🥾 Early Bird Hikers: Cabo da Roca to Sintra

Cabo da Roca to Sintra | Coastal & Forest Hike

IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE RSVP'ING

This is an 18 km full-day hike with approximately 625 m of elevation gain. It is NOT suitable for beginners.

Participants must have previous hiking experience, good cardiovascular fitness and the stamina to maintain a steady group pace over challenging terrain.

Please only RSVP if you are confident you can comfortably complete the advertised route. We cannot significantly slow down or delay the entire group to accommodate participants who are unprepared for the hike.

Please read the full event description, including the fitness requirements, meeting arrangements and group safety policy, before reserving your place.

🌊 About the Hike
Join us for a spectacular full-day adventure along one of Portugal's most dramatic stretches of coastline.

Starting at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, we'll follow breathtaking coastal trails past towering cliffs, hidden beaches and panoramic Atlantic viewpoints before continuing through the charming village of Colares and the magical forests surrounding Monserrate, finishing in the heart of Sintra.

This varied point-to-point hike combines rugged Atlantic scenery, peaceful woodland trails and historic landscapes, making it one of the most rewarding walks within easy reach of Lisbon.

New to Find Your Tribe? You're very welcome! You don't need to have hiked with us before, but you do need previous hiking experience and an appropriate level of fitness.

🥾 Hike Information
📏 Distance: Approximately 18 km
⛰️ Elevation Gain: Approximately 625 m
⏱️ Duration: Approximately 6–7 hours, including lunch and breaks
💪 Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
🥾 Experience: Previous hiking experience required
🚶 Pace: Steady group pace, not a leisurely walk

You can see the full route on Wikiloc here: https://loc.wiki/t/277573512?h=jpy9rnd9gz&wa=sd&la=en

Is This Hike Suitable for You?
You should be comfortable with:

Completing 15–20 km hikes without excessive fatigue.
Walking for 6–7 hours, including sustained climbs and descents.
Navigating uneven, rocky, steep and potentially slippery terrain.
Maintaining a steady pace without frequent or extended rest stops.
Managing your own food, hydration, equipment and personal needs throughout the day.

If you've never hiked before, or are unsure about your fitness or experience, please contact the organiser before RSVP'ing.

🚆 Getting There
Meeting Point: 7:40am at Sete Rios Railway Station
🚆 7:50am — Train to Sintra
🚆 8:25am — Arrive in Sintra
☕ Quick coffee and toilet stop
🚌 8:50am — Bus to Cabo da Roca

Please arrive on time. We cannot delay the group's departure for late arrivals.

🗺️ Route Highlights

Cabo da Roca
Praia da Ursa viewpoints
Miradouro da Praia do Caneiro
Praia da Adraga
Colares
🍽️ Optional lunch stop in Colares
Monserrate

🚆 Returning to Lisbon
Regular trains depart Sintra throughout the day, with the journey back to Sete Rios taking approximately 35 minutes.

🎒 What to Bring

At least 2 litres of drinking water
Sufficient food and energy snacks for the day
Suitable hiking footwear with good grip
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen)
Small backpack for personal belongings
Hiking poles (optional but recommended)

Please arrive properly equipped. Participants with unsuitable footwear or insufficient essential supplies may be asked not to join the hike.

⚠️ Group Pace, Safety & Responsibilities
Our hikes are social and welcoming, but they are also physically demanding outdoor activities.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone:

Fitness & experience: Participants are responsible for assessing their own ability to complete the advertised distance, elevation and terrain.
Pre-hike briefing: At the start of each hike, participants will be asked to privately raise any concerns about their hiking experience, fitness or health that could affect their ability to complete the route safely. You do not need to disclose private medical details to the group.
Group pace: We maintain a steady pace with regular planned breaks. Participants are expected to keep up with the group without requiring frequent or extended stops.
Unable to continue: If a participant consistently struggles to maintain the pace or finds the hike beyond their abilities, they may be advised to withdraw at a safe exit point and arrange their own onward transport, including a taxi where accessible.
Early departure: Participants are responsible for the cost of their onward transport. Any early exit must be assessed for safety, and transport cannot be guaranteed on remote sections of the route.
Group consideration: We cannot significantly delay the entire group to accommodate participants whose fitness or experience does not meet the advertised requirements.
Organiser discretion: The organiser reserves the right to decline participation before departure where there are reasonable safety concerns about a participant's preparedness, equipment or ability to complete the route.
Personal responsibility: Participants are responsible for their own safety, wellbeing and personal belongings. The organiser is a volunteer host, not a professional hiking guide.
Route changes: Routes and timings may be adjusted due to weather, terrain or safety considerations.

Safety always comes first. Anyone who becomes injured, unwell or unable to continue safely will be assisted in identifying an appropriate and safe course of action.

Please be considerate of your fellow hikers. Joining a hike beyond your current abilities can affect both your own safety and the experience of the wider group.

🍽️ Lunch & Refreshments
We'll have the option of stopping for lunch in Colares, depending on our progress and timings.
You're equally welcome to bring a packed lunch and snacks.
Everyone is responsible for their own transport, food and drinks.

🐾 Dog Policy
Well-behaved, sociable dogs are welcome on selected hikes, subject to the following conditions:

Maximum one dog per hike, including the organiser's dog, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prior approval required: Please contact the organiser before bringing your dog.
Fitness & suitability: Dogs must be capable of completing the advertised distance, elevation and terrain.
Leads & behaviour: Dogs must be kept under control and on a lead when necessary, particularly around livestock and wildlife.
Owner responsibility: Owners are responsible for their dog's safety, behaviour, food, water and waste.

🚆 Public Transport & Dogs
Dogs travelling outside a carrier on CP trains must wear a muzzle, be kept on a short lead and have up-to-date vaccination documentation. Lisbon urban trains allow eligible dogs to travel free of charge.

Buses generally require dogs to travel in an appropriate carrier, so hikes involving bus journeys may not be suitable for dogs.

Please note: Not all hikes are dog-friendly. Approval depends on the route, terrain and transport arrangements. Please check with the organiser before attending with your dog.

✅ Before You RSVP
By reserving your place, you confirm that:

You've read and understood the full event description.
You have the hiking experience and fitness required.
You're comfortable with the distance, elevation, terrain and group pace.
You'll arrive on time with appropriate footwear, water and supplies.
You understand the group safety policy and your personal responsibilities.

If you're unsure whether this hike is suitable for you, please ask before booking.

We look forward to sharing another spectacular adventure with you! 🌊🥾