Researching the rota vicetina trail network , a fairly new trail .
Has anyone hiked on all or part of this trail?
Also interested in late winter or early spring temps, accommodation , starting points for hikes,etc,public transportation, not renting a car.
Posted by
OP
Washington, Nc, US
167 posts
I now have the answer to my own question. Flights booked....and have figured out to use public transportation to get from one location to another.
I have a spreadsheet with my information, if interested you can send a private message and I will share the info.
I did find it easier than I had at first thought to make this trip work...and could not believe how inexpensive this trip is going to be!
Posted by
OP
Washington, Nc, US
167 posts
Could not see a way to attach a spreadsheet, so just have to copy and paste. Hope it is readable.
I have included the date, place, and name of accommodation (all found through booking.com) The very reasonable cost is for one person, with the total for accommodation, including 2 nights in Lisboa $406 USD.
3/9/2015 Charlotte USA depart 8:10 (20:10)
3/10/2015 in flight arrive 6:10:(18:10) Lisbon
3/11/2015-3/14/15 Arrifana Arrifana Retreat $140(4 nights)
3/15/2015-3/17 Zambujeira do Mar Hakuna Matata Hostel II $50 (3 nights)
3/18/2015-3/21 Vila Nova de Milfontes Casazul Milfontes $146 (4nights)
3/22/2015-3/23 Lisbon Lisbon guest house $70 (2 nights)
3/24/2015 Flight out 6:50 am depart Lisbon
I decided to start from the far south end hoping to start with warmer temps. although my research indicates that March will be perfect hiking weather.
The most research that I had to do involved the public transport--train or bus to get to this region. Not well connected by train, and local buses are not as frequent as in other regions of Portugal. The regions is not highly populated, so this makes sense.
So: transport as follows: I checked the train and bus schedules for the same day of the week in December, since is as far in advance as the schedules can be viewed. I am sure that this schedule operates all year, but will check to be sure the schedules are the same when I can view the actual dates.
3/11/15 Lisboa to Lagos –train 8:31 leaves Lisbon Entrecampos station-arrive Lagos 12:08
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel
Lagos to Aljezur-Bus Rede Express or EVA both travel this route, so will take the first one available.
From Aljezur to Arrifana it is only 13 miles, so taxi would be cheap, or close enough the accommodation may pick up.
Zambujeira do Mar -second “base” return to Aljezur by accommodation transport or taxi- Taxis are relatively inexpensive- should not cost more than $15.00. Then from Alezur there are several buses that go to Zambujeira do Mar area, but you must go choose S. Totonio as a destination. Rede bus goes at 9:05 arriving at 9:40 and another at 15:55 arriving at S. Totonio at 6:30.
Taxi or hotel pickup for the 7 miles to Zambujeira do Mar.
As you can see distances and travel times are short.
Vila Nova Milfontes 3rd “base”to Zambujeira . Bus to Vila Nova Milefontes. 8:10 to 8:45 which is the only bus for the day until July when there are more buses but July is NOT a time I would want to be hiking here!
Back to Lisbon, direct bus, 3 daily from Vila Nova Milfontes 8:45-12:15 9:45to 13:15 and 17:05 arriving 20:35.