Mountain Passages
Type
Gravel
Duration
15 Days & 14 Nights
Next Departure
29 May 2027
Status
Available
From
4.500 EUR
BIKE MADRID LISBON GRAVEL TOUR
This epic gravel bike adventure takes you from Madrid Lisbon in 15 intense and unforgettable days. Over 1,250 km of gravel roads link remote regions, mountain trails, and quiet rural paths, ending at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost tip of Europe. Designed for seasoned gravel cyclists, this tour offers a true physical and mental test, with rewards at every stage. You’ll ride across Spain and Portugal through remote terrain, small villages, and historical routes like ancient Roman roads. Each day brings new terrain: gravel climbs, technical descents, rolling hills, and long stretches of open countryside. Local food, welcoming towns, and carefully selected accommodations complete the experience. Push your limits, ride through lesser-known regions, and finish with the Atlantic winds at your back.
Highlights
Included
Excluded
- Tour Grade
Bikes available on request:
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival
Welcome to Spain!
Welcome to the Bike Madrid Lisbon Gravel bike Tour. Upon arrival at Madrid Airport, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore a bit of the city or start assembling your bike and gear. Later in the afternoon, we’ll have a group briefing to go over the days ahead. You’ll meet your fellow riders, ask questions, and get last-minute tips. To finish the day, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant, your first taste of Spanish hospitality before the wheels hit the gravel.
Transfer
0:30 h
Voco Madrid Retiro
DAY 2
Madrid to miraflores
The Adventure Begins Here…
This epic gravel bike adventure officially begins at Madrid’s Plaza del Sol, next to the famous km 0 marker. We’ll navigate through peaceful pedestrian zones and parks, including the iconic Parque del Retiro. The city fades quickly as you ride north, tracing the Anillo Verde route. Fields of gold and wide gravel tracks lead you away from traffic and into the countryside. The day ends with a steady climb to Miraflores de la Sierra, perched at 1,100 meters in the Guadarrama region. It’s a rewarding stage that introduces the rhythm of long-distance gravel.
Cycling Distance
69 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.200 m
La Muñequilla
DAY 3
Miraflores to Navacerrada
Exploring the “Cuenca Alta Manzanares Regional Park”
Today’s stage starts near the Guadalix River, climbing through oak and pine forest trails. This section is technical and varied, mixing hard climbs with forested singletrack. You’ll pass local farms, free-roaming cattle, and maybe even wild horses. The terrain is raw and natural, ideal for gravel. Midway, we hit a scenic plateau with fast tracks, then drop into a thrilling descent full of switchbacks. The final kilometers bring you to Hacienda Los Robles, where a well-earned rest awaits. This was gravel riding at its purest tough, beautiful, and satisfying.
Cycling Distance
84 km
Elevation Gain
+ 2.000 m
Hacienda Los Robles
DAY 4
Navacerrada to Ávila
Ávila, a city surrounded by walls
This 105 km ride offers one of the longest and most rewarding efforts of this gravel bike adventure. Leaving Cercedilla, you’ll head deeper into the Guadarrama mountains, following wide gravel tracks lined by forest. The terrain changes constantly, with alternating climbs and rolling sections. Altitude brings cooler air and sweeping open views. As the kilometers pass, the ancient walls of Ávila come into sight—one of Spain’s best-preserved medieval cities. After a full day on the bike, rolling into this historic setting feels like a milestone moment on the tour.
Cycling Distance
106 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.700 m
Palacio de Los Velada
DAY 5
Ávila to Barco D´Ávila
Today you´re going to enter the Gredos mountain range
Today’s gravel bike adventure begins by leaving the fortified city of Ávila, descending alongside its iconic medieval walls. You’ll quickly find yourself on quiet forest tracks following the Río Adaja westward. This is a day for endurance, covering 124 km and climbing through high mountain roads in the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park. The highest pass reaches 1,688 meters, offering rugged terrain that defines any epic gravel bike adventure. Long, remote sections test both body and mind, making it one of the most demanding days of the tour. You’ll finish in the charming mountain town of Barco d’Ávila, surrounded by peaks and rich history.
Cycling Distance
124 km
Elevation Gain
+ 2.000 m
Izán Puertade Gredos
DAY 6
Barco D´Ávila to Hervas
A day to remember!
Start the day by crossing the medieval stone bridge of El Barco de Ávila. From there, the gravel bike tour heads into narrow mountain roads, climbing steadily to Puerto del Tremedal. With every pedal stroke, you gain elevation and hit scenic heights. A fast descent follows, cutting through changing scenery from alpine meadows to shaded forest trails. The route is pure gravel bike adventure, mixing technical riding with fast, open sections. You’ll pass remote villages before rolling into the town of Hervás, known for its Jewish quarter and chestnut woods. A strong day, full of rhythm and challenge, ends in comfort.
Cycling Distance
68 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.200 m
Hotel Hospedaria Valle dell Ambroz
DAY 7
Hervas to Pinofranqueado
The Beautiful Villages of the Countryside
After breakfast, today’s ride heads straight into a rugged gravel climb 5 km of steady ascent through dense greenery. It’s the kind of challenge that defines this epic gravel bike adventure. As you crest the top, enjoy a long descent surrounded by eucalyptus and oak trees. The route crosses the Gabriel y Galán reservoir at La Pesga, where low water might reveal an ancient Roman bridge. Olive groves and scenic viewpoints lead you to Pinofranqueado. Before arriving, you’ll cross the Río de los Ángeles on a beautiful stone bridge. If there’s time, unwind in the village’s natural swimming pool an ideal end to a tough day.
Cycling Distance
113 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.900 m
Hotel Rural Castúo
DAY 8
Pinofranqueado to Sabugal
The Hidden Medieval Treasures of Portugal
Today’s 110 km ride offers a full gravel bike tour experience. The surface alternates between compact dirt, forest tracks, and rural paths as you leave Spain behind and enter Portugal. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling fields, pine groves, and traditional farmland shaped by centuries of quiet labor. This section is ideal for those who love consistent gravel with scenic variety. Reaching Sabugal, you’ll enjoy your first night on Portuguese soil. Treat yourself to regional cheeses made from goat and sheep milk local specialties with deep roots. A perfect mix of physical challenge and cultural reward on this gravel bike adventure.
Cycling Distance
110 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.700 m
Hospedaria Robalo
DAY 9
Sabugal to Manteigas
Discover the historical villages of Portugal
Today’s gravel bike tour leads you through Portugal’s historic heart. Ride ancient trails connecting stone villages like Sortelha, a granite-walled treasure with a towering castle. The gravel terrain takes you through rolling hills, single tracks, and rural lanes surrounded by vineyards from the Serra da Estrela sub-region famous for elegant, mineral-rich wines. Pass green meadows and fountains fed by the Zêzere River. The final stretch climbs gently into Manteigas, a quiet village in a dramatic glacial valley. Each kilometer brings a deeper connection to the landscape, offering a perfect mix of cultural richness and natural beauty on this gravel adventure.
Cycling Distance
93 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.900 m
Hotel Vila Galé S. Estrela
DAY 10
Manteigas to Piodão
From the glaciar valley to the enchanting village of Piodão
Leaving Manteigas, the route follows high-altitude gravel roads with sweeping views of the Zêzere River valley. Sheep and goats roam freely along the slopes, offering a glimpse of traditional mountain life. This gravel bike adventure continues with a sustained climb toward Piodão. The route is demanding, but each turn reveals Portugal’s remote beauty. With its schist houses perched on steep hillsides, Piodão is one of the country’s most iconic villages. The day combines rural charm with rugged terrain an essential chapter in any epic gravel bike tour across the Iberian Peninsula.
Cycling Distance
84 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.800 m
INATEL Piodão
DAY 11
Piodão to Miranda do Corvo
One of the most challenging days
This is one of the toughest stages of the entire gravel bike adventure, featuring the highest elevation gain and descent. The day begins in Piodão and climbs through wind-swept ridgelines dotted with wind turbines. Remote mountain trails and dirt tracks take you through untouched forests and into the picturesque village of Góis. With every kilometer, the landscape shifts. The route descends into Miranda do Corvo, a peaceful town embraced by greenery. It’s a demanding day, but the variety of terrain and scenic isolation make it a highlight of this epic gravel bike tour.
Cycling Distance
83 km
Elevation Gain
+ 2.200 m
Hotel Parque Serra da Lousã
DAY 12
Miranda do Corvo to Alvados
Cycle through history and nature
Departing Miranda do Corvo, today’s gravel bike tour reveals a blend of medieval heritage and peaceful countryside. Passing through Penela, you’ll see the castle rising over the village an echo of centuries past. Continue along gravel tracks that cut through olive groves, vineyard-lined slopes, and tranquil meadows. This is a calmer stage, ideal for soaking in the views and appreciating the quiet rhythm of rural Portugal. The trail meanders toward Alvados, a village surrounded by limestone hills. It’s a perfect end to a day that balances cultural immersion with the joys of smooth gravel riding.
Cycling Distance
109 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.800 m
Cooking and Nature – Emotional Hotel
DAY 13
Alvados to Óbidos
Today you will discover a UNESCO Heritage Medieval Walled Town!
Today’s gravel bike adventure heads west toward the Atlantic. Starting from Alvados, you’ll pass through the Ecopista tunnels and roll along fertile lands toward the coast. The route takes you near Alcobaça Castle and through rural paths lined with cornfields. After reaching São Martinho do Porto, continue along coastal gravel trails past Foz do Arelho and the Óbidos lagoon. The day ends in the fortified village of Óbidos, where cobblestone streets and centuries-old walls welcome you. This is a scenic and varied ride, perfect for those seeking a blend of ocean air and medieval charm on their gravel bike tour.
Cycling Distance
103 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.200 m
The Literary Man
DAY 14
Óbidos to Cabo da Roca (Cascais)
Let the sea breeze guide you!
The final stage of your epic gravel bike adventure offers a fitting mix of coastal serenity and emotional closure. From Óbidos, ride peaceful roads through small villages and cliffside paths overlooking the Atlantic. The terrain is rolling but rewarding as you approach Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe. This symbolic finish marks the end of a remarkable journey across two countries and countless terrains. Celebrate your accomplishment with a final look toward the ocean, where every climb and descent feels worthwhile. It’s the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable gravel bike tour.
Cycling Distance
110 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.700 m
Hotel Vila Galé Cascais
DAY 15
Departure
That’s it! Our adventure has come to an end!
Bike Madrid Lisbon Gravel Tour has reached its final page. After two weeks of unforgettable roads, deep climbs, and shared moments, it’s time to return home. We hope the friendships, challenges, and discoveries stay with you. Whether it was your first or latest gravel bike adventure, we’re honored to have shared it with you. Until the next trail!
Transfer
0:40 h
