Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

This route descends and rises ravines that almost always end above sea level - the suspended valleys. In the distant past, each suspended valley was associated with the mouth of a stream, and its formation is due to a rapid retreat from the coast not accompanied by the water line notch. The action of fresh and salt water results in the formation of a patterned lacy pattern on the coast, known as the karst landscape, with a remarkable diversity of geoforms that can be observed in Praia da Marinha: arches, caves, algares and leixões. Praia de Benagil appears associated with the mouth of a torrential stream that carved a narrow ravine in the cliff. This beach housed a fishing community dedicated to the artisan arts; nowadays, boats are mainly concerned with visits to sea caves.