- 10 km — Distance
- 3–4 hours — Walking time
- Moderate — Difficulty
- 70–100 m — Elevation gain
The Atlantic coast at the beginning of the Fishermen's Trail.
INTRODUCTION
The First Steps on the Fishermen's Trail
Stage 1 is the official coastal opening of the Fishermen's Trail, connecting Praia de São Torpes with Porto Covo over approximately 10 kilometres. It is shorter than most stages, but it introduces many of the route's characteristic elements: sand, wind, dunes, low cliffs, fishing paths and an ocean that remains constantly present.
The landscape begins close to the industrial area of Sines and quickly changes into a more open coastal environment. Beaches and rocky platforms alternate along the route, while the whitewashed houses of Porto Covo provide a clear and welcoming finish.
This stage is suitable as a gentle first day, although sandy surfaces can still be tiring. The coast is exposed, shade is scarce and there are a few places where beach access or wet rock requires attention.
THE ROUTE
From São Torpes to the White Village
The starting point at São Torpes lies south of Sines. The first section follows the coast through a landscape where industrial infrastructure gradually gives way to dunes, scrub and the Atlantic.
Praia de São Torpes is known for its relatively warm water, influenced by the nearby power station's cooling-water discharge. The trail itself should be understood as a coastal route rather than a walk along the road: it soon moves through sandy ground and natural vegetation.
Further south, the beaches of Vieirinha and Oliveirinha create a sequence of open viewpoints and small coves. The route is generally easy to follow, but loose sand can slow progress. Porto Covo is reached through a more settled landscape, with the village's square, church and whitewashed houses forming a memorable end to the first day.
Follow the red-and-yellow Grande Rota signs and stay on marked paths. Do not enter restricted industrial areas or cross dunes outside the trail.
THE BEACHES
São Torpes and the Southern Beaches
Praia de São Torpes is the official starting point for many itineraries. South of it, the coast becomes more natural, with dune vegetation, rock shelves and beaches that are quieter outside the summer season.
Praia da Vieirinha and Praia da Oliveirinha are good examples of the transition from open beach to low cliff and coastal scrub. They are best enjoyed from the marked path, which protects the vegetation and avoids unstable edges.
Praia da Vieirinha, one of the quiet coastal sections of the stage.
Walk Light on the São Torpes to Porto Covo Trail
The first stage is short but sandy. Our luggage transfer service collects your bags at the start and delivers them to your accommodation in Porto Covo, allowing you to begin the trail with only the essentials.
HISTORY
Three Landmarks of Porto Covo's Memory
The Planned Village of Porto Covo. Porto Covo was founded in the 18th century as a fishing settlement laid out around a central square with streets in a regular grid — a deliberate plan, not organic growth. The historic core, with its blue-and-white whitewashed houses, keeps that original geometry almost intact today.
Porto Covo, with its 18th-century grid street layout.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Built in the same period as the village's founding, the small chapel on Porto Covo's main square served for centuries as the spiritual centre of a community that lived almost entirely from coastal fishing and shellfish gathering on the surrounding rocks.
A Route Built on Fishermen's Paths. The Fishermen's Trail isn't an invented route: for most of its length it follows the real paths generations of Alentejo coastal fishermen used to move between settlements and fishing spots, formalised as a walking trail network starting in 2012.
WILDLIFE AND PLANTS
Three Species of the Trail between São Torpes and Porto Covo
Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis guadarramae). The most common lizard on the whole Alentejo coast basks on stones along the path, darting for cover as footsteps approach. It's much smaller and more discreet than Stage 0's ocellated lizard, but far more numerous.
The Iberian wall lizard, the most common lizard species on the Alentejo coast.
European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola). This small year-round resident of the low coastal scrub perches prominently on the tallest bushes, watching over its territory. The male has a black head and orange breast; both sexes give a dry call like two stones being tapped together.
The European stonechat, a year-round resident of the coastal scrub.
European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The Iberian Peninsula is this species' evolutionary place of origin, and the dune scrub between São Torpes and Porto Covo remains one of its most typical habitats. It's also the food base for nearly every predator on this coast, from foxes to Bonelli's eagles.
The European rabbit, native to the Iberian Peninsula and the base prey species of this coast.
Sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum). It's the first large, fragrant white flower walkers meet on the fixed dunes near Porto Covo, and the only stage on this route where it gets its own dedicated feature — it appears on other beaches along the trail, but nowhere else does it form such dense, visible populations right along the path.
The sea daffodil, at its densest appearance anywhere on the trail.
Gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer). White flowers with crumpled petals and a dark blotch at the base cover large stretches of scrub between the two villages. Its sticky leaves release an intense resinous scent under the sun — one of the most characteristic smells of the coastal Alentejo in late spring.
Gum rockrose, one of the most characteristic plants of the Alentejo scrubland.
Phoenician juniper (Juniperus turbinata). Shaped by constant wind, this juniper grows low and dense over the fixed dunes, sometimes forming genuine living walls that hold moving sand in place. Its rounded berries, somewhere between green and black, take two years to ripen.
Phoenician juniper, shaped by the wind over the fixed dunes.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Tips for a Safe Hike
Transport to São Torpes. São Torpes is outside the centre of Sines, so plan the transfer to the official starting point in advance.
Water and food. Porto Covo has services at the end of the stage, but carry water from the start. There is little shade along the coast.
Industrial boundary. Respect signs and restricted areas near the Sines industrial zone. The official walking route does not justify entering closed areas.
Sand and sun. The distance is short, but sand and exposure can make the walk tiring. Use suitable footwear and sun protection.
STARTING POINT
São Torpes: Where Industry Meets the Wild Coast
Before starting, check the exact trailhead and transport arrangements. The beach marks the beginning of the official Fishermen's Trail, while the wider Sines area offers museums, a castle and an industrial port landscape for those arriving early.
EXTRA TIME
What to Do in Porto Covo
Explore Porto Covo's central square, visit the church and walk down to the small beaches around the village. The town is also a practical base for preparing the longer stage towards Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Stage 1 is short, but it establishes the visual language of the entire route: a white village, an open ocean, wind-shaped vegetation and paths that belong equally to fishermen and walkers.
Start the trail without the weight of your luggage. We'll collect your bags at São Torpes and deliver them to your accommodation in Porto Covo.