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In Lisboa, Portugal

Praia da Ursa is named after a large limestone outcrop by the sea ("Pedra da Ursa") which resembles the shape of a huge bear head facing the skies. Legend has it that it is a mother bear that was turned to stone when the last glaciations receded from Portugal as she didn't want to leave without her cubs. Further north, there’s another formation equally unusual called "Pedra do Gigante". You’ll have the chance to take a good look at these two from the cache site, visit this secluded, calm and sparsely populated beach on your way back (access is easier from the south side of the beach) and experience nature at its best – either by hearing the roar of the sea crashing on the shore, watching the seagulls fighting over a spot to land right next to you and by feeling the scent of untouched nature.

The whole area from Cabo da Roca to the Adraga beach where this cache is located is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and there are a few things you should be aware of. There are some endemisms (organisms – such as plants and animals – with limited distribution and specialized habitats, native to a restricted geographical area) reported here. These plants – such as the Armeria pseudarmeria (Sea Thrift/Cravo Romano), the Omphalodes kuzinskyanae (Miosótis-das-Praias) or the Ionopsidium acaule (False Diamondflower/Cocleária-Menor) – and animals – as the Apus melba (Alpine Swift/Andorinhão-real) are considered to be very rare or facing extinction, so do not, by any means, pick any plant or harass any animal. An extensive and detailed list of these organisms is available in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park land use planning map, available here.

For geologists, the Roca Cape juts out as a group of rocky outcrops of syenite commonly associated with eruptive breccias. It constitutes the western part of the Sintra massif and stands out from the surrounding coastline due to its high shear cliffs. Several outcrops where the contact between the magmatic rocks of the Sintra massif and the adjacent limestone can be observed in the Ursa beach. In one such case, a rounded enclave of limestone, with its typical contact metamorphic aureole (now turned to marble), can be seen. The Ursa Stone, as the other rocky outcrops bathed by the sea, are limestone of Jurassic age.

Don’t mess with the environment. Take nothing but photos. Leave nothing but footprints.

Some say the true beauty and magic of this place comes from the fact that it’s hard to reach combined with its natural setting and characteristics. Apart from those interested in the unique specimens of fauna and flora, the beach is also very popular among nudists and naturists, photographers (as you can see from the small sample of terrific photos provided – click them to view them in full size) and rock-climbers (I’ve provided a few links here and here - if you're feeling lucky, try these).

To visit this cache, park your car at the suggested coordinates, by the road which leads to Cabo da Roca. Grab your backpack and follow the trail up to waypoint #2. The small walk is more than justified by the superb landscape that awaits with the enormous rocky formations dominating the beach. If you want to visit the beach, head south and down the slope. Head north to waypoint #3 if you want to visit the cache, following the dirt track along a twisting and steep route. From now on, you’re on your own to find your way to the cache site (there aren’t many options left). Just be careful where you step, it may take you a while to find the right way to get there. Most paths are well marked, but there are still a few surprises left. Near ground zero, watch out for the cliffs, as there's no need to approach that much to get the cache, but you can never be too cautious. Getting the cache out of its hiding place does not require any kind of special skill.

Again, just a few words of advice: Wear appropriate clothing and shoes. There will be some thorns and bushes along the way, loose and/or slippery rocks and some dirt. A walking stick can also be helpful. Take some water and food with you. PLEASE park by the suggested spot even if you have a 4x4 vehicle and are able to go further. It won’t harm you to walk a little. Besides that, this area part of the Sintra-Cascais natural park, is known for having some rare/unique species (both fauna and flora) and is particularly sensible to aggressions perpetuated by people that (unlike geocachers) don’t respect nature. The usual "cache in trash out" and "leave no trace" recommendations apply. Enjoy.