Unforgettable hiking trips - Lisbon/Sintra
The best hiking trails - Cabo da Roca
This is where we do most of our walking! This is our place to escape the city and the stresses of life. It's Europe's westernmost point, Cabo da Roca; there is an open, hilly landscape with beautiful views over the sea. The cape towers approximately 140 metres above sea level, providing a panoramic view of the Serra de Sintra, the ocean and the coastline. Cabo da Roca is one of the most visited natural sites in Portugal, due to its fame for being the tip of continental Europe. We offer 6 walks that help you escape the crowds, parking hassles and the summer onshore winds. We offer walks for all types of hiker - we believe the rewards for hiking Cabo da Roca will speak for themselves.
Hike 1: The Cape's secrets
Adventure, Hidden Beach, Photography, History
Level: Demanding
Type: Circular
Duration: 4 hours (6.5km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Cabo da Roca, Praia do Louriçal and Forte de Espinhaco
The walk follows the trail south of the Cabo da Roca monument and descends along a steep trail into the valley. Stopping above mainland Europe's last beach. The path down to the beach is relatively challenging in the steep final 10 meters, but after carefully descending you emerge into a narrow green cleft. The circular walk follows the steep trail up from the stream. At the top, you will have wonderful views of Assentiz beach. We follow an ancient cliff trail towards the impressive granite boulders at Forte de Espinhaco and then towards a hidden wood. We follow the valley back to the Cabo da Roca. The hike requires a good level of physical fitness and includes a published guide and insurance.
Hike 2: Sea stack trail
Wild Swimming, Geology, Nature, Stunning Beach
Level: Easy to Moderate
Type: Circular
Duration: 2.5 hours (5.6Km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Cabo da Roca to Praia da Ursa
Sintra’s most iconic and photographed beach is famous for its stunning sea stacks – Ursa and Gigante. A 5.6-km circular walk starts and finishes at Cabo da Roca following the well-trodden fishermen's path down the cliffs, leading walkers through the untouched beauty of the wild Ursa valley, and finally arriving at the beach. The descent to the beach is steep, but it is well worth the effort. For those who don’t want to take the trail down to the beach just walking along the cliffs provides some stunning views and a wonderful blast of sea air.
Hike 3: Ancient cliff trail
Nature, History, Cliffs, Vineyards, Beaches
Level: Moderate
Type: Circular
Duration: 3.5 hours (7.5km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Cabo da Roca, Praia da Ursa, Fojo and Adraga
Starting from the Cabo da Roca car park, this is an 8 km circular walk that takes you past some of the finest scenery Portugal has to offer. Here you’ll see the ‘fojo’, with its viewing platform which provides a perfect place to stop and take the experience in. Head south along these impressive cliffs hugged by the mighty Atlantic, passing several rocky bays and beaches before reaching Praia da Ursa and a valley that has a steep climb to the finest cliffs in the area. The return journey takes you via the marked trail through vineyards and pleasant countryside.
Hike 4: Blowholes and Vineyards
History, Children, Beaches, Vineyards, Blowhole, Countryside
Level: Easy
Type: Circular
Duration: 3 hours (5km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Cabo da Roca to Praia da Adraga
From Cabo da Roca we walk through the beautiful green countryside into Ursa valley. The cliff walk between Cabo da Roca (Europe’s westernmost point) and Praia da Adraga is possibly Portugal’s finest - with dramatic cliffs, stunning views, impressive sea stacks and beautiful beaches. We soon come across a mysterious natural blowhole or 'fojo' that connects the cliffs to the sea. If you dare, you can look down 90 metres. It is extremely impressive in stormy conditions, because of the noise that the waves make through the gap. There is a gigantic limestone ramp sloping down to the sea, are even more dramatic. Locally known as Pedra de Alvidrar, it has been credited as a location where trials were held in Roman times.
Hike 5: Mythical Port
Remoteness, history, atmosphere, wild beach, Nature
Level: Moderate/ Challenging
Type: Circular
Duration: 3.5 hours (6km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Azoia to Porto do Touro
Praia do Porto do Touro has a long history of providing a safe harbour, with local historians suggesting it has been used as a port since the Iron Age. It was a beach of significance and testimony to this are the remains of the abandoned buildings above the beach. Its beauty is enhanced by the many rocky islets and sea stacks that are just off the shore. This hike follows an ancient trail deep into a stunningly wild valley from the town of Azoia to the beach, past the old customs house and then back up through a well-trodden trail back to Azoia.
Hike 6: From the Lion to the the Bear
Wild beaches, Waterfalls, Sunset, Remoteness, Photography
Level: Challenging
Type: Circular
Duration: 4 hours (5.7km)
Price 15 Euros per person (limited places)
Meeting point: Cabo da Roca carpark
Cabo da Roca to Praia do Louriçal and Ursa
This hike is for the adventurous who want to see the best of Sintra. The walk follows the trail south of the Cabo da Roca monument and descends along a steep trail into the valley. The path down to the beach is relatively challenging in the steep final 10 meters, but after carefully descending you emerge into one of Sintra's finest and least known beaches. Back up returm to the Cape and then follow the cliff trail to Praia da Ursa. After a well-deserved break we eventually return to Cabo da Roca.
Price
Prices for couples, smaller groups and larger groups
When
Now hiking Sundays, Mondays and Fridays
Meeting Point
Cabo da Roca car park at 10am