Approaching Cabo Da Roca and the Lighthouse
We Hiked for 6.5 Hours to Get to Cabo Da Roca
View of the Atlantic
Can you see New York?
We completed a lovely but strenuous seaside hike to Cabo Da Roca (The Westernmost Point of Europe). The trail wound it’s way up and down multiple ridges which abruptly cliffed out into the Atlantic.
We scaled up and down these undulating spines and enjoyed the path most when it wasn’t covered by this evil spikey bush. At times, we each were writhing in pain as the little needles stabbed our calves and ankles. Luckily, Pedro usually charged ahead and managed to find the way. But he was the least prepared to bush whack, having worn 3/4 length pants.
Dennis at the start of the hike!
Us, about 30 minutes into the hike.
If you had binoculars, you might be able to see the lighthouse on the very farthest ridge to the left…Or maybe not!
Pedro Whacking the Bushes!
Dennis Following Me Through the Portuguese Beach Jungle!
You can barely see the diagonal path cutting through the bushes! Yeah, we went down that…!
Dennis 1 hour into the hike. You can see the sandy beach area where we started about 5 ridgelines back!
About 3 hours into the hike…We started near the very largest flat beach!
Around this point, we stopped for lunch, custom made by Pedro! He made us a codfish pasta salad with orange bell peppers, black olives, tomatoes, and capers (I think?). It was nutritious and delicious! I also liked that it was extra salty because I crave salt when I exercise. There were also a couple of sweet energy type bars and some fresh fruit (yay, bonus points!).
Foot Dangle Time! It was too slabby for it to turn out right…
Pretty Rock (Is it petrified wood, or is that just the natural pattern of the rock?)
The Evil Shrubbery I Loath
Pedro Leading us to the Lighthouse (Far Left of Frame, about 40 minutes away)
We had been hiking for 6 hours at this point!
Not There Yet, But Happy It’s Almost Over
The last bit of hiking is grueling; the combination of steeper and longer undulations with the evil shrubbery was really taking it’s toll.
When we arrived at Cabo Da Roca, we waited for a busload of Japanese tourists to finish taking pictures at the monument. Pedro had to jump in before the next busload started in on another round. Then, we were finally able to get the picture. We headed over to a café (we definitely had time for a coffee!) to wait for our taxi back to the truck.
What a fantastic hike!
Tags: 10th Anniversary, Adventure Tour, Cabo Da Roca, Hiking, Portugal, Westernmost Point in Europe