Sintra Hikes

03/09/2022

We did a hike this morning from Tholos do Monge. The heather blooms and we saw the first mushrooms. Beautiful.

02/09/2022

Shinrin Yoku.
Imagine coming home after a stressful day, or just having a lot on your mind. Instead of going home, join me “Forest Bathing” in the wonderful, enchanted Sintra de Serra. I will take you off the beaten tracks into untouched beauty. On these walks it’s not about the distance, the calories you burn or the amount of steps you do, it’s about relaxation, joy, emptying your mind, inhaling phytoncides (chemicals that trees give off to protect themselves from insects and diseases).
This walk is done in small groups. At the start of the walk we’ll switch off mobiles and camera’s. You walk in a comfortable pace and you let the power of the forest in. Nature can enter through your entire body. You do not have to worry about time, route or distance. We’ll talk as little as possible. You can take a break from everything else what is on your mind, this is your time. During the walk you listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees. You look at the different greens of the trees and ferns when the sunlight is filtering through the branches. You’ll notice the changes in every season. You smell the fragrance of the eucalyptus, pines and rosemary, you breathe in the natural aromatherapy of phytoncides. You taste the freshness of the air as you take deep breaths. You place your hands on the trunks of cork trees or sit on the 150 millions old boulders. You feel their structure, their temperature, their energy. And now you release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind. After a forest bath you come back out of the forest completely refreshed, rested and re-charged.
Interested? I want to offer these walks 3 times a week, Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s starting at 17.00 from different places, but always in a range of about 3 km’s from Malveira de Serra. They will take about an hour.
Let me know if you are interested.

31/08/2022

Yesterday I did a hike to Tholos do Monge, a 4500 years old burial site. Originally it was a dome with a little hall at the entrance (for gathering and offering), but now not much of it is left.Tholos means round house. Do Monge because it was located close to Capuchos, but no monks were buried there. It's located in a beautiful area, the third highest place in Sintra. A great hike to get up there.

27/08/2022

On we like to draw attention to the special role of dogs, they save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort to many in this world.

Note that is very dog friendly and encourages you to bring your dog on our walks and hikes.



📩 DM for guided hikes in Serra de Sintra.

Sandra De Haan 50andrising

25/08/2022

Organized hikes in the area starting from 10 euros per person. Hikes can be customized according to your wishes.

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https://www.sintrahikes.com/

22/08/2022

Look what we saw during our last hike.
Any idea what that is?

50andrising
Sandra De Haan

19/08/2022

You are most welcome to help us take out the plant. This plant is very invasive in the area and taking over the habitat of the original plants and trees of Portugal.



Sandra De Haan

17/08/2022

What do you prefer: a walk in the sun on the beach following the coastline or some fresh shade in the forests surrounding ? Let us know, and we adapt to your wishes!

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13/08/2022

Today was time for a family hike: "Let me introduce you to my husband, Ton, and his sister on the left". We hiked 1 of the 21 different already prepared routes by , a combination of beach and forest, providing just the right amount of shade on these warm summer days.



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11/08/2022

Thank you 50andrising for your kind comments and nice review. Yes, it was a lovely hike, and happy that you are back.

We had a gorgeous hike on the Sintra hills- It's been too long!

🏃‍♀️Perfect weather and our walk was on the shady side of the mountain.
Lunch was in Murches and then we checked out a new store that sells organic veggies, Italian pasta, wines and cheeses- a great little place. I bought Portuguese aromatic sea salt from Algarve.
Thank you for a fabulous hike! Hope the heatwaves are over and we can continue our weekly hikes. They have changed my life!
A hike is like a mini trip!
I come back in a great mood and feel ready for everything!

10/08/2022

We were wondering: Does anyone know this plant?

When Sandra De Haan saw it first she thought someone put tennisballs in a plant, then she thought they were a sort of Chinese lights, and then we noticed that it was a natural fruit. Their size is like tennisballs and they weight nothing.

Who can help? Maybe 50andrising or Jane Riches?

08/08/2022

Is there a more beautiful and relaxing activity than stargazing?
Portugal is the perfect country for some amazing experiences.
Contact us to experience the beauty of nature at night during a under the stars.

07/08/2022

Our 22th guest review, which we would like to share with you:

A big thank you to Sandra De Haan for skillfully guiding us on one of her favorite walks in the Serra de Estrela, and to Anouk Cleven for inviting me!

It was a hot day in Lisbon but the microclimate in the area around Rio da Mula kept us all cool and brought out the wonderful smells of the forest. I will definitely be back for another adventure with Sintra Hikes!

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03/08/2022

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30/07/2022

On , we share a video of Amy playing with her friends. Please note that likes dogs. We encourage you to bring your dog to our hikes.



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28/07/2022

Trekking poles and hiking staff are standard equipment for many walkers, hikers, and trekkers. The reason is simple: they enhance your stability and provide support on all types of terrain.

To get the most out of trekking poles or a hiking staff, follow these steps:

1. Single or double? Start by choosing between a pair of trekking poles or a single hiking staff.
2. Find the right length: You should aim for a 90-degree bend at your elbow when pole tips touch the ground.
3. Choose features: adjustability, foldability, shock absorption, weight, and locking mechanisms (for adjustable poles) are just some of the options that guide your choice.
4. Learn tips for using poles: knowing a few handy tips, like how to use poles to get around obstacles on the trail, will get you on your way.

26/07/2022

On our near we often pass by a oven. These limestone ovens have been used for millennia to turn objects made from clay into pottery, tiles, and bricks.

You never walk alone 😉👍🌲



Sandra De Haan
50andrising

22/07/2022

is known for its green lush woods and colorful flowers. There are also many animals in this hilly area. What animals can be seen in these pictures?

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20/07/2022

Watch how one of our biggest fans 50andrising is appearing from the trees after hiding somewhere there. 🌲😮🌲

18/07/2022

Practice less talking and more listening on . Value the sounds that nature shares with us.

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15/07/2022

Today, we wholeheartedly celebrate by giving away one of our cool SintraHikes shirts to the first new client confirming a booking with us!

📩 DM us to make the booking and receive your free shirt.

13/07/2022

Proud to share our 20th 5-star rating!

"Sandra is a lovely lady that will take you down the most amazing path in the spectacular Sintra natural park. Her love for nature is just shining through her and she will gladly stop to show you some amazing gems. Thank you Sandra for those magical moments!"

Please join us on our hikes:
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10/07/2022

What to do on ? Invite your family, friends, or a neighbor and head to the woods for some blueberry picking. Ripe blueberries are deep blue, plump, and have a slight dusting of gray. Although your back might not agree with all the bending-over, the taste of hand-picked blueberries is just the best!

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07/07/2022

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05/07/2022

Recently I was with 2 old friends from Holland. We know each other from our jobs at the police academy. The weather was perfect, sunny with a little breeze. They both do a lot of walking in Holland, but because It's flat there, the walking here is much harder. We took it easy though. Hiking with me is supposed to be fun, It's always about what the quest wants. Some want the challenge and they want to exhaust themselves, others just want to stroll and enjoy nature.
Showing people around who have never been here is fantastic. Like these friends had never seen a eucalyptus- or cork tree before. They had no idea about boulders. They saw the Tejo ending in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in their lives etc. I did not have to check If they enjoyed themselves. They did not wear proper hiking shoes and because of that, they had to grab different trees and bushes to descend, which was fun. Being so close to nature, touching it, and therefore smelling it is amazing. There was still running water at some places and Amy, the little chihuahua Mascotte knew exactly where and showed them. We saw the last mushrooms, found some beautiful flowering plants, and as icing on the cake we saw 2 of the mountain goats only about 10 meters always from us, staring at us the way we were staring at them in a status quo. What a great way to start the day. I love my job.

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30/06/2022

Ever imagined encountering dinosaur steps in Portugal?

Join us, and we will show you the miracle.

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28/06/2022

During our last walk, we heard the sound of a woodpecker. Amazing to see this bird in

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24/06/2022

What are the best shoes for hiking? Sandra will explain more about shoes 🥾 and other gear.



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50andrising

23/06/2022

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21/06/2022

Happy 🌼🌞



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