Cabo da Roca Coastal Walk

The Cabo da Roca Coastal Walk starts at the Cabo da Roca lighthouse near Colares, reachable by bus 403 from Sintra station; there is a car park at the cape and no permit is required to walk the surrounding coastal path within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Hikers can choose sections ranging from 6km to 12km with roughly 200m of cumulative elevation gain, following clifftop dirt and rock paths above the Atlantic. The terrain alternates between compacted earth track and exposed rocky sections near the cliff edges, with almost no shade and constant, often strong, wind off the ocean. Cabo da Roca itself, marked as the westernmost point of mainland Europe by its stone monument and lighthouse, is the trail's main landmark, with the path continuing south along dramatic sea cliffs toward Praia da Ursa and Azenhas do Mar in the other direction. A sensible turn-around point for a shorter walk is Praia da Ursa, a secluded beach reached via a steep side path down the cliff, roughly 3km from the lighthouse. There are no water sources, huts, or shelter along the coastal sections, so all supplies must be carried. Cliff edges near Praia da Ursa are unfenced and the descent path is loose and steep, requiring careful footing.