Roadbike Deluxe 5* holiday 3.29
Overview
Varied routes, from flat to mountainous, with some short, steep climbs and corresponding descents. Well-maintained, tarmac roads with very little traffic.
Description
Would you like to spend your holiday in the sunny south not only on a fantastic beach but also doing something for your fitness?
Then we'll let you in on perhaps the most famous secret in Europe: the ALGARVE - spoilt by the sun and blessed with an exceptionally varied and fascinating landscape. A marvelously long stretch of coastline, a hilly, mountainous hinterland, the "Serra", a sparsely built-up area with areas that have remained natural and in between a fertile plain with citrus plantations, orange groves, and vineyards. Good roads up into the Serra offer a great opportunity for long training sessions for all abilities. The tour partly follows the roads of the annual "Volta ao Algarve". Ride in the footsteps of the world's best cycling stars!
Itinerary
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.
Your journey starts in Olhão, from where you head upwards through Estoi to São Brás, entering the region rich with cork oaks. You'll follow the 'Rota da Cortiça' (Cork Route), passing through Santa Catarina and onward to Tavira, often called 'the Venice of the Algarve' due to the river Gilhão flowing through it. After crossing this river, you leave Tavira and ride through a region dotted with lagoons and large salt flats where the renowned 'flor do sal' salt is harvested. Your route continues through the Ria Formosa nature reserve, taking you away from the coast and into the fertile Barrocal region, known for its abundant fruit orchards. The final stretch brings you back to your hotel.
Today, your ride takes you into the Serra, a hilly region interlaced with numerous river valleys. You start with a gentle ascent toward São Brás, but the route soon steepens as you approach and cross the Ribeira de Alportel, leading up to today's highest elevation at Javali, 518 meters above sea level. Here, your efforts are rewarded with a splendid view over the Serra and down toward the coast. What follows is a thrilling descent through a small valley to Barranco do Velho, and then you continue on a good road down to Querença. Here, you will cross another river, the Ribeira de Algibre, and then ride over a hilltop to São Romão, a small village noted for its picturesque church. Afterward, another downhill ride takes you to the third valley followed by one more challenging climb up to Corotelo. From there, it’s a mostly downhill journey back to Olhão.
To start your day, you'll warm up with a 15 km ride from Olhão to Azinhal, situated 300 meters above sea level. From there, you'll head to Santa Catarina, located 154 meters above sea level. This is where you'll encounter a series of hairpin turns winding through the stunning landscape of the Serra up to Alcaria Cume, marking the highest point of today's tour at 502 meters above sea level. Enjoy a thrilling downhill ride to Tavira following this ascent. The final leg of your journey involves a 24 km stretch on mostly level roads through the Barrocal region, bringing you back to Olhão.
Quiet side roads guide you to Loulé, a charming market town nestled in the heart of the Barrocal region. From there, the route ascends over a hill before descending into the Ribeira Algibre river valley, then climbs steeply to the picturesque village of Salir, situated 225 meters above sea level. Shortly after Salir, the road rises further, leading you through scenic countryside dotted with ancient cork oak trees. The tranquil and well-maintained road then takes you up to Barranco do Velho, located 500 meters above sea level. Following this ascent, you embark on another quiet road that descends to São Brás, and then you head back to Olhão via Estoi, passing the renowned Milreu ruins. Your journey concludes by cycling through the Old Town of Olhão, leading directly back to your hotel.
After a few kilometres of gentle cycling, you begin a steep ascent to the Cerro de São Miguel, a hill marked by transmitter masts visible from afar in all directions, standing at 310 metres above sea level. Following this climb, the route continues at elevation, winding along a scenic road with expansive views of the Serra. You then cycle towards São Brás and Loulé, eventually turning towards the coast. This section of the ride offers attractive roads with great vistas. The path leads you through the luxurious resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, and past the expansive grounds of the Algarve football stadium. From there, the route undulates gently through Santa Barbara, Estoi, and Pechão, taking you back to your hotel.
Starting from Olhão, you cycle towards Estoi, passing through Pechão and onto the N2, the old main road to Lisbon. You'll follow this route through São Brás, ascending to Barranco do Velho, situated 500 metres above sea level. After a brief descent, you'll find yourself on a beautiful, newly resurfaced and remarkably quiet road. This stretch keeps you at high elevation as you continue through Salir and on to Benafim. From there, you cross the Ribeira de Algibre River once more and head towards Loulé. The final leg of your journey takes you through the picturesque Barrocal region and Santa Bárbara, leading back to your hotel.
Individual departure or extension.
Availability
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DatesPrice per person
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2025/01/01 - 2025/03/29Single: 1200 € Double: 800 €
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2025/03/30 - 2025/05/25Single: 1550 € Double: 900 €
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2025/05/26 - 2025/06/18Single: 1950 € Double: 1050 €
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2025/09/09 - 2025/09/23Single: 1950 € Double: 1050 €
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2025/09/24 - 2025/10/28Single: 1550 € Double: 900 €
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2025/10/29 - 2025/12/18Single: 1200 € Double: 800 €
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2025/12/19 - 2025/12/31Single: 1550 € Double: 1050 €
Details
Services included in the price
- 7 nights with buffet breakfast in 5* hotel
- 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
- 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)
Bikes Accessories:
- Rack and one pannier: possible on Gravel Bikes (Additional cost of 30€)
- Included: Water bottle, Phone Holder, Air Pump, Lock, Repair kit, Spare tube
Bikes
ROAD CARBON Di2 Merida Scultura Endurance 6000
ROAD CARBON+ Giant Propel Advanced 2
ROAD CARBON Merida
eGRAVEL Di2+ Giant Revolt E+
eGRAVEL Merida eSilex 400
GRAVEL CARBON+ Giant Revolt ADV 2
GRAVEL Giant Revolt 1
GRAVEL Swift Enduravox GR
Roadbike Deluxe 5* holiday 3.29
