The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos — Seven Hanging Valleys Trail — is the walk the Algarve's whole coastline auditions for: 5.7 kilometres (one way) of clifftop path between Vale de Centeanes beach near Carvoeiro and Praia da Marinha, repeatedly voted Europe's best hiking trail.
The drama never pauses: the lighthouse at Alfanzina, sinkholes dropping to hidden beaches, the double sea arch of Marinha, and the famous round skylight in the roof of the Benagil cave, which the path crosses directly. The 'hanging valleys' are the dry valleys truncated mid-air by the retreating cliffs.
Allow 2.5–3 hours each way with photo stops, carry water and sun cover (shade is scarce), and start early in summer. Walk one way and taxi back, or turn at Benagil for a shorter classic.
Highlights
- 5.7 km clifftop path, repeatedly voted Europe's best
- Crosses the skylight above the Benagil cave
- Alfanzina lighthouse and Marinha's double arch
- Sinkholes and hidden beaches the whole way
- Start at Vale de Centeanes, end at Marinha
History & context
Named for the dry valleys left hanging where the cliff retreats faster than the streams cut, the trail was waymarked by Lagoa municipality and rose to fame through European 'best trail' awards — turning a fishermen's cliff path into the Algarve's signature walk.
🗓️ Best time to visit
Early mornings and late afternoons; spring for flowers, autumn for warm light without the heat.
⏱️ Duration
2.5–3 hours each way
♿ Accessibility
Unpaved clifftop path with climbs and unfenced edges — proper footwear required; not for reduced mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the trail?
Moderate — 5.7 km each way with constant short climbs; the heat, not the gradient, is the adversary. Start early and carry water.
Can you get down to Benagil cave from the trail?
No — the path crosses its skylight from above; entry to the cave itself is only by sea (boats, kayaks or SUP from Benagil beach).