32 - 66 km
300 - 600 m
7 Days & 6 Nights
Beautiful costal areas of Northern Portugal
- Tour Grade
- Distance
31 – 65 km / day
- Profile
Flat and moderately hilly on the beginning and more hilly at the end
- Route
A mix of wooden walkways and paved, cobblestone (some quite rough), dirt, gravel and doubletrack roads; about 50% of route on dedicated or shared bike lanes
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Itinerary
Arrival in Porto
Welcome to Portugal.
You will have a transfer to Melgaço town. After you complete your check-in, a comprehensive information pack and the bikes will be handed to you (with final adjustments tailored for your preferences). Melgaço town is waiting to be discovered so if you still have time, take a stroll into the castle and old center. Also, don't forget to try the famous Alvarinho wine!
Bike from Melgaço to Valença do Minho
Start the tour in Melgaço's old town center, cycling through on its charming narrow streets.
From Melgaço follow along Minho River until Valença do Minho. The cycling will follow one low traffic lane that passes through villages and an evergreen landscape, covered with vines and other patches of forest. History will be a constant companion throughout the way, from old medieval bridges to the centuries old Manors' granite colored white walls. Monção Town is a great place where you can explore its fortress, streets and have a meal; notice the central square, which is imbued with typical Minho architecture. If you have time in your schedule to make a detour go and visit the Palace of Brejoeira and its wine estate which is about 3km from the Monção town center.
Bike from Valença do Minho to Caminha
When descending from the fortress, the road will meet the river shore which you will follow to Vila Nova de Cerveira.
The views over the river are calm and peaceful and it will mostly be a relaxed bike ride until Cerveira. Vila Nova de Cerveira is an important art center in the north of Portugal. Every two years there is a very important art festival that takes place in the town. Apart from this interesting event, there is an enticing town center, a castle and the surrounding narrow streets. To arrive at Caminha town you will have to ride on a path that goes by the Minho River outside Cerveira. After a while, you will start to pass by through villages and other rural areas. As you arrive at Caminha, the path goes over the Coura River to enter the town. Once again, a beautiful typical Minho town center and its buildings from another era.
Bike from Caminha to Ponte de Lima
Today, prepare for a longer day, as you go out of Caminha and follow the coastline until Viana do Castelo.
All along the way from Vila Praia de Ancora to Viana do Castelo, you will find small fields that are not far from the beach meaning that at some point you can jump in and take a dive. After that comes Viana do Castelo the most characteristic city of Minho region. At the top there is Santa Lucia Church can be reached via road (bike) or Funicular; part of every postcard. It is a vibrant place full of cafés and restaurants. The pedestrian streets are still full of life and small little shops. When you leave Viana do Castelo, by the northern margin of the Lima River you will encounter a cycling path that leads you to Ponte de Lima, but first you will traverse the natural land of Lagos de Bretiandes; a lagoon well known to bird-lovers.
Bike from Ponte de Lima to Esposende
This day will take you back to the Atlantic Coast.
As you make your way back to the ocean, you will ride along the southern margin of the Lima River and arrive at the Gustave Eiffel bridge near Viana do Castelo. As you follow part of the Santiago alternative path, you will pass several villages and arrive that the Neiva river. A river that you will cross like a pilgrim, on none other but a Spartan bridge! An absolute delight. By the bottom of the hill and after passing through two villages, you will arrive at Esposende - a nice beautiful town at the river mouth of the Cávado. Nowadays, it's a beach town with a beautiful coastline front, lighthouse and a fort from the 17th century. A good place to enjoy a sunny afternoon and relax...
Bike from Esposende to Porto
The longest day of cycling awaits you! Leave Esposende by a bridge to Fão, entering the Northern Littoral Natural Park.
While following the dunes, you will be delighted by the peace, tranquility and beauty of these lands. Once you get to the beach front you will cross to Póvoa do Varzim and Vila do Conde. The fishing port of Póvoa is the busiest in the north of Portugal. In contrast to this, Vila do Conde has a smaller port but carries the historical legacy of being the place where vessels were once built during the era of the discoveries in the 14th and 15th century. Continue cycling on the lane and you will reach the mighty Douro River and soon the center that is classified as an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Departure
This is it! All good things must come to an end.
It's time to put all the incredible memories that you have made in your luggage and say your last goodbye's. It has been a great adventure and we truly want you to come back and discover more of Portugal's Nature Trails.
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