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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.
(Some) technical translation by:
Daniel Oliveira. Photos by: Pedro Anahory, Carlos
Canau, Lu Pan, Swiss Army
Knife and Luís Quinta. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
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