Gravel Algarve Roundtrip 3.43
Experience the Ultimate Gravel Bike Roundtrip: Explore Algarve's Stunning Coastline and Hills
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Overview
The routes are varied, from flat to mountainous, with some short, steep climbs and corresponding descents. Cycling is mostly on good natural roads, well maintained asphalted roads or newly constructed cycle paths.
Description
Start your gravel bike adventure in Faro, exploring the Algarve's scenic hills and stunning coastline. Ride through charming villages and lush landscapes before descending to the coast. Enjoy the sparkling blue Atlantic, sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs. Discover authentic towns and the beauty of eastern beaches and western golden cliffs. End your roundtrip back in Faro, having experienced the ultimate Algarve journey.
Itinerary
Individual arrival and check-in at the hotel in Faro. Personal welcome, travel briefing, handover, and adjustment of the bikes according to your wishes by Algarve Cycling.
The first stage of the tour takes you along the Atlantic to the Spanish border. After cycling through the old town, the route heads north on well-maintained side roads with gentle inclines and declines. The journey passes through rural areas with typical Portuguese villages and a mix of fruit and vegetable plantations, along with carob, olive, and almond trees. In Tavira, you'll reach the sea and soon arrive at Cacela Velha, offering a stunning view of the "Ria Formosa" and the Atlantic Ocean. From here, the route turns inland on quiet, well-maintained roads, winding into the hilly and sparsely populated countryside. After passing a reservoir, you'll reach the Guadiana River and today's accommodation, which is beautifully situated on the riverbank.
Today's tour takes us deep into the hinterland, the "Serra." This scarcely inhabited, unspoiled, hilly region features pine forests and scrubland along excellent, nearly traffic-free roads. Begin by passing the deep blue Odeleite reservoir before entering the Serra. The route includes long climbs and descents, leading to Cachopo, a small mountain town in a remote area. Continue through the picturesque sea of hills, crossing several river valleys until reaching Barranco do Velho. Enjoy panoramic views of the coastal area and rolling hills throughout the journey. The final part of today's stage is a thrilling descent through cork oak and eucalyptus forests back to civilization. Cycle through the rural Barrocal on side roads to reach today's hotel, with two steep 20% inclines to conquer before the end.
Today's route takes us through the fertile midlands, known as the "Barrocal," characterized by citrus plantations, farmland, and vineyards. After a few flat kilometers, a short climb leads to Corotelo, followed by a flat road to the market town of Loulé. The journey continues across the Ribeiro de Algibre river valley, reaching Salir on the ridge. Here, the route follows a brand new, traffic-free tarmac road, gently undulating past orange groves and vineyards to Alte. This charming town, with its white-painted houses and small river, is one of the most beautiful in the Algarve. Continue to Messines and enjoy a long descent to Silves, the former capital of the Algarve. The day ends with a long climb to the hotel, situated in a small valley with a thermal spring and bath.
To kick off today's tour, we'll tackle the highest mountain in the Algarve and then head to the deep blue Atlantic on the west coast. First, we head to the small town of Monchique, nestled in the center of the hills of the same name, with its highest point, Foia, reaching 902 meters above sea level. The 11-kilometer climb to the summit begins here, along a scenic panoramic road. At the top, enjoy breathtaking views of the coastal areas to the south and west and the endless sea of hills in the Serra. A fantastic descent takes you through densely wooded areas to Marmelete, then westward along the Serra's edge, always downhill towards the coast, arriving at São Teotónio. Following the banks of the Ribeira de Seixe, the route leads to the charming coastal town of Odeceixe, home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the western Algarve. From there, the route continues almost straight, accompanied by the Atlantic Ocean, down to Aljezur, marking the end of today's stage.
Today's stage takes you through the "Costa Vicentina" nature reserve, around the most south-westerly point in Europe, and along the south coast to Lagos. Begin with a flat stretch, feeling the sea breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean as you ride through the unique nature reserve. Reach Cabo de São Vicente, where the lighthouse complex sits atop 60-meter-high cliffs that plunge into the sea. Pause to enjoy the breathtaking view of the deep blue Atlantic. Continue along a scenic coastal road to Sagres, the legendary site of Henry the Navigator's school, where Portugal's finest sailors were trained. From there, journey along the coast to reach your hotel in Lagos.
Today's stage takes you from Lagos to Faro along the beautiful Algarve coast. Start your journey with a ride through historic Lagos, then head east along the coastline. Pass golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and picturesque coves, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze. Continue through charming seaside towns, each offering a taste of local culture. Ride through the scenic Ria Formosa nature reserve, home to diverse birdlife and stunning views. Finish your coastal adventure as you arrive in Faro, concluding an unforgettable journey.
Individual departure or extension.
Availability
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DatesPrice per person
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2024/07/02 - 2024/09/18Single: 2200 € Double: 1200 €
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2024/09/19 - 2024/10/03Single: 2000 € Double: 1000 €
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2024/10/04 - 2024/11/03Single: 1750 € Double: 980 €
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2024/11/04 - 2024/12/31Single: 1600 € Double: 900 €
Details
Services included in the price
- 7 nights with breakfast in 4*, 3* hotels and typical Portuguese guesthouses.
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation
- Welcome, info talk, bike handover, and adjustment
- Detailed route description, with references to places of interest and interesting facts on the routes
- 6 carefully designed routes to download to your mobile phone or tablet
- Mobile phone holder
- Map with daily km and elevation profile
- Service hotline Mon-Fri 09:00 to 18:00, weekends and public holidays in case of emergency
Optional against surcharge
- Transfers Faro Airport <-> Hotel on request
- GPS device with all daily tours
- Room with Sea View upgrade
- Half-board (on Portuguese public holidays and bridge days, there may be a surcharge that may apply)
- Single traveler supplement €85 (not applicable if more than one room is booked)
Extra / Person Bike rental
-Gravel Bike: 165€
-Gravel Plus Bike: 240€
-eGravel Bike: 250€
Bikes
eGRAVEL
eGRAVEL
eGravel ideal for Bikepacking, Sometimes a small push is all that's needed to open up a whole new world of exploration. The eSILEX 400 pairs a sleek, lightweight frame with versatile gravel tyres on 700c rims to the helping hand of the MAHLE ebikemotion X35+ hub drive motor and a 250 Wh battery to help expand your riding horizons. A fully-featured frame and carbon fork with plenty of mounts is ideal for overnight bikepacking trips or smaller adventures, while the smooth shifting and powerful braking of the Shimano GRX groupset with double chainset makes for reliable companions, on or off the road.
- Triple butted aluminium frame with built-in 250 Wh battery
- Sleek 'normal bike' silhouette and low weight
- Fast-rolling 700c wheels with gravel tyres
- Shimano GRX drivetrain and hydraulic brakes
- Multiple frame and fork fixing points for extra carrying capacity
GRAVEL CARBON plus
GRAVEL CARBON plus
Gravel plus ideal for Bikepacking, rough roads, gravel or dirt. However you choose to roll, this bike does it all. The lightweight, smooth-riding composite frameset and adjustable wheelbase make it more capable than ever.
Advanced composite frame and fork save more than 160g compared to the previous model. Updated geometry includes a lower bottom bracket, longer reach and steeper head tube angle for improved acceleration and climbing. Dropped seatstays with thin tubing absorbs road shocks and vibrations. D-Fuse handlebar and seatpost work as a system to add compliance without sacrificing stiffness while cornering, sprinting or climbing.
A flip chip on the rear dropout adjusts the wheelbase: short for quicker handling, or long for improved stability at speed. The long setting allows for larger diameter tires up to 53mm. You can also choose the included D-Fuse seatpost for maximum compliance, or switch to a 30.9mm round or dropper post.
Advanced-grade composite, 12x142mm thru-axle, disc, flip chip dropout, Advanced-grade composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc, Shimano GRX RX-820 02x12, Shimano GRX RX-610 hydraulic brakes, Shimano CS-HG710, 12-speed, 11x36, tubeless 700x40c Wheels, 2 bottle cages.
Accessoires: Saddle bag with Spare tube and Repair kit.
GRAVEL G
GRAVEL G
Gravel ideal for bikepacking. The all-new Revolt features a lightweight ALUXX aluminum frame with updated gravel geometry including a longer reach and lower bottom bracket for added stability. A flip chip on the rear dropout adjusts wheelbase and tire clearance, and you can choose the included D-Fuse seatpost for maximum compliance or switch to a 30.9mm round or dropper post. The frame is integrated for disc brakes and it has clearance for larger tires up to 53mm.
Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, Advanced-Grade Composite, full-composite OverDrive steerer, 12mm thru-axle, disc, Shimano GRX RX-400, 2x10, Shimano GRX RX-400 hydraulic disc brake, tubeless 700x38c Wheels, 2 bottle cages.
Accessoires: Saddle bag with Spare tube and Repair kit.
GRAVEL S
GRAVEL S
This Gravel bike is an aluminum bicycle designed to provide all riders with comfort and good performance for all types of pedaling, from flat to mountain tops, from asphalt to dirt roads. Its endurance geometry offers a pleasant riding position for long distances, ideal for challenging yourself or exploring new roads with much more comfort and quality.
- Premium 6069 aluminum frame with triple thickness hydroformed tubes.
- Carbon fork.
- Shimano GRX group.
- Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes.
- Aluminum cockpit and internal cabling.
- Tapered headset.
- E-thru axle pattern.
- Points for fixing up to three water bottles.
- Approved by ISO 4210.
Gravel Algarve Roundtrip 3.43
Experience the Ultimate Gravel Bike Roundtrip: Explore Algarve's Stunning Coastline and Hills