As part of three-day holiday-weekend visit to Lisbon, I took advantage of the beautiful late-spring weather to hike the trilho azul de Monsanto (blue trail) loop around Parque Florestal de Monsanto (Monsanto Forest Park), the largest green space in Lisbon, perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. In the cool morning air, I had the entire park virtually to myself – with blue skies, a gentle breeze, and wildflowers blooming.
Because this park sits atop a hill, adjacent to the urban center of Lisbon, I thought perhaps it would offer panoramic views in addition to the forested trails. With one brief exception, this route has no views.
It meanders through a striking variety of forest types, sometimes along wide gravel paths, sometimes along simple dirt footpaths, and sometimes along a paved road. There were no facilities along this route – no cafés, no water stations, no toilets – but signage implied there were some in other areas of the park. Perhaps this, and the early morning hour, was why I saw no other walkers, and only a scattering of joggers and bikers, throughout my hike. Fine with me! I saw a rabbit, and many birds.
Early in the hike, where the trail followed the edge of the park adjacent to a residential neighborhood, I encountered a curious collection of wood carvings beside the trail. Stumps had become tiny residential towers. A half-meter-tall gnome stood watch over a garden. A seated musician strummed his banjo while his partner kicked back. And more!
Check out the photo gallery for more.
Hike stats: (my 35th consecutive weekend hike!)
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.9km)
Time: 1h50
Gain: 573 feet (175m)
GaiaGPS track
David Kotz 