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#1 ROTA VICENTINA BY MOUNTAIN BIKE

SELF-GUIDED TOURS by BICYCLE

This mountain bike program will take you on an end-to-end journey of Rota Vicentina’s Historical Way, exploring Alentejo’s countryside and west Algarve’s unspoiled landscapes.

 

Cycling along dirt trails, you’ll have the opportunity to discover a deeply rural part of the country, where local populations still count on agriculture, cattle breeding, and fishing as sources of income.

 
Having its start in Santiago do Cacém, the only city along the whole route, the trail heads South, passing thru small towns and hamlets, farmlands and agricultural fields, cork oak forests, reservoirs and streams between the plains and coastal hills covered in short vegetation, before reaching the cape of Cape St. Vincent with his proud lighthouse with the red top in the very SW corner of Portugal.

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TOUR SUMMARY

DURATION: 7 nights, and 6 stages

LEVEL: easy-to-moderate

MIN. GROUP SIZE: 1

TOTAL DISTANCE: 218Km /136Miles

TOTAL CLIMB: 4902m

TOTAL DESCENT: 5123m

Price per person: 680€ (based on 2 people sharing a room)

Single Supplement: 245€

Solo Travellers supplement: 345€

E-bike supplement: 135€

 

Includes:

  • bike delivery and pickup.

  • 6 nights B&B;

  • GPS device pre-loaded with tracks in English.

  • Hardtail Mountain bike hire with panniers, lock, pump, and tools included

  • One Map 1: 55 000 and one pack of notes in English per room.

  • Luggage transfer between hotels. ​

 

Price excludes

  • Travel to the start and from the finish of your walk;

  • Transfers not mentioned on the voucher;

  • Travel insurance;

  • Meals other than breakfast;

 

Observations:

Possible to add extra nights or to develop a tailor-made proposal.

Possible to hire electric bikes for this program.

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ITINERARY: Arrival to Santiago do Cacém

DAY 1

Briefing at the Hotel

Arriving in Santiago do Cacém, situated in the inland of Alentejo’s coast, is well worth exploring, it is an interesting town, passage point of walkers since the medieval age, it is nowadays council’s head-office; great panoramic views over the city and towards the hill with the castle and city’s church on top.

Now we also have 80% of our routes marked on the field in Costa Vicentina Route, this way you can get more of all this hiking and exploring experience.

 

Overnight: Santiago do Cacém

Meals included: Breakfast

This mountain bike program will take you on an end-to-end journey of Rota Vicentina’s Historical Way, exploring Alentejo’s countryside and west Algarve’s unspoiled landscapes. Cycling along dirt trails, you’ll have the opportunity to discover a deeply rural part of the country, where local populations still count on agriculture, cattle breeding, and fishing as sources of income.
Having its start in Santiago do Cacém, the only city along the whole route, the trail heads South, passing thru small towns and hamlets, farmlands and agricultural fields, cork oak forests, reservoirs and streams between the plains and coastal hills covered in short vegetation, before reaching the cape of Cape St. Vincent with his proud lighthouse with the red top in the very SW corner of Portugal.

Price: 680€ (EUR) | 779$ (USD) | 594£ (GBP)

Includes: 6 nights B&B | 5 Self-guided stages | luggage transfer | Mountain bike rental | GPS

 

TOTAL DISTANCE: 218Km/135Miles

TOTAL CLIMB: 4902m

TOTAL DESCENT: 5123m

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STAGE -  Santiago to Cercal do Alentejo

Day 2

DISTANCE: 41Km/25Miles;

DURATION: h;

CLIMB:  822m;

DESCENT: 910m;

 

This starting stage will take you along dirt tracks to explore the rural and countryside landscapes, passing by old farms, cork oak forests, windmills, small hamlets, and the “Campilhas reservoir”.

It starts in the attractive Historical City of Santiago do Cacém and it ends in the lovely rural village of Cercal.

 

Day Highlights:

1.      Santiago do Cacém Castle;

2.      The historical windmills in Vale Seco;

3.      Cork Oak forest and black pigs;

4.      Campilhas Reservoir;

5.      Ondulating rural landscape;

 

Difficult level: 2 – Easy-to-moderate - distance below 45km(28mi) and elevation gain below 600m(1968ft);

Overnight: in Cercal;

Meals included: Breakfast;

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STAGE -  Cercal to Odemira

Day 3

DISTANCE: 47Km/29Miles;

DURATION: h;

CLIMB:  1213m;

DESCENT: 1367m;

 

Maybe the most challenging day in the all holiday, once it presents a good landscape diversity, between hilly areas and dirt tracks, passing in the rural village of São Luis. Cycling this undulating area until the “Pego das Pias” natural lagoon, just before reaching the River Mira and the Town of Odemira.

 

Day Highlights:

1.      Cercal hilly area;

2.      São Luis countryside village;

3.      Locals authenticity;

4.      Campilhas Reservoir;

5.      Mira River in Odemira;

 

Difficulty Level: 3 – Moderate - distance below 60km(37mi) and elevation gain below 800m(2625ft);

Overnight: in Odemira;

Meals included: Breakfast;

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STAGE -  Odemira to Odeceixe

Day 4

DISTANCE: 36Km/22Miles;

DURATION: h;

CLIMB:  910m;

DESCENT: 909m;

 

A fantastic journey starts pedaling inland by the village of Odemira in the Mira Valley, taking you along the most intact landscapes, thru cork oak, pine tree, and eucalyptus forests.

Today´s landmark will be the possibility to watch the Atlantic from the Village of Odeceixe or to pedal an extra 4km to the local beach for a refreshing dive in the cold but “magical” salty water.

 

Day Highlights:

1.      Mira river margins;

2.      Old farms;

3.      São Teotónio stream;

6.      Local ecosystem ;

4.      River Seixe Valley;

5.      Odeceixe village and Windmill;

 

Difficulty Level: 2 – Easy-to-moderate - distance below 45km(28mi) and elevation gain below 600m(1968ft);

Overnight: in Odeceixe;

Meals included: Breakfast;

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STAGE - Odeceixe to Arrifana Beach

DAY 5

DISTANCE: 31Km/19Miles;

DURATION: h;

CLIMB:  594m;

DESCENT: 549m;

 

This voyage keeps heading South and closer to the coastline, being possible to make several detours, once distance it´s not an issue on today´s challenge. Leaving Odeceixe behind, the first Algarve village, you will aim to a new reality, with a bit more tourism related to the surf popular activity and outstanding gastronomy. Our advice, if the weather allows is to get to Arrifana and enjoy the beach, just before the “long” distance day.

 

Day Highlights:

  • Sweet Potato area in Rogil;

  • Amoreira Valley & Beach;

  • Aljezur village and Moorish Castle;

  • Arrifana Surf Beach;

  • Arrifana promontory views;

 

 

Difficulty Level: 2 – Easy-to-moderate - distance below 45km(28mi) and elevation gain below 600m(1968ft);

Overnight: in Vale da Telha or Arrifana Beach;

Meals included: Breakfast;

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STAGE - Arrifana to Sagres

Day 6

DISTANCE: 65Km/40Miles;

DURATION: h;

CLIMB:  1363m;

DESCENT: 1388m;

 

The last challenge and the most mystical point of this program are to get to Saint Vincent’s Cape, this achievement appeals to a spiritual state of mind. This is a strong meaning, once this is the SW corner of Europe and a stunning place to enjoy the dramatic cliffs area. It´s a long day pedaling with a lot to see, keep some time to have a nice fish meal and organize your trip memories.

Day Highlights:

  • Canal Beach;

  • Carrapateira hamlet and the great views over the Atlantic;

  • Vila do Bispo;

  • St. Vincent’s Cape;

  • The fishing village of Sagres with the imponent Sea fortress;

 

Difficulty Level: 3 – Moderate - distance below 60km(37mi) and elevation gain below 800m(2625ft);

 

Overnight: in Sagres;

Meals included: Breakfast;

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DEPARTURE

Day 7

The best way to return to Lisbon or Faro is by BUS using the Rede Expressos BUS or train service, both from Lagos city.

The first and last hotel and both airports are reachable by private transfer.

BUT, we also have the opportunity to make an extra ay cycling from Sagres to Lagos ending the tour there. The decision is on you. This last stage is on request.

HOW TO BOOK WITH US?

STEP BY STEP

BOOKING PROCEEDINGS:

  1. We need to receive an email from you using our online form or through our email info@vicentinatravel.com. PLEASE: let us know, which program are you seeking and your room preference (single/twin/matrimonial);

  2. After your request we need a couple of days to confirm all accommodations availability - pre-reservation;

  3. You will receive an email from us with the final hotel list and booking/payment conditions (booking ref., deposit, balance, etc) and also the e-voucher. This email is a pre-reservation that will become valid after a 30% deposit;

  4. After deposit confirmation, you will receive our final confirmation and your trip code will become valid. At this point, we will ask you to provide us your arrival time to prepare all our logistics accordingly.

General Information

Hotels: The hotels described are our standard choice of accommodation, however, if these are not available then alternatives will be used using the same standard.

All rooms have a private bathroom.

Baths/Showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space.

Breakfast: In countries such as Portugal is usually coffee and toast/bread/croissant, in some places it has more diversity available.

Special Dietary Requirements: It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Single Supplements: are payable in every tour.

The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin

rooms.

Language: When traveling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English.

Remember you are experiencing a different culture, buy a phrasebook and try to learn a little of the local language!

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to your room awaiting your arrival.

However, don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance.

Guidebook/Map: Please note that one set of route notes per room booked is included in the cost of the holiday. If you require more sets of guidebooks and maps then there is a charge of 25€ per set ordered.

Insurance: All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities included for the duration of our trip.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation is mainly on a bed and breakfast basis using local and small hotels. The places we use for this tour are all owned locally and have plenty of Portuguese character.

A recommended list of local restaurants (based on our personal experience) will be supplied on arrival.

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/ FROM LISBON

TO SANTIAGO DO CACÉM

FROM SAGRES

ARRIVALS

Lisboa to Santiago do Cacém:

 

DEPARTURES

Sagres to Lisboa:

  • Sagres to Lisboa via LAGOS:

  • Needed: 45 minutes connection using EVA BUS from Sagres to Lagos

  • In Lagos, you will have BUS AND TRAIN SERVICE available

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Sagres to Lisboa (on request);

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/FROM FARO

TO SANTIAGO DO CACÉM

FROM SAGRES

ARRIVALS

Faro to Santiago do Cacém:

DEPARTURES

Sagres to Faro:

  • Need a 45 minutes connection using EVA BUS SERVICE from Sagres to Lagos

  • In Lagos, you will have BUS AND TRAIN SERVICE available

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Sagres to Faro (on request)

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SELF-GUIDED HOLIDAYS

ROTA VICENTINA

 WHEN TO GO/BOOK?

OPEN SEASONS FOR 2025

The client is free to choose

a starting date

1.º SEASON
- from 01 February 
- to 23 June (last departure)
2.º SEASON
- from 22 SEPTEMBER 
- to 30 NOVEMBER (last departure)

 - Other dates on request;

Groups max. limit is 16 pax inside the natural park - on request.

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