The beauty of the Upper Douro Valley, including Freixo de Espada à Cinta and the historic highlands around Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
Type
Gravel
Duration
9 Days & 8 Nights
Next Departure
To be announced
Status
Available
From
2.750 EUR
Portugal Crossing by Gravel Bike
This gravel bike tour is more than just a ride. It’s an adventure through the heart of Portugal, perfectly captured in the Portugal Crossing by Gravel Bike experience. Each climb, descent, and stretch of gravel creates a unique story. You’ll start on rugged northern trails where the sound of gravel beneath your tyres sets the tone. The climbs energise you, the descents clear your mind, and every stretch reminds you of the excitement of gravel bike riding.
As you head south, the landscape transforms. You’ll find quiet valleys, vast plains, and secluded tracks that let you focus solely on your breath and the rhythm of your wheels. The hard work is always rewarded with breathtaking views and the satisfaction of earning every kilometre. Moving into the Alentejo, the terrain becomes gentler, leading you through peaceful surroundings. Enjoy the local flavours in the evenings, savouring the pride that comes from a day well spent on the bike.
By the end of the tour, you’ll have tired legs, a whole heart, and vivid memories of the changing landscapes. This is gravel bike riding, raw, rewarding, and unforgettable. Your adventure awaits.
Highlights
Included
Excluded
- Tour Grade
Bikes available on request:
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival
Welcome to Portugal!!
After you arrive in Porto, our guide welcomes you and takes you to the fitting area where your bike is assembled and adjusted to your comfort for the start of the Portugal Crossing by Gravel Bike. This first moment allows you to settle in and ease into the spirit of the journey. Once everything is ready, you travel to Peso da Régua. Take some time to stroll through the town, enjoy the riverside views and discover small cafés where the Douro Valley reveals its rhythm. In the evening, a welcoming dinner introduces you to the flavours of Portugal, the beginning of a culinary journey that follows you throughout the days ahead.
Train to
Peso da Régua
Welcome Briefing
01:00h
Original Douro Hotel
DAY 2
Pocinho to Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Into the Wild Heart of the Douro
Your first gravel stage begins with a local breakfast showcasing flavors of the Douro Valley. A short train ride takes you to Pocinho, where your adventure starts. Enjoy beautiful landscapes as you travel along the railway into the heart of the region. From Pocinho, the route climbs for the next twenty kilometers, presenting your first real challenge. This ascent leads you from the riverbanks to the highlands, where the landscape is characterized by silence and authenticity. You’ll pass through Torre de Moncorvo, a village with medieval roots and a history tied to iron mining, as well as other small settlements that contribute to the area’s cultural richness. The second part of the day takes you through more open terrain, with the Douro River visible in the distance, forming the border with Spain. As the valley deepens, the dramatic landscape unfolds. Your ride concludes in Freixo de Espada à Cinta, a serene town above the river, known for its unique atmosphere and rich heritage.
Cycling Distance
61 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.000 m
Train to Pocinho
Hotel Freixo Douro Superior
DAY 3
Freixo de Espada à Cinta to Figueira Castelo Rodrigo
Through Viewpoints and Border Villages
Start your day in Freixo de Espada à Cinta with views of the Douro River. A short climb takes you to the Penedo Durão viewpoint, where you can see the river winding through vineyards and olive groves below. This area is excellent for birdwatching. Next, descend to the Assumadouro viewpoint, overlooking the international section of the Douro River between Portugal and Spain, with the pier of Barca d’Alva in sight. From Barca d’Alva, begin a steady climb away from the river along gravel paths and quiet backroads, passing small, isolated villages. The final ascent leads you to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, characterised by highland scenery and clusters of stone houses. Arriving here feels like reaching a geographical high point of your gravel bike adventure.
Cycling Distance
70 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.400 m
Casa da Cisterna
DAY 4
Figueira Castelo Rodrigo to Rapoula do Côa
Ride Through Portugal’s Historical Villages
The day starts in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, heading west toward the Spanish border along wide dirt tracks through open fields and woodlands. You’ll reach the Santa Maria de Aguiar Dam, enjoying the expansive and calm landscape. Next, ride to Almeida, a notable Historic Village with a star-shaped fortress built in the seventeenth century to defend the border. Its stone walls and narrow streets invite exploration and tasting of traditional local cuisine. After a break, continue south along the border until you see the ruins of Castelo Bom, a historical site atop a rocky hill that once protected the Côa Valley. Here, the past feels present, and the solitude enhances the experience. New gravel tracks guide you through viewpoints and archaeological sites, leading down to the Côa River. Along the way, discover hidden river beaches perfect for a pause or a refreshing dip. The journey ends at the Cró Thermal Complex, nestled in a tranquil valley known for its natural springs. Your hotel provides comfort, and dinner features local dishes, wrapping up a day of history, beautiful landscapes, and the presence of the Côa.
Cycling Distance
94 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.000 m
Cro Hotel Rural
DAY 5
Rapoula do Côa to Idanha-a-Nova
Discover the historical village of Idanha-a-Nova
This stage of the tour is quite challenging. You’ll start at the Cró Thermal complex and head toward Rapoula do Côa, navigating a mix of quiet roads and dirt tracks to reach Sabugal. The town features a prominent medieval castle, a reminder of its historical significance as a frontier stronghold. From Sabugal, the route follows the Sabugal Dam and continues through Meimão and its dam, crossing remote valleys shaped by the Valdedra Meimão fault line. The climb to Penamacor offers expansive views of the frontier landscape. Next, you’ll ride toward Aldeia de João Pires and reach Monsanto, one of Portugal’s iconic historic villages, nestled among impressive granite boulders and providing stunning views of the region. Continuing to Idanha a Velha, you’ll find a village rich in Roman and medieval history, with ancient walls and archaeological sites creating a unique atmosphere against the rugged surroundings. Finally, the route passes the Senhora do Almortão viewpoint before arriving at Idanha a Nova, marking the end of the stage. This day is long but rewarding, filled with hills, history, and striking landscapes.
Cycling Distance
114 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.700 m
Hotel Estrela da Idanha
DAY 6
Idanha-a-Nova to Castelo de Vide
Reaching the Castle of the Northern Alentejo
Start your day in the quiet hills of Idanha a Nova with a local-inspired breakfast. Then, head south past the castle overlooking the town and descend towards the village of Senhora da Graça, just after crossing the Ponsul River. Follow country roads through Ladoeiro and Couto, enjoying the farmland and rural landscapes. You’ll reach Monforte da Beira, a village rich in traditional culture, situated on a rise above the valley, surrounded by granite. Cross the Ponsul River again and continue to Vila Velha de Ródão, where you’ll see the stunning Portas de Ródão Natural Monument with its impressive quartzite cliffs and Virtudes Island in the Tagus River. As you travel south, skirting Nisa, you’ll encounter megalithic sites, including ancient menhirs and dolmens. Finally, ascend into Castelo de Vide, where traditional flavors and the evening atmosphere will wrap up your day.
Cycling Distance
115 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.500 m
Casa Amarela
DAY 7
Castelo de Vide to Alter do Chão
Heritage Trails of Flor da Rosa
Begin your day in Castelo de Vide, exploring the stunning Alentejo region as part of the wider Portugal Crossing by Gravel Bike experience. Cycle through the serene landscapes of São Mamede Natural Park, enjoying the cool air and rugged hills. Stop at Portagem, famous for its beautiful river beach, before tackling the climb to Marvão. The ascent rewards you with breathtaking views that stretch into Spain and across the Alentejo plains. From Marvão, follow the border ridge, where you’ll find ancient megalithic monuments such as dolmens. Take secondary roads and quiet dirt tracks to discover untouched areas of the park. Ride through Flor da Rosa, home to the historic Flor da Rosa Monastery, once the Knights Hospitaller’s headquarters. Continue to Crato, a village known for its peaceful streets and whitewashed houses. As you head toward your accommodation near Alter do Chão, the terrain becomes gently rolling, leading you to a tranquil spot to unwind after a day filled with landscapes, history, and exploration.
Cycling Distance
106 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.300 m
Vila Galé Collection Alter Real
DAY 8
Alter do Chão to Évora
Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city
Start your day in Alter do Chão and head south through the northern Alentejo, following one of the memorable stretches found along the Portugal Crossing by Gravel Bike route. Begin with gently rolling terrain, warming up on a mix of smooth gravel and secondary roads. Cross the old Ervedal bridge over the Ribeira de Almadafe, surrounded by cork oak forests and meadows. The route opens into the Alentejo plains, offering wide horizons of golden fields, green pastures, and scattered holm oaks. Enjoy the steady and flowing gravel riding, gently rolling with slight rises and dips. As you approach Évora, the Divor Dam comes into view, and the landscape becomes slightly more undulating with short climbs. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features Roman temples, medieval walls, and charming streets. It’s the perfect place to end your day, explore its rich history, savor Alentejo cuisine, and indulge in local wine tastings.
Cycling Distance
107 km
Elevation Gain
+ 900 m
Hilton Garden Inn Evora
DAY 9
Departure
Farewell… Perhaps the Beginning of Something New
This day marks the close of an unforgettable Portuguese gravel adventure. After riding through ancient paths, quiet borderlands and the rolling landscapes of the Alentejo and the Douro, we say goodbye for now, already wondering where the next great gravel bike adventure might lead. Yet endings often reveal new beginnings. This is the moment when the experience becomes real, when you can choose to turn inspiration into action. The opportunity to ride across historic frontiers, discover remote gravel tracks and feel the true soul of Portugal from the saddle is now within your reach. By joining this tour, you will immerse yourself in landscapes shaped by centuries of history, villages that seem untouched by time and the serene beauty that defines this region. Every climb, every viewpoint and every winding trail becomes a chapter of a story that belongs to you alone. If the call of adventure resonates with you, consider this your invitation. Secure your place and become part of a journey that promises discovery, challenge and memories that will stay with you long after the last ride ends.
Optional Train to Lisbon
