The Beautiful North of Portugal Guided

Hybrid Bike | Guided | Historic

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This tour is the result of the combination of two of our tours: “The Historic Towns in the North” and “The Charming Pousadas in the North”. This tour takes place in the North of Portugal, a very hilly region with very green environment, but it is not a difficult tour: this gorgeous bicycle tour mainly runs on bike paths, bike lanes and some dirt roads along rivers and the Atlantic Ocean.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 2, Moderate (more precisely, level 1.8 between 1~5). It is recommended for enthusiast bikers.

Minho is one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal. It is very green and there are many beautiful historic evidences. You can feel the History just looking at the historic buildings that are spread along the way, the historic main squares in each small town, in the local commerce, in the medieval structure of each town that we will cross on a bicycle!

This fantastic bicycle tour must be done with a hybrid bicycle, because we will ride on several bike paths that allow us to discover the green environment that is along the river banks, to enjoy the coolness of the paths during the summer days, to admire the landscape and to experience the History. By the way, Portugal is an independent country since the 12th century and everything started in the north.

We will cycle along the Lima river admiring an astonishing view and luxuriant vegetation. We will cross the hills in Gerês and will stay in a 12th century Monastery converted into a charming hotel. Next stop will be in a Nature hotel located in the heart of Peneda/Gerês National Park with a breathtaking view over the river and the peaceful Caniçada dam.

On our last day we will cycle to Guimarães which is traditionally known as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. You can visit the medieval historic center, the castle and the palace nearby and feel the medieval atmosphere around you.

From

Euro 3200

Guided

Tour

11

Days

Level 2 (1.8)

Moderate

Distance

226km/140mi
28km/18mi day

Hotels

Signature, Monument and Historic

Trails

51% asphalt + 49% dirt-roads + bike lanes

Start | End

Monção | Guimarães

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

30 Apr – 10 May, 2019

Available

Euro 3260

16 May – 24 May, 2019

Complete

Euro 3260

02 Jul – 12 Jul, 2019

Available

Euro 3260

21 Jul – 31 Jul, 2019

Available

Euro 3280

18 Sep – 28 Sep, 2019

Confirmed Departure

Euro 3260

If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability. Guided bike tours usually start on Sundays.

Looking for another Guided tour date?

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RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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Minimum number of people: 4

Location: Porto and the North

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

Price includes:
11-day Hybrid Bike Tour with a Guide | Superior quality bicycle rental | Transfers from and to Porto or Lisbon Airport | Accommodations (10 nights): one 16th century Convent, one 17th century Fortress, one 12th century Monastery, one 12th century Convent, one typical House in the mountains, one four-star Design Hotel, one four-star panoramic hotel, one four-star modern hotel and one four-star modern hotel with a museum (2 nights), | Double bedroom occupancy | 10 Breakfasts | 8 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) | Daily energy-bars and water | Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel | Documentation about PortugalBike Tour | Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance | First-Aid assistance on location | Techno-Mechanical Assistance | Permanent Backup Vehicle | Visit to a winery with wine tasting | Visit to the Chocolate Museum.

Please note:
Guided version: We require a minimum of 4 people to confirm a Guided departure | Groups: Discount for Groups of 6 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 240 | Shorter tour: If you wish a shorter tour in this region you can do “The Historic Towns in the North”, in a hybrid bike tour of 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling (minimum of 2 people) | If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.

DAY BY DAY

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Porto airport, 2-hour drive to Monção (or 4-hour and 30 min drive from Lisbon airport), briefing about the tour. Lodging in a 4* Rural Hotel, that was a 16th century Convent.

Day

2

The fortified town at the border with Spain

27km (17mi), level 2 (1.5), total climbing 370m (1210ft).
After breakfast we will ride on several bicycle paths along the river (that marks the border), always with Spain on the other side of the river. We will cross the border to Spain, only to say that we rode in Spain! We will come back and we continue cycling until we get to the fortified small town. Lodging in a Pousada which is set on the highest place of the old fortified area of this historic town, with a great view to the Spanish border.

Day

3

Towards the mouth of the river

30km (19mi), level 1 (1.2), total climbing 240m (790ft).
After breakfast we will ride along the river along a beautiful cycle lane. Lodging in a contemporary 4* hotel which reconciles modernity with the original artwork of the 18th century manor house facade.

Day

4

The Atlantic coast

28km (18mi), level 1 (1.3), total climbing 290m (950ft).
After breakfast we will ride to another small and beautiful historic town, sometimes very close to the Atlantic Ocean where you can feel the fresh breeze that comes from the beaches; other times cycling along winding roads sided by small houses and crossing small villages. Lodging in a 4* hotel, a century restored building where chocolate was once produced and that keeps its history and memories alive.

Day

5

Free day

Free day to rest, to visit the Chocolate Museum and to visit the historic town.

Day

6

Crossing a dense forest to get to another medieval town

27km (17mi), level 1 (1.3), total climbing 330m (1080ft).
After breakfast we will cross the bridge and leave town and we continue cycling along the river within a dense forest. Lodging in a new 4* hotel overlooking Lima river and very near to the historic center.

Day

7

Along the Lima river banks

17km (11mi), level 1 (1.2), total climbing 340m (1120ft).
After breakfast we leave the hotel and we visit a winery and learn everything about “Vinho Verde”. And then we have to cycle to the next town. Lodging in a 4* Hotel with Spa a great view.

Day

8

The most typical views in Minho region

41km (25mi), level 3 (3.0), total climbing 820m (2690ft).
After breakfast we ride on the green and luxuriant hills typical of this region and here and there we can find some houses. Lodging in a Pousada that is the result of the restoration of a former Cistercian Monastery of the 12th century.

Day

9

Climbing the green luxuriant hills

18km (11mi), level 2 (1.9), total climbing 550m (1800m).
After breakfast we leave the 12th century Monastery and we ride up the green Gerês Hills. Our ride is short but very steep until we get to our next Pousada; however the dazzling views make the effort worth. Lodging in a nature Pousada with a unique location, right in the heart of Peneda/Gerês National Park.

Day

10

Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal

37km (23mi), level 3 (2.7), total climbing 710m (2330ft).
After breakfast we ride towards Guimarães, the birthplace of Portuguese nationality. We leave the Peneda Gerês National Park and we start to ride down to this historic city. Lodging in a Pousada which is the result of the restoration of a former Augustine Monastery of the 12th century.

Day

11

Departure

After breakfast transfer to Porto or Lisbon airport (40-min drive to Porto or 3-hour and 40-min drive to Lisbon).

Portugal Bike The Beautiful North of Portugal RouteMap

Total distance 226km (140mi) | Average 28km/day (18mi/day) | 51% asphalt + 49% dirt-roads and bike lanes

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for this tour include Signature Hotels (the best charming Hotel of the region, usually stylish 4-star hotels or 5-star properties), as well as Monument and Historic Hotels (gorgeous Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings and now converted into exquisite lodgings)