Sete Vales Suspensos Trail (Seven Hanging Valleys)

The Sete Vales Suspensos Trail is a nature walk along the coast of Lagoa, in the Algarve. According to the municipality it runs for about 5.7 km between Praia de Vale Centeanes, near Carvoeiro, and Praia da Marinha, following an almost continuous line of limestone cliffs. The route is linear, so walkers either retrace their steps or arrange a lift back from the far end.

The name comes from the streams that cut across the cliffs. Most of them reach the coast above sea level, because the shoreline retreated faster than the water could carve its bed, and the result is a series of hanging valleys. Fresh and salt water have also shaped a karst landscape of arches, caves, sinkholes and sea stacks, best seen around Praia da Marinha and Benagil.

The cliffs are valued for more than their scenery. Juniper scrub, a relic plant community, grows along the clifftops, seabirds shelter on the rock faces and bats use the caves. Around the Alfanzina lighthouse the path crosses a small wood of Aleppo pine. The municipality asks walkers to keep to the existing paths, avoid shortcuts, leave plants untouched and carry their litter out.

The Algarve tourism board estimates about three hours each way on earth and stony paths, with repeated short climbs and descents. Spring and autumn are the recommended seasons, and very hot, wet or windy days are best avoided. Praia de Vale Centeanes is reached by road from the lower part of Carvoeiro, about two kilometres to the east, and Praia da Marinha by a signposted road that turns south off the EN 125.