The Beautiful North of Portugal Self-Guided

Hybrid Bike | Self-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”, but longer and with more km/day. 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. Of course we also have to cross some hills.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 3, Intermediate (more precisely, level 3.2 between 1~5). It is recommended for enthusiast bikers and cyclists.

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.

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 1740

Self-Guided

Tour

7

Days

Level 3 (3.2)

Intermediate

Distance

270km/168mi
54km/34mi day

Hotels

Signature, Monument and Historic

Trails

41% asphalt + 59% dirt-roads+bike lanes

Start | End

Castro Laboreiro | Guimarães

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

01 to 12 September, 2020

Available

Euro 1890

13 to 30 September, 2020

Available

Euro 2000

01 to 17 October, 2020

Available

Euro 1970

18 to 30 April, 2021

Available

Euro 1790

May, 2021

Available

Euro 2000

01 to 12 June, 2021

Available

Euro 2080

13 to 30 June, 2021

Available

Euro 1900

01 to 09 July, 2021

Available

Euro 1740

10 to 31 July, 2021

Available

Euro 1780

August, 2021

Available

Euro 1830

01 to 11 September, 2021

Available

Euro 1890

12 to 30 September, 2021

Available

Euro 2000

01 to 16 October, 2021

Available

Euro 1970

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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(Your booking will be confirmed when our specialist contacts you.)

Available dates:

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Minimum number of people: 2

Location: Porto and the North

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling

Support Level

Initial briefing providing all the necessary details
A Garmin GPS computer with all traks recorded
Our comfortable transfer vehicle van with air conditioning
All transportation from airport pick-up to drop-off
All baggage transportation by taxi
Documentation booklet about PortugalBike Tour
Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance

Accommodations

One Pousada – Monument Hotel (12th century former Augustinian Monastery – Small Luxury Hotel)
One Pousada – Monument Hotel (12th century former Cistercian Monastery)
One Pousada – Charming Hotel (located in a 13th century Fortress)
One 4* Historic Hotel (16th century former Manor House)
One 4* Historic Hotel (Charming building with more than 100 years)
One 3* Hotel on the mountains

Meals

6 Breakfasts

Gear

Superior quality hybrid bicycles with disc brakes and 30 speeds, tailored to your height and specifications
PortugalBike cycling jersey to keep
PortugalBike water bottles to keep
Specialized helmets (optional)

Please note:

Prices are based on a double bedroom occupancy (hotels may be different depending on availability) | Self-Guided version: We require a minimum of 2 people to confirm a Self-Guided departure | Longer tour: You can join two PortugalBike Tours and have a 2-week program. Take a look to Along The Silver Coast bike tour (10% discount on the second tour) | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 200 | On Self-Guided tours we can offer you any date, depending on our availability. If the tour starts and ends in different months/fortnight the price will be adjusted accordingly, depending on how many days in each month/fortnight. The price on festivity dates will be adjusted accordingly.

DAY BY DAY

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Porto airport, 2-hour drive to Castro Laboreiro (or 5-hour drive from Lisbon airport), briefing about the tour. Lodging in a 3* Hotel in the Mountains. Lodging in Castrum Villae Hotel.

Day

2

The fortified town at the border with Spain

58km (36mi), level 3 (3.3), total climbing 730m (2400ft).
After breakfast we will ride down the mountain and then you will ride on several bicycle paths along the river (that marks the border), always with Spain on the other side of the river and we continue cycling until we get to the fortified small town. Lodging in a Pousada, in a 13th century Fortress which is set on the highest place of the old fortified area of this historic town, with a great view to the Spanish border. Lodging in Pousada de Valença, Charming Hotel located in a 13th century Fortress.

Day

3

The Atlantic coast

57km (35mi), level 3 (2.5), total climbing 350m (1150ft).
After breakfast we will ride along the river along a beautiful cycle lane 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 16th century Manor House, a charming 4* hotel, that keeps its history and memories alive. Lodging in Casa Melo Alvim Hotel.

Day

4

Crossing a dense forest to get to another medieval town

52km (32mi), level 3 (2.8), total climbing 650m (2130ft).
After breakfast we will cross the bridge and leave town and we continue cycling along the river within a dense forest. Then we will have a stop to have lunch in a place that is considered “the oldest village in Portugal”. Lodging in a four-star Historic Hotel with a beautiful panoramic view over the green landscape and the river. Lodging in Ribeira Collection Hotel.

Day

5

The most typical views in Minho region

48km (30mi), level 3 (3.0), total climbing 780m (2560ft).
After breakfast we ride on the green and luxuriant hills typical of this region. We can see vast vineyards with grapes to make the very known “green wine”, very typical from 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. Lodging in Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, Monument Hotel.

Day

6

Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal

55km (34mi), level 4 (4.4), total climbing 1700m (5580ft).
After breakfast we ride up the green Gerês Hills and we can enjoy a great view over the dam. We leave the luxuriant area of this National Park and we start to ride down towards Guimarães, a historic city that is the birthplace of Portuguese nationality. Lodging in a Pousada which is the result of the restoration of a former Augustine Monastery of the 12th century. Lodging in Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães, Monument Hotel, a Small Luxury Hotel.

Day

7

Departure

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

The Beautiful North of Portugal Route Map

Total distance 270km (168mi) | Average 54km/day (34mi/day) | 40% asphalt + 60% 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)

the beautiful north of portugal bike tours hotel 1

the beautiful north of portugal bike tour

the beautiful north of portugal bike tours hotel 2

the beautiful north of portugal bike tours hotel 3

the beautiful north of portugal bike tours hotel 4

“We just finished an awesome cycling trip with Portugal Bike. Had a fantastic time. The bikes were fabulous (ebikes by the way), the service was terrific and the accomodation was great. This is the 7th cycling trip we have done. It’s a great way to see a country, you can choose the length of the tour and with the introduction of the electric bike you don’t have to be a cycling freak. It’s more tour de wine than Tour de France. Next time you choose to cycle in Portugal you must try Portugal Bike with Kristina, Ricardo and Louis there to help you. Thank you PB team.”

Venita Burnes, 70 – Port Melbourne Victoria, Australia

“We are a group of experienced AUSTRALIAN cyclists who have now undertaken 7 cycle tours around the world and found Portugal Bike Tours to be the best. We embarked on “The Beautiful North of Portugal” tour with our guide Jose and Cristina proving support. Their attention to detail, flexibility and professional approach was simply outstanding. The accomodation, meals and wine simply first class. The bikes were in an “as new” condition, and everything working perfectly. Jose friendly, warm and humorous approach, as our guide was something very special. This scenic tour is first class and represents great value for money for anyone considering biking Portugal.”

Peter Lucey, 67 – Canberra, Australia

“I recently rode with a group of friends in Northern Portugal. Portugal Bike organised everything and their service was outstanding. They are very professional and we had a wonderful experience which will stay with us for a long time. The accommodation, food and wine were all top quality. Our guide kept us safe and provided an insight into Portuguese culture. The bikes were as new and the support throughout excellent. I have done four overseas bike trips and this was the best.”

Ian McAuley, 67 – Canberra ACT, Australia

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasises comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. Equipped with a lockout fork and Syncros components, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position.

portugal bike tours electric bicycle Bosch

BOSCH SYSTEM

E-BIKE

Now you don’t have any excuse for not participating on a Portugal Bike Tour! Don’t be afraid of not being able to keep up with the group. Now you can ride an e-bike without feeling too exhausted! The system works as if someone is pushing at your back! The more you pedal, the more electric assistance you have.