Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Day 1 • Arrive in Cascais

A fashionable resort with a marina, smart shops, elegant restaurants and one of the best (and cleanest!) surfing beaches in Europe Optional exploratory walk (2 hrs)

HHH Hotel Baía (std)

HHHHH Hotel Albatroz (sup)

Day 2 • Cascais to Guincho

A 'promenade' walk along the coast, past lighthouses and interesting cliff for mations (6.4 miles, 3 hrs); or a 15minute transfer to the start of an 8-mile/4 hr walk through the serra and down to Guincho Beach (extensive views!), one of Portugal's best windsurfing locations

HHHHH Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho (std & sup rooms)

Day 3 • Guincho to Azóia

Follow coastal paths before heading inland into the Serra de Sintra. Opportunity to visit the interesting Convento dos Capuchos (Capuchin monastery) (+2 hrs), before retur ning through the Serra up to the spectacularly situated 14th century Peninha Chapel Paths then lead down to your hotel near the coast (5 or 12.6 miles, 3 or 6 hrs). gue st house Quinta do Rio Touro (std & sup rooms)

Day 4 • Azóia to Praia Grande

A cliff-top walk with spectacular views leads to Cabo (Cape) da Roca, the most westerly point of Portugal –and mainland Europe Continue inland through the vineyards of the famous ‘Colares’ wine before retur ning to the coast and the beach of Praia Grande, with its world-famous swirling waves (6 9 miles, 3 5–4 hrs)

HHHH Hotel Arribas

Day 5 • Praia Grande to Colares

Continue along the coast to the small seaside resort of Azenhas do Mar, with its pretty whitewashed houses perched on a cliff; then past more fine beaches before heading inland to the curious church of São Mamede, ‘protector of the animals’ Minor roads then lead to Colares, famous for its wine (6 7 or 9 7 miles, 3 5 or 5 hrs) Retur n transfer to Praia Grande.

HHHH Hotel Arribas

Day 6 • Colares to Sintra

After a brief transfer: Walk through small hamlets and vineyards before joining wide forest paths passing through the Serra to the ‘Romantic’ Palace of Monserrate, with exotic gardens and follies Continue through the Serra and reach the arch of the old west entrance to Sintra (7 4 miles, 3 5 hrs)

HHHHH Lawrence’s (std) HHHHH Palácio de Seteais (sup) Day 7 • Free day in Sintra

Described by Byron as a ‘glorious Eden’, and boasting UNESCO World Heritage status Optional city walk

HHHHH Lawrence’s (std) HHHHH Palácio de Seteais (sup)

Day 8 • Departure day

Route open: March-June; Sept-Oct

Airport to first hotel: u Lisbon (24 miles)

Train/bus: 1 5 hrs - ~€6

Taxi: 35 mins€80 –~€100

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Route Book: 112 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information

Walking: Easy to moderate (Grade 2 – 3) See p 8

Terrain: Well-established paths along the Atlantic coast, through low hills, vineyards and forest