Trans Agarve MTBike 8D

Trans Algarve Cycling is an incredible hybrid cycling route program along the Algarve, from the border with Spain to Sagres, where tou end this crossing at most western point of Europe, Cape São Vicente.
Start riding along the sea and inside the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, a lagoon system that extends itself over 60km of coast. Then explore the inland Algarve, riding old roads and find lost villages on the hills of the Algarve and beautiful cork-oak forests. Stay on typical villages like Alte and get inside the real Algarve riding on valleys with luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation and clear water streams. Discover the lovely Moorish town of Silves and its Castle. Visit Lagos, the oldest town in the Algarve and cycle to Ponta da Piedade discovering fantastic sceneries of cliffs, caves and rocks with an amazing mixture of colors. Explore the rugged cliff lined coastline from Lagos to Sagres and end this incredible tour in the most southwestern point of Europe, Cape São Vicente - the place where the land ends and the sea begins!

Tour difficulty: Fit

Day 1: Arrival - Welcome at Lisbon/Faro Airport
Transfer from Lisbon (04h00) or Faro (01h00) to Vila Real de Santo António.

Day 2: Bike Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira (40km, +350m, 70% off road)
Your first day of cycling is a gentle run along the Ecovia do Litoral to Tavira, a ride of approximately 28Km. Along the way you will pass through the coastal resorts of Monte Gordo and Altura as well as passing by the interesting old coastal town of Cacela Velha, where you have the best view over the “Ria Formosa” Natural Park. Our trail is rolling and we enjoy the Sapal area where we can admire a huge variety of birds. We get to Tavira and we cross the Roman bridge over the Gilao river. Tavira is a lovely old town, the most beautiful and typical town of Algarve.

Day 3: Bike Tavira to Marco (35km, +450m, 50% off road)
Start this day with a relaxing flat riding along the “Ria”. The views are amazing! Then turn North and leave the Coastal region. From now you will go to the “other” side of Algarve - the rural and typical inland Algarve. You will pass small villages and ride along old roads and rural paths, crossing a vast area of orange trees. The smell is wonderful! You will pass close to “Pego do Inferno” where you can admire the most beautiful waterfall in the Algarve. You will feel the landscape changing among the Mediterranean vegetation and the roads more going up and down.

Day 4: Bike Marco to Alte (67km, +1.400m, 80% off road)
This is a more challenging day in the rolling hills close to the Algarve Mountains, but well worth the effort for the tremendous scenery. Cross a hilly region passing small villages and riding close to streams on valleys with a luxuriant Mediterranean forest! A great choice of roads and trails to get to the lovely hillside village of Alte, famous for its white painted houses and fresh water springs, the year round presence of water in the river adds a certain unique charm to the village.

Day 5: Bike Alte to Silves (48km, +650m, 70% off road)
Another day cycling inland with great views all along the way! We ride along ancient and narrow roads where the landscape mainly shows us carob trees and fig trees. Then we get into a large valley of cork-oak trees. The best of this day is a lovely ride on a road close to the Arade Dam, and then gently cruising down the valley to your destination for the day in the lovely historic town of Silves. It is well worth planning to get here in good time as there is plenty of opportunity for exploration of the castle and the Moorish town.

Day 6: Bike Silves to Lagos (44km, +550m, 60% off road)
You leave Silves on asphalt through a valley following Odelouca rivulet. You will cross a rural area and get to another typical village, Odiaxere, and ride south straight to the sea! You will reach the sea at an incredible beach, “Meia Praia”, a long beach of fine golden sand all along the bay! We will cross a footbridge over the river “Bensafrim” and you will reach the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. You can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. Lagos is also an historic centre of the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, frequent home of Henry the Navigator, historical shipyard and, at one time, centre of the European slave trade.

Day 7: Bike Lagos to Sagres (61km, +1.100m, 85% off road)
This is quite a challenging day cycling as there are a few hills as the terrain changes as you approach the rugged cliff lined coastline around Sagres and Cape St Vincent. We will follow amazing trails along the coast line to Ponta da Piedade where we can find fantastic sceneries of cliffs, caves and rocks with an amazing mixture of colors! The route continues West and passes through some great scenery and quaint little coastal villages. Once you arrive in Sagres, you have the option of checking into your hotel and then cycling the 6 extra kilometres to the edge of Europe, Cape St Vincent - the most south-western point of Continental Europe.

Day 8: Departure - Farewell at Lisbon/Faro Airport
Believing you have enjoyed this luxuriant piece of land we say goodbye. Our Guide will pick you up at hotel according schedule time. Transfer from Sagres to Lisbon (03h30) or Faro Airport (01h30).