[Andy W]

If the opportunity arose, anyone got any ideas which would be the best bet for a quick break next week?

[cha1n]

I suppose the problems with the Madrid stuff is that it can be a bit hard to find some of the bouldering, though there is some bouldering in the car park of El Escorial.

The Pedriza locals used to rave about Sintra but never been myself.

Sort of depends what type of trip you're doing. If you want to work hard stuff then it's the kind of granite that you could go through a tip in a few tries of pulling hard but you could get some volume in ok. Will you be getting a car?

[Andy W]

I suppose the problems with the Madrid stuff is that it can be a bit hard to find some of the bouldering, though there is some bouldering in the car park of El Escorial.

The Pedriza locals used to rave about Sintra but never been myself.

Sort of depends what type of trip you're doing. If you want to work hard stuff then it's the kind of granite that you could go through a tip in a few tries of pulling hard but you could get some volume in ok. Will you be getting a car?

Well we are going to Sintra for three days bouldering. In the end Portugal seemed more attractive for a short break. I've been to Escorial before and thought it was pretty good. Look forward to finding out what Sintra is like.

[cha1n]

Cool. Post how you get on if you have time. I've been thinking of a short trip there for a while as an excuse to visit somewhere new with the added bonus of climbing!

[SA Chris]

I'd like to hear back too. Esp regards logistics of getting there from Lisbon, etc.

[Duma]

You'd want a car I think. We dropped in last autumn when surfing, about an hour from Ericeira, less from Lisbon. The boulders I saw looked lovely, granite grain not so fine as Switzerland, but finer than uk. Don't try and climb when it's 28 degrees like we did though

[Steamboat Stello]

Dead easy to get the train to Sintra village from the centre of Lisbon, would be no problem with pads etc. I saw lots of interesting looking boulders on the hill-side but not sure exactly where the climbing area is.

[Andy W]

Well we are on our way. Unfortunately forgot the bag with all our bouldering kit!
Anyone know if there are any climbing shops in the area. Googled a decathlon fingers crossed it sells shoes.

[SA Chris]

It gladdens my heart when other people perform acts of incompetence I thought only I could manage. No idea, but I wish you luck.

[Durbs]

Had a great time puntering around Sintra a couple of years back... Similar to font in terms of atmosphere (i.e. beautiful forest filled with beautiful rocks).

Sharp granite, not Dartmoor level, but pretty abrasive. Lots of good options for rest/rain days too.

I don't remember seeing a climbing shop in Sintra town.

[SA Chris]

Must be a climbing shop in Lisbon?

[Sasquatch]

The bouldering is up in the hills to the west and southwest of sintra.  There are several sectors spread through the forest.  Walking would be a bit of a haul as it's at least a couple of miles.  No public transit to most of the sectors, but you can get close to a couple of them. 

[Andy W]

Sintra is pretty good, very beautiful and mainly peaceful. Saw no other climbers and with a printed topo, that was mainly pretty good, found our way around ok. The topo is pretty old so there are many new problems which can be found on the local guys website. It's maybe not a place for a longer trip, but for a short break its pretty fun. The coastal spot called Prai Do Cavalo is very conditions dependent and a bit of a slog to get to, on out visit it was hopeless, sand levels about six feet lower than in the pics. There is though a good restaurant on the beach, don't have the salted cod! In Sintra there is however a really good restaurant called Incomum, 10 euros set lunch, amazing! the Quinta Da Regaleira also good for a rest day.