The Beautiful North of Portugal
6 days
total: 164km (102mi)
44% asphalt + 56% dirt-roads and bike lanes
level 2 (2.2)
daily average: 41km (25mi)
Day 1
Arrival
Welcome at Lisbon or Porto airport, transfer to Monção, followed by a briefing about your cycling tour in Portugal.
Day 2
The Fortified Town at the Border with Spain
We can say that this bicycle tour starts on “the extreme North of Portugal”, in the historic small town of Monção. The day is very calm, along bike paths with a green and luxuriant vegetation.
30km (19mi)
level 2 (1.5)
330m (1080ft)
Day 3
The Atlantic Coast
Today it is a very beautiful day on a bicycle, mainly on bike lanes along the river that makes the border with Spain. Then, you meet the mouth of the river and it continues along the Atlantic Coast, sometimes on bike-lanes, other times on the asphalted ways and it also includes some sections on cobblestones. You will have a very short but steep climb at km 47, a small section on bike-lane that is only 200 meters long. Grany gear is necessary on your bicycle! Further, to come down, the way is a little bit rough and it is better to push the bike (100 meters long).
The way continues very flat, always along the coast with really great views, until you get to the hotel. It is an easy day! 🙂
58km (36mi)
level 3 (2.5)
350m (1150ft)
Day 4
Crossing a Dense Forest to get to Another Medieval Town
Today your cycling day is a little bit different: you go inland and it is a kind of a Safari: in the forest at the beginning, always on dirt roads, some single tracks in the middle, and along the river. You will find some dust on the way, if the weather is too dry. Pay attention to the pavement! After this you will soon get to the hotel. 🙂
28km (17mi)
level 2 (1.5)
200m (660ft)
Day 5
The Most Typical Views in Minho Region
Today is the most difficult cycling day of the whole bicycle tour. It is a little bit mountainous, with some up and downs. During the first two kilometers of the day, you have a climb with 5% of grade. Good to warm your legs 🙂 It is made on asphalt in a very green environment.
Then, after km 7 and during 4.5km you have another climb in a very green environment, with 3.5% of grade.
At km 16 you have another short climb during 2km, with 3.7% of grade. After this point the way starts to be “more regular”.
So, the day is like this, up and down, mainly on asphalted roads, sometimes on cobblestones, and always in a very green environment with many houses here and there. 🙂
48km (30mi)
level 3 (3.2)
720m (2360ft)
Day 6
Departure
After breakfast we leave to Porto or Lisbon airport