The Quiet Villages on the Mountains Self-Guided

Road Bike | Self-Guided | Landscape
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This tour takes place in a gorgeous region and it is one of the most well preserved regions in Portugal still maintaining many Portuguese ancient traditions and the small and traditional villages made of granitic stones. The luxuriant vegetation completes this awesome scenery in the National Park.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 4, Advanced (more precisely, level 3.7 between 1~5). It is recommended for enthusiast cyclists. It is supposed that you are fit and in good shape.

This gorgeous bicycle tour in Portugal starts in a small village called Casas Novas (near Chaves) where we can see several manor houses dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. We cycle along the river banks and the dam, and our way leads us to one of the most picturesque villages in the region and then to a town famous for its castle and its witch nights.

We go on cycling along traditional villages within the amazing luxuriant landscape of oak trees. We visit the highest village in Portugal and admire the breathtaking landscape around, its traditions and its people.

We cross the border into Spain at 1213m (3980mi) high and we cycle within the Natural Park of Xurès and visit some of its villages.

Our bike tour in Portugal goes on, taking us to the hills and to a small town where we can admire the walls of the old castle dated from the 11th century and located on the top of a granite mountain and its Roman bridge.

We cross a forest of cedars and birch-trees which leads us to a Sanctuary. The landscape is amazing and the winding mountain roads take us to Lima valley and the land of Vinho Verde, the typical wine of this region.

We cycle along the river banks admiring an astonishing view and luxuriant vegetation. This bike tour in Portugal ends in Ponte de Lima, a beautiful small town whose name derives from the bridge (Ponte) which was the only safe way to cross the Lima river in the Middle Ages.

From
Euro 1720
Self-Guided
Tour

6
Days 

Level 4 (3.7)
Advanced 

Distance
231km/144mi
58km/36mi day
Hotels
Signature, Explorer

Trails
100% asphalt 
Start | End
Chaves | Ponte de Lima
Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

13 to 30 September, 2020

Available

Euro 2030

01 to 17 October, 2020

Available

Euro 1990

18 to 30 April, 2021

Available

Euro 1810

May, 2021

Available

Euro 2010

01 to 12 June, 2021

Available

Euro 2020

13 to 30 June, 2021

Available

Euro 1830

1 to 09 July, 2021

Available

Euro 1680

10 to 31 July, 2021

Available

Euro 1720

August, 2021

Available

Euro 1720

01 to 11 September, 2021

Available

Euro 1880

12 to 30 September, 2021

Available

Euro 2030

01 to 16 October, 2021

Available

Euro 1990

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Ready to book? Select tour date.

(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:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

6 days / 5 nights / 4 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 4* Historic Hotel (18th century Solar Manor House)
  • One 4* Thermal Hotel
  • One 4* modern Hotel
  • One 3* Hotel located in a Sanctuary place
  • One charming B&B/Rural Tourism

Meals

  • 5 Breakfasts

Gear

  • Carbon frame and superior quality road bicycles with hydraulic disc brakes and 20 speeds, tailored to your height and specifications
  • Portugal Bike cycling jersey to keep
  • Portugal Bike water bottles to keep
  • BBB helmets

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 | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 160 | Longer tour: You can join two PortugalBike Tours and have a 2-week program (10% discount on the second tour) | 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 of festivity dates will be adjusted accordingly.

DAY BY DAY 

portugal bike tours

Day

1

Arrival   

Welcome at Porto (or Lisbon) airport. 1H30 drive to Chaves. Briefing about the tour. Lodging in a Rural 4* Hotel whose building is dated from the 18th century. Lodging in Casas Novas Countryside Hotel SPA & Events.

Day

2

Lakes and Castles 

58km (36mi), 1070m total climbing (3510ft), level 4 (3.6).
After breakfast you cycle around the mountains within the fields under different crops. You follow the banks of the dam and then continue to a small town with its beautiful castle. Lodging in a cozy B&B near the center of town. Lodging in Casa da Avó Chiquinha.

Day

3

Crossing the border to Spain

65km (40mi), 1000m total climbing (3280ft), level 4 (3.7).
After breakfast you cycle towards several typical villages surrounded by lime fields and windmills. The highest village in Portugal is one of the highlights today. Then you cross the border to Spain and continue cycling within beautiful sceneries and lost villages. Lodging in a 4* Thermal Hotel located in a paradise-like environment. Lodging in Lobios Caldaria Hotel Balneario.

Day

4

The Quiet Villages on the Plateau

46km (29mi), 1370m total climbing (4500ft), level 4 (3.8).
After breakfast you cycle to a small town which is known for its castle and its breed of dogs. The views are amazing: there are huge rocks everywhere, many oak trees. You cross a forest of cedars and birch-trees. Lodging in a 3* cozy hotel which was once a lodging-house for pilgrims. Lodging in Peneda Hotel.

Day

5

The rural life in the valleys 

62km (39mi), 1040m total climbing (3410ft), level 4 (3.7).
After breakfast you cycle towards Peneda Hills and you can admire an amazing view. In the afternoon you cycle to the Lima valley where you find a different landscape: you are in the land of Vinho Verde (wine of the region). Lodging in a modern 4* hotel overlooking Lima river and very near to the historic center. Lodging in In-Lima Hotel & SPA.

Day

6

Departure

After breakfast transfer  to Porto airport (45 min) or  Lisboa airport (4 hours).

Total distance  231km (144mi) | Average 58km/day (36mi/day) | 100% asphalt

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 Explorer Hotels (boutique hotels and family owned, full of character B&B that make the most of their location)

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the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 2
the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 3
the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 4
the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 1the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 2the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 3the quiet villages on the mountains portugal bike tours hotel 4

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TESTIMONIALS

“Portugal bike did a great job taking care of all the details, providing great equipments, and being responsive to all questions. We had a great time and I certainly recommend them if you’re considering a bike adventure in Portugal. The self-guided Quiet Villages on the mountains was wonderful and went without any issues.”

Thomas Feist, 56 – Burlington VT, United States

“This was our second trip with Portugal bike, this time doing The Quiet Villages on the Mountains. Spectacular scenery, great hotels and as always amazing hosts. If you want to see Portugal by bike, this is the group to go with. On day one, Jose and Cristina are your guides, on day two they are friends and by day three they become part of your extended family! We have done the south and the north of Portugal and both trips were outstanding yet different. The descriptions of the biking are very accurate. The bikes are high end and very well maintained. Jose and Cristina go out of their way to ensure that everyone has a great time and is comfortable with the biking. Don’t look any further if you plan to bike in Portugal.”

Carolyn Baer, 53 – Moncton, Canada

“This is my second trip with Jose and Cristina, and they provide that personal touch that make cycling in Portugal feel more like a family adventure. I went on their Quiet Villages on the Mountains road bike tour this year. (…) I would highly recommend Portugal Bike to anyone who enjoys cycling, and I hope to go on a 3rd trip with Jose and Cristina next year or the following. They offer a wide variety of trips from easy to difficult. Portugal is one of the most beautiful places I have visited and the Portuguese people are so friendly and nice.”

Dedrick Burch, 67 – Georgia, USA

“This was our second trip with Jose and Cristina, and we were extremely happy with all aspects (we took The Ancient Medieval Villages tour in May 2013). Jose and Cristina have planned a challenging, scenic and interesting route, with very quiet roads of smooth pavement. The bikes were of highest quality and a pleasure to ride. (…) We had a 5 hour hike on Day 4, which was a nice diversion from cycling and offered scenery we would not otherwise have experienced. Cristina provided refreshments at desirable locations along the route and nutritious lunches. Hosts are both very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable of the region. They accommodated our specific needs with a smile (dropped us off at our hotel instead of at the airport which was wonderful and much appreciated). We hope to take another trip with Portugal Bike! Thank you, Jose and Cristina! “

Barbara Cooper, 58 – Mississauga, Canada

“My husband and I just returned from the Quiet Villages on the Mountains trip with Jose and Cristina. Accommodation was very good, daily lunches had a nice touch of local specials, cheese, fruit (flat peaches in Portugal are simply delicious) and other lovely local produce, whilst dinners were fabulous, with a generous supply of quality local wine. We have done several other guided cycling trips in other countries (which were also very good), this one was the most enjoyable. Jose asked me what made the difference, I think it’s a combination of the hosts, the choice of route, the excellent bikes (Scott carbon fiber bikes) and other well thought through touches. (…) Portugal is a gem of a country, I highly recommend Portugal Bike if you are considering a cycling trip with hosts who are clearly passionate about their country and what they do.”

Danielle Bennett, 62 – Dieppe NB, Canada

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

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

CUBE Attain GTC SLT Disc Carbon

GERMAN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED

With the culmination of carbon frame technology, this bike is all the proof you need that comfort and high performance aren’t mutually exclusive. With a brand new Fulcrum Racing 66 disc wheelset and a complete complement of new Shimano’s superb Ultegra components – with technology borrowed from the range-topping Dura Ace – this is a no-compromise speed machine that’ll flatter any rider’s best efforts.

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portugal bike tours hybrid bicycle

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasizes 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. On this Road Bike tour you will ride with thinner tires (700×28).

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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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