We thought we’d been dealing with sand. We hadn’t seen anything until day 4. Mandatory breaks had to be called about every 15 minutes so we could dump our shoes out. My hiking boots might need replaced. But, the views…

Milfontes to Porto Covo was 20 km (really more like 30 according to the watch) of amazing sights.

It was an especially awesome hike because we found our own private beach. We lunched there for two amazing hours.

If you ask any of the 6 other hikers what their absolute favorite part of this 4 day hike was, I can guarantee that they will all say it was the beach on the trail to Porto Covo.

Nearing Porto Covo, there was a very old fort overlooking an island.

This island apparently is home to ancient Roman ruins!

And there we have it, the last day and the last town of the Rota Vicentina! We stayed in an absolutely AMAZING Air B&B, where I had my own room with a FOUR-POSTER BED AND CURTAINS. I have always dreamed of sleeping in a four-poster bed, and as if that wasn’t enough, I took my first bath since leaving the states, AND we ate Italian food. It was heaven. Porto Covo is now my favorite town in the world. It’s hard to put into words what we saw on this trip and how we felt when the hike was over. I don’t think in my lifetime that I have ever done anything cooler than this hike. It is absolutely the highlight of my study abroad experience thus far, and I cannot recommend it enough. Portugal, I will be back.