Sintra to Cruz Alta through Pena Park

From Sintra station the loop goes anticlockwise. Walk through the old town to Largo Ferreira de Castro, where the free Vila Sassetti footpath climbs through the villa's gardens to the road below the Moorish Castle. Follow the road a short way west to the Lakes entrance of Pena Park, walk south through the Valley of the Lakes and climb the woodland path to Cruz Alta (High Cross), the top of the Serra de Sintra. Come down the park road towards Pena Palace and leave by the main gate. Go a short way down the Calçada da Pena, then take the Caminho de Santa Maria footpath down to the old town.

It is 7.6 km round with 329 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy: steady climbs on stepped footpaths, park paths and town streets.

Cruz Alta is inside Pena Park, which needs a ticket: €12 for adults, less for young people and over-65s. The park is open 09:00 to 19:00, last entry 18:00, and the Vila Sassetti path 10:00 to 18:00. Sites in the forest close on days of storms or high fire risk: check the Parques de Sintra notices. Granite steps are slippery when wet.

Suburban trains run from Lisbon (Rossio, Entrecampos and Oriente) to Sintra station. Bus 434 also runs from the station up to Pena.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.