Self Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Historical Portugal Advanced level, minimum 2 people
Now you can do it self-guided - any time of the year. We book the hotels for you and transfer your bags every day. Easy and fun!
This is one of the most challenging mountain bike rides in Portugal- we are talking about 535 km (335 miles) of pure mountain biking, through the remote Historical Villages of Portugal region.
The total distance covered is 535km with the shortest day being 62km and the longest 90km.
Included in this Holiday
• 8 nights in small 2-3 stars hotel (or equivalent) in a twin / double room with breakfast
• transfers to and from Lisbon airport
• luggage transfers
• track notes and maps (GPS rental is available with all routes logged)
Not Included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• lunches and dinners
• mountain bike (we recommend you bring your own but we can arrange rental is necessary)
Cost Per Person and Dates
Cost per person: £860.00, $1,720.00 or 790€
May 17 - 25 2008
Itinerary
Day 1 - meet at Lisbon airport and van transfer to Castelo Novo, with an afternoon guided tour of this Historical Village of Portugal. We will visit the 12th Century castle as well as other monuments and the Museum of Archaeological Discoveries and have a short warm-up ride. Overnight Castelo Novo.
Day 2 - on our first day of serious riding we will connect two historical villages – Castelo Novo and Idanha-a-Velha. Idanha-a-Velha is a very picturesque village that hosts an interesting collection of archaeological remains from a Roman city established in the 1st Century B.C. This is an easy stage with no big climbs, 62km. Overnight Monsanto.
Day 3 - Monsanto was once considered the most Portuguese village of Portugal. From the top of its promontory you can glimpse all the country surrounding Idanha and the amazing scenery of the area, Don’t expect big hills on this stage, 67km. Overnight Sortelha.
Day 4 - today´s ride is very interesting; the surface varies a lot, with loose rock, roman
cobblestone paths and some river crossings. It’s another easy stage, with no big
climbs. In Alfaiates, our final destination, you will have time to visit its beautiful castle, 90km. Overnight Alfaiates.
Day 5 – the ride today takes us to the Douro River International Natural Park, expect some serious climbing. The landscape is beautiful and we will be riding part of an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, also an Historical Village, was once a very important settlement due to its proximity to the Spanish border, 70km. Overnight Castelo Rodrigo.
Day 6 - Marialva is a medieval walled village that will take you back in time, to when the
brave inhabitants fought against the Spanish invaders. Rocky sections and ancient cobblestone paths are on today´s menu, 65km. Overnight Marialva.
Day 7 - today we will ride from Marialva to Linhares da Beira, an Historical Village that is known for being the paragliding capital of Portugal. In Linhares you can visit the impressive 13th century castle. Today´s stage is the hardest of the tour with some long climbs and some challenging downhill sections. We will be riding in the Serra da Estrela (highest point in Portugal) region, 65km. Overnight Linhares.
Day 8 - big climbs and long descents on a very hard day of mountain biking. You are riding near three mountains - Açor, Lousã and Estrela. The terrain is rocky and tough. Fun! The final destination is Piodão, a beautiful village were the houses blend perfectly with the natural environment, 77km. Overnight Piodao.
Day 9 - early morning transfer to Lisbon airport.