The Sintra hill range - Serra de Sintra in Portuguese - offers something for every type of mountain biker; from technical freeride and North Shore style gap jumps off granite boulders, to shady forest trails and coastal singletrack. The Sintra hills, fields and the coastline below offer a remarkable variety. Within a short 30 km ride you can find yourself pedalling through northern european pine and oak forest hardpack trails, then under north american sequoias on loamy tracks before rolling through dry mediterranean scrub, agaves & cactus on your way to the sea.
We offer 2 tours types of guided Mountain bike tour, one more technical along single-track trails and another less technical with more double track. Each tour is customised to your riding ability and preferences. Read on to find out all about Mountain biking in Sintra. Mountain biking in Sintra is challenging and requires a degree of technical skill. To guarantee your safety and enjoyment we do not offer self guided mountain bike tours.
Single Track Attack
Ride some of the finest, year round single track mtb trails in Europe. Intermediate to Advanced riders
Sintra - Cascais Natural Park & Forrest With exceptional views above some of Portugal’s best surf beaches, the Atlantic trails from Sintra to Cascais follow old fisherman’s paths literally along the cliff edges. One of our favourite rides is a 40 loop that takes you from Sintra town center up into the hill trails and down to Cascais along one of the most scenic stretches of jagged coastline single track, stopping at an excellent beach bar near Guincho beach, before heading back to Sintra along a little valley and back through the hills. The trail type and surface on this loop are just technical enough to be enjoyed by most mountain bikers all year round - although they are truly stunning in May and June when the headlands get carpeted in bright wild flowers.
Sintra Hills Trails If you are staying in town, the trails just above the historic center of Sintra offer some of our bread and butter loops through the woods. Just jump on your bike and less than 10 minutes from the town center you are away from the crowds and can enjoy accessible riding for a recovery spin or a cross country sprint along the hills. A mix of fire trails and singletrack with plenty of ascent and descent mean that even the shortest afternoon ride gives you a great biking fix. The granite sand surface on most of these mountain bike trails drain perfectly and you can ride them all year round.
Serra Singletracks Technically proficient riders love the rooty single tracks that wind down the sides of the Sintra Hills. Balance and dexterity are the keywords here over outright speed. Both are tested on one of our favourite, hand crafted trails that throws low branches, log bridges & narrow, tree lined passages at you from all sides as you follow a stream bed down to a reservoir. Although the roots can be extra slippery, winter and spring are are the best times to ride this trail as you zig-zag across the stream on your way to the reservoir below.
North of Sintra - Fields & Coastline For longer cross country rides of up to 70km, you can ride out north, towards Mafra on hardpack trails & the odd Roman road, winding your way through villages along the way. The only difficulty riding out is a fair chance of headwinds - which swiftly turn to a helpful tailwind on the return journey along the Atlantic coastal trails, some of which have a few more technical sections, to test your tired legs. This route is best suited to endurance riders used to climbing and covering longer distances and can be enjoyed all year round if you don’t mind the winter mud.
Malveira DH If big-hit and long travel are your thing, the freeride possy have been carving out excellent trails around the area of Malveira da Serra, on the Cascais side of the hills, and more recently closer to the center of Sintra too. With names such as “Kamikaze” and “Viuvas” (Widows) you get an idea of the North Shore style courses on offer, many of which take advantage of granite boulders and local acacia trees to maximum effect in drops, ramps and walls. Although many of the trails have chicken runs, you need to be a proficient DH / Freerider to enjoy these tracks. The mild climate in Sintra mean these trails can be ridden all year round.
Our rides are a great way of taking in the sights and enjoying world class trails. We tailor each tour to your riding style and fitness level, but A good level of physical fitness is required for Mountain Biking in Sintra. Sintra is hilly so these are challenging rides! Bring comfortable riding shoes with a firm sole & layered clothes rather than heavy jackets. Sun glasses and Sun Screen are recommended! Helmets are required & are provided by us.
Pick-Up & Drop Off
All our Mountain Bike Day Tours depart from our shop in Sintra, but you may arrange for pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Lisbon, Cascais or Sintra for a small additional charge.
Private Guided Tours
All our Mountain Bike Day Tours include an experienced guide for your safety and enjoyment, as the trails are not marked.
