Trans-Algarve Coast Tour 3.11a
Experience the beauty of the Portuguese coast: A delightful cycling tour along the Atlantic from the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente.
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Overview
The routes are flat to slightly hilly on the first half of the tour. On the last three stages, there are some steep but very short climbs and descents. Cycling is mostly on good natural roads asphalted side roads or newly constructed cycle paths.
There is very little traffic on the entire tour.
Description
Experience the beauty of the Algarve on an unforgettable cycling journey along one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe! Enjoy almost 280 km of pure cycling fun in 6 stages, starting at the Spanish border in the east and ending at the southwesternmost point of Europe, the lighthouse "Cabo de São Vicente". Let yourself be enchanted by a varied landscape along the blue Atlantic - from long, dreamy sandy beaches to the famous nature reserve "Ria Formosa" and the picturesque cliffs and small sandy coves of the "Costa d'Oiro". Immerse yourself in the eventful history of Portugal and discover the traces of the age of exploration and the former Muslim presence. Look forward to an unforgettable journey full of experiences and discoveries!
Itinerary
Individual arrival and check-in at the hotel in Faro. Personal welcome, travel briefing, handover, and adjustment of the bikes according to your wishes by Algarve Cycling.
By train (included) to Vila Real de Santo António. Then on the bike, along the river Guadiana to the sea. Through pine forests, citrus, and vine plantations past the historic town of Cacela Velha. Here begins the beautiful nature park called "Ria Formosa", a lagoon area with many sandbanks, islands, and waterways. Large mussel fields and salt basins, from which the famous "Flor de Sal" comes, alternate with each other. You cycle through this area on beautifully laid-out cycle paths to Tavira. Tavira is a historic town that has retained its character over the centuries and whose buildings are a good example of its eventful history and economic development.
With the sea breeze from the nearby Atlantic in your face, you cycle along beautiful cycle paths through the fishing villages of Santa Luzia and Pedras del Rei to Fuseta. During a break at the harbour promenade, you can watch the fishermen working on their colourfully painted boats. The fishermen here specialise in catching octopus. Then we go to Olhão, the largest, still active fishing harbour. Right at the entrance to the town, there is a large information park about the region. It is worth exploring the old town, with its many restaurants offering seafood specialies and the busy harbour. The next stop is the capital of the Algarve, Faro. Well-marked cycle paths lead to the historic old town, which is surrounded by an old city wall. Here you will find many beau?fully renovated buildings from the 16th and 18th centuries. After a few turns of the pedals at the marina, you reach the hotel.
Shortly after the start, we cycle into the "Ria Formosa" nature park again. Through picturesque lagoons with many water birds, groups of flamingos, and storks, you cycle on narrow paths along the sea, past sophisticated villas, parks, and beau?fully designed golf courses. Via the promenade of Quarteira, you then reach one of Portugal's largest marinas, Vilamoura, with its many restaurants inviting you to take a break. Crossing a small bridge, you reach the wide, long, white sandy beach of Falesia and roll leisurely along it to Olhos de Água, where you will find your next accommodation.
We cycle through Albufeira, a former fishing village, now a vibrant tourist resort in the Algarve, to Galé. Continue over a long wooden footbridge through the protected dune area of "Salgados" to the village of Armação de Pêra. The small chapel "A Nossa Srª da Rocha", situated on a cliff jutting far out into the sea, is worth seeing. From here on, the coastline changes. Steep reddish cliffs with small sandy bays sloping down to the sea now dominate the picture. Close to the cliffs and the deep blue Atlan?c, you cycle to the wide delta of the Rio Arade. Very good cycle paths lead along the delta to Por?mão to the beautiful beach of "Praia da Rocha", situated directly below high cliffs.
Today we start with a ride to the small fishing village of Alvor. Winding alleys lead through the village and up to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Alvor, a huge marshland with channels and a mudflat-like lagoon landscape, a refuge for many water birds. Down to the sea, to the largest oyster farm in the Algarve, which is visible at low tide. Along the wide beach "Meia Praia" you reach Lagos. Cross a bridge to the marina and continue into the historic town. Along the palm-lined promenade, you reach the former slave market. Passing the "Bandeira" fort, we reach the "Costa d'Oro", the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the Algarve, with golden-yellow, uniquely shaped rocks and rock spires
rising steeply out of the sea. Passing the "Ponte de Piedade" lighthouse, you cycle to Praia da Luz, today's stage destination, a tranquil seaside town with an old church and fortress.
Right after the start, the route continues over Burgau and a chain of hills, close to the steeply sloping cliffs. A fantastic view, of the deep blue Atlantic and the distant coast of Sagres, inspires. Crossing a lonely bay, we climb up to a hilltop from where we can see the small fishing village of Salema, which lies on a sandy beach beautifully framed by high cliffs. The route then climbs up to the small village of Figueiras and continues across a barren steppe landscape, where megaliths can be seen in isolated places, testifying to a settlement several thousand years ago. Passing a small bay with a nice restaurant, we reach the village of Raposeira. Famous for the home of Henry, the Navigator, and a chapel built by him. The route continues across a plateau where you can already feel the salty sea breeze from the nearby west coast and see the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe, from afar. With a few pleasurable pedal strokes, you reach this place, which lies on high cliffs tossed by the surf. From here we continue on a beautiful coastal road to Sagres, the legendary place where the seafaring school was located, where Portugal's best seafarers were trained, who later discovered the world's oceans.
Individual return journey or extension.
Availability
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DatesPrice per person
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2024/03/15 - 2024/05/31Single: 1700 € Double: 1040 €
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2024/06/01 - 2024/06/30Single: 2100 € Double: 1265 €
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2024/07/01 - 2024/09/15Single: N/A € Double: 1440 €
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2024/09/16 - 2024/10/08Single: 2100 € Double: 1265 €
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2024/10/09 - 2024/10/31Single: 1700 € Double: 1040 €
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2024/11/01 - 2024/12/31Single: 1560 € Double: 970 €
Details
Services included in the price
- 7 nights with breakfast in 4*, 3* hotels and typical Portuguese guesthouses.
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation
- Welcome, info talk, bike handover, and adjustment
- Rail journey Faro -> Vila Real do Santo António
- Detailed route description, with references to places of interest and interesting facts on the routes
- 6 carefully designed routes to download to your mobile phone or tablet
- Mobile phone holder
- Map with daily km and elevation profile
- Service hotline Mon-Fri 09:00 to 18:00, weekends and public holidays in case of emergency
Optional against a surcharge
- Transfers Faro Airport <-> Hotel on request
- GPS device with all daily tours
- Room upgrade
- Half-board
- Single traveler supplement €70 (not applicable if more than one room is booked)
Extra / Person Bike Rental
- Tourenrad: 110€
- Trekkingrad: 140€
- MTB: 140€
- MTB+: 165€
- eTourenrad: 170€
- eTrekkingrad: 190€
- eMTB: 190€
- Gravel: 165€
- eJunior: 190€
- Helmet: 10€
- Rack: possible on MTBs except MTB+
- Pannier: included (except MTBs)
- Included: Water bottle, Phone Holder, Air Pump, Lock, Repair kit, Spare tube
Bikes
eMTB 29"
eMTB 29"
The e-MTB is prepared to ride steep slopes without great physical effort. Whether busting down a dirt path or cruising to class, the e-bike delivers versatility and value. The 29-inch wheels make quick work of rough terrain, and with disc brakes and a tunable suspension fork trail chatter is no obstacle.
- 3 support levels
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Gears Shimano XT 11-Speed
- Battery Shimano 36V, 504Wh
- Motor Shimano steps E8000
- Hydraulic disc brake Tektro, dual piston
- 29” Wheels
- Saddle bag with spare tube and repair kit
- Frame pump, lock, bottle cage
- Fender front and back on request
- Rack on request
MTB plus 29"
MTB plus 29"
THE "BIG FOOT" MOUNTAIN BIKE
Whether busting down a dirt path or cruising to class, the bike delivers versatility and value. The 29-inch wheels make quick work of rough terrain, and with disc brakes and a tunable suspension fork trail chatter is no obstacle. Combining practicality and performance, the bike features provide a hassle-free transitions from campus to the trail.
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Gears 1x11 speed
- Hydraulic disc brakes, dual piston
- Front suspension with lock out
- 29” Wheels
- Frame pump, bottle cage
- Saddle bag with spare tube and repair kit
- Fenders on request
MTB 29"
MTB 29"
THE "BIG FOOT" MOUNTAIN BIKE
Whether busting down a dirt path or cruising to class, the bike delivers versatility and value. The 29-inch wheels make quick work of rough terrain, and with disc brakes and a tunable suspension fork trail chatter is no obstacle. Combining practicality and performance, the bike features provide a hassle-free transitions from campus to the trail.
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Gears 2x10-speed or 3x9-speed (depending of availability)
- Hydraulic disc brakes, dual piston
- Front suspension with lock out
- 29” Wheels
- Frame pump, bottle cage
- Saddle bag with spare tube and repair kit
- Fenders on request
- Rack on request
eTrekking 29"
eTrekking 29"
The eTrekking bike is prepared to ride steep slopes without great physical effort. Whether busting down a dirt path or cruising to class, the e-bike delivers versatility and value. The 29-inch wheels make quick work of rough terrain, and with disc brakes and a tunable suspension fork trail chatter is no obstacle.
- 3 support levels
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Suspension HeadShock
- Gears Nexus 7-Speed
- Battery 36V 630Wh
- Motor 250W 105Nm
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- 29” Wheels
- Saddle bag with spare tube and repair kit
- Frame pump, lock, bottle cage
Trekking 29"
Trekking 29"
Whether busting down a dirt path or cruising to class, the bike delivers versatility and value. The 29-inch wheels make quick work of rough terrain, and with disc brakes and a tunable suspension fork trail chatter is no obstacle. Combining practicality and performance, the bike features provide a hassle-free transition from campus to the trail.
- Frame premium aluminium
- Shifting Shimano 3x9 speed
- Fork suspension
- Hydraulic disc brakes or V-brakes, dual piston
- 29” wheels
- Front and back fenders on request
- Rack
eTouring 28"
eTouring 28"
The Merida – the classic comfort leisure e-bike. Very low access, comfortable, upright riding position and stable 28“ wheels with wide puncture protection tires, exactly the right equipment for your individual mobility. The Merida with the classic elegant frame design in the „retro look“ is for cyclists of all ages equally popular. Three support modes and a powerful battery to provide maximum cycling pleasure.
- User console LCD digital, 3 levels assistant
- Shifting Shimano, 9-speed
- Battery Shimano E6001 500Wh, battery with charger
- Range 70-90 km
- Shimano steps motor E6000
- Lights
- Puncture-proof tires
- Lock
Touring 29"
Touring 29"
- Leisure comfort bike
- Alu-Frame
- Front suspension and gel seat
- 24 gears
- V-brakes
The touring bike is a comfortable bike for relaxed cruising on paved roads or dirt roads. Racks, fenders and 24 gears. A reliable bike in all weather and different road conditions.
Gravel S
Gravel S
This Gravel bike is an aluminum bicycle designed to provide all riders with comfort and good performance for all types of pedaling, from flat to mountain tops, from asphalt to dirt roads. Its endurance geometry offers a pleasant riding position for long distances, ideal for challenging yourself or exploring new roads with much more comfort and quality.
- Premium 6069 aluminum frame with triple thickness hydroformed tubes.
- Carbon fork.
- Shimano GRX group.
- Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes.
- Aluminum cockpit and internal cabling.
- Tapered headset.
- E-thru axle pattern.
- Points for fixing up to three water bottles.
- Approved by ISO 4210.
eJunior 26"
eJunior 26"
BUILT TO MAKE MOUNTAIN BIKING FUN FOR YOUNG RIDERS
Lightweight aluminum frame with kid-friendly geometry, 80mm of front suspension travel with tubeless tires helps young riders hit the trail with confidence and control and the SyncDrive Move rear motor delivers natural-feeling pedal assistance so young riders can climb hills with less effort and have more fun.
- Giant SyncDrive Move, Rear Hub, 30Nm
- 3 support levels
- Giant EnergyPak 250Wh, CO2 Neutral production
- Giant RideControl Dash high-angle visibility, full color LCD display
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Hydraulic disc brake Tektro, dual piston
- 26” Wheels
- Lock, bottle cage
eJunior 24"
eJunior 24"
BUILT TO MAKE MOUNTAIN BIKING FUN FOR YOUNG RIDERS
Lightweight aluminum frame with kid-friendly geometry, 80mm of front suspension travel with tubeless tires helps young riders hit the trail with confidence and control and the SyncDrive Move rear motor delivers natural-feeling pedal assistance so young riders can climb hills with less effort and have more fun.
- Giant SyncDrive Move, Rear Hub, 30Nm
- 3 support levels
- Giant EnergyPak 250Wh, CO2 Neutral production
- Giant RideControl Dash high-angle visibility, full color LCD display
- Frame Premium Aluminium
- Hydraulic disc brake Tektro, dual piston
- 24” Wheels
- Lock, bottle cage
Trans-Algarve Coast Tour 3.11a
Experience the beauty of the Portuguese coast: A delightful cycling tour along the Atlantic from the Spanish border to Cabo de São Vicente.