7-day Algarve and Alentejo Cycling Holiday

You arrive in the town of Odeceixe, located on the River Seixe, on the border with the province of Alentejo. You will stay in one of Odeceixe’s authentic houses, situated near the windmill and the historic village centre.

During the first day of cycling you will have plenty of time to explore the area, enjoying a beautiful tour past the beaches of Odeceixe, Carvalhal and Zambujeira, crossing a plateau with greenhouses and farmed fields along the way. Zambujeira is a welcoming fishing village, where you can also stop for lunch.

Challenge: 33 - 40 km / 21 - 25 mi , 500 / 585 m ascent (max. of 100m ascent at a time)

Today you first ride inland on gravel tracks along the banks of the Odeceixe River, passing farms and an open holm oak wood. After 5.5 km you do a steep ascent of 125 m, then follow quiet tarmac roads through a rural area toward the coast. Along the way you cycle through two villages (Maria Vinagre and Rogil) with shops and bakeries. Then you cycle downhill on a sandy track to Amoreira beach, a great place to spend the afternoon before pedaling the last 7 km to Aljezur. Your hotel is a modern aparthotel with a swimming pool in the newer sector of Aljezur. The nicest restaurants are just a 10-minute walk away, in the old town beneath the medieval castle.

Challenge: 31 km / 19.5 mi, 475 m ascent (1 steep ascent of 125 m)

With shortcut between Odeceixe and Maria Vinagre: 23,3 km / 14.5 mi, 300 m ascent

Today's route starts with a steep ascent to Aljezur Castle, in ruins. You can opt to do an additional 17-km / 10,5 mi loop via the beaches of Monte Clérigo and Arrifana or cycle directly south to Carrapateira through shady pine forests.

Both routes come together again at a clifftop lookout, with views of the Costa Vicentina. After a descent through the dunes of Bordeira you reach the village of Carrapateira, with several shops and restaurants along the way. Then you cycle another 10 km through a peaceful rural valley, from Vilarinho to Pedralva, where you will stay for the next 3 nights in one of the 20 carefully renovated houses.

Challenge: 29 - 41 km / 18 - 25.5 mi, 500 / 775 m ascent (max. of 150 m ascent at a time)

Today you do a short route that starts with a descent through rural scenery to the village of Carrapateira, a pleasant place where tourists, surfers and fishermen congregate on the central square. There is also an interesting ethnographic museum, "Museo do Mar e da Terra". Then you do a tour along the spectacular coast of Carrapateira, where you can visit 2 different beaches. In the summer you can also take a surfing lesson at Praia do Amado. On the way back, you follow sandy tracks through the hills. There is one steep ascent, but you have extra time and can walk with your bike a bit if needed. The alternative route follows a tarmac road and is nearly as steep and one kilometre longer.

Challenge: 21 - 23 km / 13 - 14.5 mi, 335 m ascent

Your destination on the last day of cycling is Cape Sao Vicente, Portugal's southwesternmost tip. First you ascend along stony gravel tracks through a pine forest and eucalyptus forest, passing a modern wind farm on your way to the town of Vila do Bispo. Then you do a flat stretch across the plain, cycling toward the cape where you can enjoy some refreshment at the café below the lighthouse. On the last 6 km you will admire spectacular cliffs as you continue to Sagres. You’ll have enough time to visit one of several beautiful beaches along the way, before you meet the bike rental company representative at 4 p.m. They will load your bike on the trailer and drive you back to Pedralva.

Challenge: 36 km / 22 mi, 255 m ascent (the steepest ascent of 100 m is at the start)

After breakfast your arrangement comes to an end. A few extra days in Pedralva are recommended to enjoy the beach and wild coast.