Hike in Arrábida

On our second Hike Smart adventure in Portugal, we set our sights on the iconic Serra da Arrábida. Our goal, as always, was to blend our hiking safety workshop with a practical, challenging activity and gather feedback from our community.

This time, learning from the previous activity we made some changes. To make the hike more inclusive and accessible to everyone without a car, we built our plan around the train network. Our adventure would be a true traverse, starting at the Palmela train station and ending at the Setúbal station. The bet paid off, with a larger turnout than expected. With perfect sunshine forecast, we were ready for a long day.

This hike was a true test of endurance. Our route covered 20 kilometers with a significant 530 meters of accumulated elevation. It was a challenging trek that showcased the incredible diversity of Arrábida.

The hike began with incredible views of the historic Castelo de Palmela from the trail. After a first steep climb, we were immediately rewarded with a stunning panorama overlooking Setúbal and the sparkling Sado Delta.

The path itself was the perfect training ground. We navigated a huge variety of terrains, from wide gravel roads and stretches of asphalt to rugged, rocky “goat tracks.” These technical sections added a level of risk that was perfect for putting our safety training into practice, keeping us focused and communicating as a team.

A key moment came when we realized trail conditions ahead required a detour. What was planned as a 15km hike became 20km. This wasn’t a setback; it was an opportunity. It became a live-fire exercise in emergency mapping – finding new, safe routes on the fly, which the group handled brilliantly.

The journey was packed with “wow” moments. We stopped for a well-deserved lunch at the São Luís watchtower, a high point offering 360-degree views that stretched from the Sado all the way to a distant Lisbon.

After the big climb, there was only one way to go: down. We descended from the mountain peaks, with our path ending right at Albarquel beach. Seeing the water, we couldn’t resist. Several of us took a quick, refreshing dive into the cold, clear waters of Arrábida, the perfect cure for tired legs!

We finished the day as a team, walking into Setúbal to claim the most appropriate reward: a fantastic celebratory dinner at a local fish restaurant before catching our train home.

This ambitious hike was a huge success. It pushed us physically, but it also proved the value of our safety training in a real-world scenario. The challenging terrain and unexpected route change were handled with skill and a positive attitude.

More than anything, the day was defined by the incredible group spirit, the non-stop conversations, and the shared joy of experiencing those amazing views together.

A massive congratulations to the entire group for conquering this traverse! We’re already looking forward to the next one.

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