The hike from Lagos to Praia da Luz is a beautiful coastal hiking trail on the cliffs overlooking the ocean between our favorite towns in the Algarve, Portugal. The walk from Luz to Lagos can be done in either direction and is the last (or first) walking stage of the Fishermen`s Trail multi-day hike. Starting just outside the Lagos Marina the trail leads past some of the highlights in the Algarve, including Ponta da Piedade, Dona Ana Beach, and Camilo Beach. It is easy to make your way to the starting or endpoint of this great hike by bus or Uber.
Lagos to Praia da Luz Hiking Trail
- Route distance – 12 km
- Time – 2,5 to 4 hours
- Total ascent – 274 m
- Difficulty – easy/moderate
- Route Markings – well-marked with green and blue stripes visible in both directions
- Walking route – Lagos Train Station – Lagos Marina – Old Town – Batata Beach – Don Ana Beach – Camilo Beach – Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse – Porto de Mos Beach – Praia da Luz
Map of the Lagos to Luz Walk
GPX File for Lagos to Luz trail
For a digital map to use on your phone or smart watch download our GPX file, see here how to use our GPX file for navigation with your phone.
Lagos to Praia da Luz Trail Distance
The complete distance from the Lagos train station to the beach in Praia da Luz is 12,1 km/7,5 mi.
The Fishermen´s Trail
Rated as one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in the world, the Fisherman’s Trail is a 230 km/143 mi multi-day hiking route hugging the coast from St Tropez Beach in Alentejo to Lagos in the Algarve. Part of the Rota Vicentina network of hiking trail, the route takes an average of 11-13 days to complete.
How Difficult is the Lagos to Luz Walk?
This is a trail of moderate difficulty that is fairly easy to complete in 3 to 4 hours, if you walk at a brisk pace with not too many stops about 2 and a half hours. The trail is fairly flat, with 2 hills that are not too tough. The biggest challenge walking from Lagos to Luz is the the downhill to Praia da Luz. Just stick to the trail and don´t take the steep, slippery short cuts. The switchbacks on the trail make the route fairly manageable for most hikers.
Make the Route Shorter
To make the route shorter you can always start walking a Praia Dona Ana that will cut the route with about 2.5 km. From Porte de Mos to Luz along the cliffs is a 5 km hike.
The Start of the Lagos to Praia da Luz walk (trailhead)
Walking from Lagos to Luz the official trailhead is the Lagos Train Station (GPS Pin), just behind the Marina. Next to the train station is a sign board with details of this day hike and a map of the entire Fishermen´s Trail. You can off-course start walking anywhere in town. Grab a coffee in the Lagos Marina or Old Town and start your walk. Just follow the promenade (next to Av. Descobrimentos) from the Marina past The Lagos Old Town towards the fire station (Bombeiros). Keep a look out for the trail markers on the way.
Where does the trail finish?
The trail ends at Luz beach in Avenida dos Pescadores. Bar Habana (GPS pin) is a great spot to get a drink after the walk, go for a Galao (Portuguese coffee). There is usually live music here in summer time
Can the trail be walked both ways?
The trail can be walked in either direction, from Praia da Luz to Lagos or from Lagos to Praia da Luz. I have walked both ways many times. Walking from Luz to Lagos the hike starts with a steep climb and you will be walking into the sun, remember sunglasses and a hat. Starting in Lagos the final decent into Luz town is steep and can be a challenge, if you don´t take short cuts it is not too bad.
Route Markers
The Fishermen´s trail is clearly marked with green and blue lines every couple of meters along the way in both directions.
Getting to Lagos
Lagos can be reached from all over Portugal by bus (check Rede Expressos and Flixbus) or by train. From Getting back from Praia da Luz it is the easiest to grab an Uber, it is a 15 minute drive that costs around 7 Euros.
The Lagos to Luz Trail Description
Lagos Train Station (Marina) to Start of Boardwalks – Praia Dona Ana (GPS pin) 2.15 km
From Lagos train station follow the trail markers past the Lagos Marina, over the walking bridge to the promenade running next to the water and Av. Descobrimentos. The water will be on your right and you will walk past The Lagos Old Town on your right. At 1.4 km you reach a hill that is a nice workout. After 2 km just before you reach the fire station (Bombeiros) turn left, just follow the markers, there is a blue arrow showing to turn left. You should walk past Marvela Apartments on your right and will reach the beginning of the new Dona Ana Boardwalks.
The Ponta da Piedade Boardwalks 2.15 km to 6.35 km
The fantastic Ponta da Piedade boardwalks built in 2024 stretches all the way from Praia Dona Ana to Ponta da Piedade for 4 kilometers making the route very easy to walk.
2,3 km – About 150 meters from the start of the boardwalk there is a nice viewpoint over the amazing Dona Ana Beach.
3,7 km – Nice view of Praia do Camilo, one of our favorite beaches in the Algarve. Taking the steep set of more than 200 stairs down to the beach is definitely worth it and a great spot for taking photos. The water is chilly, but in summer this is a good spot for a swim.
4,50 km– Cafe at Ponta da Piedade, popular place to stop for drinks or something to eat. There are toilets available here.
4,65 km– At the lighthouse there is a set of stairs leading down to Ponta da Piedade, it is not well marked. The peninsula is famous for its unusual rock formations, caves, and natural arches that you can see here from the cliffs. The rugged cliffs are about 20 meters high, the views from the tops are truly spectacular. Doing a boat trip to Ponta Piedade from the Lagos Marina is a really nice trip!
6,35 km– The end of the boardwalks.
Porto de Mos 6,35 – 7,35 km
At the end of the boardwalk you are in the neighborhood of Porto de Mos in Lagos and will walk for 1 km through a quiet residential area before reaching the beach. Keep an eye out for the green and blue Fishermen´s Trail markers leading to Porto de Mós beach. There are two restaurants right on the beach with great views, Antonio and the Campimar. You can sit either inside or outside, this is a good spot to grab a coffee or use the toilets. This is also the last place before reaching the town Luz (4 km away) where you can catch an Uber.
The Cliffs from Porte de Mos to Luz 7,35km – 12,1km
The beautiful walk on top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean starts with a short steep climb from the gravel parking area at Luz beach. Looking back there are nice views from Porte de Mos beach all the way to Ponta da Piedade. You will have some fantastic views of the ocean for the next 3 kilometers during a fairly flat walk until you start your descent to the town Luz. Be careful not to walk to close to the edge.
10,8 km – White Beacon, on top of the cliffs there is a large white beacon where the trail ends and you start your descent towards the town of Luz. From here there are nice views of the black rock Ponta Negra, Praia da Luz and the town of Luz. Follow the green and blue trail markers on the trail. Stick to the trail, there are many places where you can take short cuts down the hill. These areas are slippery with many loose rocks.
Luz Beach – 12,1 km
The trail ends at Praia da Luz beach in Avenida dos Pescadores. Bar Habana, right on the beach, is a great spot to get a drink and a sandwich after the walk and listen to live music, while looking at the ocean. To get an Uber back to Lagos from here usually costs 6 or 7 Euros.
Highlights of the Luz to Lagos Hiking Trail
Walking from Praia da Luz to Lagos you get to see some of the main attractions in the area.
- Lagos Marina
- Prominade Lagos
- Dona Ana Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the Algarve, in Lagos town, surrounded by limestone cliffs and pinnacles
- Camilo Beach, spectacular beach with a long wooden staircase
- Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse.
- Ponta da Piedade, beautiful viewpoint and traditional fishing pier underneath the cliffs.
- Praia de Porto de Mos Beach, a beautiful beach nice for swimming with some restaurants.
- Rocha Negra lookout point over Praia da Luz.
- The beautiful beach, Praia da Luz.
When is the best time for walking?
In summer months between June and September early morning is the best time to walk from Lagos to Praia da Luz. It gets very hot in mid day.
Stingy Nomads Fishermen´s Trail T-shirt
What to pack for the hike?
There are shops along the way, enough water, a hat and sunscreen are the most important items to pack.
Packing List
Where to stay in Lagos?
There are many hostels, hotels, guesthouses and rental apartments in Lagos. In high season, between June and September it’s recommended to book your accommodation in advance.
Budget |Boutique Taghostel | Cloud 9 Hostel |
Middle price |Palm Villa Estudios | Dream Lagos B&B |
High-end | Villas D. Dinis – Charming Residence (adults only) | Marina Club Lagos Resort |
The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
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