Bike Tour in the Southwest Coast - Alentejo and Algarve
This is a bike tour by the Portuguese Southwest Coasts's trails, which will take you from the start to the end of the “Costa Vicentina” natural park, experiencing the laidback and relaxed atmosphere of this region of the Alentejo and Algarve. Enjoy a weeklong ride in these peaceful rolling hills, discovering this beautiful natural park by the Atlantic.
Ride the beautiful oceanic roads and discover the Southwest Alentejo natural park, the finest preserved stretch of European coastline, covering over 100 km. These Parks include various unique species of animal and plant life, and are visited by many zoologists and botanists from all parts of the world.
Experience the tremendous variety of beaches, including long stretches of sand and small beaches nested between the cliffs and rocks. In this Alentejo coast bike tour, you'll explore beaches such as Porto Covo, Malhão, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Monte Clérigo, Arrifana and Praia do Amado, many of them preserved in a virtually unspoilt state.
Discover the unspoilt Algarve, riding to Cape of São Vicente and the nearby Sagres promontory that housed the famous nautical school founded by the Infante D. Henrique in the 15th century. The car-free roads and trails of the Alentejo provide a great atmosphere for cycling tours and its topography makes it a great region for beginner and intermediate riders.
With its trademark gastronomy and great wines, it’s a great opportunity to taste the amazing fresh fish and seafood that are abundant in this region, as well as the local pastries. Ride towards Lagos and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Burgau, Luz, Dona Ana, and others.
We did the South west self guided tour. The organisation was superb, with great attention to detail. Pre-trip information gave use ...
Led a group of 15 bikers for 7 days to the southwest coast of Portugal. Had a lot on my back ...
Pick-up at Lisbon airport and transfer to Sines (1h30m). Private briefing and start of the ride in Sines, by the sea, towards the beautiful beaches of São Torpes. A 13km ride by the seaside road will take you to the piscatorial village of Porto Côvo, which provides for excellent lunch options. Follow the bay, in the direction of the “Ilha do Pessegueiro”, an island immortalized in the Portuguese songbook. Keep riding the trails, from beach to beach along the cliffs, go through Aivados, Malhão and Porto das Barcas, until you reach Vila Nova de Milfontes, a peaceful village that is bathed by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mira River. After the visit and enjoying the views proceed inland to Cercal and your rural hotel Herdade da Matinha. Night at Herdade da Matinha (or similar). Hotel: Herdade da Matinha (included in the premium option) or HS Milfontes Beach Hotel
Breakfast at the hotel and start of the ride. After leaving Cercal, you will cross the bridge over the River Mira, enjoying the views. Just a bit ahead you will exit N393 and enter on a macadam trail, allowing you to cycle along the farming areas of this region. This trail will cross again N393 and take you to Almograve, a famous village around here for it’s sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. Continue to pedal along the green houses and farming areas and reach Cabo Sardão, a small cape with its lighthouse. From here we suggest the 8.5 km tour along the ocean cliffs, allowing you to observe the deep blue colors of the ocean from the top, crowds of sea birds, the beaches and cliffs. A bit before Zambujeira do Mar, just at the end of the trail, you’ll find your hotel for the night, the charming Herdade do Touril ( included in the premium option) or Cerca do Sul, in nearby Brejão. Night at Herdade do Touril (included in the premium option) or Cerca do Sul
Breakfast at the hotel and start of the ride. Exiting Herdade do Touril you’ll quickly reach Zambujeira do Mar, a quaint little fishing village and beach. You will need ride down the hill to the beach and then up again, climbing the steep road to get you off the valley. A few kilometers ahead you will reach Praia do Carvalhal. Riding uphill, you will see a lot of farms and large scale production greenhouses. Reaching Odeceixe, a beautiful traditional village, you will be led to the ocean and then again uphill to this region’s plateau. Once at the top you will cross, and sometimes pedal along, an artificial water canal used to irrigate the soil around here. In just a few kilometers you will reach your hotel, Monte do Cardal. Ride up to Aljezur and Arrifana to Herdade do Monte do Sol in the "guided" and "self-guided" option Night at Herdade Monte do Sol (included in the premium option) or Vicentina Hotel
Breakfast at the hotel and start of the ride. Just after you start your ride you will reach Aljezur, an old Moorish village already in the Algarve region. Don’t forget to visit Aljezur’s beach Praia da Amoreira. You will then start the climb to the castle and, from there on, continues to go uphill until you reach the altitude of 125m. After reaching the top, you will ride a long macadam road that will lead you through the Natural Southwest Park forest and along the ridge of the sierra. Enjoy the great views over the lower lands and the ride through the small villages and isolated houses. A few kilometers before Carrapateira you have a high slope downhill. Then at Carrapateira, take the round circuit and enjoy the most amazing cliffs over the ocean’s marvelous blue backdrop. From here you will follow the upstream of a small stream to Pedralva, an abandoned rural village now fully renovated for tourism purposes. From Pedralva it’s just a stone’s throw to reach Casa Fajara ( included in the premium option) where your hotel is, or Pedralva rural tourism. Night: Monte da Vilarinha (included in the premium option) or Aldeia da Pedralva rural tourism
After breakfast you will be riding to the Sagres area where you can visit the old navigators school from the 15th century. Besides the fortress you will be able to also appreciate the ocean cliffs of both capes: São Vicente and Sagres. You’ll reach Cape São Vicente on a macadam trail, and then head down towards Sagres, the southernmost point of Portugal, where you can have lunch. Check-in at the beautiful Memmo Baleeira hotel and enjoy Sagres, Martinhal or the the Baleeira beach for the day. Night at Memmo Baleeira (included in the premium option) or Pousada de Sagres
After breakfast at the hotel, you need to ride back to Vila do Bispo, cycling a bit along the N268 and then crossing N125 at Raposeira. After, you will cycle on low traffic roads until Praia da Luz, passing along many beaches, one of them amazingly semi-desert and naturally preserved. After Praia da Luz you will mix with moderated traffic until you reach this section’s last kilometers. Before arriving in Lagos, we suggest a visit to the nearby ocean cliffs as they are worth seeing. Check-in at your hotel in Lagos – enjoy the city’s vibrant feel, restaurants, bars and other attractions. Night at Cascade Wellness and Lifestyle Resort (included in the premium option) or Tivoli Lagos
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Faro or Lisbon airport. EXTENDED STAY IN LISBON/SAGRES: On DemandExtend your stay in Lisbon or Sagres for an extra day before or after this trip.
/ I ride my bike on a regular basis, for fitness, commuting or out with friends. I prefer rolling terrain but enjoy reaching my goals and enjoy an active lifestyle. I like to overcome some challenges on my bike, but mostly enjoy the landscapes and atmosphere during group rides.
You will get to ride at your own pace, in moderate distances and hop on our premium van if you so desire or, you can challenge yourself when you feel comfortable! You’ll get to ride in a peloton with like-minded people and always accompanied by our guides. If you want an extra "help" on your rides, you can also request an e-bike.
Luís is our resident mountain biker. Whenever he is not guiding groups, he's out riding or building new trails in Portugal. Luís has designed this tour, making sure it includes some of his favorite trails, adding just a touch of adrenaline to the best of this region.