The Best Garden Paths in Pena Park Sintra: Valley of Lakes

For official information, visit Lonely Planet Sintra Guide.

For official information, visit Cultural Landscape of Sintra.

This specific area is located very close to the main entrance of the historic park. Most visitors spend about thirty minutes walking through this very peaceful and quiet garden section. It is a perfect start to your Sintra palace garden walks experience this year. You can find ducks and geese living in small stone houses on the water surface.

Photographers should visit this area during the early morning or the late afternoon golden light. The reflection of the trees on the water creates many beautiful and unique photo opportunities. Try to arrive early in the day to avoid the large and noisy tourist crowds. This area stays pleasantly cool even during the peak of the hot summer heat waves.

• Best for: Families and couples
• Duration: 30-40 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy and flat
• Highlights: Swans and stone bridges

The Path to the Exotic Queen's Fern Garden

Queen Maria II loved this specific part of the park during her long royal reign. This path leads you through a collection of very rare and exotic tree ferns today. These plants came from Australia and New Zealand in the middle of the nineteenth century. The humid microclimate makes the ferns grow to a very large and truly impressive size.

You will feel like you are walking through a lush and prehistoric jungle right here. The green canopy blocks out most of the direct sunlight on the damp forest floor. These ferns are part of a botanical collection that is famous across all of Europe. Walking here is one of the most scenic walks in Sintra 2026 has to offer.

This walk takes roughly twenty minutes to complete from the main palace building area today. The path is narrow and can become quite slippery after a very heavy winter rainfall. Wear sturdy shoes to navigate the mossy stone steps with total safety and great ease. You will find several wooden benches for resting along the winding and narrow garden path.

Hiking the Steep Route to the High Cross Peak

For the best views, you must take the path to the famous High Cross peak. This is the highest point in the entire park at five hundred and twenty-eight meters. The trail climbs steeply through thick forests and many large and ancient rocky outcrops today. You will enjoy a panoramic view of the colorful palace from very high above today.

The trail climbs steeply through thick forests and many giant and ancient granite boulders now. These natural stone formations are very typical of the rugged and wild Sintra mountain range. The path is well-marked with wooden signs that point directly towards the High Cross peak. It is a challenging but rewarding part of the best Sintra hiking trails list.

This hike takes about forty-five minutes for a complete and very leisurely round trip today. The elevation gain is significant so remember to bring plenty of fresh bottled water now. Wear sun protection if you visit this exposed peak in the late afternoon sun today. The view of the Atlantic Ocean is truly worth the physical effort of the climb.

Exploring the Historic Camellia Garden Walkway

King Ferdinand II planted these beautiful flowers back in the early and mid 1840s period. The garden contains over two thousand different types of rare and common camellia flowers today. This path is most beautiful for visitors between the months of February and April today. The colorful blooms create a very romantic atmosphere for every person who visits during spring.

The garden features rare species that were imported from both China and Japan long ago. Experts consider this floral collection to be one of the best in all of Europe. Take your time to enjoy the delicate floral scents in the cool morning air now. The paths here are wide and very easy for most people to navigate with ease.

This area is located close to the Edicule of the Columns stone monument in Sintra. The path is relatively flat and very easy to walk for people of all ages. It provides a great break from the steeper and more difficult mountain hiking trails today. You can check the ticket prices for Sintra palace garden walks online today.

Walking the Trail to the Chalet of the Countess

This path connects the main palace to a hidden gem in the historic Sintra park. The Chalet of the Countess of Edla is a very beautiful and rustic retreat today. The trail passes through the lush fern valley known as the Feiteira da Condessa area. It feels like you are walking through a magical and very old fairy tale forest.

You will cross several small wooden bridges that go over tiny and cold mountain streams. The relaxing sound of running water follows you along the entire winding garden path now. This route is much quieter than the areas located directly around the main palace building. It offers a peaceful escape for those who enjoy nature and total silence in Sintra.

This walk takes about thirty minutes in one direction from the main palace area today. You can also take a small shuttle bus for a very small extra fee now. The chalet walls are covered in natural cork to provide great insulation and style today. This unique design mimics the surrounding forest textures in a very clever and beautiful way.