Cruz Alta Viewpoint (Parque Da Pena)

Cruz Alta is the highest point of the Serra de Sintra, at about 529 metres, and it sits inside the Pena Park, the wooded grounds that surround the Pena Palace. A stone cross marks the summit, which gives the place its name, the High Cross. From the rocky outcrop you look over a sea of treetops, the pastel towers of the palace, the old Moorish Castle on its neighbouring ridge, the town of Sintra and, in clear weather, the sweep of the Atlantic coast and the plains toward Lisbon.

The park was created in the 19th century by Ferdinand II of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the German-born husband of Queen Maria II, who also commissioned the palace. Ferdinand was a keen gardener and artist, and he planted the slopes with trees from around the world, including tree ferns, camellias, giant redwoods and Himalayan species, laid out along winding paths, ponds, small chalets and viewpoints. Cruz Alta is the high point of this romantic design, deliberately placed to give a view over the whole composition. Other features in the park include the Chalet da Condessa d'Edla, built for Ferdinand's second wife, and the Queen's Fern Garden, with its paths and bridges.

Reaching the viewpoint takes a walk uphill through the woods from the palace area, along marked paths. The climb takes around twenty minutes for most people and is steep in places, with uneven steps, so wear sturdy shoes. The path passes through shady woodland with moss, rocks and views opening here and there. The summit itself is open and breezy, and it is a pleasant place to rest after the climb. Admission to Pena Park is ticketed, and you should check current arrangements, including timed entry in the busy season, before you set out.

Sintra's weather is notoriously changeable. The mountain catches the sea mist, and it is common for the summit to be wrapped in cloud while the coast is sunny. If the view matters, check the forecast and go early in the day, before the crowds and before the cloud settles. Bring a jacket, as it is cooler and windier on the heights than in the town. In winter and early spring, the woods are damp and green, and the paths can be slippery.

The viewpoint is part of the Sintra cultural landscape, listed by UNESCO in 1995, and is a good counterpoint to the busier palaces. Other nearby sights include the Convento dos Capuchos, a tiny cork-lined monastery hidden in the hills, and the Nossa Senhora da Peninha viewpoint, which offers views over the coast. A day in Sintra can combine the palace, the park and the Cruz Alta with a visit to the town's National Palace and the Moorish Castle. It suits walkers and photographers who are happy with a short climb in return for one of the best views in the area.