Day 1 – Minho Bike Tour – Transfer from Porto to Arcos de Valdevez. Optional Soajo loop ride (45km, 780 meters of elevation gain)
At the scheduled time, pick-up at Porto airport and transfer to Arcos de Valdevez. Check-in at your hotel, where you'll stay for one night while exploring the beautiful region surrounding Arcos de Valdevez and Peneda-Gerês National Park. If you arrive early, we suggest taking a scenic 45 km loop ride towards the traditional village of Soajo, cycling through quiet mountain roads and beautiful rural landscapes. In Soajo, take the time to visit the famous granite Espigueiros – traditional communal granaries that are one of the most iconic cultural landmarks of northern Portugal – before returning to your hotel through the peaceful countryside roads of the Minho region.
Night in Arcos de Valdevez at Ribeira Collection Hotel & Spa or Solar do Requeijo (premium option)
Day 2 – Minho Bike Tour – Arcos de Valdevez – Ponte da Barca – Ponte de Lima (23 to 29km, 344 to 427 meters of elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Today you’ll start your ride going south to Ponte da Barca, where you should take your time to marvel at the local manor houses, 12th century Portuguese architecture. Then ride westwards, following the marked trails on the left bank of the Lima river. These are soft riverside macadam trails, with no climbs, that’ll lead you to Ponte de Lima, the oldest “vila” in Portugal, founded in the 12th century. With its imposing Medieval bridge marking the landscape, this small town – where we recommend stopping for lunch – has much to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy and local wines.
Night in InLima Hotel & Spa or Carmo’s Boutique Hotel (premium option)
Day 3 – Minho Bike Tour – Ponte de Lima – Viana do Castelo (27 to 39km, 151 to 381 meters of elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. If you stayed at Carmo's hotel on the previous night, you will need to cycle 6km (down and flat) until the town of Ponte de Lima. From here, you'll keep riding on the Ecopista by the Lima River, and heading west towards the ocean! As you get closer to the mouth of the Lima River and the Atlantic Ocean, you'll notice a change in the landscape, with the river becoming wider and the vegetation transforming from lush trees of the past days to more maritime fauna. There are no major climbs or technical terrains today. Crossing the river on the Eiffel bridge, the main entry point to Viana do Castelo, you'll be able to see the monumental Sanctuary of Santa Luzia dominating the city. The historic center of Viana is truly worth exploring and offers great options for lunch. Spend the night in the city center or go a bit higher to the Pousada, for a privileged view of the city.
Night in Viana do Castelo at Casa Melo Alvim or Pousada de Viana do Castelo (premium option)
Day 4 – Bike tour in Minho – Viana – Caminha (29 to 33km, 265 meters of elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Today you’ll head North, but first you’ll ride by Viana’s beautiful city Centre, discovering its Fort and Nossa Senhora da Agonia church, before reaching the Atlantic Ecopista, which is a part of the “Camino de Santiago” pilgrimage route. This is an ocean side marked trail with no technical difficulties, that’ll lead you to Vila Praia de Âncora and then to Caminha. You’ll ride by macadam trails, backroads and boardwalks by the beautiful beaches of northern Portugal, crossing pine tree forests and some ancient pathways. Once you arrive, take the time to visit the lovely historical centre of Caminha and delight yourself with the local gastronomy, specialised mainly in fresh fish and seafood.
Night in Caminha, at Porta do Sol (room upgrade in premium option) or Palacete Villa Idalina (premium option)
Day 5 – Bike tour in Minho – Caminha – Tui (33km, 332 meters of elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Leaving the ocean behind, you'll follow the left bank of the Minho River, overlooking Spain on the other side of the border, heading east along the Ecopista towards Valença. Without technical difficulties, you'll mainly follow a marked trail along the river towards Vila Nova de Cerveira – its picturesque center is worth a visit and a stop at a local café – and then towards Valença do Minho. Once in Valença, you'll need to climb a small hill around the fortress, which we highly recommend visiting – either now or after checking in at your hotel on the other side of the river, in Tui. Across the river, in addition to being in Spain and now +1 hour ahead of Portugal, it's just another 600 meters to your hotel.
Night at Parador de Tui (upgrade to a superior room in the premium option)
Day 6 – Minho Bike Tour – Valença – Monção (30km, 180 meters of elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Today’s ride follows the beautiful Ecopista do Minho, cycling eastwards along the Minho River through one of Portugal’s most scenic and authentic wine regions. With virtually no technical difficulties and gentle terrain throughout, this peaceful ride passes vineyards, riverside villages and green rural landscapes characteristic of the Minho region. Along the route, enjoy quiet cycling paths and excellent opportunities to stop for local gastronomy and vinho verde tastings. Your final destination is Monção, a historic town renowned for its wines, thermal waters and charming atmosphere.
Night in Monção at Vinea Collection Hotel (upgrade to a superior room in the premium option)
Day 7 – Minho Bike Tour – Transfer to Porto hotel/airport
Breakfast and check-out from your hotel. If you feel like riding a bit more, take a short loop to the historic center of Tui before being transferred back to Porto at the scheduled time.
