Arrabida Natural Park, a special walk, Portugal
I stand at the summit of the Arrabida Hills, marveling at the breathtaking view and wondering why I don’t frequent this spot more often—I truly love it here.
Teammates’ speechless expressions conveyed fragmented ideas, adding to the amazing experience.
This summit, known as Formosinho, rises 501 meters high, making it the highest point in the Setúbal District.
“For me, the journey itself holds more value than just the destination.”
While climbing this summit poses no significant challenge, what truly makes it exciting is the unparalleled view it offers.
The vista encompasses a diverse landscape filled with intricate details, making it truly one of a kind.
From here, we can observe the sea, mountains, small ridges, vineyards, fruit tree fields, urban areas, and more—a mosaic of scenery that changes with each turn.
Personally, I find the sight of the sea most captivating, with its seemingly endless stretch of beach.
This 360-degree panorama has won my heart.
I marked the Formosinho summit with a red dot on the map. I’ll describe the area in four quadrants, counterclockwise, starting from the north.
1st Quadrant – South/East
The landscape is dominated by the Tróia peninsula, a lengthy strip of sand adorned with summer apartment buildings.
Further out into the ocean, opposite the peninsula’s “head,” lies a vast outer ring of sand that transforms into an expansive beach during low tide.
As I gaze upon this scene, I envision the dolphins that often grace the waters of the nearby river Sado.
Tróia boasts a captivating Roman heritage that I plan to delve into in a future post.
The journey from Setúbal to Tróia involves a ferry crossing the river—a brief boat ride that I’ve always found enjoyable.
From my vantage point, I can observe green dots moving on the river, indicating the ferries traversing its waters.
Although I can’t see the entirety of the river Sado estuary from here, glimpsing its mouth brings to mind hidden treasures within, such as the archaeological station of Abul with its Phoenician heritage.
This quadrant is famous for its stunning beaches, including Portinho da Arrabida, Figueirinha, and Galapos, which are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and breathtaking beauty.
2nd Quadrant – North/East
As I turn eastward, I find myself facing Setúbal, even though the city itself is not visible.
However, I can discern the endpoint of its industrial belt, evoking mixed emotions within me.
A conflict arises between social development relying on large factories and preserving the fragile environment of the river Sado mouth.
When I glance towards Alcochete, almost directly north, I attempt to catch sight of the open spaces of Ribatejo.
Unfortunately, they remain too distant for me to distinguish any settlements.
Setúbal, the nearest city, holds significance as the birthplace of our renowned 18th and 19th-century writer Bocage, who is credited with numerous anecdotes and witty sayings.
3rd Quadrant – North/West
In this quadrant, Lisbon comes into view.
However, all I can discern is a sprawling mass of houses seemingly attached to the Sintra Hills.
Despite this proximity, Sintra is actually a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, creating an optical illusion of distance.
Amidst this panorama, numerous vineyards dot the landscape, although they are challenging to distinguish individually.
Among them, Quinta da Bacalhôa and José Maria da Fonseca stand out as local wine producers acclaimed in Portugal’s esteemed gallery of the finest.
It is in these vineyards that one can find the prized Moscatel grapes used in the production of the renowned “Moscatel de Setúbal” wine, acclaimed as the world’s best Moscatel.
This fortified amber-colored wine holds a special place in my heart.
For a humorous and informative explanation of “Moscatel de Setúbal,” check out this entertaining 2 minutes and 30 seconds video [link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1LrMXXhkaI].
In the quaint village of Azeitão, one can also discover two other exceptional products: Azeitão cheese and Azeitão pies, also known as Tortas de Azeitão.
Azeitão cheese, crafted from sheep’s milk, boasts a delicate yellow hue and a creamy, buttery texture—perfect for spreading on toast.
Meanwhile, Tortas de Azeitão are small, rolled cakes made from flour and eggs, delivering a delectable treat for the palate.
4th Quadrant – South/West
When I turn to the W/S quadrant and look downward, which is precisely the direction we need to head to depart from here, I notice some crosses silhouetted against the hills leading to the sea.
These crosses mark the Arrabida Convent complex, which has always exuded an aura of mystery due to its modesty, tranquility, and isolation.
Closer to the road, we observe a cluster of ancient buildings, while farther up the hills, a series of shrines and crosses evoke the meditation cells once inhabited by the convent’s monks.
The construction of the Arrabida Convent dates back to the 16th century and comprises four main structures: the Old Convent, the New Convent, the garden, and the Bom Jesus Sanctuary.
Historical records suggest the presence of a chapel at the site before the convent’s establishment, making it a pilgrimage destination.
Long ago, four friars joined the convent and endured a harsh existence, living for two years in excavated cells.
Toward the west, the village of Sesimbra remains hidden between two hills.
Sesimbra, a quaint fishing village with a bustling port, boasts a beach that draws crowds during the summer months.
The lively atmosphere of summer nights in Sesimbra is fueled by numerous restaurants serving freshly grilled fish dishes right on the streets.
To complete
I realize this was quite a lengthy read, but I sincerely hope you found it enjoyable.
Visit Arrabida Natural Park and have fun.
David Monteiro
