🥾 Early Bird Hikers: Tapada Nacional de Mafra

For September’s hike, we’re heading to the beautiful Tapada Nacional de Mafra, a protected forest and wildlife park near Mafra. The Tapada is home to deer, fallow deer, wild boar, foxes and numerous species of birds of prey. Although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, we’ll have the chance to look for them while exploring this beautiful forest. We’ll follow the marked Yellow Footpath (https://loc.wiki/t/188824583?wa=sc), an 8 km moderate trail through one of the quieter areas of the Tapada. The route passes the forest’s largest cork oak—officially recognised as a Tree of Public Interest—and crosses one of its highest areas, offering views over the “Enchanted Forest.” 🥾 The hike • Route: Yellow Footpath • Distance: Approximately 8 km • Duration: Approximately 3–3½ hours with stops • Difficulty: Moderate • Terrain: Marked forest paths with hills and uneven ground • Expected start: Around 9:45 am • Expected finish: Around 1:00–1:15 pm 🚌 Getting there We’ll take the 2803 Carris Metropolitana bus from Campo Grande Bus Terminal, travelling towards Ericeira and getting off in Mafra. • Meeting point: Stop P23 at Campo Grande Bus Terminal • Meeting time: 8:30 am • Bus departure: 8:45 am • Expected arrival in Mafra: Approximately 9:15 am Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure so that we can find one another and board together. The bus cannot wait for late arrivals. The journey is included if you have a valid Navegante Metropolitano monthly pass—remember to validate your card when boarding. Anyone without this pass will need to purchase their own ticket. From Mafra, we’ll divide into shared Mafritaxi taxis for the approximately 13-minute journey to the entrance of the Tapada. 🚕 Shared taxis A taxi between central Mafra and the Tapada is expected to cost approximately €13–€17 each way. If four people share each taxi, the estimated return cost will be around €6.50–€8.50 per person. Please bring at least €10 in cash, preferably in coins, to cover your share. This is an estimate—the final amount will depend on the meter, weekend tariff and number of passengers sharing each taxi. We’ll arrange with the drivers that morning to collect us again from the Tapada entrance at approximately 1:15 pm. 🎟️ Admission ticket required Entry to the Tapada is not included in your Meetup RSVP. Each attendee must purchase their own admission ticket directly. Tickets currently appear to cost approximately €8 per person, although the price for 26 September will be confirmed once that date becomes available. 👉 [Book your Tapada Nacional de Mafra ticket](https://tapadamafra.byblueticket.pt/Evento?IdEvento=5094) Please select Saturday 26 September 2026 when booking opens. Tickets appear to be released in batches, so I’ll let everyone know when our date becomes available. Your Meetup RSVP does not include admission or reserve your entry to the Tapada. 🍽️ Optional Portuguese lunch After the hike, we’ll return to Mafra for an optional group lunch at João da Vila Velha, a highly rated, Portuguese-approved restaurant serving traditional Portuguese food. I’ll reserve a table in advance for approximately 1:45 pm. 👉 [V](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxB3Z8rutKVKTzCv9)[iew João da Vila Velha on Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gMhk8HESFLDY1sjT9) Lunch is optional, and everyone will be responsible for paying for their own food and drinks. Often outside Lisbon it is cash or MBWAY only for payment. Please let me know if you would like to join the lunch so that I can include you in the table reservation. Anyone who doesn’t want to stay can take the next available bus back to Lisbon after the hike. Those who would like to make a full day of it can also visit the magnificent National Palace of Mafra or explore Jardim do Cerco before returning home. 🎒 What to bring • Plenty of water • Snacks for the trail • Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip • Sun protection and a hat • A light waterproof layer, depending on the forecast • At least €10 cash for…