish to make!
Visiting Praia do Camilo
One detour I believe you need to make is to take the steps right down to Praia do Camilo, which is arguably the prettiest seaside alongside this entire coast. There are a whole lot of steps (220 or so) to get right down to the small seaside, nevertheless it’s positively price seeing.
The seaside is known as for a rock formation (to the left facet of the seaside should you’re it from the steps) that appears form of like a camel mendacity down.
This seaside is not enormous, nevertheless it’s completely beautiful, particularly on a sunny day.
There’s additionally a restaurant close by referred to as O Camilo that’s the greatest spot for lunch alongside the coast – I had some calamari right here that was scrumptious!
The stroll from the beginning of the boardwalk to Praia do Camilo is simply about 10-Quarter-hour, after which it is one other Quarter-hour alongside the boardwalk to Ponta da Piedade.
Attending to Ponta da Piedade
Once you get to Ponta da Piedade, there are a number of completely different spots to view the grottos and sea arches from above. Some grime paths lead out onto the tops of the rock formations themselves, however as at all times watch out on these as some could also be unstable due to erosion.
Additionally close by are some retailers and vendor stands, in addition to a small cafe close to the lighthouse (although personally I would not get something greater than a espresso or chilly soda right here).
The most well-liked factor to do when you get to Ponta da Piedade is to climb down into the grottos by way of a well-known stone staircase. (Sure, once more it is a whole lot of steps – 180 this time!)
Down within the grottos, there are normally locals with small boats providing rides by among the close by arches and caves. These excursions are extra casual than those you possibly can e book from Lagos city (for instance, there will not be any commentary), nevertheless it is likely to be a great choice if that is going to be your solely go to to Ponta da Piedade.
Extra coastal boardwalks
Whereas the hike to Ponta da Piedade itself is likely to be sufficient for you, know that there’s one other stretch of coastal boardwalk to to west of the lighthouse. This part of boardwalk intersects with some paved strolling/biking trails, and presents up much more fairly coastal views.
This part of boardwalk will take you above Praia do Canavial, the place the boardwalk ends on Rua do Canavial. (Make sure to cease for views at Miradouro da Praia do Canavial, which is a few 20-minute stroll from the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse.)
From any level alongside your stroll, it is easy to retrace your steps to return to Lagos on foot.
Ponta da Piedade boardwalk FAQ
Listed below are another questions you might need about this hike!
The place does the Ponta da Piedade boardwalk begin?
At present, the boardwalk begins close to the Praia de Dona Ana car parking zone off Alameda Dr. Armando Soares Ribeiro, at a spot marked “Ponta da Piedade Walkway Entry” on Google Maps. It ends close to Praia do Canavial on Rua do Canavial (marked as “Ponta de Piedade Boardwalk Endpoint” on Google Maps).
Finally, the boardwalk ought to lengthen to Praia do Pinhão, however as of 2024 solely goes so far as Praia de Dona Ana.
How lengthy is the boardwalk?
There are a pair completely different sections of boardwalks which are open to date.
At present, from the entry level to the Ponta de Piedade lighthouse, the stroll takes about half-hour. From the lighthouse to the “endpoint,” you possibly can anticipate one other half-hour of strolling. (Although it took me loads longer since I took all of the detours and stopped so often for pictures!)
From Lagos to Ponta de Piedade and again with loads of stops (and perhaps a lunch break), I’d enable not less than half a day so you do not really feel rushed!
Is the boardwalk accessible?
Whereas I did see some bike riders and households with strollers on the boardwalk once I went, there are nonetheless some picket steps at sure factors (particularly on the entry level of the boardwalk). So it is not precisely wheelchair-friendly.
Do I’ve to remain on the boardwalk?
The boardwalk system just isn’t but totally full, so there are at the moment some sections the place you will not have a selection however to go away the boardwalk. Nonetheless, within the sections the place the boardwalk is completed, it is positively really helpful that you just keep on it and keep away from utilizing the grime footpaths nearer to the cliff edge.
Not solely is that this simply safer for you, nevertheless it’s additionally kinder on the clifftop atmosphere, and hopefully can assist curb the erosion points.
Greatest time to go to Ponta da Piedade
The Algarve area of Portugal has a Mediterranean local weather, that means it experiences scorching and dry summers and gentle winters. There’s probably not a *dangerous* time to go to Lagos and Ponta da Piedade, to be sincere.
Excessive season in Lagos and the Algarve runs from late June by August. That is when it is the most popular and busiest – and maybe not excellent mountain climbing climate!
I visited Lagos within the low season, in March (see my full 3-day Lagos itinerary!). Whereas I had some partly-cloudy days this time of 12 months, it was within the 70s (F) and sunny the day I hiked out to Ponta da Piedade. Good mountain climbing climate!
I would say the BEST instances to go to Lagos are in all probability late April-Could and September-early October if you need good mountain climbing climate and fewer crowds, however nonetheless loads of issues to do.
As for the greatest time of day to hike to Ponta de Piedade, it would largely be season-dependent. Ponta da Piedade faces south, so typically there’s solar on all of it day. Once I was there in March, the morning hours had been the perfect for pictures, and sundown would have additionally been good.
What to pack for the Ponta da Piedade hike
This is not a troublesome or technical hike in any respect, particularly now that it is totally on picket boardwalks! However you may wish to ensure you have:
- Loads of water, particularly should you’re mountain climbing on a scorching day.
- A hat, sunscreen, and sun shades, and maybe lengthy sleeves; there’s ZERO shade on this hike, so deliver loads of solar safety!
- A snack, except you propose to cease for lunch.
- Cozy sneakers or mountain climbing sandals.
- A swimsuit and towel should you plan to cease to swim alongside the best way.
Choose up a daypack like this one to hold all of your gear!
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The place to remain in Lagos
I stayed on the Baluarte da Vila Apartments, which is an residence lodge inside strolling distance to all the primary sights in Lagos. The residences are massive (mine was 3 flooring and included a rooftop terrace!), and the constructing has a pleasant pool and a pair lounge areas.
Different good lodge choices in Lagos embody:
Is the Ponta da Piedade hike one you’d love to do in Portugal?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
