Monumento Natural dos Lagosteiros

Monumento Natural dos Lagosteiros is a protected stretch of coast beneath the cliffs of Cabo Espichel in the municipality of Sesimbra, Portugal, where dinosaur footprints are preserved in the rock. It has held Natural Monument status since 1997 and lies within the Arrábida Natural Park.

What can you see here?

On rock surfaces under the cliffs, you can see imprints left by large animals more than a hundred million years ago. The tracks occur in several limestone layers that alternate with more marly levels, part of the rock succession whose upper beds are exposed at Cabo Espichel. The stone holds both single prints and whole trackways, which show how the animals moved.

Which dinosaurs made the tracks?

Local studies point to a sauropod, a huge long-necked four-legged herbivore, and a theropod, a bipedal carnivore. Researchers read the size and spread of the prints as evidence of herd behaviour. Sources differ on the age of the layers, with some giving the Late Jurassic and others the Cretaceous, so check current geological literature if you need an exact date.

Why is it special?

According to an academic paper on the Sesimbra geotrail, Portugal has five dinosaur tracksites protected as Natural Monuments, three of them around Sesimbra. Lagosteiros is one of them. Nearby, also on Cabo Espichel, is a similar site called Pedra da Mua.

Scale and context

The site shows how the cape's rocks keep a record of ancient environments. The prints formed in soft sediment that later hardened and survived for millions of years. Today the sea and erosion slowly expose further surfaces, which is why the place attracts both geologists and ordinary visitors looking for something beyond the region's typical beaches.

The legend of the giant mule

Before scientists identified the tracks, locals explained them in their own way. In the tale, the prints were left by an enormous mule that carried the Virgin Mary to safety. The story is tied to the history of the Cabo Espichel sanctuary, built in the 18th century, which still stands on the cape.

How to get there

Lagosteiros and Pedra da Mua are part of the PR2 "Maravilhas do Cabo" walking route across the cape. The coordinates are about 38.4219 N, 9.2153 W. The terrain is steep cliffs and uneven rock above the ocean, so wear sturdy, non-slip shoes, stay on the path and keep away from the cliff edge.

Frequently asked questions

Is it an officially protected area? Yes, it has been a Natural Monument since 1997 and is part of the Arrábida Natural Park.

Which dinosaurs left the tracks? They are attributed to a sauropod and a bipedal theropod.

Can I see the tracks on a hiking route? Yes, the site is on the PR2 trail at Cabo Espichel.

Is it worth combining with other sights? Yes, the Pedra da Mua site and the sanctuary on the cape are close by, so a full day around Cabo Espichel is easy to plan.