Imagine this: You wrap up your morning Zoom meeting, close your laptop, lace up your boots, and step onto a windswept coastal trail lined with cliffs, cork forests, and Atlantic views.
A shot from the hike, man it’s beautiful! Click here to see the full playlist of my videos from the hike. Capcut always captures these moments perfectly man!
This is what I got into digital nomading for brah! Adventure!
Lately, it’s been feeling like I escaped from the cage of a corporate job to realize I still have a 2 meter leash keeping my tied to larger cities with better wifi and amenities.
Since I’ve started mastering the ol’ Starlink Mini in this trip, as well as my RV Trip around Europe. I’ve started to feel the yank of that leash around my neck less and less…
Some Stats On The Hike
- Total Days – 8
- Total Distance Traveled – 173.82 kilometers or 108.01 miles
- Total Elevation Change – 1,705 meters or 5,593.83 feet
- Weight Of Backpack – 30 Kilograms or 66 pounds
- # Of Times Considered Quitting – Lost Count
Us weighing the packs back at the last hotel we stayed at. I did this trip with my girlfriend, Gisele, and my sister, Candace.
Essential Software
- Alltrails Premium – This let me download the route day by day so if I didn’t have internet, no problem
- Google Maps – Invariably, there were spots were the trail was closed, or flooded out, so Google Maps comes in handy
- Free Mobile – A plan I bought in Paris for ~$30 per month, with like 20 gigs per month of data pretty much worldwide. I’m writing this article now from Mexico still using Free and I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it. ESIM’s are a scam man, at least all the ones I’ve tried – way too expensive.
- Youtube Premium – To download music / podcasts to your phone so you can access them without needing data.
Hiking through sheep on the trail, pretty sweet experience
What Did I Pack?
Working Stuff
- Starlink Mini
- Jackery 500 Portable Generator
- Laptop
- Charger
- Journal
- Telephone
- Selfie Stick
- Chargers for both telephone and labtop
- Headphones
Clothes
- 5 changes of board shorts (they can get wet, and no problem)
- 5 changes of shirts (preferably polyester, easier to wash, dry)
- 8 changes of socks (better to have more socks than less)
- 1 Waterproof pants for biking from Decathalon (with shoe covers)
- 1 Pair of hiking boots bought from Decathalon in a rush
- 1 Large rain poncho bought at a Chinese store in Porto Covo
- 1 Smaller Rain Jacket
- 1 warmer jacket – somewhat water resistant
Food & Drink – That’s Harder To Find Along The Way
- Bag of electrolyte powder from Decathalon
- Bag of whey protein
- 3 Liter CamelPack For Water
- 2 Bottles For Electrolite drinks
- 12 Protein bars
Food & Drink – That You Can Fill Up On Daily
- Oatmeal – 1 bag bought at a time, there are plenty of towns to fill up on essentials on the way
- Dried Fruits
- Other food we found along the way – There is a pretty famous sausage that I got that appeared to be pretty raw, I’ve eaten plenty of raw foods, but that one really turned me off – wouldn’t recommend the raw Portuguese sausages…
Miscellaneous
- Lots of sealable plastic bags – both big and small, so everything stayed waterproof
- Waterproof cover for the backpack
- Passport
- Yoga Mat – For stretching out – also parts may have been cut out to be used as shoe soles 😂
- Bungee Cord – always useful
- Duct tape – see details on bungee cord above
Zambujeira, easily one of the prettiest towns in Portugal
Where Did I Sleep?
We stayed in various hotels / guest houses along the way.
While it is more bad ass to stay outside, I don’t think it’s something I could manage while taking video calls and running a business, so we stayed in hotels.
For the Vicentina trail, there were hotels at every major stop.
How Were The Wi-Fi speeds?
From the hotels, honestly it was hit or miss.
But with ol’ Starlink Mini saved the day!
A video of my Starlink speeds from the Portuguese countryside. While we did end up finding decent wi-fi, if you have meetings you need to attend, I highly recommend getting a Starlink Mini.
See How I’ve Traveled 10+ Countries Stress Free With My Starlink Mini
What Did Your Daily Routine Look Like?
- 7:00 AM: Morning stretch + strong Portuguese coffee
- 8:00–11:30 AM: Deep work / Internal Meetings
- 12:00 PM-5:00 PM: Trail time
- 5:30 PM: Journal, rest, respond to urgent messages
Video of my sister hiking along the coast
Digital Nomad FAQ’s
Is Rota Vicentina good for remote workers?
Not always, while there are towns along the trail with strong mobile signals, great cafes, and coworking-friendly spots – there are some spots that are pretty remote and may be harder to find stable wifi.
What part of the trail has the best mix of work and nature?
Odeceixe to Vila Nova de Milfontes is a sweet spot: accessible, scenic, and remote-work ready.
Can I hike and work from the Rota Vicentina at the same time?
Absolutely, if you plan smart. Alternate trail days with full work days, or break hikes into shorter segments.
Are there any coworking spaces nearby?
Yes. Aljezur and Odemira have low-key coworking options and nomad-friendly cafes.
Is it safe for solo digital nomads?
Definitely. It’s one of the safest regions in Portugal, and the local community is warm and helpful.
How strong is the internet connection?
In town centers and most guesthouses, the Wi-Fi could be strong. Rural trail areas can be patchy, so plan around it, either way definitely have a backup plan. Starlink Mini is recommended if you have video calls.
What do I pack for working and hiking?
Trail shoes, lightweight laptop, Starlink Mini, Portable generator, travel charger, and layers.
Can I explore by campervan?
Yes. Many nomads explore sections of the trail using vanlife as a base.
How long should I stay?
Plan for at least 12 days to combine deep exploration with balanced workdays.
Final Words
You didn’t become a digital nomad to turn down adventure, whether it’s Rota Vicentina, another long trail, or even an international bike ride.
FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT MAN – YOU WON’T REGRET IT!
🙋♀️ Want to stay up to date on my journey?
Follow Me On Instagram or Youtube – @officialdigitalnomadlifestyle