Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Seven miles of clifftop between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes.
Duration
4 hrs – 5 hrs 30 min
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
Early morning start
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The Seven Hanging Valleys trail runs about twelve kilometres between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, following the clifftop. It takes its name from the dry valleys that run down to the sea and have to be crossed one after another — hence the repeated climbs and drops.
It passes above the Benagil cave, whose oculus you can look down into, and skirts coves that cannot be reached any other way. The ground is earth and limestone, with patchy waymarking in places, and there is no shade and no water.
Getting there
Start at Praia da Marinha, where parking is easiest. Getting back from Vale Centeanes is by taxi or bus, to be arranged before you set off.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- 1.5 L of water
- Headlamp
Rules on site
The path follows an unstable, unfenced cliff edge with sections close to the drop: it is not a walk for young children. Two litres of water each — there is nowhere to resupply on the route.
