The Natural Wonders of ARRIBIDA
If you’re not one to sit by and just admire the beauty of Portugal, but you’d rather get as involved with nature as possible, then exploring the Arrabida National Park in Sesimbra with Vertente Natural is for you…
The southern European country of Portugal, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, is a place heavily influenced by its ocean-side location – in terms of culture, food and activities. Salt cod and grilled sardines are national dishes, the Algarve’s beaches are a major tourist destination and much of the nation’s architecture dates back to its Maritime Empire roots.
Sat adjacent to the city of Setubal and just a 30 minute drive from the bustle of Lisbon is Arrabida National Park; an area of stunning beauty, with beaches blending into estuaries, forest areas and one of the most dramatic, yet calm coastlines in Portugal. Here you can expect to see varied wildlife, such as dolphins, flamingos and storks, an array of plant life and stunning views as well as opportunities to undertake activities and adventures you’ve never experienced before.
Amidst the deep blue sea and the green of the hills, the Arrábida region as a whole is an excellent place to test your physical limits, but the National Park is also fantastic for families wishing to experience something a bit different that will suits all ages and taste; an adventure. The park’s highest point, the Serra do Risco is a magnificent 380 metre high cliff, which offers a perfect chance for hikers, trekkers or casual walkers to get to know the pure Mediterranean scenery and plant life. Equally, the Marine Reserve offers opportunities to see an array of marine life, and is particularly ideal when experienced on the water itself. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, but still delight at the idea of discovering something new, the beaches that the Park offers are particularly extraordinary. Portinho da Arrábida is one of the most beautiful beaches and a great place for scuba diving or snorkelling. Portinho da Arrábida and another, Figueirinha beach, are very popular among the inhabitants of Lisbon and Setubal, overlooked by the Convent of Our Lady of Arrábida, a former monastery established in the 16th Century. This beach is also famous for being a regular feature on Portuguese TV commercials, so if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more secluded, you can always find a way of discovering the Ribeiro do Cavalo beach. This beach is reachable only by sea or by a hidden track, which only few know about, and provides magnificent views and great swimming and exploring opportunities.
The best way to teach your friends, family, parents or children about nature is to immerse them in it completely, and nobody can leave Arrábida National Park without feeling in wonder of the many things that Mother Nature can offer – especially with the help of Vertente Natural.
Vertente Natural is an activity company that’s dedicated to environmental education and nature adventures, so through the many activities on offer, not only will you be an amazed observer, but you will learn more and more by getting involved in what you see. The team offer open air and nautical activities, adrenaline-pumping and calmer activities that provide the ideal way of seeing the natural beauty of the Arrabida National Park. For example, coasteering, boat tours, trekking, canoeing, climbing, diving, snorkelling and much, much more.
Coasteering is a relatively new sport that involves making your way across rocky shores: swimming, climbing, rappelling, walking or jumping. This activity let’s you discover corners of the landscape which you may not otherwise find, such as hidden caves, undiscovered habitats, unique rock formations and wondrous flora and fauna. As a fairly dangerous activity, this is something that should always be supervised and organised by professionals who know the landscape and techniques. As pioneers of this activity, and repsonsible for many of the popular routes along the shore used today, Vertente Natural will take you through all the necessary procedures and provide all safety equipment, such as helmets, buoyancy aids and harnesses.
Canoeing is another fantastic option in Arrabida National Park, allowing you to be in perfect harmony with nature; observing, smelling the aromas, touching and listening, in a enjoyable way, getting to know natural places and the natural environment. The Marine Park Luís Saldanha, part of the Arrábida´s Natural Park, offers a perfect place to canoe. This reserve was created in 1998 and today is one of the most rich and unique reserves in Europe, lodging more than 1000 species of animals and plants. An organised boat trip provides a wonderful way of sitting back and relaxing, whilst taking in the magnificent views and wildlife spectacles – be sure to bring your camera!
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The Natural Wonders of ARRIBIDA
