Rota Vicentina, on the Portugese Coast

As Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve enjoys a Mediterranean climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and warm, sunny summers. The Atlantic wind blows frequently in the colder half of the year, while sea breezes cool the coast on summer afternoons. 

Both spring and summer offer long hours of sunshine, but the Atlantic is never very warm for swimming and the ocean remains quite cool until June. Average water temperatures range from 14°C in February to 21°C in September.

Temperatures are mild year-round and, as would be expected, the north is colder than the south. In general, average air temperatures in Zambujeira do Mar (to the north) vary from 12°C in Dec-Jan to 18-20º C in July-Aug-Sept. While in Vila do Bispo (to the south), summer temperatures are warmer, with the highest highs reaching 28º C in July-Aug. In this area it is rare to see lows below 6ºC or highs over 32°C. 
Rainfall is most common from November to April, with precipitation 6 to 7 days a month. Fog is not so common, but the relative humidity tends to be high due to the proximity of the ocean. 

Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

• Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
• Accurate GPS tracks
• Autorotation of the maps
• Daily route summary and elevation chart
• Panorama of the track and at street level
• Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
• Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
• Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
• Hotel information
• Points of interest along the way
• Historical background