November 2026
Event details
Event Description
This walk starts in Costa da Caparica, on Av. 1 de Maio, near the roundabout behind the restaurant "O BARBAS".
The route passes along the entire coastline from Caparica to Cova do Vapor, with excellent views of the sea, the mouth of the Tagus and the entire city of Lisbon and the Cascais coastline. There are also the Raposeira and Alpena Forts before returning to our starting point. This will be another event not to be missed, where the blue of the sea will be an almost constant presence during the walk.
Cova do Vapor
Cova do Vapor used to be a fishing village, nowadays it's a bathing, fishing and suburban village. In fifty years it has been pushed more than half a dozen times by the sea into the Mata de S. João; its inhabitants have walked with their houses on their backs, on ox carts. At Praia da Cova do Vapor, strong winds allow for kite surfing and during low tide a sandbank is uncovered where shellfish, also known as "cadelinhas", are caught.
The Alpena and Raposeira Batteries
The construction of these batteries began in 1893, forming part of the system known as Campo Entrincheirado de Lisboa (Lisbon Entrenched Camp) and later integrating the Lisbon Maritime Defence Front. The complex consists of four batteries, the first two of which were completed in 1901 and 1902, and the others in 1909 and 1911. The Raposeira batteries are located next to the old Vigia Fort, on a higher level, and the Alpena batteries near the old strongholds of Raposeira Grande and Pequena (the latter are now abandoned). The garrison of the batteries was housed in the Trafaria barracks, built for the purpose and inaugurated in 1905 by King Carlos.
The Raposeira Battery is closely linked to its neighbour the Alpena Battery, and to the BIRT (Battalion of Information and Reconnaissance Transmissions), the former supported it as an armoury, the latter was its nerve centre... all were deactivated by the restructuring of the army in 1996 and are now abandoned.
Some of the points of interest on the walk
- Costa da Caparica promenade - São João Beach - Cova do Vapor Beach - Segundo Torrão Beach - Raposeira Battery - Alpena Fort - Views over the Atlantic and Lisbon coast - Santo António da Caparica Municipal Park - Natural landscapes -
Location
Meeting Point
At the end of Av. 1º de Maio, near the roundabout
(for those coming from the fast lane on the Lisbon side, keep going straight ahead until you reach the roundabout)
Latitude: 38°38'38.65″N
Longitude: 9°14'25.68″W
Meeting time: 9.20am
Estimated end time: 13h45
Route Features and Equipment
Circular
Circuit
Equipment
Footwear and clothing suitable for hiking