The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos) is the best coastal walk on the Algarve and one of the few that needs no guide, no permit and no booking. It follows the clifftop between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes near Carvoeiro, crossing the dry valleys that end abruptly at the sea, with sea stacks, arches and coves below. We cover the route, parking, timing and how to link it with the boat trips to Benagil Cave.
Trail Facts at a Glance
- Route: Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes (or the reverse)
- Distance: approximately 5.7 to 6 km one way, approximately 11.4 km out and back
- Time: 2 to 3 hours one way, 5 to 6 hours return
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with approximately 180 m of cumulative ascent one way
- Cost: free
- Waymarking: the route is signed along the way, but sand and cliff tracks branch off, so keep the sea on your side and download an offline map
The Route, Beach by Beach
Praia da Marinha. The usual start. Walk to the viewpoint above the beach and take the path on the right side. The beach itself is down a staircase on the left, which is worth a swim before or after. Marinha regularly appears on lists of the Algarve’s best beaches, and we rank it in our best beaches in the Algarve guide.
Marinha to Benagil. The middle stretch is the most scenic, with golden limestone, sea arches and small coves you can scramble down to. The path winds around deep sinkholes, so stay well back from edges.
Benagil. Roughly midway you reach the village and the beach where the cave boats and kayaks leave. This is the natural place for a break, a coffee and a swim.
Benagil to Vale Centeanes. The final section runs through low scrub above smaller beaches before dropping to Praia de Vale Centeanes. From here Carvoeiro is a short taxi ride or a continued walk toward Algar Seco.
Parking and Getting Back
Because the trail is linear, logistics matter more than the walking.
- Start at Marinha: the car park is free and large but fills early in summer. Arrive before 09:00 in July and August.
- Walk one way: leave the car at Marinha, finish at Vale Centeanes, then return by taxi or ride-hailing. Availability at the Vale Centeanes end is thin in the evening, so pre-arrange the pickup in peak season.
- Out and back: the simplest option if you have a car. Turn around at Benagil for a shorter 6 to 7 km day.
- Base in Carvoeiro: if you stay in town you can taxi to Marinha in the morning and walk home, with no car at all. Our Carvoeiro guide covers where to stay.
Parking rules and charges change, so check the current situation locally before you go.
Best Time to Walk It
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to October) are ideal: warm, clear and quiet. Wildflowers peak in March and April. In July and August temperatures climb fast and there is almost no shade, so begin at sunrise, carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person and finish before noon. The Algarve has had summer wildfires near this coast, so check the IPMA warnings and avoid the trail on days with a very high fire risk or when authorities have restricted access. In winter the path can be muddy after rain, and cliff edges are less stable.
Combining the Trail with Benagil Cave by Boat
The trail and the cave suit each other. The standard plan:
- Walk Marinha to Benagil in the morning (approximately 1.5 hours).
- Join a small-group cave trip from the beach. Our Benagil Cave boat tour guide explains which boats can enter and which only stop at the entrance, and our kayaking to Benagil Cave guide covers self-rental and guided paddling.
- Finish the walk to Vale Centeanes, or take a taxi to Carvoeiro for lunch.
Book the boat for the earlier slots, when the sea is calmer. You can browse departures for the cave and the neighbouring grottos through boat tours and coastal trips from Carvoeiro, where the cave tours often depart. Sea conditions decide whether any boat can enter the cave, so keep the plan flexible.
What to Bring
- Walking shoes or trainers with grip, not flip-flops
- Water, a hat, sun cream and a light snack
- Swimwear for the coves
- A phone with an offline map and a power bank
- Cash for beach cafes, as card terminals are not guaranteed
Safety Notes
Cliffs here are soft limestone. Do not walk on overhangs, do not approach sinkhole edges for photos and keep dogs and children close. There is no phone coverage guarantee in every cove. The European emergency number is 112. For current regional conditions and tourism information, see Visit Algarve and Visit Portugal.
Is It Worth Doing?
Yes. It costs nothing, takes half a day and gives you the Algarve coast’s best views without a crowd of boats in your photos. If you only have one coastal activity in the Algarve, make it this walk with a Benagil stop, then spend the afternoon on one of the beaches in our Algarve beach guide.