Cycling routes in Cascais

Cycling routes in Cascais parks for beginner cyclists Cascais is known to be a city of parks. Indeed, Cascais has plenty of parks, squares, and forest park areas. However, it turns out that not all of them are suitable for comfortable cycling, and this inconvenience especially concerns novice cyclists.

Why aren’t all parks comfortable for cycling

In the article “Tips for beginner cyclists,” I have already written about what a novice cyclist should avoid. From my own experience, I realized that it is pretty uncomfortable to ride in crowded, landscaped parks where there are no unique bike paths (and in Cascais, there are almost none!). After all, in such parks, pedestrians have priority, and you will constantly have to slow down, go around, and even listen to discontent addressed to you. Therefore, it is difficult to ride a bicycle, for example, on the paths of Marechal Carmona Park, Palmela Park, and many squares in the center of Cascais.

Which parks in Cascais are the best for cycling (TOP 5 best parks for cycling)

I would probably put the Park of Friendship of Nations in first place.

The main advantages of the Park of Friendship of Nations (FN) for cyclists:

1. Lack of crowds – on the road, especially if you go a little further from the entrance, you will probably meet only cyclists – a rare human will crawl to the middle of the park)))
2. A special “health route” with signs. The route is picturesque and convenient for beginner cyclists, and the park map with signs will help you avoid getting lost.
3. The trails in Park of Friendship of Nations are ideal for both beginners (there are no steep climbs, and you can easily wind tens of kilometers) and experienced cyclists (you can race for speed or practice on the “trial” sections that are found in the park).
4. Wonderful views, good air, and proximity to water. What I love about this park is that you can swim there after your workout! Every time we set ourselves the goal of getting to the mouth of the Ribeira das Vinhas and swimming there, we enjoy the blooming fields and the air filled with the smell of herbs.
5. The presence of a special bicycle track—a pump track. The track is built so that the cyclist accelerates by moving the center of gravity and body relative to the bike, and he does not need to pedal at all!
6. It is convenient to get to the Park of Friendship of Nations by car (we have a unique bike rack on which we carry our bikes so as not to ride them on the highways), but you can also get there by train to Cascais station. Then by bike along the Avenida Marginal – there is a sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists.
7. Quinta do Pisão is easily accessible from the Park of Friendship of Nations (PDN). Parks Ribeira dos Mochos, Parque Urbano da Ribeira dos Mochos, Parque Natural da Ribeira das Vinhas.

This park area stretches with short breaks from the neighborhoods near Cascais Shopping to Malveira da Serra. There is also a “health route” and even cycling competitions are held here.

Advantages of the parks Ribeira dos Mochos, Parque Urbano da Ribeira dos Mochos, and Parque Natural da Ribeira das Vinhas for cyclists:

1. These parks will appeal to both beginners and experienced cyclists (and even fans of BMX tricks). There are exciting trails and slopes here, but in general, you can choose the routes you can currently master.
2. The parks Ribeira dos Mochos and Parque Urbano are suitable for practicing your riding technique. There are many small and medium climbs and descents, and the parks are separated by quiet local roads, where you can practice riding on the roadway.
3. The parks are a pleasant place to relax in the shade of spreading trees. In fact, they are not even parks, but forest parks – you can go deep into the park and feel like you are in a real forest!
4. The parks are relatively uncrowded; there are many paths, so it is not difficult to pass pedestrians.
5. There are several springs in Parque Natural where you can get water. The descent and ascent to the springs are wonderful places for training beginner cyclists.

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and Quinta do Pisão

This forest park, which is located near Quinta do Pisão (or rather, adjoins it), has wonderful picturesque trails that go past lakes, as well as climbs and descents for training endurance. The park’s area (if you take Quinta do Pisão into account) is huge. You can ride here all day long without repeating the same route. It is also not crowded (especially if you go deep into the forest) and has wonderful nature. It is pleasant to relax in Sintra-Cascais both with and without a bicycle.

Aldeia de Juzo

Aldeia de Juzo is the name of the area on the northwestern outskirts of Cascais. Aldeia de Juzo is a wonderful place for recreation – there are pine forests, dirt trails, and picturesque routes for cycling. True, getting there is not very convenient – you have to go from the center of Cascais along narrow paths, or along the highway. But a bus goes there – right through the countryside! Because of the sandy roads and dense thickets, I liked it here less than in the Park of Friendship of Nations. But you can get there from us without a car.

Parque das Gerações and Carcavelos Beach area

All the previous 4 parks are located inland in Cascais. Residents of the coastal part do not have such a wide choice of cycling routes. Of the parks where you can ride a bike, I know only 2 – Parque das Gerações and the area around Carcavelos Beach. True, there are many people near Carcavelos, and it is challenging to overcome sandy paths. Of course, in the coastal areas, there is also the Marginal promenade, small squares, but this does not compare with the inland parks.

The only drawback of the dunes near Guincho is the sandy soil. But if you choose the correct route, a bike trip around Guincho will be enjoyable for beginners and advanced cyclists.

Bikerist.com website will give you some tips to visit around, or you can take a list of all the directions and trails while visiting their rental service in Cascais to explore where you can ride a bike. You can also download or view GPS tracks and points of all bike routes on the map.