We had a great time and would highly recommend this hiking tour. Rafael was a great guide and shared information about the town he grew up in, the different trees and animals and his love of the outdoors. Before we booked, we weren't sure what to expect -- even after reading all of the reviews. So here's some additional info for those that like to have the detail beforehand:
1. How far from Lisbon is the start of the hike?
We were picked up at our accommodations in the Baixa/Chiado area (although others were picked up at the Hard Rock Lisboa) -- the drive was approximately 45 minutes. For the transport, we shared a van with others who were going on a wine tour - their first winery was close to the start of the hike.
2. How many people are in a group?
Rafael said that he typically ends up taking 2 in most groups -- usually a couple or two friends. In our case, it was my niece and I, plus one lovely traveller from New York.
3. How hard is it really?
I am not an avid hiker, but for 52 am in pretty good shape. I walk the dog 4-6 times a week for an hour each time and go to the gym 3x a week. I live on the West Coast of Canada, so when I do hike, it is most often a pretty steep uphill trek.
I would say this is a moderate hike -- maybe a 3-4 out of 10, primarily due to the length of the hike (12.7km). It isn't what I'd call "difficult". It was a relatively gradual incline all the way up the mountain -- we maintained conversation during the whole trek, without running out of breath or even breathing heavily. I'd give it a 2-3 for difficulty, as there were a couple of areas where you had to navigate uneven and rocky areas.
Unlike a West Coast hike, there was no scrambling over massive boulders or crawling under fallen trees. I used my hands, maybe once, for balance - otherwise, I was able to navigate everything upright. You also don't really have to worry that you'll be sidling along the edge of cliff -- the trail is all inland, with very safe viewpoint areas here and there, where you can enjoy sweeping water views.
4. Can I wear shorts and a tank top? What about sneakers / trailers, as I don't want to pack my bulky hiking shoes?
I would definitely recommend pants as you'll be hiking through the scrub. The trail is not frequently used and you won't run into anyone else hiking the trail -- but that means that the shrubs and trees have grown into the path. All three of us wore tights -- 2 of us also brought long sleeve shirts to pull on when the shrubs got to head-height -- my niece only had a tank top, but she was fine and managed to navigate the trail without a scratch.
I appreciated having light hikers - my niece and the other woman both wore regular sneakers / trainers. There were a couple times they used their hands for stability on downhill rocks, but neither of them had any problem on the trail at all.
5. How long does the actual hike take?
Our group finished the hike it in 3.25 to 3.5 hours. Rafael says that some groups take up to 1-2 hours longer depending on who is hiking. That being said, he is very patient and will be there no matter how long it takes.
6. Are there stops or rest-breaks? Do we stop for lunch?
Rafael will stop whenever you need. There are a few great areas with amazing views, which act as built-in rest stops. Rafael is also a master photographer - lol - and will take photos and video of you and your group the entire way. He will share them with you at no extra charge after your hike!
I did pack some snacks which I shared when we got to the top. Snacks weren't necessary, but I would recommend you bring at least a liter of water per person. If you forget, there is a small restaurant where you start your hike where you can buy some water.
As we finished in good time, Rafael was kind enough to bring us to a local restaurant in the tiny town where the hike started. We had an amazing lunch of fresh fish stew (using fish caught that morning), followed by a traditional Portuguese coffee and dessert). And yes, we were the only non-locals at the restaurant.
7. Could I just find the starting point of the hike and follow the trail myself?
For all you DIY-ers, I would still highly recommend booking the tour with Lookaround Tours -- while the trail is marked in some places, we would DEFINITELY have gotten lost without Rafael's guidance. The trail is not obvious or easy to follow without a guide.
8. Is it worth it?
Yes - without a doubt! But I am someone who doesn't want to spend all their time in museums, churches or castles being shepherded around like cattle. If you want to see the "real Portugal", you'll get a chance to do so on this tour!
9. How is Lookaround Tours for communication?
They contacted us the day before to confirm all of the arrangements. They confirmed again and provided updates the morning-of, using Whatsapp.
10. Last thoughts?
It's worth the mention that we had an absolute blast coming home. Rafael took us back to the wineries to meet up with the group that was on the winery tour -- they only made it to the 3rd winery, but it looked like they were all fast friends by the time they were done. We got to share a bottle of wine with them before we all headed back to Lisbon in the van together. Pedro, the tour guide and driver, introduced us to all of the farm animals - and we got to pet everything from emus to boars to ponies.
Pedro made a special stop on our way home so we could see the sunset from an amazing spot. We had a rollercoaster of a ride back, with the whole group cheering him on as he squeezed between a delivery truck and a stone wall with barely an inch on each side to spare. The ride back was great comic relief.
Finally I would recommend BOOKING DIRECTLY WITH LOOKAROUND TOURS rather than booking through a third-party. The company is run by 5 local guys and when you book through a third-party (whether it be Viator, Tripadvisor or Expedia), the platform takes about 30%. You'll save a bit of money and help the local operators keep more of the tour fee by going to their website and booking directly.
Our guide, Rui, was so engaging. He adjusted the pace to our level and we had a wonderful conversation throughout the hike. The trail was not-so-obvious, so we would have been lost without him. The payoff was tremendous--stunning views of the Atlantic coast from sheer cliffs. He even brought us a treat for some energy to enjoy as we sat on the cliff. It was nice to visit Lisbon and see all the history, but it was a real treat to get away from the city and see Portugal's coastline.
This was a great hike! We strongly recommend previous hiking experience, proper hiking footwear, long pants, and water. Some of the trails were narrow, rocky, and steep. The small group size allowed us to move at our own pace and Andre ensured we were able to navigate the areas with more challenging terrain. The hard work was rewarded with amazing views. Andre remained informative throughout the trip and displayed his genuine love for the region. He took photos and videos for us and provided them as part of the excursion. A great day! We recommend this for anyone ready for a day of adventure away from the city.