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Trans-Algarve Coast Tour 3.11a

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Trans-Algarve Coast Tour 3.11a

Experience the beauty of the Portuguese coast: A delightful cycling tour along the Atlantic from the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente.

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days cycling Level: Easy Price From: 1080€ Category: Leisure Cycle Tours

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Overview

The routes are flat to slightly hilly on the first half of the tour. On the last three stages, there are some steep but very short climbs and descents. Cycling is mostly on good natural roads asphalted side roads or newly constructed cycle paths.
There is very little traffic on the entire tour.

Description

Experience the beauty of the Algarve on an unforgettable cycling journey along one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe! Enjoy almost 280 km of pure cycling fun in 6 stages, starting at the Spanish border in the east and ending at the southwesternmost point of Europe, the lighthouse "Cabo de São Vicente". Let yourself be enchanted by a varied landscape along the blue Atlantic - from long, dreamy sandy beaches to the famous nature reserve "Ria Formosa" and the picturesque cliffs and small sandy coves of the "Costa d'Oiro". Immerse yourself in the eventful history of Portugal and discover the traces of the age of exploration and the former Muslim presence. Look forward to an unforgettable journey full of experiences and discoveries!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

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 Vila Real Sto. António - Tavira 33km/ 330hm

By train (included) to Vila Real de Santo António. Then on the bike, along the river Guadiana to the sea. Through pine forests, citrus, and vine plantations past the historic town of Cacela Velha. Here begins the beautiful nature park called "Ria Formosa", a lagoon area with many sandbanks, islands, and waterways. Large mussel fields and salt basins, from which the famous "Flor de Sal" comes, alternate with each other. You cycle through this area on beautifully laid-out cycle paths to Tavira. Tavira is a historic town that has retained its character over the centuries and whose buildings are a good example of its eventful history and economic development.

Day 3

Bike tour 2 Tavira - Faro 46km/ 330hm

With a refreshing sea breeze from the nearby Atlantic, you will follow beautiful cycling paths winding through the charming fishing villages of Santa Luzia and Pedras del Rei before arriving at Fuseta. Take a pause along the harbour promenade, where you can observe local fishermen working on their vibrantly painted boats, specialising in the art of octopus fishing. Your journey then takes you to Olhão, the largest and still active fishing harbour. It is worth exploring the old town, brimming with seafood restaurants offering specialties, and the bustling harbour scene. Continuing your adventure, you arrive at the Algarve's capital, Faro. Well-laid-out cycle paths guide you to the historic old town, encircled by ancient city walls. Here you will find beautifully restored buildings dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries. A leisurely pedal along the marina brings you to your hotel, completing the day's journey.

Day 4

Bike tour 3 Faro - Olhos de Água 43km/ 320hm

Shortly after starting, you will enter the "Ria Formosa '' nature park once again. Pedalling through scenic lagoons bustling with water birds, groups of flamingos, and storks, you will follow narrow paths tracing the coastline, passing by elegant villas, parks, and beautifully designed golf courses. After reaching the promenade of Quarteira, you continue on to one of Portugal's largest marinas, Vilamoura, where numerous restaurants offer a tempting break. Crossing a small bridge, you arrive at the long, wide, white sandy beach of Falesia and cycle leisurely to Olhos de Água, your next stop for accommodation.

Day 5

Bike tour 4 Olhos de Água - Portimão 55km/ 810hm

You'll cycle through Albufeira, once a quaint fishing village, now a lively tourist hotspot in the Algarve, heading towards Galé. Continuing over a long wooden footbridge through the protected dune area of "Salgados," you reach the village of Armação de Pêra. The small chapel "A Nossa Srª da Rocha," perched on a cliff jutting out into the sea, is a noteworthy sight. As you proceed, the coastline transforms. Steep reddish cliffs with small sandy bays descending to the sea become prominent. Riding alongside these cliffs and the deep blue Atlantic, you'll reach the expansive delta of the Rio Arade. Well-maintained cycle paths guide you along the delta to Portimão, leading to the beautiful "Praia da Rocha" beach nestled below high cliffs.”

Day 6

Bike tour 5 Portimão - Luz 47km/ 520hm

Today starts with a ride to the small fishing village of Alvor. Winding alleys lead through the village and up to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Alvor, a huge marshland with channels and a mudflat-like lagoon landscape, a refuge for many water birds. From there you will continue down to the sea, coming across the largest oyster farm in the Algarve, which is visible at low tide. Cycling along the wide beach "Meia Praia" you reach Lagos, where you will cross a bridge to the marina and continue into the historic town. Along the palm-lined promenade, you will reach the former slave market. Passing the "Bandeira" fort, you'll reach the "Costa d'Oro," considered the most stunning stretch of coastline in the Algarve, characterised by golden-yellow rocks and unique rock formations rising steeply from the sea. Continuing past the "Ponte de Piedade" lighthouse, you'll cycle to Praia da Luz, today's destination, a tranquil seaside town with an old church and fortress.

Day 7

Bike tour 6 Luz - Sagres 45km/ 680hm

Immediately after the start, the route continues over Burgau and a chain of hills, close to the steeply sloping cliffs, where you will come across a breathtaking view of the deep blue Atlantic and the distant coast of Sagres.Crossing a lonely bay, you climb up to a hilltop from where you can see the small fishing village of Salema, which lies on a sandy beach beautifully framed by high cliffs. The route then climbs up to the small village of Figueiras and continues across a barren steppe landscape, where megaliths can be seen in isolated places, testifying to a settlement several thousand years ago. Passing a small bay with a nice restaurant, you reach the village of Raposeira, famous for the home of Henry the Navigator and a chapel built by him. The route continues across a plateau where you can feel the salty sea breeze from the nearby west coast and see the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe,which you will reach after a short ride. From here, you proceed along a stunning coastal road to Sagres, the legendary location of the seafaring school where Portugal's finest mariners were trained, ultimately venturing forth to explore the world's oceans.

Day 8

Departure

Individual return journey or extension.