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West Coast Tour 3.17

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West Coast Tour 3.17

From Lisbon to Sagres: An unforgettable journey along the wild west coast and through the breathtaking nature reserve of the Costa Vicentina

8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling Level: Medium Price From: 1200€ Category: Leisure Cycle Tours

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Overview

You will ride on asphalted or natural roads with little traffic. This tour can also be combined with the Trans-Algarve Coast Tour (total of 11 stages/14 days.)

Description

The west coast of Portugal, from Setúbal to Lagos, is an incredibly beautiful stretch of coastline.

You begin by crossing the estuary of the Sado River by ferry and then set off on your bike! You cycle for 30 km along a long, sandy beach and through rice fields as far as Sines, the birthplace of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama.

This is where the Costa Vicentina nature reserve begins, with its rugged sea cliffs plunging steeply into the ocean and its countless sandy beaches and bays, mostly unfrequented and all breathtakingly beautiful. You follow the coast the entire way, ending your journey in the charming town of Lagos.

You can spend your last evening and the next day exploring Lagos, with its historic streets, beautiful coastline, and relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to conclude your adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Lisbon airport - Setúbal

Individual arrival and check-in at the hotel. Personal welcome, travel briefing, handover and adjustment of the bikes according to your wishes by Algarve Cycling.

Day 2

Bike tour 1 Loop around Arrábida Natural park 54km/1.200hm

Your first stage starts in Setúbal and takes you up to the impressive Castelo de Palmela, where you can enjoy a fantastic view. You will then continue along the spectacular Estrada da Cobra to Azeitão, passing landmarks such as the Parque da Bacalhôa and Casa das Tortas. In the Arrábida Natural Park, you will enjoy stunning Atlantic views and a diverse landscape of pine forests and shrubland. Along the way, visit the Portinho da Arrábida viewpoint and the Arrábida Monastery. The return to Setúbal offers numerous opportunities to experience the coastal landscape and nature.

Day 3

Transfer to Sines Bike tour 2 Sines - Vila Nova de Milfontes 39km/400hm

Today starts with a transer from Setúbal to Sines. This town, rich in history, is built on a steep hill right by the Atlantic Ocean. In its centre there is a fortress, standing on one of Portugal's most beautiful viewpoints. Once you leave Sines you come to the beginning of the Costa de Vicentina nature reserve. Rocky cliffs and small sandy bays are now striking features of the landscape. You cycle through the small fishing port of Porto Covo and past the ruins of a fortress built in the 17th century as a defence against pirates. Far out at sea you will see the Ilha do Pessegueiro island on which there is another fortress, built for the same purpose. You cycle onwards through countryside typical of the Alentejo region with its large, flat fields and areas of cork oaks and pinewoods. You will then reach Vila Nova de Milfontes, a picturesque place situated on the wide Mira river just where it flows into the sea.

Day 4

Bike tour 3 Vila Nova de Milfontes – Odeceixe 49km/ 520hm

Your first destination today is the Sentinela do Cabo Sardão lighthouse which stands on the edge of a very impressive cliff. The greatest surprise here is that a colony of great white storks has established itself here, nesting on rocks. This section of coastline is recognized as the only place in the world where storks nest on sea stacks and in fact, have become established here and can be observed all year round. You cycle on through the pretty village of Zambujeira de Mar, situated high above the cliffs and where the attractive village 'square' is round! After this, you pass through the unspoiled, agricultural countryside before reaching the river Seixe and the village of Odeceixe which features attractive, whitewashed, and red-roofed houses. It’s situated above one of the most beautiful sandy bays of the whole tour, on the wide river estuary.

Day 5

Bike tour 4 Odeceixe - Aljezur – Carrapateira / Pedralva 47km/ 480hm

Today's route takes you through a landscape of vast fields. Wild herbs grow here which together with the wildflowers, grasses, and eucalyptus groves, fill the air with a wonderful fragrance. In the spring this area is an absolute sea of flowers with swathes of green pasture land, deep red carpets of flowers, and almond trees in blossom. Cross the Aljezur river to reach the town of the same name, where you will cycle through the old town and over the castle mound, continuing on to the village of Carrapateira, situated atop a hill amidst vast dunes. From there you will begin a beautiful cycle route along the cliffs, with fantastic views overlooking the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, passing two sandy bays before reaching today’s accommodation.”

Day 6

Bike tour 5 Carrapateira / Pedralva – Cabo de São Vicehnte - Sagres 41km/ 520hm

You cycle through attractive, evergreen shrubland, known in Portugal as the macchia, and come to two beautiful bays. A steep path leads first to the Praia Barriga beach, which you may well have all to yourself, and then continues over a hill to the Praia da Cordama beach. Both bays have a backdrop of high, rugged cliffs. In fact, at low tide you can ride your bike along the sand from one beach to the next – that saves you cycling over the hill! Your route continues across a steppe-like high plateau and brings you to the most south-westerly point of Europe, the Cabo de São Vicente, where the lighthouse stands on top of the high cliffs. Finally, a beautiful coast road will bring you to Sagres, a place full of myths and legends. This is where the marine school was founded and where Portugal's best seafarers were educated and went on to explore the world's great oceans. The town of Sagres is situated on a promontory at the end of which you will find the fortress, a large building that has been carefully renovated.

Day 7

Sagres - Lagos 52km/ 1.360hm

Starting in Sagres, we head to Cape Saint-Vincent, the southwesternmost point of Europe, with its impressive lighthouse towering above the cliffs. We continue past Raposeira, known for its connection to Henry the Navigator, through a barren steppe landscape dotted with ancient megaliths. After passing a small bay, we reach Praia da Luz, a quiet seaside village with an old church and fortress. From there, we ride along the stunning "Costa d'Ouro" with its golden cliffs and dramatic sea stacks, making a detour to the breathtaking Ponta da Piedade before arriving in Lagos, a vibrant town rich in history and charm.

Day 8

Departure

Individual departure or an extension to your holiday.