Download Report

Minho
Green Portugal: from
the mountains to the sea
Tour ID
Destination: Portugal
Region: Porto and North of Portugal
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights; 6 stages
Available levels of difficulty: Easy and Medium*
Recommended season: March to November
Available bicycles for this tour: Hybrid and E-Bike
*Detailed information at the end
1
About this tour
The Alto Minho biking holiday will give you an almost surrealistic “change of scenery” experience.
Starting high in the mountains area, you will literally cycle down to the Atlantic Ocean stretching
before you as far as you can see. This land is also blessed by the Minho, Lima and Douro rivers,
each of which will accompany you at one stage or another of your ride. This is a proud land, proud
of its maritime history and of the remains of the fortifications that helped keep the Spanish well
within their borders. It is the land of fine mountain cuisine and, along the cost, a wealth of fish and
seafood dishes, best enjoyed with a glass of Vinho Verde. Best of all, it is a biking journey that will
put you in touch with some of the nicest Europeans. Do take every opportunity to meet the local
inhabitants: fishermen and their wives, farmers, the kind lady at the local shop; listen to the
stories of the owners of your accommodations. Cycle across the ancient Roman bridge at Ponte de
Lima, famous for its beauty and its importance to medieval pilgrims as they made their way from
Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy biking through the North of Portugal at its most authentic.
Highlights

Peneda Gerês National Park filled with unique species such as the Iberian wolf

Lodging on traditional estates and in stately farm houses

Mountain villages with ancient traditions

Fortified towns and beautiful historic city centres

Crisp and aromatic Vinho Verde wine, and extensive vineyards

Fishing villages frozen in time, plenty of traditions

Wine and food experiences shared with welcoming estate owners

Unbeatable fish and shellfish, caught daily in the Atlantic

Barcelos and its fair, a principal centre of handcrafts and hand-painted pottery

Cycling along the coast with its golden sandy beaches

Porto, voted Best European City Destination in 2013 and 2014, renowned for the Port Wine lodges
and its World Heritage centre
2
Day by day
 Day 1 – Castro Laboreiro
Transfer by car from Porto airport to Castro Laboreiro, inside the Gerês National Park. As you are
driven across the hills and mountains of the countryside, past extensive vineyards, you will
observe small villages dotted here and there, like pieces of mosaic, on the distant hills. This is the
land for recapturing your peace of soul; for leaving behind the hustle and bustle and stress of
modern life. Without a doubt, cycling here will be sheer bliss. As we reach the Serra de Laboreiro
mountains where you will spend the night before beginning your biking holiday, a hush descends
over all as we slowly climb up to the village through forests of long-needled pines. This is a tiny
hamlet with beautiful wind and watermills and just one old shop in the centre, the hub of village
life, where we buy a few goods. That night, your accommodation is a large, old farmhouse with
excellent facilities.
 Day 2 - stage 1 - Monção
The first stage of your biking holiday is exceptionally beautiful, a pleasant downhill journey past
the Spanish border, past a landscape of stark granite outcrops and few trees, across the northern
regions of the Gerês National Park and into the land of the Serra de Peneda mountain range. The
72,000 acres of the Gerês National Park provide one of the last natural refuges for wolves and
golden eagles. Don’t be too surprised if you come face-to-face with a deer or a wild boar!
Continue cycling through totally silent villages where you will always find a kind person to help you
find the road when needed. The community ovens where villagers gathered to bake their bread,
some of them still in use, are fascinating. Particularly striking are the traditional espigueiros, the
granite maize stores on stilts. By the time you arrive in Monção, the fortified town on the River
Minho, you will understand why the Portuguese are so proud of the fact that the Spanish were
never able to conquer them.
Stage Characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
45.8
57
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
22
1015
17
1023
3
Elevation gain (m)
140
222
Routes
Paved
Trails
100%
0%
100%
0%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 3 - stage 2 - Caminha
Today, you will travel eastwards, along the River Minho to the Atlantic Ocean. Your journey will
take you through the demarcated Vinho Verde winemaking region and the vineyards that produce
the dry white wine for which it is famous. Enjoy the elegant Brejoeira Palace which is still
inhabited by the family, a leading producer of top quality Vinho Verde, and pick up a bottle of this
wine for dinner. Along the route, you will cycle past landmarks of the battles between Portugal
and Spain, especially the impressive 17th century stronghold at Valença and the Vila Nova de
Cerveira fort. That evening, you will stay in Caminha, an elegant town strategically located at the
estuary of the River Minho and whose history dates back to pre-Roman times.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
48.3
58.6
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
108
0
301
Altimetry (easy level):
4
Elevation gain (m)
134
395
Routes
Paved
Trails
90
10%
90%
10%
%
 Day 4 - stage 3 - Ponte de Lima
Cycling along the mighty Atlantic Ocean is an extraordinary experience, especially when the ocean
is showing its friendliest face as you ride past fishing villages that appear unchanged for centuries.
As you arrive in Viana do Castelo the peace and quiet is replace by the buzz of this lively city at the
estuary of the River Lima. Dating back to Roman times when it was the principal port for the north
of Iberia, Viana’s impressive history includes that of its merchants who supplied the naval
provisions for the ships that took part in the Portuguese discoveries during the 16 th century and
later built the ships that sailed to Newfoundland for codfish. With their wealth, they built the
numerous stately town houses whose architectural beauty is a hallmark of the city. A must-see is
the 19th century byzantine Santa Luzia Church on the hilltop overlooking the city. This will take
some climbing, but the reward is a breath-taking view.
From here you will cycle inland again, following the River Lima until you arrive in Ponte de Lima.
The oldest village in Portugal, it is famous for its beautiful 24-arch Roman bridge famous and its
importance to medieval pilgrims as they made their way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela.
After arriving at your accommodation, a little outside the town, although you might be tempted to
stop and enjoy the charming setting, we recommend that you first stretch your legs with a stroll
around the picturesque city. When you return, your host at this rural property will serve you a
great dinner, accompanied by a tasting of his fine wines. The next morning, you will be able to
sweeten your breakfast with the finest honey from the bees on the estate.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
52.8
62.8
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
76
0
53
Altimetry (easy level):
5
Elevation gain (m)
97
123
Routes
Paved
Trails
70%
30%
85%
15%
 Day 5 - stage 4 - Barcelos
Whether you are religious or not, following the medieval Portuguese route to Santiago de
Compostela is a special experience. Possibly because one is so aware that this has been a pilgrims’
way for centuries and that so many have trod these paths with such fervour and dedication. It is a
route that those who walk it still today, do so knowing they will meet challenges, experience great
joy and forever learn the lesson of life. This is a pleasant, not complex, bike ride through
cornfields and vineyards to the city of Barcelos on the River Cavado. The centre of the pottery
industry, it is also of religious importance. You must visit the 13th century Mother Church. Every
hour on the hour, you will hear the pealing of the church bells of the many parishes for which the
city is famous.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
32.5
41.1
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
7
199
15
235
Elevation gain (m)
300
350
Routes
Paved
Trails
85%
15%
95%
5%
Altimetry:
 Day 6 - stage 5 – Vila do Conde
Today you cycle back to the Atlantic, a sight we genuinely look forward to. This is a 35 kilometrelong stage, so you can take some extra time to enjoy a great lunch, the Portuguese way: a
leisurely, several-course meal that again reminds you why the Portuguese people are so proud of
their cuisine. Of the finest nature, it can only be made by those who genuinely worship the wealth
of what the earth has to offer. Vila do Conde is famous for its shipbuilding past, as we can see by
the replica of a ship used during the Discoveries and built here. The city centre is dominated by
gracious manors and small palaces. The importance of its fishing harbour is not just evident in the
6
port. That evening, you will enjoy a wonderful seafood dinner in the town and a leisurely stroll
along the beach before you go to bed, refreshed by the sea air.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
35.8
42.4
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
3
154
4
163
Elevation gain (m)
163
203
Routes
Paved
Trails
70%
30%
65%
35%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 7 – stage 6 – Porto
The last stage of your holiday will take you on quiet cycle paths along the coast, through a sea bird
reserve, along dunes and across fishing villages. It is remarkable how hard these fishermen (and
their wives!) work and even more their good spirits. You are approaching Porto and you will soon
enter the city via the estuary of the River Douro. This city, famous for Port Wine past and present,
is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A Unesco World Heritage City, its historic
centre boasts more than 1500 listed monuments. Still, as you meander on your bike alongside the
River Douro, you cannot help but become aware of the gifts this city and this region have to offer.
As we have said, a breath of calm, peace of the soul and a love of life.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (km)
Easy
Medium
34.4
47.9
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
50
0
77
Elevation gain (m)
107
120
Routes
Paved
Trails
100%
0%
90%
10%
%
7
Altimetry (easy level):
8
Our bikes for this tour
For this tour we selected 2 types of bicycles for you to choose from:
Hybrid bike:
Specialized hard rock sport disc 2014
29’ wheels
Suntour XCT front suspension
Hybrid tires
Adjustable height stem
E-bike:
Cube reaction HPA 2015
29’ wheels
Suntour XCR front suspension
Mtb tires or Hybrid tires
50 to 120Km autonomy depending on energy management
Adjustable height stem
Equipment

Included in this tour

Cargo rack
Pannier bike bag or handlebar bag
Helmet
Bike tool kit for quick repairs
First aid kit
Pre-paid mobile phone
GPS Garmin Dakota 10 with android based software
Optional:
-
Child seat
Child bike trailer
9
Riding options – guided, self-guided and van support
All Authentic Trails tours offer you the option of a guide for all the tour, so that you do not have to worry
about anything. Our guides will anticipate your every need during the entire trip and guide you so that you
do not go off track.
If you prefer more freedom and are comfortable with GPS technology, you may wish to choose the selfguided option. We provide GPS equipment for those who want to ride at their own pace. Our GPS’s are
loaded with our carefully-designed tracks and are as easy to follow as arrows.
A support Van can be added to your tour. This is a great advantage in that every problem can be instantly
solved as our van will always be near your position. You can ask for water or ride in the van if you wish to
rest your legs.
Accommodation
Level CONVIVIAL:
Accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels (or equivalent category guest houses); small hotels in most
cases. Many of these lodgings have swimming pools, bar and meal services.
Transfers
Authentic Trails offers a transfer service from the airports to the beginning and final stops of our tours. For
some tours, this service is included in the base price; for other tours this service is an additional cost. If you
choose to make the transfer by your own means, the cost will be subtracted from the base price if it was
originally included.
Luggage
Transportation of your luggage is included in our tours and it will be transferred by our staff or our partners
along the way.
Food and drink
All the breakfasts in the hotels are included.
We offer an optional picnic lunch for riding days, delivered to you every morning by the hotels. This picnic is
a light meal, easily carried on your bike. You may also choose our dinner option, so you need not worry
about evening meals.
10
Difficulty levels
Easy
Medium
You do not often ride a bicycle but you would like to take a biking holiday.
You want to have a leisurely, relaxed time, learn about the local culture and meet
people, enjoy the landscape, the seaside, take photographs and still have time to taste
some wines.
Average 40 Km/day with few slopes.
You go on long bike rides during the year and you would like to take short trips. You do
not mind stopping for a rest at interesting points along the route and enjoy Portugal’s
fantastic countryside, or taking some time off to explore Portuguese towns and discover
the wealth of our culture and their fine food.
At this level, the trips mostly average between 40 and 60 Km/day, with rides a few
gentle kilometres up hillsides and small to medium slopes.
11
Prices and reservations
2015 Prices per person (Euros)
For 2 persons
For 4 persons
For 6 persons
Groups
Medium season:
6 Apr to 14 Jul
21 Set to Nov
695
605
580
On request
High season:
15 Jul to 20 Set
1 to 5 Apr
705
620
600
On request
Included in price:
Accommodation level CONVIVIAL, 7 nights, in double standard room, buffet breakfast included
Luggage transfer daily
Hybrid bicycle, cargo rack, pannier bike bag or handlebar bag, tool kit for quick repairs, first aid kit
Pre-paid mobile phone
Gps, road-book
Insurance
Not included, price on request:
Transfers to the starting and ending points of the programs
Guide and support vehicle
Wine and food experiences
Booking and information:
Authentic Trails
Rua Afonso Cordeiro, 679, 3K
4450-007 Matosinhos, Portugal
Tel. +351.222 410 015
Skype: authentictrails
[email protected]
www.authentictrails.com
Call us directly Mon-Fri from 9h00 to 18h00 (Central European Time - 1)
or schedule a call by email or through our website.
12