Hiking in Lagos: 7 great hiking trails

Did you know that there are many fun hiking trails to explore in and around Lagos Portugal? Check out these trails if you want to go hiking in Lagos.

About Lagos

Lagos is located on the stunning southern coast of Portugal, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the golden cliffs of the Algarve. But for me, it is much more than just a beautiful beach destination. I practically “move” to Lagos for a few months every year, and by now, this coastal city truly feels like my second home.

As a passionate hiker, I’ve spent countless hours exploring the area on foot. I’ve discovered almost every trail in and around the city. The Lagos area offers an amazing array of hiking trails for every level: from easy coastal walks with spectacular ocean views to peaceful inland paths where you wander among mysterious cork trees.

The best part about hiking in Lagos? The reward afterwards. Once you finish your trail, you can simply stroll through the historic city center, relax on one of the gorgeous beaches, or treat yourself to some amazing fresh seafood at a local restaurant.

In this article, I’ll share my absolute favorite hiking trails in and just outside of Lagos, so you can experience the breathtaking nature of the Algarve just like a local. Let’s hit the trails!

Hiking in Lagos: the best trails

You really don’t need heavy hiking gear to explore the Algarve; a sturdy pair of sneakers is usually all you need. These are the routes I find myself walking time and time again, starting with the most famous one.

Ponta Piedade

An absolute must-see in Lagos is the iconic Ponta da Piedade. These beautiful cliffs offer spectacular ocean views. Located about two kilometers south of the city center, Ponta da Piedade is the perfect place for a first hike in Lagos.

When I first arrived in Lagos, Ponta da Piedade was accessible only by a long boring road, but they changed this in the past few years by building boardwalks all along the coast, which start at Praia do Pinhão. On your way to Ponta da Piedade, you will pass some of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos, including Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.

On your way to the south, you leave the residential area behind you and the rocks get higher and higher and more jagged. You will pass breathtaking viewpoints and idyllic bays. There are several boardwalks to explore, so you can make the walk as long as you want.

• Length: 5 to 7 kilometers
• Difficulty: Easy
• Markers: None, but you can follow the blue-green marking of the Fishermen’s Trail from Lagos. It will lead you to Ponta da Piedade with the lighthouse.

Boardwalks along Meia Praia

Since 2022, they also built wooden boardwalks along Meia Praia, one of the longest beaches in Lagos. Perfect for a beach walk if you don’t feel like walking through the loose sand. The boardwalk runs about halfway down the beach and is about 4 kilometers long.

Of course, if you feel like walking further, that’s no problem, but you’ll have to walk on the beach. The closer you get to Alvor, the quieter it gets. It’s a great walk if you want to get some fresh air and feel the wind in your hair! In the bay, you often see kitesurfers displaying their skills, making it a fun place for a break before walking back to Lagos.

• Length: 8 to 12 kilometers (from the Marina)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Markers: None, but it is very easy to follow.

Extra tip: if you like to go for a run during your time in Lagos, this is a perfect trail to do it. Beautiful views, not too crowded and quite flat.

Lagos city walk

Of course, you can also choose to take a nice walk in the city itself. What I often do, is just to follow the city wall and then duck into the city through one of the entrances. There are several fun narrow streets with brightly colored houses to explore. You’ll also see a surprising amount of street art.

Visit the old slave market (which is now a museum), check out the impressive fortress of Ponta da Bandeira, and the picturesque marina. A walk through the city offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and local charm.

• Length: 2 to 7 kilometers
• Difficulty: Easy
• Markers: None. Just wander around and check out all the streets you like, it’s not that big.

Fishermen’s Trail: from Praia da Luz to Lagos

For more adventurous hikers, hiking a section of the Fishermen’s Trail is highly recommended. This long-distance hiking trail stretches for more than 200 kilometers and offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the pristine beauty of the Algarve and Alentejo region.

The train station of Lagos is the terminus of the Fishermen’s Trail, making it very easy to hike the last leg (section 13) of this famous hiking trail. Take the bus to Praia da Luz, walk to the beach, and from there follow the blue-green markings toward the east.

The hike starts with a steep climb (it seems worse than it is), but after that, it is a beautiful trek over the cliffs with breathtaking views. You will also pass by Ponta da Piedade. I have done the walk from Luz to Lagos about ten times now and it never gets boring!

• Length: 11 kilometers
• Difficulty: Easy (only the climb at the beginning is briefly tough)
• Markers: blue-green

Fishermen’s Trail: from Salema to Praia da Luz

If you liked hiking the section of the Fishermen’s Trail from Luz to Lagos, stage 12, from Salema to Praia da Luz, is also recommended. From Lagos, take the bus to Salema (pay close attention to bus schedules as it does not go very often), and from there hike along the coast to Luz.

This stretch along the coast doesn’t have that many buildings, so it is often a lot more quiet than the section from Luz to Lagos. Salema itself is a cozy fishing village and as soon as you leave it you are immediately in nature. You cross several beaches and even pass the ruin of a medieval fortress.

One of the highlights is the walk through the picturesque fishing village of Burgau, a perfect place to have lunch or a cup of coffee on the terrace. From here it is not so far to Luz and you will pass several hidden coves. A delightful hike!

• Length: 12 kilometers
• Difficulty: Medium
• Markers: blue-green

Barão de São João to Lagos

One of the most enjoyable inland hikes near Lagos that I have taken is that of the small village of Barão de São João back to Lagos. This town is not too far from Lagos (easily reached by bus) and it feels like a completely different world. It’s the home of many artists and there’s a national forest right next to it.

Locals combine nature and artwork every year at the Walk & Art Fest, where you walk past various works of art. It is usually in November, so if you are in the area during that time, it is really recommended to check it out.

Anyway, let’s get back to the hiking trail because I think you’d like to know more about it. Barão de São João is on the Via Algarviana and there is a special “connecting trail” to Lagos via neighboring Bensafrim.

What makes this hike so special is that between Barão de São João and Bensafrim, you walk through a cork forest. In doing so, it is also much quieter than on the coastal hiking trails, which adds to the mysterious atmosphere.

Just before you get to Bensafrim, you’ll see a sign to Lagos. The green hills gradually flatten out and you walk mostly on dirt roads through tiny villages. A nice route if you want a little something different from the coast.

• Length: 19.3 kilometers (if you start in Bensafrim it is about 13 kilometers to Lagos, but then you’ll miss the cork forest)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Markers: red and white of the Via Algarviana.

Via Algarviana: From Bensafrim to Vila do Bispo

The last hiking trail I’d like to share with you is a section of the Via Algarviana. The Via Algarviana runs through the interior of the Algarve and has a length of 300 kilometers. Although this long-distance trail does not pass through Lagos, it’s quite easy to hike a section.

From Lagos, you can hike the thirteenth stage of the Via Algarviana, which runs from Bensafrim to Vila do Bispo. Both towns have good bus connections with Lagos. You can also pick up this route in Barão de São João, then it is about 5 kilometers shorter.

From Bensafrim you first hike to Barão de São João through the cork forest, then forest and green hills alternate. Sometimes you suddenly walk among huge windmills and in the distance, you can see the sea glistening. It is a wonderfully quiet route and you won’t see a lot of people. Vila do Bispo is a nice village with a few restaurants with great seafood. Keep in mind that the last bus to Lagos leaves quite early (6:45 p.m.).

• Length: 29.7 kilometers
• Difficulty: Difficult (mainly because of the length and the hills)
• Markers: red and white

As you can see, there are plenty of great options for hiking in Lagos. In addition to the routes I mention in this article, there are many other fun routes in the area, such as the boardwalk trails at Alvor and other stages of the Fishermen’s Trail. For more tips, also read: 18 Best Algarve Hiking Trails.

The best time to go hiking in Lagos

The best time to go hiking in Lagos is spring (March to June) and fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is warm and sunny, but not too hot. Temperatures average between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Not only is it great hiking weather, but it is also perfect for a dip into the ocean.

Although it can occasionally rain (heavily) in the winter (November to February), I can also recommend this period to go for a hike in and around Lagos. Temperatures then are usually between 10 and 20 degrees.

I do not recommend hiking in the summer months because it can be very hot and there is little shade on most of the trails.

Practical tips for hiking in Lagos

Before you hit the trails, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your hike as safe and enjoyable as possible:

• Navigation: While most of the long distance trails are reasonably well-marked, I always recommend downloading an offline map via apps like Gaia GPS just to be sure.
• Footwear: Leave your heavy hiking boots at home! A good, comfortable pair of sneakers or trail runners is really all you need for the paths in and around Lagos.
• Stay safe on the cliffs: This is a crucial one: always stay on the official paths and don’t get too close to the cliff edges. The limestone rocks in the Algarve are fragile and can crumble unexpectedly. No selfie is worth the risk!
• Sun protection & water: There is almost no shade on the coastal trails. The ocean breeze can be deceptive, making you forget how strong the Portuguese sun really is. Always bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Best places to stay in Lagos

Would you like to visit Lagos and check out these hiking trails? There are plenty of great places to stay in Lagos. A few recommendations:

• The Salty Lodge (4⭐) – One of the nicest accommodations in town, in the historic city center. It’s a very short walk to the beach.
  Lagos Avenida Hotel (4⭐) – In a beautiful waterfront location, close to the Marina and the historic city center. On the roof is a swimming pool; from here you have a beautiful view of the coastline.
• Cascade Wellness Resort (5⭐) – One of the most luxurious hotels in Lagos on Ponta da Piedade with a large outdoor pool. It has not only hotel rooms but also apartments and self-contained villas.

Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.

Book a trip to Lagos

These were my tips for fun hikes in Lagos. Would you like to visit this beautiful city in the south of Portugal? Book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets – Faro Airport is the international airport of the Algarve and the best place to start your road trip. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals on plane tickets. From the airport, it’s a 1-hour drive to Lagos.

🚘 Rental Car – To get to Lagos and to check out more amazing places in the Algarve, it’s highly recommended to rent a car. Check Discover Cars to find the best deals.

💊 Travel insurance – Make sure to invest in travel insurance, it will give you peace of mind during your trip. Check out Insubuy to find the travel insurance that fits your needs.

🏄🏼 Tours & activities – There are lots of fun tours and guided trips in Lagos. Check Get Your Guide for all the options.

Read more about the Algarve

Would you like to discover the Algarve? These guidebooks contain more information on great hiking trails and fun places to visit in the Algarve.

Walking in the Algarve: 32 walks in the south of Portugal

DK Top 10 The Algarve

I myself spend a few months every year in the Algarve, therefore you can find on this website a lot of information about a trip to Portugal. Check out one of these articles:

• 10 Fun day trips from Lagos Portugal
• 12 Beautiful villages and towns in the Algarve
• The perfect Algarve itinerary for a 1 or 2 week road trip

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This article was published in May 2024. Last update: February 2026.

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