Cycling holidays in Portugal where you set the pace and we provide the support
SELF GUIDED -
LOWER ALENTEJO - BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS
Beginner / Intermediate level, minimum 2 people
This 7 night tour begins high in the mountains where local traditions are still followed - collecting of the strawberry tree fruit to make the local fire water 'medronho', stripping the cork oaks of their precious bark and small scale subsistence farming on tiny terraces. After a day here you journey northwards dropping down onto the plains of the Alentejo and on to the Santa Clara Lake where you spend two nights in a fabulous Quinta on the edge of the lake literally in the middle of nowhere. Your host will introduce you to local routes through the famous 'montado' cork oak woods home to an amazing variety of birds and other wildlife. You continue north west to the town of Odemira which is well off the tourist route as it nestles quietly on the banks of the river Mira. The town is at the heart of the west Alentejo farming region and at the top of the town you can see one of the best preserved windmills in the whole region. Odemira is also famous for its pottery shops so maybe a little shopping maybe in order! From the town you have the opportunity to visit the coastal resorts of Vila Nova Milfontes or Almograve before travelling south through white washed villages and picturesque fishing villages to Odeceixe and your journeys end.
The route uses quiet country roads and good tracks, we only use main roads when there is no other option and for only short distances, there are some short climbs.
Included in this holiday
• 7 nights in guesthouses and Quintas, in a twin / double room with private facilities and breakfast
• transfers to and from Faro airport or arrival point in the Algarve / Alentejo
• luggage transfers
• bike rental, a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid or equivalent with helmet, handlebar bag / cycle bag, lock & repair kit
• route notes and maps
Back up support is always available.
Not included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• 7 lunches
• 7 dinners
Cost per person and dates
October – March £765.00 or €990.00
April – June & September £795.00 or €1030.00
Itinerary
Day 1 – arrival and transfer to Monchique.
Day 2 – a circular ride around the mountain of Foia through tiny villages with wonderful views in all directions. The hill slopes are partly covered in ancient terraces witness to a bygone era when the mountain dwellers practised subsistence farming and a mixture of eucalyptus and chestnut woods interspersed with the 'strawberry tree', 36km. Overnight Monchique. (All on quiet surfaced roads with some gentle climbs.)
Day 3 – north today as you travel down from the mountains onto the rolling countryside of the Alentejo plains, passing tiny villages on your way to the Quinta do Barranco by the lake of Santa Clara, 42km. Overnight at the Quinta. (A mixture of quiet country roads and good tracks, some gentle climbs.)
Day 4 – a day to explore the 'montado' the unspoilt cork woods which typify this region and experience village life first hand. You can enjoy a drink at the local village bar which is inside a garage so only those 'in the know' can drop in - your fellow drinkers will warmly greet you, 35km. Overnight at the Quinta. (Virtually all on good tracks over gently rolling countryside.)
Day 5 – Odemira is your destination today and you travel through small white washed villages along quiet roads passing shepherds tending their flocks grazing on pastures flanked by wild lavender and thyme and herds of black pigs gorging on acorns, 37km. Overnight Odemira. (All on quiet country roads through rolling countryside.)
Day 6 – from Odemira you can enjoy a circular route all the way to Vila Nova de Milfontes but if you prefer a more leisurely day then we suggest a visit to the fishing village of Almograve where you can lunch on freshly caught fish before returning along the Mira river valley, 60km or 48km. Overnight Odemira. (A mixture of quiet roads and tracks.)
Day 7 – you leave Odemira to journey through wild countryside to the small town of Sao Teotonio and then onto the cliff tops to Zambujeira. From here sandy tracks take you to the beach of Carvalhal and on to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar before dropping down to Odeceixe. Today is virtually all within the Cape St Vincent Natural Park and this fabulous days ride will end your holiday on a high, 40km. Overnight Odeceixe. (A mixture of quiet roads and good tracks, one short but steep climb.)
Day 8 – transfer back to the airport of Faro or the bus / train station for Lisbon.
Booking Procedure and Conditions
Before booking a tour be sure to read our booking procedure and conditions. Read More >
Algarve Day Tours
You may be interested to know that we also offer guided cycling day tours in the Algarve. Read More >
Beginner / Intermediate level, minimum 2 people
This 7 night tour begins high in the mountains where local traditions are still followed - collecting of the strawberry tree fruit to make the local fire water 'medronho', stripping the cork oaks of their precious bark and small scale subsistence farming on tiny terraces. After a day here you journey northwards dropping down onto the plains of the Alentejo and on to the Santa Clara Lake where you spend two nights in a fabulous Quinta on the edge of the lake literally in the middle of nowhere. Your host will introduce you to local routes through the famous 'montado' cork oak woods home to an amazing variety of birds and other wildlife. You continue north west to the town of Odemira which is well off the tourist route as it nestles quietly on the banks of the river Mira. The town is at the heart of the west Alentejo farming region and at the top of the town you can see one of the best preserved windmills in the whole region. Odemira is also famous for its pottery shops so maybe a little shopping maybe in order! From the town you have the opportunity to visit the coastal resorts of Vila Nova Milfontes or Almograve before travelling south through white washed villages and picturesque fishing villages to Odeceixe and your journeys end.
The route uses quiet country roads and good tracks, we only use main roads when there is no other option and for only short distances, there are some short climbs.
Included in this holiday
• 7 nights in guesthouses and Quintas, in a twin / double room with private facilities and breakfast
• transfers to and from Faro airport or arrival point in the Algarve / Alentejo
• luggage transfers
• bike rental, a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid or equivalent with helmet, handlebar bag / cycle bag, lock & repair kit
• route notes and maps
Back up support is always available.
Not included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• 7 lunches
• 7 dinners
Cost per person and dates
October – March £765.00 or €990.00
April – June & September £795.00 or €1030.00
Itinerary
Day 1 – arrival and transfer to Monchique.
Day 2 – a circular ride around the mountain of Foia through tiny villages with wonderful views in all directions. The hill slopes are partly covered in ancient terraces witness to a bygone era when the mountain dwellers practised subsistence farming and a mixture of eucalyptus and chestnut woods interspersed with the 'strawberry tree', 36km. Overnight Monchique. (All on quiet surfaced roads with some gentle climbs.)
Day 3 – north today as you travel down from the mountains onto the rolling countryside of the Alentejo plains, passing tiny villages on your way to the Quinta do Barranco by the lake of Santa Clara, 42km. Overnight at the Quinta. (A mixture of quiet country roads and good tracks, some gentle climbs.)
Day 4 – a day to explore the 'montado' the unspoilt cork woods which typify this region and experience village life first hand. You can enjoy a drink at the local village bar which is inside a garage so only those 'in the know' can drop in - your fellow drinkers will warmly greet you, 35km. Overnight at the Quinta. (Virtually all on good tracks over gently rolling countryside.)
Day 5 – Odemira is your destination today and you travel through small white washed villages along quiet roads passing shepherds tending their flocks grazing on pastures flanked by wild lavender and thyme and herds of black pigs gorging on acorns, 37km. Overnight Odemira. (All on quiet country roads through rolling countryside.)
Day 6 – from Odemira you can enjoy a circular route all the way to Vila Nova de Milfontes but if you prefer a more leisurely day then we suggest a visit to the fishing village of Almograve where you can lunch on freshly caught fish before returning along the Mira river valley, 60km or 48km. Overnight Odemira. (A mixture of quiet roads and tracks.)
Day 7 – you leave Odemira to journey through wild countryside to the small town of Sao Teotonio and then onto the cliff tops to Zambujeira. From here sandy tracks take you to the beach of Carvalhal and on to the fishing village of Azenha do Mar before dropping down to Odeceixe. Today is virtually all within the Cape St Vincent Natural Park and this fabulous days ride will end your holiday on a high, 40km. Overnight Odeceixe. (A mixture of quiet roads and good tracks, one short but steep climb.)
Day 8 – transfer back to the airport of Faro or the bus / train station for Lisbon.
Booking Procedure and Conditions
Before booking a tour be sure to read our booking procedure and conditions. Read More >
Algarve Day Tours
You may be interested to know that we also offer guided cycling day tours in the Algarve. Read More >