4th Stage: You never walk alone

This night I slept a bit better, although the bunk bed wobbled and creaked with every move I made. During breakfast, I meet Johanna and Svenja from Germany, they are both also hiking the Fisherman's Trail.

Just before 10, I set off. It goes briefly through Almograve, then past a sewage treatment plant, and then I realize that I left my swimsuit and rain jacket at the hostel. So, I run back and meet Johanna at the hostel. We set off together, and during the morning, Simone joins us. We hike along the cliffs, a short stretch through a pine forest and through a dune-like landscape. During this time, we exchange our travel experiences.

At a lighthouse, we take a lunch break, and then each of us goes at her own pace. After a stretch through a forest of small trees and a few beautiful coves, I meet Simone again. We walk together to a small fishing harbor. From there, she goes to the campsite with her parents. They also take my backpack with them, so I can walk the last stretch to Zambujeira do Mar without any burden. Without the backpack, I suddenly feel how tense my shoulders are. I didn’t weigh it, but with the camping equipment and a few too many clothing items, the backpack is definitely filled to the brim and correspondingly heavy. After a longer stretch along the road, I go back briefly to the coast, and then I arrive.

Simone offers me to sleep with her in the apartment at the campsite. Since I haven't slept well in the tent so far, I gratefully accept the offer. This way, I can also use the kitchenette to cook pasta and won't have to go out again to search for a restaurant. I am also very exhausted after these approximately 23 kilometers and I am looking forward to the bed.