Eduardo VII Park, with 65 acres, is located in central Lisbon and serves as the start of a ‘green corridor’ that extends to Monsanto Park. The park’s focal point is the 0.6-kilometer (0.4-mile) central path that connects the Marquess of Pombal Statue (off Av. de la Liberdade) to the summit, which has Portugal’s biggest flag (20×12 meters!) and panoramic views. Run down a broad alley walk or the bottom lawn, which is surrounded by box hedges. There is a lake, a cool greenhouse, and a café in the park.
A circle consisting of the centre walk and the adjacent trails in Park Jardim Amália Rodrigues is around 3-4 kilometres long. For a longer run, proceed north to Gulbenkian Park, or south from Marquess of Pombal along the great Av. da Liberdade’s median to Rossie Square (1.6 km).
Another option is to use the ‘green corridor,’ a newly finished ‘linear park’ that runs approximately two miles southwest to Monsanto Park. The route begins at the park’s northern end, off Rua Marquês de Fronteira (look for the red pavement).
The Monsanto Green Corridor, which took more than 30 years to complete, connects a variety of green spots around the city. It was created by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, an architect who believed that conserving Portugal’s natural side was critical to the country’s future. The result is a planted urban walkway that oozes eco-consciousness, with recycled plastic signs and a new bridge fashioned from Nordic wood harvested from sustainable forests, allowing people to comfortably stroll, bicycle, or blade above Lisbon’s congested streets.
Though the trail is not completely disconnected from the city – glass and steel structures frame the corridor until it enters the dense forest – the lush landscaping, dotted with stone pines, oaks, wild olive, and poplar trees, and flecked with clusters of ornamental grasses and a vibrant palette of jasmine, lavender, and other blooms, creates a verdant experience.
The Monsanto Green Corridor is loved by joggers, walkers, and cyclists alike.
