The Rota Vicentina and The Algarve Self-Guided

Mountain Bike | Self-Guided | Landscape

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This “cross-country” bicycle tour in Portugal starts in SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, which extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. This SW landscape is 300 million years old and it is one of the most preserved landscapes all over Europe; human intervention has been less visible throughout its history. Once submerged (about 2 million years ago), this is a vast area with many different coastal habitats and countless beaches and cliffs.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 3, Intermediate (more precisely, level 3.3 between 1~5). It is recommended for “bikers” and “cyclists”. It is supposed that you are in good shape.

Our daily mountain bike tours include going to the wonderful beaches of this Natural Park and taking a swim in the clear, blue sea. Cliffs are steep, almost 100m high and right above the ocean. Countless rocks and isolated islets complete this beautiful and unique scenery. You will feel alone within Nature in a Mediterranean environment. The west coast boasts a diversity of rare botanical species, with very interesting flora and a variety of maritime birds that nest here. Cape S. Vicente is a passing area for thousands of birds of prey.

This mountain bike tour in Portugal also goes to Sagres, which is the south-westernmost point in continental Europe, the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents.

Finally, this mountain bike in Portugal tour allows you to visit some of the beaches of our famous Algarve, including the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in Algarve. We can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. Lagos also has an old fort and its former Slave Market is now an art gallery.

From

Euro 1080

Self-Guided

Tour

6

Days

Level 3 (3.3)

Intermediate

Distance

210km/130mi
53km/23mi day

Hotels

Signature, Explorer

Trails

72% trails and dirt-roads + 28% asphalt

Start | End

Vila Nova de Milfontes | Lagos

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

13 to 31 March, 2022

Available

Euro 1190

April, 2022

Available

Euro 1350

May, 2022

Available

Euro 1500

01 to 18 June, 2022

Available

Euro 1580

19 to 26 June, 2022

Available

Euro 1510

01 to 17 September, 2022

Available

Euro 1510

18 to 31 September, 2022

Available

Euro 1580

01 to 15 October, 2022

Available

Euro 1500

16 to 31 October, 2022

Available

Euro 1350

01 to 09 November, 2022

Available

Euro 1080

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: Algarve, Alentejo

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

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* Hotel front to the ocean
One 4* Charming Hotel with pool
Three B&B/Rural Tourism with pool

Meals

5 Breakfasts

Gear

Superior quality full-suspension mountain bicycles with hydraulic disc brakes and 20 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 | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | 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

Best months to plan a bike tour in Portugal - Spring - Cork trees and the algarve wild coast

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Lisbon airport, transfer to Vila Nova de Milfontes (2 hours and 15 min) and briefing about the tour. Lodging in a B&B located in a small town classified as a Touristic Paradise, near the beach. Lodging in Quinta do Moinho de Vento.

Day

2

The coast and the cliffs

65km (40mi), 690m total climbing (2260ft), level 4 (3.5).
After breakfast you ride towards Cape Sardão, a paradisiacal spot perfect for meditation with the Nature and many cliffs and you end in another village near the sea. Lodging in a Bed & Breakfast unit with a refreshing swimming-pool that is waiting for you. Lodging in Monte João Roupeiro.

Day

3

The beautiful Beaches at Vicentine Coast

53km (33mi), 780m total climbing (2560ft), level 3 (3.4).
After breakfast you ride towards an old town with its castle on the top dated from the 10th century. You continue riding southwards, you cross the woods, hills and valleys until you get to the surfers’ beach. Lodging in a small house in the most typical village near the west coast of the Algarve, very calm and very quiet. Lodging in Aldeia da Pedralva.

Day

4

The south-westernmost point of Europe

43km (27mi), 570m total climbing (1870ft), level 3 (2.7).
The west coast and the vicentine coast are ending. After breakfast you ride to the westernmost point in Europe. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty. Lodging in Memmo Baleeira Hotel.

Day

5

The Coast of the Algarve (the single-track-day)

50km (31mi), 860m total climbing (2820ft), level 4 (3.5).
After breakfast you start riding; this is the day of the single-tracks. You ride along the south coast of the Algarve and you can see the difference when the Natural Park ends and the touristic Algarve starts. Before getting to Lagos you visit a spot where the sea and the wind have shaped beautiful rocks creating an amazing view. Lodging in a 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomises the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar. Lodging in Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort.

Day

6

Departure

After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport (3-hour drive).

Total distance 210km (130mi) | Average 53km/day (33mi/day) | 72% trails and dirt-roads + 28% 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)

the algarve wild coast portugal bike tour hotel 1

the rota vicentina and the algarve portugal bike tour hotel 2

the algarve wild coast portugal bike tour hotel 3

the algarve wild coast portugal bike tour hotel 4

“My husband and I just finished a self guided mountain bike tour of The Rota Vicentina and The Algarve. It was one of the best cycling experiences we have ever had. The routes were well planned and every day was a different experience on our bikes. The views of the ocean and cliffs are fantastic on this trip. Jose and Christine are meticulous with their organization from the time they pick you up at the airport to the last day. The days are long, but the reward is: arriving in a new town each night, checking into a great hotel and “recovering” with cold beer and local fresh fish. We will definitely be back to do another route.”

Kelly Smith, 55 – Ontario, Canada

“My husband and I just finished a self guided mountain bike tour of The Rota Vicentina and The Algarve. It was one of the best cycling experiences we have ever had. The routes were well planned and every day was a different experience on our bikes. The views of the ocean and cliffs are fantastic on this trip. Jose and Christine are meticulous with their organization from the time they pick you up at the airport to the last day. The days are long, but the reward is: arriving in a new town each night, checking in to a great hotel and “recovering” with cold beer and local fresh fish. We will definitely be back to do another route.”

Gregory Herriot, 58 – Barrie, Canada

“Just returned from the self guided The Rota Vicentina and The Algarve mountain bike tour. Jose and Cristina were great, the equipment and preparation first rate, the route took us from along the southwestern coast through incredibly beautiful, scenic, remote landscapes. A wonderful experience, challenging and rewarding. We can hardly wait to return and heartily recommend PortugalBike.”

Eric & Deb, 58 & 56 – Seattle WA, United States

“My husband and I recently completed The Rota Vicentina and The Algarve mountain bike tour. Jose and Cristina are the team that designs this fantastic bike tour from Vila Nova Milfontes to Lagos. The tour highlights consist of: riding through National Parks, single track along the Mediterranean coast and visiting the beautiful beaches of the Algarve Coast. The scenery is spectacular! From beginning to end, attention to detail is what makes a Portugal Bike Tour so wonderful. Jose and Cristina are true professionals in every sense of the word and ensure that your trip will be memorable. The bikes are in excellent condition, the route well thought out with stops for points of interest and delicious picnics to refuel. The choice of overnight accommodations is very good and you will enjoy the incredible variety of fish in the evening. Together, with Jose as your guide explaining the cultural and historic points of interest, and Cristina providing logistical support, you will not be disappointed.”

Sue White, 61 – Bend OR, United States

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles

CUBE STEREO 120 PRO29

WINNING TECHNOLOGY

FullSuspension Mountain Bike CUBE Stereo 120 Pro29. Featuring a 130mm front suspension, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes and a 11-42T Shimano cassette, this is the perfect bike for a mountain biker.
Control, speed and agility combined… for trail explorers everywhere!