Monsanto Forest Park: Lisbon’s Green Escape
Monsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal de Monsanto) is Lisbon’s largest green space, covering approximately 900 hectares. Established in 1934 under the guidance of architect Keil do Amaral, the park transformed the once barren Monsanto Hills into a lush urban forest. This reforestation effort utilized local farmers and prisoners from the nearby Fort of Monsanto.
Today, Monsanto Park offers a variety of attractions, including hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports facilities, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the city and the Tagus River. It serves as a vital recreational area for both locals and visitors seeking nature within the city.
The best way to see most of the park is to walk the perimeter trail of Monsanto Park, Percurso Volta do Planalto, a ~7km loop that circles the park’s perimeter. This moderate trail takes between 3-4 hours to complete (with kids anyways!), making this a good trail for all fitness levels, as well as for kids. The trail is known for its diverse forest landscape, offering views of the city and river.
Interesting Stops Along the Trail
Embarking on the perimeter trail in Lisbon’s Monsanto Forest Park offers a captivating journey through lush greenery and historical landmarks. These are some of the spots we really loved discovering while hiking this trail:
Aqueducto das Águas Livres – Ventilation Towers
We started the trail at this parking lot and followed it in clockwise direction.The trail goes past several of the ventilation towers for the Aqueduct of Aguas Livres. It also goes by the start of the arches of the Aqueduct, an 18th-century marvel that once supplied Lisbon with water.
Cypress Forest and Wooden Sculptures
Right as we entered the cypress forest we saw a few wooden sculptures along the way. The more we walked, the more sculptures we saw. They were all quirky and made of fallen wood pieces. The whole space felt like a giant fairy garden!
Miradouro panorâmico de monsanto
The trail also leads to the Miradouro Panorâmico de Monsanto, an abandoned restaurant site that now serves as a viewpoint offering sweeping vistas of Lisbon’s skyline. We didn’t go in, but I think people still do even though it says it’s closed to the public.
Wilderness Hut
We found a cute little mini tower towards the middle of the trail. Later we learned it was meant to be a wilderness hut!
Recreational Spots
Along the way on this hike, you’ll find picnic areas, playgrounds (Serafina and Alvito are the best), and even a skate park! You can easily make spend the day in Monsanto exploring all the different spots in the park!
Moinho das Tres Cruzes
Towards the end of the trail you will see the ruins of the Moinho das Três Cruzes (Three Crosses Mill). The remnants of this windmill serve as a testament to the area’s milling history. There is a picnic table inside the ruins, making it a great spot to enjoy a snack before hiking down the last stretch back to the parking lot.
Trail Specs
- Loop Trail: The trail is a circular route, meaning you’ll start and finish at the same point.
- Distance: The loop is approximately 7km (~4.5 miles) long.
- Elevation Gain: The hike involves a moderate climb, with an elevation gain of around 180 meters (590 feet).
- Time: It typically takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete the loop.
- Terrain: The trail features a mix of forest paths, paved roads, and dirt tracks.
- Views: Enjoy panoramic views of Lisbon, the Tagus River, and the surrounding landscape.
- Accessibility: The trail is generally considered easy to follow, with clear signage in some areas.
- Dog-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the trail, and may be able to roam off-leash in certain areas.
- Other activities: The park is also popular for mountain biking, running, and cycling.
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