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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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.

​

​