Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Porto, bike setup and stay in Porto.
Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Here we are ready for an adventure. Today is a day to rest and prepare the bikes.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 2: Porto - Aveiro (Distance: 60km Altitude gain: 500m)
Stop At: Aveiro, Aveiro, Aveiro District, Northern Portugal
With a panoramic view of the city of Porto, we begin our journey on the south bank of the Douro River. Cycling towards the ocean, we quickly find a cycle path that passes through coastal towns, beaches and fishing villages. If we're lucky, we'll see heroic fishermen in their characteristic fishing boats rowing through the waves, as they have done for hundreds of years. The route, mostly flat, reaches Lagoa de Esmoriz. A wooden trail leads us through the dense sugarcane fields and among this bird paradise. Shortly afterwards, we arrived at the huge lagoon of Aveiro and the remote end of our first stage, next to the Ria de Aveiro.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 3: Aveiro - Mira (Distance: 37km Altitude gain: 225m)
Stop At: Mira, Mira, Coimbra District, Central Portugal
After a few kilometers along the lagoon, we arrive in the urban region of Aveiro. The beautiful center of Aveiro, known for its canals and gondolas like the Portuguese Venice, is small but worth seeing. After leaving the city through the ports, we arrive at the colorful holiday homes of Costa Nova. The lagoon on one side, the endless white beaches on the other, we cycle towards the source of the lagoon in the wetlands of Mira. Local fishermen and many seabirds compete for the delicious crabs and shells hidden in the mud. At the end of the Ria de Aveiro, nature changes. Shady pine forests and freshwater lakes now characterize the landscape. Our next stop is a beautiful country house located on the shore of one of the lakes.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 4: Mira - Figueira da Foz (Distance: 48km Altitude gain: 750m)
Stop At: Figueira da Foz, Figueira da Foz, Coimbra District, Central Portugal
We continued along water channels, first through several forests and then flat sand dunes. Several lagoons flank our route along the coast. Near the coast, we follow a lonely road between dunes and the remains of the endless pine forests burned in 2017. At the end of this road, we arrive at the small village of Quiaios, at the foot of the small Serra da Boa Viagem. From the village, near sea level, to the 260m summit will be our only real climb today, so it is difficult. The compensation is in the peak's stunning, never-ending views of the ocean and the flat landscape that surrounds it. After a short break, we set off for our well-deserved descent. A beautiful panoramic road takes us with spectacular views of the ocean and the beaches and docks of Figueira da Foz.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 5: Figueira da Foz - São Pedro de Moel (Distance: 54km Elevation: 900m)
Stop At: Sao Pedro de Moel, Sao Pedro de Moel, Leiria District, Central Portugal
The historic center of Figueira invites you to stay, but remember that we have a long way to go.
To avoid the heavily trafficked road, we took a detour. After about 28 kilometers, we arrive at Estrada Atlântica, a panoramic road that runs along the ocean and is characterized by a wide and comfortable cycle path. Along this route, stunning views of the coast can be admired, although only a few small sections are reminiscent of the majestic forests that once covered the area for centuries, before most of them were destroyed by fire in 2016. Today, the landscape is composed of vast dunes and low bushes mixed with traces of the ancient Pedrógão forest. The diversity of this scenery is joined by the charming Lagoa da Ervedeira, a perfect place for a short break and a refreshing drink before continuing the journey along the cycle path towards our final destination, São Pedro de Moel.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 6: São Pedro de Moel - Óbidos (Distance: 70km Level difference: 1450 m)
Stop At: Obidos, Obidos, Leiria District, Central Portugal
From the imposing São Pedro de Moel lighthouse, we take the cycle path along the Estrada Atlântica. Approaching the village of Nazaré, a popular destination among surfers. With some climbs, you reach the upper part of the historic center of Nazaré. From the lighthouse we descend towards the center, ports and beaches of Nazaré. More hills await us along the coast. The first is Serra da Pescaria, which divides Nazaré from the charming São Martinho do Porto with an abrupt climb and descent. On the south side of this bay, Serra do Bouro awaits us with the next climb, from São Martinho bay to the Arelho River delta. Expansive views along the coast and toward the forests are worth the effort. At Foz de Arelho beach and at the beginning of Óbidos Lagoon, it’s time to say goodbye to the ocean. Along the lagoon, up and down the vineyards, we glimpse today's destination.
The intact medieval walls surround the entire old town of Óbidos and transform the city into a large castle.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation in a pleasant double room in a 3* hotel or b&b.
Day 7: Farewell day.
Pass By: Obidos, Obidos, Leiria District, Central Portugal
The journey has come to an end. Today after breakfast will be the day of return. We say goodbye here and hope to meet again in the future.
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.