Easy Atlantic Way 7D

The Easy Atlantic Way is a cycling tour that follows the coastline of north central Portugal, discovering som of the cultural and natural beauties of this land.
The route starts at Porto city, renowned place for its Port wine and cellars of this wonderful wine and a vibrant city full of history and cultural sites to unveil. It's also classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site. From the narrows streets and alleys of the old town the route crosses along the coast line's beautiful beach resorts and small towns giving an insight over the Portuguese culture and life. On the way you'll cross the Sao Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve and the Ria de Aveiro, the estuary of the Vouga river which characterizes part of the region arriving at Aveiro City, our little Venice with its channels and moliceiros boats. To the south the way crosses immense forest of pine trees, making solitude crossing the dunes system one big part of the day, stopping in small beaches to have a drink, watch the sea and contemplate.

Tour difficulty: Leisurely

Day 1: Arrival.
Welcome at Lisbon or Porto airport. Transfer from Porto Airport to Porto city (00h20) or Train option from Lisbon to Porto city (03h00).
Porto is a vibrant city, the grey color of the granitic building stones and the narrow streets and alleys make it a fantastic place to wander. From the old middle age quarter, UNESCO Classified, to the large avenues of early XX century, Porto has a lot to visit.

Day 2: Bike from Porto to Espinho (21km, +100m, road)
The day starts from Porto through the old town, to cross the Don Luis Bridge, designed and planed by Gustave Eiffel. Almost all the way to Espinho will follow a cycling path near the coastline, crossing numerous small beaches. Praia de Valadares, Francelos and Miramar are good spots to take a bath and enjoy the sun. Praia de Miramar has a small chapel by the sea worth a stop to visit, just off of the waves, the Church of Senhor da Pedra.

Day 3: Bike from Espinho to Aveiro (63km, +200m, road)
An easy and enjoyable day by the sea, riding flat. Pine forest trees and the Ria the Aveiro are sceneries that make the day prior to get to Aveiro. The river Vouga Delta (Ria de Aveiro) was formed from de XVth century, with the sea retreat. Nowadays it's a favourite place to catch shellfish, and to enjoy water sports.
The dune system of São Jacinto is a Natural reserv. Walks along the beach in the sea front are excellent and bird lovers are in a good area to watch wildlife. It is at São Jacinto that you catch the ferry to Aveiro.

Day 4: Bike from Aveiro to Praia da Mira (40km, +150m, road).
The day starts going out of Aveiro and its canals to cross to a dune system that's close to the Ria de Aveiro. Following this huge dune by the inner road you'll cross small villages looking inland to the calm water of the Ria. Why not stopping along the way and climb the dunes to take a look at the more alive scenery of the sea, just a few meters from the road. By the end of the water arm of the Ria the way enters a small field and vegetable gardens to enter the Praia da Mira village.

Day 5: Bike from Praia da Mira to Figueira da Foz (57km, +400m, road).
One day of solitude crossing one of the biggest dune systems covered in a pine tree forest. Here you can feel loneliness while cycling through this immense green scenary, the roads are empty and the distances between points are much bigger than previous days. Near Figueira da Foz, the big climb of the day. Cycling up to the Serra da Boa Viagem and then down to the lighthouse of Cape Mondego. Then follow the slopes of the hill into Figueira da Foz and its huge sandy beach.

Day 6: Bike from Figueira da Foz to São Pedro de Moel - (67km, +500m, road)
The day starts crossing the bridge over de Mondego River and following for some kilometres a once important road. Arriving near Carrico you will enter a cycling path, the Atlantic way, that led you through the Pinhal de Leiria, a pine tree forest which is said to have been ordered to be planted by a king of the XIV century. All of this to have timber to build a fleet, the one who would discover the world and the maritime way to India (hundreds of years later). A cycling path that crosses this immense pine forest and on the way visits numerous small beaches. In some places the felling of being alone is huge, but distances are not as big as the day before. Places like Praia do Pedrogão, da Vieira and São Pedro de Moel are like oasis in the countryside of covered pine forest dunes.

Day 7 : Departure - Farewell at Lisbon / Porto airport. Transfer to Lisbon or Porto airport (2 h drive or train to Lisbon airport or 2.30 h Porto).