Explore the magical blue coast of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park on a week-long hiking adventure. Explore wide bays of golden sand and breathtaking cliffs. Experience hiking inland, crossing the Sintra Forest and its hilltops capped by luxuriant vegetation. Explore charming hotels, delicious gastronomy, and an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site. Experience culinary perfection in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Welcome to Portugal!
One of your guides will transfer you to Santa Cruz and introduce you to the great trip that awaits you. Areias do Seixo is a unique and charming hotel located along the beautiful coastline of Portugal. Nestled amidst the dunes and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this eco-friendly retreat offers a one-of-a-kind experience for those seeking a blend of luxury and nature. The perfect beginning for your trip!
Accommodation: Areias do Seixo
Transfer to Santa Cruz: 1h 30min
Day 2 will start with a transfer to Vimeiro, where your first hike begins.
Get ready for views of a wide open coastline between dunes, valleys, and small villages. You will feel a rural atmosphere with a touch of luxury, a representation of the past uniting with the present. Heading to the wild ocean, your goal today is to reach your hotel back in Santa Cruz. Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the beaches of Porto Novo and Santa Rita. The ridge towards your hotel will offer excellent vistas along the cliffs of the Maceira Valley, the Alcabrichel River, and the Miradouro/ Baloiço do Pitagudo.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Elevation gain/loss: + 120m / 395 ft
Accommodation: Areias do Seixo
Renowned for its natural beauty, Magoito Beach boasts a mix of golden sands and pebbles set against a backdrop of rugged cliffs and dunes. With its relatively untouched atmosphere, Magoito Beach is a picturesque destination that combines the tranquility of nature with the thrill of Atlantic surf. Today, you will be heading south to Praia Grande Beach, which translate to “Big Beach,” a stunning coastal gem on the western edge of Portugal. Along your journey, you will also have a chance to enjoy the beaches of Azenhas do Mar and Maçãs, or “Apples” in English.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi
Elevation gain/loss: +120m / 395 ft
Accommodation: Sintra Marmòris Palace
Day 4 is reserved for exploring the hills above the village of Sintra and enjoying the vast architectural patrimony set on the mountain. Such is the grandeur and importance of these buildings and monuments that Sintra’s cultural landscape was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Visit the Moorish Castle and the fabulous Pena Palace, with its exuberant and exotic gardens. Today, you will feel like a king or queen, finishing the evening with an exquisite dinner at the village center.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8-12 km / 5-7.5 mi
Elevation gain/loss: +300-400m / 985-1,315 ft
Accommodation: Sintra Marmòris Palace
After a delicious breakfast, you will emerge into a scenery over the cliffs where the ocean stretches as far as your eyes can see. You will start your journey with a short transfer to Our Lady of Peninha Chapel. Perched on a hilltop, the chapel offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, showcasing the natural beauty of the Sintra region. You will explore impressive beaches nestling between cliffs, artistically sculpted by the power of nature.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 18 km / 11.2 mi
Elevation gain/loss: +100 m / 330 ft
Accommodation: Fortaleza do Guincho
Today is your last hiking day. You will be heading towards Cascais, a charming coastal town and popular resort destination located on the Portuguese Riviera, just west of Lisbon. This town is known for its beautiful beaches, historic charm, and vibrant atmosphere, boasting a well-preserved historic center with narrow streets, colorful houses, and a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Citadel of Cascais is a notable landmark. Make sure to visit Boca do Inferno, or “Mouth of Hell,” a natural rock formation, a dramatic cliffside spot where waves crash against the rocks, creating a spectacular display.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Distance: 17 km / 10.5 mi
Elevation gain/loss: +200 m / 656 ft
Accommodation: Farol Hotel
That’s it! Your splendid tour comes to an end.
We hope the memories and experiences you have created and shared stay with you forever. Come back soon to discover more of Portugal’s spectacular trails!
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Lisbon: 45 min
Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
Also note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
*Some locations might require you to pay a tourist tax ($5 USD per person per night). The tourist tax is payable only locally, in cash.
Please note that all tours are dependent on the proposed hotels’ availability.
If the proposed hotels are not available, your guides will offer an alternative with an adjusted quote.
The best thing about this Sintra-Cascais hiking tour is that it is beginner-friendly. You will be walking for 5-10.5 miles (8-17 km) a day for 5 consecutive days across hilly, but not overly steep trails. You will follow coastal trails, forested trails, and dirt roads. Also, this is a self-guided tour, so you can hike at your own pace.
For more hiking adventures in Portugal, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Your guides can rent a GPS device for you. However, you are welcome to bring your own GPS device and your guides will provide the tracks.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator, such as maps, guidebooks, audio guides, or digital apps. Your guide will also take care of other parts of the tour, such as 24/7 support, accommodation, transportation, and some meals.
On this tour, all breakfasts, lunch on day 3, and dinners on days 5 and 6 are included. Hotels nowadays are more sensitive to special dietary requirements and always provide a wide variety of food. However, upon sending your booking request you should always provide this information so that your guides can warn the accommodations beforehand.
If dinner is included on a specific day, your guides will have the same process and consult the restaurant on this issue, requesting an adequate meal for you.
Group sizes and pricing
Hiking in Sintra-Cascais can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Sintra-Cascais hiking tour is Lisbon, Portugal. To get there, most people fly into Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.
You will meet your guide at the airport at a pre-arranged time, and you will be transferred to your hotel in Santa Cruz, the starting point of your tour.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors its protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program that is available even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, and primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!