Ever since I first learned about Praia da Ursa I’ve been wanting to visit! I’ll be honest, when reading descriptions about the hiking trail leading to this beautiful beach, I was a bit hesitant about whether it’d be a good hike to do with children. The trail is described as steep, with some scrambling required in some stretches. I figured we’d give it a try anyways, so off we went. If it was a terrible trail, then we could just turn around and go somewhere else.
The hike was definitely steep, especially the last third of it, but it never felt dangerous to me. Our kids, ages 8 and 11 had the best time doing this hike. Our 11-year old loved the trail with the tricky terrain and rock scrambling! Both kids obviously preferred going down, but the uphill wasn’t too bad either. In my opinion, children prefer more challenging and dynamic trails when it comes to hiking, and this trail definitely delivered on that!
The Hike
We followed this trail on the AllTrails App. I love this app because it helps you stay on track when hiking on trails that are not super clearly marked. This trail in particular was easy to follow, but the app helped us find the trailhead more easily.
This is a 2-mile out-and-back trail. We chose to start the hike at Cabo da Roca, but there are several other possible starts that eventually lead to the same trail down to the beach. Parking was super easy at Cabo da Roca when we arrived. From there, it took us a bit over an hour to reach Praia da Ursa. The hike up was a lot quicker and it took us only about a half hour to get back.
The trail is mostly on loose and rocky terrain. There are larger rocks towards the end of the hike, and you might need to lower yourself down using your hands. It can be slippery, but just take your time and you’ll be fine!
Hiking down to Praia da Ursa was beautiful! The views are stunning all the way, and the beach is so pretty! The water felt a bit rougher there, but we still went it and it was super refreshing. Hikes that take you to the beach are the best!
Cabo da Roca
After the hike, we spent a bit of time at Cabo da Roca to check it out and to eat a picnic lunch. Cabo da Roca owes its fame to being the most western point in continental Europe. The overlook sits at about 140 meters above sea level, giving panoramic views of the hills of Sintra and the coast. With such expansive views, it’s no surprise that this spot was used to guard the entrance to Lisbon harbor back in the 17th century. Today, you’ll find the very picturesque lighthouse that is still in use.
Tips
Wearing sturdy shoes is a must for this hike! I certainly saw people hiking in flip-flops and slip ones, and most of them looked miserable, especially during the last stretch of the hike. Sandals might seem like a good idea for going to the beach, but the hike has rocky areas that are better done in closed-toed shoes. Also, you won’t mind having good traction when going down slippery rocks!
Since you’ll be hiking down to a beach, you should definitely bring/wear a swimsuit! We weren’t planning on spending the day at the beach, but we were happy to jump in the water once we got there. When it came time to hike back up, it was nice to be wearing wet swimsuits to keep us cool.
Pack water and snacks. In fact, some people were hiking down to the beach with coolers, jugs or water, beach bags and more! If you forget snacks, there was a man selling snacks and beverages on the trail, right before the steep part.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the hike was challenging but safe to do with children, especially if they are comfortable hiking. I would say there are only a couple of stops that are really challenging, including a stretch where you hold on to a rope to go up and down. Other than that, you just need to be in good enough shape (or brave enough) to climb over rocks and go down loose terrain. If all of that is okay with you, then you’ll absolutely love this hike! The views are incredible, and the beach is spectacular!
We are a family of four who moved to Lisbon, Portugal in July 2024. We love adventuring and exploring this country we now call home! To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, visit this page. For all of our other travels, visit this page.
