Lagoa: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Small-Group Guided Hike

Hike the Sete Vales Suspensos trail with an expert guide, visiting four Algarve beaches on a 6 km coastal route.

Getting started

Meet your local guide at the starting point of the Sete Vales Suspensos trail near Praia da Marinha. After a brief introduction to the 6 km route and terrain, you set off along the dirt and somewhat rocky paths in a small group capped at 12 participants. Round-trip transfers are organized for you, so you only need to focus on the hike itself.

What to expect

Sete Vales Suspensos trail

This guided hike follows the Sete Vales Suspensos trail, considered one of the most popular coastal trails in the Algarve. Over approximately 3 hours, you move along the cliff tops between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, with your professional guide setting the pace and pointing out key features.

Features

• The guided hike on the Sete Vales Suspensos trail covers a non-circular 6 km route, so every step takes you further along the coastline rather than looping back to the start.
• Along the way, your expert guide explains how the karst landscape formed, helping you identify natural arches, caves, sinkholes, and shallows carved into the limestone cliffs.
• A bottle of water and a snack or fruit are provided during the hike, which lets you stay hydrated and refuel without carrying extra supplies.
• Activity insurance is included for the full guided experience on the Sete Vales Suspensos trail.

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is your starting beach and one of the most recognized stretches of sand in the Algarve. It has been listed by the Michelin guide among the 100 top-recommended beaches in the world, and you experience it first from the cliffs above.

Features

• From the trail, you look down on Praia da Marinha's karst formations, including arches, caves, sinkholes, and shallow rock pools shaped by the Atlantic.
• The group pauses to view the coastline around Praia da Marinha, where your guide highlights specific rock features that make this section of the trail stand out.
• This visit to Praia da Marinha is part of the included route, covered under your activity insurance and supported by the water and snack or fruit provided for the hike.

Benagil Beach

Further along the Sete Vales Suspensos trail, you reach the area around Benagil Beach. This coastal village is historically known for its fishing community and for nearby sea caves.

Features

• From the clifftop path, your guide points out Benagil Beach and the surrounding sea caves, explaining how the fishing community used this shoreline.
• The visit to Benagil is one of the four included beach stops, integrated into the guided hike with commentary from your expert guide.
• Your round-trip transfers cover this stretch of coastline as part of the overall logistics, while activity insurance remains valid throughout your time near Benagil Beach.

Praia do Carvalho

The route continues to Praia do Carvalho, a small cove reached through rock rather than a standard beach entrance. This section of the trail showcases Miocene limestone formations up close.

Features

• Access to Praia do Carvalho is through a tunnel cut into Miocene limestone, where you can observe sea shells embedded in the rock walls as you pass.
• Your guide draws attention to the age and composition of the limestone, showing how marine life is preserved in the tunnel surfaces.
• Praia do Carvalho is included among the beaches visited on this guided hike, with your water and snack or fruit still available to use during this part of the walk.

Praia de Vale Centeanes

Praia de Vale Centeanes marks the end of the hiking route. Here, the cliff-top path descends toward the beach area, where the guided portion of the experience concludes.

Features

• The hike finishes at Praia de Vale Centeanes, completing the non-circular journey that began at Praia da Marinha.
• As you approach the end of the Sete Vales Suspensos trail, your guide summarizes the main geological features you have seen between Praia da Marinha, Benagil, Praia do Carvalho, and Praia de Vale Centeanes.
• Once the guided hike ends at Praia de Vale Centeanes, your pre-arranged round-trip transfers take over, with activity insurance covering you for the full duration of the tour.