The Charming Pousadas in the North Self-Guided

Hybrid Bike | Self-Guided | Historic
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This is a gorgeous Hybrid Bike Tour in Portugal which takes you to several Manor Houses, Palaces and Monasteries; these magnificent places were once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings of Portugal and now are converted into exquisite lodgings, which we call POUSADAS.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 3, Intermediate (more precisely, level 2.7 between 1~5). It is recommended for “bikers” and “cyclists”. It is supposed that you are in good shape.

This Bicycle Tour in Portugal starts in Valença do Minho which is a historic village in Northern Portugal located near the Spanish border; the borderline is the beautiful river Minho and the village is surrounded by walls. There is a fortress with two towers and double walls, several manor houses and small palaces and several churches too. Then we will ride to Viana do Castelo, a town founded in the 13th century and whose port was one of the main ports from which the Portuguese explorers set sail, due to the Discoveries in the 16th century.

We will cycle along the river Lima to Ponte de Lima, admiring an astonishing view and luxuriant vegetation. Ponte de Lima is a beautiful small town whose name derives from the bridge (ponte) which was the only safe way to cross the Lima river.

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. We will stay in a Convent dated of the 12 century.

From
Euro 1950
Self-Guided
Tour

7
Days 

Level 3 (2.7)
Intermediate

Distance
204km/127mi
Average
41km/25mi day
Trails
66% asphalt+34% dirt-roads+bike lanes
Start | End
Valença | Guimarães
Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

April, 2018

Available

Euro 1980

May, 2018

Available

Euro 2020

June, 2018

Available

Euro 2020

July, 2018

Available

Euro 1980

August, 2018

Available

Euro 1980

September, 2018

Available

Euro 2140

October, 2018

Available

Euro 2010

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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

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Minimum number of people: 2
Location: Porto and the North
Price per person:
Single room supplement:
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Adults:

Price includes:
7-day Hybrid Bike Tour with a GPS device | Superior quality bicycle rental | Transfers from and to Porto or Lisbon Airport | Accommodations (6 nights): 5 nights in Pousadas – luxury Historic Hotels): one 12th century Monastery, one 17th century Fortress, one early 20th century Palace, one typical House in the mountains, one 12th century Convent) and one B&B. | Double bedroom occupancy | 6 Breakfasts | Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel | Documentation about PortugalBike Tour  | Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance.

Please note:

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 (10% discount on the second tour) | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 100 | On Self-Guided tours we can offer you any date, depending on our availability. If the tour starts and ends in different months the price will be adjusted accordingly, depending on how many days in each month.

DAY BY DAY 

Day

1

Arrival   

Welcome at Porto airport. 1-hour drive to Valença, briefing about the tour. Lodging in a Pousada which is set on the highest place of the old fortified area of Valença, with a great view to the Spanish border.

Day

2

Cycling along the coast

62km (39mi), level 4 (3.5), total climbing 750m (2460ft).
After breakfast you leave Valença and ride towards a city that was founded in the 13th century and whose port was one of the main ports of sailing during the Portuguese Discovery Journeys in the 16th century. Lodging in a Pousada set on a hill, overlooking the city and the beautiful estuary of the river Lima.

Day

3

Along the Lima river banks

37km (23mi), level 2 (2.0), total climbing 390m (1280ft).
After breakfast you ride towards the oldest small town in Portugal with its amazing bridge which was the only safe way to cross the Lima river until the end of the Middle Ages. Lodging in a B&B.

Day

4

The most typical views in Minho region

50km (31mi), level 4 (3.6), total climbing 1080m (3540ft).
After breakfast you ride on the green and luxuriant Gerês Hills and here and there you 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

5

Climbing the green luxuriant hills

18km (11mi), level 2 (1.9), total climbing 550m (1800m).
After breakfast you leave the 12th century Monastery and you ride up the green Gerês Hills. Your ride is short but very steep until you get to your 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

6

Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal

37km (23mi), level 3 (2.7), total climbing 710m (2330ft).
After breakfast you ride towards Guimarães, the birthplace of Portuguese nationality. You leave the Peneda Gerês National Park and you start to ride down to this historic city. Visit the medieval historic center, the castle and palace where you can feel the medieval atmosphere around you. Lodging in a Pousada which is the result of the restoration of a former Augustine Monastery of the 12th century.

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).

Total distance  204km (127mi) | Average 41km/day (25mi/day) | 66% asphalt + 34% dirt-roads and bike lanes

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

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TESTIMONIALS

“We chose Portugal Bike’s ‘Charming Pousadas in the North’ self-guided tour immediately followed by their guided ‘Marble, wine and heritage’ tour in Alentejo. Both were superbly organized with carefully chosen routes that stuck to quiet and scenic roads wherever possible. We found the supplied bike satnav easy to use and its ‘purple line’ guided us along charming tracks and backroads that we could not have found on our own. Jose, our guide for the second week was a lot more talkative and entertaining than the satnav, but the routes were equally enjoyable! It was a pleasure getting to know him and the ever efficient and elegant Cristina, over every evening’s wonderful Portuguese food and wine. This was our tenth and best cycling holiday!”

Jonathan Campbell, 62 – Southampton, United Kingdom

“My wife and I rode the Charming Pousadas of the North during an unusually wet week, and the tour was so good the rain did not matter at all. The bikes (one electric) and route were excellent: very scenic with little time on roads with significant traffic. The accommodations were amazing! And Jose’s attentiveness was nothing short of superb.”

John Graham, 58 – Boulder CO, United States

“We just completed the incredible self-guided bike tour “Charming Pousadas of the North” put together by Jose and Cristina and PortugalBike. From the moment we inquired about the tour the responsiveness and friendly personalized attention was clearly beyond the level of what we have experienced with other bike tours and travel services. Everything was thought through from the initial briefing, the very high quality bikes which were equipped exactly as we specified with SPD pedals, correctly sized, extremely well maintained and very comfortable. The documentation and maps provided and the flawless self-guiding Garmin GPS device guided us on the very well-planned route created by Jose. We rode from one beautiful Pousada to the next through vineyards, cobblestone streets, riverside boardwalks, charming village squares, stunning beaches, each time wondering how the next day could be any better – and each day shaking our heads in disbelief at how wonderfully different and amazing it was. Each Pousada was better than the next as well – from 11th century Monasteries to walled fortresses, to spectacular National Park lodges – all providing beyond our expectations for environment, dining, and friendly service. Jose told us at dinner the last night that he starts out every tour with clients and ends it with friends – and we are honored to be 2 more. Thank you Jose, Cristina and Portugal Bike – we will be back with more friends!”

Dan Klitsner, 54 – California, United States

“My daughter and I just completed this self guided tour in June. It was everything as advertised and more. The bikes were great quality, the route was well thought out, the maps and GPS worked perfectly. The Pousadas are wonderful and you will feel that you deserve it after riding up the hills to get to them! Jose and Christina were very gracious hosts and ambassadors for their country. We can’t recommend this company highly enough, and we will be back for another trip – with more family members.”

Susan Wilkins, 60 – Vancouver BC, Canada

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles
portugal bike tours hybrid bicycle

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.

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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.

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