Private Coastal Hike to a Hidden Beach in Arrabida Scenic Escape

Natalia Said No to the Sandals. Natalia Was Right.

There is a particular kind of guide who does not just show you a place. They show you how to be in a place. Natalia of Natalia Portugalia Tours is exactly that kind of human. And she wastes no time letting you know it. She arrived at 10:00 AM. I came downstairs in my hiking sandals. She looked at my feet. She looked at me. "No." Back upstairs. Shoes on. I returned, proud of myself. She tilted her head. "Do you have your swimsuit?" I laughed. Surely the water would be too cold. "This is an ecoclimate. The water will be cold, but after that hike you will want to get in." Back upstairs. Swimsuit retrieved. Natalia: 2. Me: 0. We drove to Parque Natural da Arrábida while Natalia told us the heartbreaking story of ancient forest cleared for hotel development. You can still see the evidence as you pass through. Some wounds in a landscape stay visible long after the damage is done. John Muir wrote that the clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness, and standing there looking at what was lost, I understood exactly what he meant. And then, the trail. When I say downhill, I do not mean a gentle slope. I mean loose rock on a steep 4 km descent toward the sea, rated 4 out of 5 for difficulty by Natalia herself. The technique is zipper hiking: short, controlled zigzagging steps so you do not become part of the landscape. Am I afraid of heights? Yes. Did I scoot down on my backside more than once? Also yes. Zero shame. The goal was the bottom, and the bottom was worth everything. Because at the bottom there is a secret beach. Turquoise water so clear it looks invented, like something out of a dream you are not sure you deserve to be having. I did not even pause. Suit on, hobbling across the rocks, and in I went. Cold. Bracingly, gloriously, reset your entire nervous system cold. Top ten experiences of my life. I mean every word. While we floated and took in the impossible beauty of this hidden place, Natalia quietly unpacked fresh fruit and nuts for us. Then, without a word, she produced a trash bag and started cleaning the beach, carrying every piece of it back up the hill. There are people who talk about loving the earth, and then there are people who just quietly love it. Every single day. The climb back up? Spider crawl. Enough said. Afterward, we drove to Praia das Bicas for lunch at Hangar. Clams in garlic butter. Oysters on ice. Razor clams glistening in olive oil and herbs. Babies sleeping in strollers on the sand, dogs playing on the beach, the sun blazing over all of it like a benediction. The kind of meal that makes you wonder why you ever eat anywhere else. Natalia left us with two thoughts I have not stopped carrying since. "You can put a nice outfit on an unattractive person and brush their hair. But you cannot fix a beautiful looking human with a spoiled soul." And this: "We do not need to save the planet. The planet will be just fine. If we do not take care of it, it will kick us off. We need to nurture it so it does not hurt us." Her company tagline is "Celebrate each day of your being." After a day like this one, I finally understand what that means in my bones. If you are going to Portugal and you want to go beyond the surface, beyond the tourist trail, beyond the pretty postcard version of this extraordinary country, Natalia Portugalia Tours is your answer. Five stars is not enough.

via Tripadvisor

BOOK NOW for a Beautiful Adventure Enjoying the Wild Beauty of Portugal

We visited Portugal in June and were blessed to explore Arribada with Natalia. She is not only knowledgeable in the history of Portugal but all the beautiful landscape and nature the country has to offer. She tailored our time with her to our preferences and abilities, yet challenged us at the same time. Without her guidance we would have missed so many hidden gems in Portugal. We hiked in the Arribada National Park down to a hidden, wild, and ultra private beach in Minjona Bay. The views from the top and bottom are indescribable. Looking up, you cant even tell how you got down but the hike was absolutely worth it. ITs os exclusive, you can only access it by hiking or boat but boats cannot come near the shore. The ocean was refreshing and guess what….no sharks in Portugal! Natalia even prepared a picnic for us to enjoy while taking in the beautoful scenery on the beach. In our time with Natalia we never felt rushed. In fact, because of her and the adventures she took us on, we actually felt more relaxed, disconnected, yet more connected to nature. We were able to capture some amazing pictures and just enjoy the beauty God has made for us. Everywhere we went, Natalia prepared everything for us and took care of all of our needs. She truly went above and beyond. She is very intelligent and compassionate about what she does. There is no one quite like her. So, don’t even think twice and book these adventures with her. Otherwise, you’ll miss out.

via Tripadvisor

Hiking with Natalia

This was a wonderful hike and walk on the beach. The hike was very challenging at times, but so enjoyable. Be prepared with proper shoes. Natalia was so patient when my friend had flight delays. She worked with us and made our day spectacular!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm so happy you enjoyed this adventure! This hike is definitely more challenging than a regular walk, but that's exactly what makes reaching this hidden beach so rewarding. Even in the middle of summer, when the nearby beaches are full of people, this secluded spot often feels like a secret, with only a few visitors willing to make the effort to get there. Thank you as well for pointing out that proper hiking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are important. I always want my guests to know what to expect so they can enjoy the experience safely and comfortably. It was a real pleasure meeting both of you, and I'm glad we could make everything work despite the flight delays. I hope to see you again for another adventure in Portugal! Warm regards, Natalia 🇵🇹 Portugalia

via Viator