Seven Hanging Valleys Trail: A Complete Guide to the Algarve's Most Beautiful Coastal Walk

Golden cliffs, turquoise water, sea arches and hidden coves around every corner. Is there a prettier coastal walk in Europe? The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos) follows the clifftops of the Algarve between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, near Carvoeiro. It has been named one of the best walks in Europe, and the photos explain why.

We haven't hiked this one yet, but it's high on our bucket list, so I've researched every detail for you. The name comes from the little valleys that end high above the sea, cut off by the cliffs. Along the way you pass the famous Benagil cave, several gorgeous beaches and the Alfanzina lighthouse. It is only 5.7 km one way, so it is perfect for a morning walk followed by a swim.

However, its popularity comes at a price. In July 2026, local guides and tour operators raised the alarm about crowds, litter, erosion and a lack of toilets along the route. So I also include tips to help you visit in a more responsible way. Below you will find the route, parking, how to get back to your car and the current Benagil cave rules.

At a glance

• Distance: 5.7 km one way, or 11.4 km if you walk there and back
• Elevation gain: around 180 m one way, spread over lots of short ups and downs
• Allow 2–3 hours one way with photo stops, or 4–6 hours there and back
• Difficulty: Moderate. There are some steep, rocky and uneven sections, and you walk close to cliff edges. The main challenge is the sun, as there is very little shade
• Route type: Point to point (or out and back)
• Start/finish: Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, in the municipality of Lagoa
• Waymarking: signed as PR1 LGA, with red and yellow marks
• Best season: spring and autumn. In summer, go early in the morning
• Prices: free. It is a public coastal path with no ticket or permit
• Toilets: none on the path. Use the facilities at the beach cafés and restaurants
• Suitable for children: older kids with a head for heights. Not for pushchairs
• Dogs: keep them on a lead near the cliff edges, and think twice in summer, as there is very little shade

Route description

Most people walk from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes, from east to west. I describe it in that direction. You can also start in Vale Centeanes and finish with a swim at Marinha.

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is one of the most photographed beaches in Portugal. Before you set off, walk to the viewpoints at the top of the cliffs to see its famous rock stacks and arches. If you have time, take the steps down to the beach. However, I suggest saving the swim for the end.

Marinha to Benagil

From the Marinha car park, the trail heads west along the clifftops. You pass a series of viewpoints, a rock formation with a double arch and Praia da Corredoura, a small beach you can only reach by sea. The path is mostly sandy and rocky, with low scrub on either side. Keep an eye out for the waymarks, as there are lots of side paths made by people walking off the trail.

Benagil cave from above

Soon you reach the clifftop above the famous Benagil cave (Algar de Benagil). From here you can look down through the round hole in its roof, the "skylight". A fence surrounds the opening, so the view is a bit limited. Please don't climb over it! You can't hike down to the cave from the trail, as it can only be reached from the sea.

Benagil village and Praia do Carvalho

The trail then drops down to Benagil beach, the lowest point of the walk. The little fishing village has cafés and restaurants with terraces, so it is a good place for a drink. Climb back up on the other side and continue to Praia do Carvalho. This hidden cove is reached through a tunnel carved in the rock, which sounds like so much fun. After Praia do Carvalho the signs are not great, so turn left at the top of the staircase to stay on the trail.

Alfanzina lighthouse to Vale Centeanes

The next section passes the rock formations of Leixão do Ladrão and the small beach of Vale Espinhaço. Here you also get a bit of shade for a change. Then the path climbs to the Alfanzina lighthouse (Farol de Alfanzina), perched on the cliffs. The last stretch takes you along the clifftops to Praia de Vale Centeanes, where a beach restaurant and a refreshing swim are waiting.

Getting back to your car

As it is a one-way walk, you need a plan to get back. You can walk back the same way, which turns it into an 11.4 km hike. Or take a taxi or a ride-hailing app back to Praia da Marinha. It is only a short drive. Some people also leave a second car at the end.

How to get there

By car and parking

The trail is in the municipality of Lagoa, between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra. Faro airport is the nearest international airport, and most visitors drive from there.

Parking: there are car parks at both ends of the trail. Praia da Marinha has a medium-sized car park at the top of the cliffs, and there is a large car park near Benagil. In summer they fill up early, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Please don't park on the verges or block the narrow lanes in Benagil. Chaotic parking is one of the problems local guides have reported.

By bus

Vamus Algarve runs local buses from Lagoa and Carvoeiro to stops near Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes. However, the services are infrequent and some only run on weekdays. Check the current timetable on the Vamus Algarve website or app before you rely on them.

By taxi

Taxis and ride-hailing apps work well in this area. They are handy for getting back to the start, or for getting to the trail from Carvoeiro or Lagoa.

Permits, fees & opening times

• The trail is free and open all year. You don't need a permit.
• It is waymarked as PR1 LGA. The signs are good overall, but pay attention at junctions.
• Benagil cave rules: since August 2024, the harbour authority in Portimão has banned swimming into the cave and landing on the beach inside it. You can visit it only from the water, on a licensed boat tour or with a licensed kayak or SUP guide. Self-guided kayak trips into the cave are not allowed.
• Beach cafés and restaurants along the route are mostly seasonal, so don't count on them in winter.

When to go

In my opinion, spring and autumn are the best times for this walk. Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are ideal. Temperatures are pleasant, and there are fewer people than in summer.

In summer the trail gets very hot, and there is hardly any shade. If you go in July or August, start early in the morning or walk in the late afternoon. Avoid rainy and windy days at any time of year. The path near the cliffs can get slippery and dangerous.

Hiking with kids

Suitable for children: yes, for older kids who can walk 6 km and listen to instructions near cliff edges. Some guides say it is not recommended for young children, and I agree that toddlers need very close supervision. There are long stretches with no fence between the path and the drop.

• Pushchairs: not suitable. The path is sandy and rocky, with steps and steep sections.
• Carriers: a back carrier works for little ones, but watch your footing on the steep and rocky parts.
• Shorten it: walk from Praia da Marinha to the Benagil cave viewpoint and back. Then spend the afternoon on the beach.
• Keep it fun: count the arches and sea stacks, spot boats going into the caves and promise an ice cream in Benagil.
• Keep them away from the fenced holes (sinkholes) in the clifftop. They are deep and dangerous.

What to pack

• Trail shoes or walking shoes with good grip. Flip-flops are not a good idea on the rocky sections
• At least 1.5 litres of water per person, more in summer
• Sun hat, sunglasses and plenty of sun cream
• A swimsuit and a small towel for the beaches
• Some cash or a card for drinks and lunch along the way
• A small bag to carry your rubbish out

The beach cafés are seasonal, so I recommend bringing a few snacks too. Nuts and energy bars are light and don't melt in the heat. You will find more ideas in my guide to the best food for expeditions.

Safety tips

• Stay back from the cliff edges. The limestone cliffs can crumble, and there are no railings on most of the route. Be careful when taking photos!
• Never climb over the fences around the sinkholes and the Benagil skylight.
• Don't sit or lie under the cliffs on the beaches, as rocks can fall.
• Avoid the trail in rain and strong wind, when the path becomes slippery and dangerous.
• Protect yourself from the sun. There is almost no shade, so drink plenty and take breaks.
• In an emergency, call 112.

Leave no trace & sustainable tips

• Stick to the main path. In 2026, guides reported serious erosion and damaged plants caused by people walking off the official trail and creating new ones.
• Take all your rubbish home. Litter is a growing problem on this trail.
• Use the toilets at the beach cafés and restaurants before and during your walk. There are none on the path itself, and human waste has become a real issue.
• Park considerately and only in proper car parks. Or come by bus or taxi.
• Choose licensed operators if you visit the Benagil cave by boat or kayak.
• Go early or out of season. It is more pleasant for you and kinder to the trail.

Where to stay & eat nearby

• Carvoeiro is a lively seaside town just west of Vale Centeanes. It has lots of hotels, apartments and restaurants, and it is the most popular base for the trail.
• Benagil is a tiny fishing village right on the trail. Staying here means you can start walking before the crowds arrive.
• Lagoa, a little inland, is the main town of the municipality. Local buses to the beaches leave from its bus station.
• Ferragudo is a pretty fishing village near Portimão, a bit further west.
• Food along the way: there are places to eat and drink at Praia da Marinha, Benagil, Praia do Carvalho and Vale Centeanes. Many are seasonal.

More to explore nearby

• Benagil cave by boat or kayak: see the famous cave from the inside on a licensed tour.
• Algar Seco: a fascinating rock formation with natural pools and windows, just east of Carvoeiro.
• Carvoeiro boardwalk: a short wooden walkway along the cliffs, perfect for a sunset stroll.
• Silves: a historic town with a red sandstone castle, inland from Lagoa.
• Ponta da Piedade: more dramatic sea stacks and grottoes near Lagos, further west.

FAQ

How long is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail?

It is 5.7 km one way between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, or 11.4 km there and back. Allow 2–3 hours one way with stops.

Where does the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail start?

Most people start at the car park above Praia da Marinha and finish at Praia de Vale Centeanes. You can walk it in either direction.

Can you see the Benagil cave from the trail?

Yes, but only from above, through the hole in the cave's roof. It is fenced, so the view is limited. To see inside, you need a licensed boat or guided kayak tour.

Can you swim to the Benagil cave?

No. Since August 2024, swimming into the cave and landing on its beach have been banned.

Is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail difficult?

It is moderate. The distance is short, but there are steep and rocky sections, cliff edges and very little shade. Most people with reasonable fitness manage it easily.

Have you walked the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail? Which beach was your favourite? Let me know in the comments!