Day 4 in Portugal, Day 3 on the Angler’s Trail. After a night of battling with mildew and humidity in Almograve, this stretch to Zambujeira do Mar would test us in a different way– not with sand or high climbs up, however with long, monotonous stretches that make you question why you’re walking rather of sitting at a beach bar. However initially, let me inform you about the sandwich that almost defeated me.
Rough Start: Humidity Hangover That Almograve space did a number on us. No air flow, humidity you could taste, and more strange dreams I could not rather keep in mind. My sister was up and out by 6:30 AM, returning with coffee from the local market while I attempted to feel human again with a fast shower.
We got cheese sandwiches and materials from the same market, stuffing them in our packs for later on. Must’ve been a straightforward start– simply stroll the boardwalk path we ‘d required to the beach bar the night before. However no, the official Fisherman’s Path had other strategies.
Instead of the direct route, the path loops inland, including what felt like an additional mile or 2 through the backside of town, over a beach, up a little hill. Met some hikers we ‘d talked with the previous day, exchanged the universal “rough night?” appearance, and powered on.
Look, if you’re gon na state you treked the Fisherman’s Trail, no asterisks– you stroll every official meter of it.
Early Morning Splendor: Coastal Cruising When we passed the sunset bar from the night before (what would’ve been a 10-minute walk direct, now 40 minutes into our day), the path provided some quality coastal hiking. Sun rising on our left, Atlantic on our right, rocky path that needed simply sufficient attention to wake up your brain.
The path ducked inland through some great tree groves– welcome shade and a scenery change that lifted our exhausted spirits. Regardless of the rough night and sluggish start, we were making great time, actually enjoying ourselves. The morning light on the Portuguese coast has a method of making you forget your troubles.
Cavaleiro: The Sandwich That
Altered Whatever About halfway through the day, the path turns inland toward a town called Cavaleiro. Again, you get an option– skip the town and go straight to the lighthouse, or stroll the full official route through town.
No asterisks, remember? We went to town.
Right where the trail enters Cavaleiro, there’s a little dining establishment packed with pedal cyclists on some type of tour. My sister wasn’t starving, however I was operating on fumes. Bought an egg sandwich, orange juice, and some pastry thing.
Holy hell, that sandwich. When it arrived, I thought they ‘d brought me a platter meant for the table. This thing was monstrous– easily enough for 2 people. My sister had ordered one too before we understood the scale of these monsters. Wound up offering one away to another hiker.
Fresh-squeezed orange juice was available in a pint glass. The pastry was strong. Hot sauce on the sandwich, and suddenly the day looked a lot brighter. Often path happiness boils down to discovering the best sandwich at the correct time.
The Lighthouse and the Long, Flat Fact After Cavaleiro, you hit the lighthouse, and this is where I need to level with you about this area of the Angler’s Trail. The coastal drama ends. The path flattens out into what can just be described as a dusty, straight slog.
You’re strolling along exposed courses in the hot sun, periodic bushes providing spots of shade. Sure, there’s fascinating plant life– sticky flowers and seaside plant life you won’t see elsewhere– however after three days of significant cliffs and ocean views, this felt like hiking through a parking area.
The dullness was genuine. Miles of straight, flat, dirty trail with absolutely nothing however your thoughts and the periodic lizard for company.
The Fishing Port False Hope Eventually, you descend to a little fishing port and climb up a pretty steep hill. There’s a dining establishment on top where we disputed stopping. Ought to’ve stopped. Didn’t stop. Big error.
Since after that restaurant, the trail strikes peak uniformity. We’re talking a number of miles of boardwalk with speeding automobiles on one side, forest on the other, and these random workout areas every few hundred meters like some type of physical fitness trail from the 1980s.
This section felt eternal. When you’re tired, your feet harmed, and you’re walking along what’s essentially a highway shoulder disguised as a trail, every step becomes a settlement with your determination.
The Final Insult: 30 More Minutes The path finally breaks left, hangs back to the shoreline for a brief reunion with real surroundings, then climbs into Zambujeira do Mar’s town center. We ‘d made it! Path provided for the day!
That’s when I made the error of examining our accommodation area. Another thirty minutes of strolling to reach our camping stay. The look my sis provided me might’ve melted steel. After the previous night’s mildew chamber, she was currently investigating alternative lodgings on her phone.
Camping Villa Park: Redemption by Pool
However then we walked into Outdoor Camping Villa Park Zambujeira, and whatever altered. They handed us keys to home 12A– an actual house with personal rooms, a great veranda, situated right across from the swimming pool with the bar and restaurant in sight.
After three days of hiking and one night of mildew hell, that pool appeared like the promised land. Dropped the bags, changed, and dove straight in. Cold water removing the dirty uniformity of the afternoon? Pure magic.
Dinner at the on-site dining establishment, early to bed, bags packed for the next day. Often the very best trail days aren’t about the hiking– they’re about the pool at the end.
Day 3 Truth Examine from Angler’s Path Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar
Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar: About 22 kilometers of mixed bag hiking. The early morning seaside areas are solid, Cavaleiro’s sandwich video game is strong, but the afternoon becomes a endurance test of flat, boring trail.
That final stretch along the boardwalk with cars may be the least intriguing area of the entire Angler’s Path. However Outdoor camping Rental property Park offsets it. Book the cottages, not the outdoor camping areas. Your feet will thank you for that swimming pool access.
The path can’t all be incredible cliffs and hidden beaches. Sometimes it’s just about putting one foot in front of the other up until you reach the pool.
Pro idea: Stop at that restaurant above the fishing port. Separate the dullness. Believe me on this one. And when scheduling in Zambujeira, splurge for Outdoor camping Rental property Park’s cottages– that swimming pool is worth every euro after this stretch.
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