Rocha da Pena Trail

By Vicky · Published Sep. 8th, 2025 · Updated Sep. 11th, 2025

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This walk up and along Rocha da Pena Trail is a lovely hike with great views and many flowers in the Central Algarve.

Rocha da Pena Hiking Map

Location

This hike starts from a small car park in Rocha. It’s about 50 minutes drive north of Faro, or 25 minutes from Loulé. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Loulé to Penina that takes 40 minutes. Then you can start the walk from Penina, another small town like Rocha.

Tips

Take plenty of food and especially water – if it’s warm, make sure to set off early in the day as there’s not much shade on this hike.
Check out other great hikes in Europe.

Popular Algarve Tours

Rocha da Pena Trail Hiking Route

Views from the Rocha da Pena Trai in the Central Algarve, Portugal

From the small car park in Rocha, head up the lane next to the cafe. In a few meters, it becomes dirt rather than tar. Follow this track as it leads upwards, then bends right underneath the rocky cliffs. This track leads gently to the top of the plateau.

Walking in the Central Algarve of Portugal

At the top of Rocha da Pena plateau, there are great views and also loads of beautiful wild flowers. For now, head to a signed viewpoint on the other side of the plateau. This is a short out-and-back, about 300 metres each way along a small path.

Return to the same junction, then take the hiking path along the edge of the plateau. There are more views and flowers, and a few open grassy areas, and soon the path gets bigger again. After almost 1.5 km, there’s another very short out-and-back to a viewpoint at the highest point of Rocha da Pena.

Walking from Penina Village to Rocha village — Path between Penina and Rocha Villages

When you’ve admired the view, continue onwards as the track begins to descend. Follow it all the way down until you reach the village of Penina. Turn left in the cute village, then look out for a track to the left just after the buildings end. Follow this path, which soon comes out on a sandy gravel road. Walk along this road for just over 1 km and you’ll be back at the car park and the end of the Rocha da Pena Trail.

Check out other great hikes in Europe.