Description
The trail begins at Sítio, in the square across from the
Shrine of Our Lady of Nazaré, heading
from there to the Fort of St. Michael the Archangel, where a
lighthouse was installed in the early 20th century, and where you’ll reach
via a trail along the cliffs of the promontory
with its rich and interesting geological formations.
Once
at the fort, descend along a trail and then down a rudimentary
staircase to Praia do Norte. Continue north along the
shore until you reach a wide, well-defined path.
At the bend, where this path turns right toward
the water park, continue straight ahead along a
trail through the dune vegetation, where
the “camarinha” stands out for its uniqueness. After
about 70 meters, this trail leads into the forest
of the Pinhal da Casa de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré. Following
firebreaks and sandy paths, you reach the southern tip of the
wind farm near tower No. 6, with its
long blades spinning ceaselessly. Walk
eastward now until you reach the paved road,
which you cross, continuing along the firebreak for another
380 meters, until another one appears running south to north.
Cross this one and take a forest trail to the
right, which leads to the southern end of the campground. After
230 meters along this path, cross it and
follow a forest trail heading southwest. About 200
meters further on, you’ll find a wide path
through the forest. Follow this trail until
you reach a firebreak crossed by a high-voltage power line.
Cross it heading south, taking a
forest path that descends gently and leads to a curve in
a paved section of road. Continuing south on this path, you’ll quickly
reach the EN-8-5; cross it, and you’ll see right ahead
the Monte de S. Bartolomeu or S. Brás.
Climb the hill via the trail on the left; it’s a 600-meter
round trip. From this stunning viewpoint—a pile of
volcanic rock blocks covered with
lush Mediterranean vegetation—you can see everything
around you: to the north, the vast green expanse of the Leiria Pine Forest;
to the northwest, Sítio, the Sanctuary, and the
wind farm; to the south, the Serra da Pescaria; to the west,
the landscapes of the Alcobaça region. Descend
Monte de S. Brás and take the paved road
heading south. After 100 meters, you’ll find a firebreak
on the right that leads to Pederneira and Largo
da Misericórdia, with its overlook of Nazaré
and the sea. Begin
the descent to Nazaré along Rua do Mirante, passing
through Largo do Saião, continuing along Rua do Mirante,
followed by Largo Coelho da Silva and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora
dos Anjos. Cross the Pedralva Garden, exiting through the
West Gate, which leads to the roundabout; go around it
on the left, crossing the road here. Then continue
along Rua 3 de Setembro, crossing Rua Mouzinho de
Albuquerque, and continue downhill along Rua da Paz until
you reach Avenida da República, following the waterfront until
you reach the elevator. Using
this time-honored mode of transportation, you’ll head back up to the spot
where the route began.