The Great Outdoors in Lisbon

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The Great Outdoors in Lisbon

While the area around Greater Lisbon is particularly famous for surfing, water sports and golf, the Cascais-Sintra Natural Park and Serra da Arrábida Park have facilities for many popular radical sports organised by local associations, federations or private companies including ballooning, paragliding, hang-gliding, hiking and trekking, climbing, pot-holing, canoeing and horse riding.

Nature Reserves and Parks

There are three protected reserves in the Greater Lisbon area.

• Monsanto Forest Park
• Cascais-Sintra Natural Park
• Serra da Arrábida Natural Park

It is advisable to check the weather report before going hiking or cycling since both the Serras of Cascais-Sintra and Arrábida have their own microclimates. 

• See AngloINFO Weather

Parque Florestal de Monsanto

Often referred to as Lisbon’s ‘Green’ lung this Lisbon Municipal Council run expanse of pine and eucalyptus woodland is situated around the city to the north and west in the direction of Estoril and Cascais. Activities include walking and cycling, the park also has a skateboard park.

For further information see the Lisbon Municipal Council website 

• Parque Florestal de Monsanto, 1500-068 Lisbon 
  Tel: 218 170 200 / 218 170 201 
  Fax: 218 170 245 
  e-mail 

Parque Natural da Arrábida

Protected in 1976 and covering 10,800 hectares of coast and forested mountains between the towns of Setúbal, Sesimbra, Palmela, the Arrábida Natural Park is 45 Km from Lisbon. This biogenetic reserve is protected under the Council of Europe and is a site of Special Interest for Nature Conservation. Activities include hiking, bird watching, guided visits and group activities organised through radical sports companies. 

• Parque Natural da Arrábida
  At: Praça da Republica, 2900 Sétubal 
  Tel: 265 541 140

Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais

Located 15 Km from Lisbon and situated between Sintra and Cascais this 14,583 hectare mountainous forested area of natural beauty was protected by the law in 1981 and became a national park in 1994. The area is particularly important because of its geomorphology, flora and landscape and includes the Sintra Hills, the coast between Cascais and the mouth of the River Falcão, the highlands around São João das Lampas, Cabo Raso, Cabo da Rocha, Pena, Moorish Castle, Sintra Town, Váreza and Colares.

• Park Head Office
  At: Rua Gago Coutinho 1, 2710-555 Sintra
  Tel: 219 247 200 
  Fax: 219 247 227
• Sintra Cascais Visitors Centre 
  At: Rua General Alves Rocadas 101F, 2710 Cascais

Outdoor Activities in Lisbon

Walking & Hiking

There are so many sites to go walking in Portugal and the list is literally endless. Portuguese tourist offices (Postos do Turismo) in each area have suggested lists of pathways and routes. In the Lisbon region the Natural Parks of Sintra and Arrábida are ideal for hikes and hikers and ramblers can undertake a one day walking trip in the Sintra Hills taking in Sintra, Pena, Moorish Castle and the Peninha Sanctuary.

The Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation (Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal) has information on clubs and hiking areas in Portugal.

• To find a local walking association or club: Click here then click on Pedestrianismo
• Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal
  At: Avenida Coronel Eduardo Galhado 24D, 1199-007 Lisbon 
  Tel: 218 126 890 
  Fax: 218 126 918
  Website (in Portuguese)
• Further information on hiking in Portugal from the European Ramblers Association

Cycling and Mountain Biking

There are many cycling trails around Sintra and along the coastal marginal road and further afield in Trás-os-Montes, Gerês, Minho, Douro, Arrábida and Serra de Estrela. There are several routes suitable for mountain biking in Arrábida and Sintra. Lists of permitted tracks are available from tourist and park offices.

• Lisbon Cycling Association (Associação Ciclismo de Lisboa) 
  At: Rua Barros Queiros 39-1º E, 1250-004 Lisboa.  
  Tel: 213 470 735 
  Fax: 213 427 673
• Lisbon Cycle Tourism Association (Associação Cicloturismo de Lisboa) 
  At: Rua do Açúcar 42, 1900-605 Lisboa 
  Tel: 218 687 356 
  Fax: 218 687 359
• Portuguese Cycling Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Ciclismo) 
  At: Rua de Campolide, Nº 237, 1070-030 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 802 140 
  Fax: 213 802 149
  e-mail
  Website (in Portuguese)

Horse Riding

Portugal has a strong riding tradition and there are private companies, clubs and stables all over the country, particularly in Sintra, Cascais, the Algarve, Azores, and Gois Valley. 

• Portuguese Equestrian Federation (Federação Equestra Portuguesa)
  At: Avenida Manuel da Maia, 26 -4º Dtº, 1000-201 Lisboa
  Tel: 218 478 774/5/6
  Fax: 218 474 582  
  Website (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Lusitanian Horse Breeder’s Association (Associação Portuguesa de Criadores Cavalo Lusitano)
  At: Rua Sebastião José Carvalho e Melo, 157-1 Dtº, 2750-483 Cascais 
  Website  
• Portuguese Association of Dressage (Associação Portuguesa de Dressage) 
  At: Rua do Alcaide 50, Acaidana, 2400-881 Milagres 
  Tel: 244 852 383
  Fax: 244 852 383 

Canyoning

There are several fast-flowing rivers suitable for this sport, however most of them are outside the Lisbon area: for example Rio Fafião (Braga), Rio Teixeira (Oliveira de Frades), Rio Âncora (Viana do Castelo), Rio Vez (Arcos de Valdevez), Rio Castro Laboreiro (Melgaço) and Rio Caima (Arouca). The Radical Adventure Sports Association, (Associação de Desportos de Aventura Desnível) organises canyoning activities for those living in the Lisbon area.

• Associação de Desportos de Aventura Desnível 
  At: Casa da Gruta, Rua de São Mateus, Bairro de São José, 2750 Cascais
  Tel: 214 847 084 
  e-mail
  Website (in Portuguese)

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are popular sports on the many rivers in Portugal. The Canoeing Online website has a list of clubs in Portugal including in the Lisbon area.

• For a list of canoeing clubs: Click here (in Portuguese)
• Lisbon District Canoeing Association (Associação Canoagem do Distrito de Lisboa)
  At: Avenida Miguel Bombarda, 113, 2600-461 Alhandra 
  Tel: 219 511 407

Further Information

• Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Federation of Orienteering (Federação Portuguesa de Orientação)
  At: Rua José Valentim Mangens, lote 3 - r/c A, Apartado 2, 2644-909 Mafra
  Tel/Fax: 261 819 171
  Website (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Mountain & Rock Climbing Federation (Federação de Montanhismo e Escalada)
  At: Apartado 226, 4501-910 Espinho 
  Website (in Portuguese)
• Portuguese Speleological Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Espeleologia - FDE) 
  At: Praça Manuel Henriques Jr, 24-1Esq., 3100-500 Pombal
  Website