Vila Sassetti trail, from the village to the Moorish Castle

What it is

The Vila Sassetti trail is the footpath that links the historic centre of Sintra with the mountains: it climbs through the Vila Sassetti gardens to the Moorish Castle area and the entrance to Pena park. Parques de Sintra bought the estate in 2011 precisely to open this alternative to the road up, and it is the nicest way to reach the top without a bus.

Vila Sassetti is a summer house that the hotelier Victor Carlos Sassetti, born in Sintra, began to build in 1890 with his friend Luigi Manini, the architect and set designer of Quinta da Regaleira. The inspiration is the castles of Lombardy: a great circular tower in Lombard Romanesque style, in terracotta tones, wedged between granite rocks and woodland. It was later rented by Calouste Gulbenkian, who used it as an occasional residence from 1920 until his death in 1955.

The route step by step

1. Start in the centre: the entrance to Vila Sassetti is next to Largo Ferreira de Castro, near the historic centre and a few minutes' walk from the National Palace.
2. The villa gardens: the path climbs between the walls of the estate, with the tower of the house in sight, fountains and stairs among rocks.
3. The forest: above the villa, the trail winds among chestnut trees and oaks, with natural stone and small streams.
4. Arrival: you come out at the Moorish Castle area and the entrance to Pena park. From the castle, a waymarked path of about 30 minutes leads to the main entrance of Pena park.

It is about 1,850 m of climb and around 45 minutes at an easy pace. It is a continuous slope, with no technical stretches, on dirt paths, stone and steps. The descent, by the stairs and damp stone, is slower than it looks.

Hours and price

Passing through Vila Sassetti and its gardens is free. Parques de Sintra opens it from 10:00 to 18:00; outside those hours the gate is closed and you will have to go up or down by another route. The monuments at the top, the castle and Pena, are paid for separately and have no private-car access.

Signposting and orientation

The path is signposted as an official Parques de Sintra itinerary. If you are continuing to Pena, Parques de Sintra's own Sintra on Foot itinerary links the centre, Vila Sassetti, the castle and Pena, and rates it as medium difficulty, with some climbs.

When to go

All year. In summer the forest gives shade for almost the whole climb, which makes it more bearable than the road. In winter and on foggy days the stone and steps are damp and slippery: wear shoes with soles that grip. If it rains hard, go up on bus 434.

Water, with children and with a dog

Go up with water, especially in summer: up there there is only what the monuments offer. With children who already walk it is a good 45-minute stroll, with rocks and corners that keep them entertained; it is not suitable for pushchairs, because of the steps. With a dog, keep it on a lead.

Combine it

It is the best way to link the visits in the mountains: go up by Vila Sassetti, enter the Moorish Castle, continue on foot to Pena and come down on the 434. Or the other way round: go up by bus and come down on foot this way.