Itinerary

Day 1: Potes (Picos de Europa National Park)

Arrive at our hotel, beautifully situated at the eastern edge of the Picos de Europa National Park at the confluence of the Deva and Quivesa rivers, in the medieval village of Potes. Time to wander the cobbled alleyways for an apéritif.

Day 2: Potes – Puebla de Sanabria

166mi / 266km

Dominated by it’s 15^th century castle, this granite hamlet is a menagerie of cobbled alleyways.

Day 3: Puebla de Sanabria – Miranda do Douro

Tarmac: 16mi / 25km – Dirt: 71mi / 114km – Total: 87mi / 139km – 82% Dirt

Today is the proverbial ‘Baptism of Fire’. The dirt roads start gently before we even reach Portugal where the twists, turns and undulations begin. Plenty of afternoon opt-out points for those desiring an early beer to hit the tarmac. The medieval border town of Miranda do Douro, set above the magnificent gorge of the Rio do Douro, awaits.

Day 4: Miranda do Douro – Torre de Moncorvo

Tarmac: 46mi / 74km – Dirt: 36mi / 58km – Total: 83mi / 132km – 44% Dirt

Rolling farmland of olive groves, almond and sweet chestnut trees give way to vinyards as we head south west.

Day 5: Torre de Moncorvo – Almeida

Tarmac: 50mi / 80km – Dirt: 25mi / 40km – Total: 75mi / 120km – 33% Dirt

Vinyards and olive groves lead the way to the ‘Parque Natural do Douro Internacional’ and ‘Profanity View’ (so named by us as nobody gets there without swearing!) The fabulous descent leads to lunch on the River Douro. An easy afternoon allows for an early finish and time to explore the magnificent stronghold of Almeida. Constructed in the shape of a twelve-pointed star, the village is contained within.

Day 6: Almeida – Serra de Estrella

Tarmac: 73mi / 116km – Dirt: 29mi / 47km – Total: 102mi / 163km – 29% Dirt

Through the Parque Natural Serra de Estrella and into the mountain range of the same name. Our route takes a dirt road offering spectacular views to the glacial valley of Zêzere below as we head for our mountain accommodation.

Day 7: Serra de Estrella – Marvão

Tarmac: 85mi / 136km – Dirt: 61mi / 98km – Total: 146mi / 234km – 42% Dirt

Panoramic views abound as a series of windturbine lined ridges carry us away from the mountains. Our days destination is the dramatically located Marvão. From its location atop a crag that that it shares with its 12^th century castle, the views are spectacular. Surely there’s no better place to watch the sunset with a post ride beer.

Day 8: Marvão – Évora

Tarmac: 84mi / 134km – Dirt: 63mi / 100km – Total: 146mi / 234km – 43% Dirt

Day 9: Rest Day in Évora

The mileage may look that high on paper but you’ll be feeling it by now and ready for a breather (When did you last ride for 6 consecutive days?). As one of Portugal’s most historic and unspoiled cities, your toughest decision today will be what to visit next.

Day 10: Évora – Mértola

Tarmac: 90mi / 144km – Dirt: 44mi / 71km – Total: 134mi / 215km – 33% Dirt

South through the Guadiana Valley Natural Park to the Mina de São Domingos. Once one of Europes largest mining operations, the abandoned site resembles that of a nuclear disaster with derelict buildings and pools of polluted water.

Our destination for the day is Mértola. Guarded by its Moorish castle, the whitewashed houses reach down to the banks of the Rio Guadiana below. The history of Mertola dates back to Phoenician times and it is considered an open-air museum. Worth a stroll; if you can tear yourself from the bar and pool.

Day 11: Mértola – Algarve

Tarmac: 42mi / 67km – Dirt: 64mi / 103km – Total: 106mi / 170km – 60% Dirt

Endless views across the rolling hills of the Algarve abound on this ridgetop run through the cork trees that straddle the Serra do Caldeirão on the edge of the Algarve. Trails along todays route have been nicknamed ‘Trigpoint Ridge’ and the ‘Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster’.

Day 12: REST DAY | Bike shipping

For ‘Grand Tour’ guests, today is a chance to catch-up on some bike maintenance and relax before the 7 consecutive days a head.

For the staff its bike shipping. Drop-off for those departing the Southbound tour and collection for those arriving for the Northbound.

Day 13: Algarve – Vila Nova de Milfontes

Tarmac: 49mi / 79km – Dirt: 51 / 81km – Total: 100mi / 160km – 50% Dirt

Leaving the Mediterranean behind, we cross the Serra de Monchique with its hillsides of chestnut and deciduous oak forests as we climb to Fóia, the Algarve’s highest point, before making our way to the Atlantic coast.

Day 14: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Abrantes

Tarmac: 153mi / 244km – Dirt: 19mi / 31km – Total: 172mi / 275km – 11% Dirt

A final look at the Atlantic coast before we turn inland and cross the garden of Portugal as we head for the hills.

Day 15: Abrantes – Linhares

Tarmac: 105mi / 168km  – Dirt: 54mi / 86km – Total: 159mi / 254km – 34% Dirt

A big day in the hills and mountains. We’ll cross the Serra da Lousã and kiss the western flanks of the Serra da Estrella; with such vast views both east and west you’ll feel like you’re traversing the backbone of Portugal.

Day 16: Linhares – Chaves

131mi /  209km

Everyone will be tired after yesterday and so we’ve made today’s gentle ride of 4hrs + stops through the port-wine town of Pinão, a self-navigated one. Have a lie-in, wander the cobbled streets of the old stone village of Linhares – dominated by its 12th century castle, or watch sunrise across the Mondego Valley (800m below) – the choice is yours. Either way, the Roman town of Chaves awaits and you’ll appreciate some time to explore there to.

Through the region of Trás-os-Montes, once Portugal’s most remote area, we head to the Roman town of Chaves for our final night in Portugal

Day 17: Chaves – Vilafranca Del Bierzo

Tarmac: 116mi / 185km – Dirt: 28mi / 45km – Total: 144mi / 230km – 20% Dirt

Soon after entering Spain we start our climb to the first of two fabulous dirt stages. The first takes us 30km across the Sierra de Queixa at an altitude of 1767m, before the second carries us to the next valley and the Rio Sil.

Day 18: Vilafranca Del Bierzo – Cangas de Onís

189mi / 317km

A full day in the Cordillera Cantabrica as we return to the Picos de Europa on some of the best tarmac you’ll ever ride.

Day 19: Cangas de Onís to Bilbao

Tarmac: 160mi / 256km – Dirt: 9mi / 14km – Total: 169mi / 270km – 5% Dirt

Today takes us out with a bang as we enjoy the only legal dirt road through the Picos de Europa National Park. It may only be 14km long but the spectacular scenery unfolds long before we get there; and continues well after. Our exit takes us through Potes (full circle for those on the Grand Tour) and onto the N-621 – not too shabby itself.

Day 20: Depart hotel for onward travel

Pending your onward travel arrangements you’ll either be up early for the ferry to Portsmouth or enjoying a well earned lie-in befor indulging in a sumptuous, lazy breakfast. More coffee?