On the north side of Praia Grande do Rodízio, near the staircase that climbs to the top of the cliff, one can see a set of well-preserved dinosaur footprints embedded in a vertical layer of limestone — a rare glimpse into the fauna that roamed this coast some 120 million years ago. These upright layers are the result of the Sintra Batholith’s rise. Below, on the beach’s sands, several climbing routes were opened in the 1980s by pioneers such as Fanã, Rogério Morais, José Luís Carvalho, and Pedro Cid, among others. Some of these lines — including Fendas Oeste and Parede Norte — are now rarely repeated, largely due to the limestone’s quality, the presence of beachgoers, and the fact that the nearby dinosaur footprints are now a protected site. Not far away, Fissura Z, opened in the 1990s by Sérgio Bruno, stands as proof that good routes can be found where they’re least expected. And for climbers with a keen eye, the cliffs here may still hold more hidden lines, waiting to be discovered.

Just south of Praia do Adraga lies Praia do Cavalo. On its north-facing wall is an incredible 45º limestone overhang — almost like a natural Kilterboard. Continuing south, you’ll find other climbing spots such as Pedra de Alvidrar — a striking pyramid of rock accessible only at very low tide and rarely climbed — and Ravina do Abrigo, a sector developed in recent years by Fernando Pereira.

Praia da Ursa, also known as Bear Beach, is a secluded spot famous for its dramatic rock formations and challenging access. It’s characterized by pristine natural beauty, fine sand, and the powerful Atlantic Ocean. Reaching the beach requires descending a steep, winding path down the cliffs, which helps deter crowds and preserves its wild, untouched character. Noiva (the Bride’s Rock) and Ursa offer challenging climbing routes, and along the beach, a small cluster of trad routes provide additional adventure options, complementing the sport routes in the Cascata sector.

The routes stretching just south of the Cabo da Roca viewpoint to Baía de Assentiz are part of this unique climbing area. In the stunning cove of Malhada do Louriçal—strewn with giant cobblestones—you can enjoy breathtaking views of Pedra Pombeira and Pedra da Azoia. These small “islands,” with their tall arches rising just meters from the shoreline, are among the secret treasures Cabo da Roca hides in plain sight. On the massive granite pillar that rises from the deep sea, separating Malhada do Louriçal from Baía de Assentiz (with its deserted crescent-shaped sandy beach), you’ll find excellent routes on Placa do Sol and Pilar do Golfinho. For bouldering enthusiasts, the chaotic scatter of blocks north of Pedra da Azoia offers some truly exceptional problems.

This area covers the deep bays and coves south of Baía de Assentiz, extending to the Espinhaço main wall and the coves below it. The towering cliffs—packed with overhangs—of Baía do Terror, Sector Perdido, and the Espinhaço main wall offer the perfect terrain for climbers seeking to test themselves. Those simply looking for fun, or wanting to learn how to place gear, will find great options at Penedo do Boi, Força na Verga, or Bloco Superior.

A cluster of small, hidden bays, coves, and cliffs hosts numerous climbing sectors featuring quality routes—mostly trad, with some sport climbing—stretching from the southern Espinhaço region down to Baía das Caixas. Most of these routes were developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s by a dedicated group of enthusiasts. Special recognition goes to Paulo Roxo, who established over half of the existing routes, alongside notable climbers such as João Dinis, Ricardo Quintas, Victor Viana, Vasco Candeias, Yolanda Sanfont, Manuel Valério, and Francisco Ataíde. In recent years, climbers like Nuno Pinheiro, Daniela Teixeira, Filipe Costa e Silva, and João Gaspar have expanded the area with many new routes.

These cliffs were among the last to be explored at Cabo da Roca. Fernando Pereira is undoubtedly the leading figure behind these recent explorations. Alongside climbers such as João Gaspar, Nuno Pinheiro, Timóteo Mendes, Dulce Godinho, António Afonso, and António Vale—and sometimes on his own—Fernando has brought many new routes and adventures to life for all of us to enjoy. This newly developed area is divided into three zones: Biscaia, Ponta do Assobio, and Figueira do Guincho.

The shale slabs of Cinzentos were among the first cliffs explored in the early 1980s. Nowadays an abandoned climbing site, in the early 80's this was a playground for the climbers of the region. The slabs were used on some of the first climbing course done at that time, as depicted on some old photos. Lead climbing while placing pitons, top rope, abseil, etc were all manouvers thought on this walls to newcomers. However, due to the poor quality of the rock, the climbing area was eventually abandoned and now sees very few visits from climbers.