Level: Advanced. Total distance: 533k/331m or 271k/168m. (SV) Shortest day: 62k/39m or 22k/14m. Longest day: 90k/56m or 44k/27m Accommodations: Value (2-3 star inns). Day 1 - Castelo Novo- Idanha-a-Velha-Monsanto (62km/39miles) On our first day of serious mountain biking we will connect two historical villages - Castelo Novo and Monsanto. Idanha-a-Velha is a very picturesque village that hosts a interesting collection of archaeological remains from a Roman city established in the 1st Century B.C. This is an easy stage with no big climbs... except the Roman path just before Monsanto. Short Version: 44.3 km/27.5 mi Lodging - Monsanto Day 2 - Monsanto-Sortelha (68km/42miles) Sortelha is an Historical Village, which dates back to the 12th Century. It´s castle is a national monument. Monsanto was once considered the most Portuguese village of Portugal. From the top of its promontory you can glimpse all the country surrounding Idanha and the large properties of the area. Don´t expect big hills on this stage. Short Version: 52 km/32.3 mi Lodging - Sortelha Day 3 - Sortelha-Castelo Mendo-Almeida (90km/56miles) Today´s mountain bike ride is very interesting; the surface varies a lot, with loose rock, roman cobblestone paths and several river crossings. We will also have to do some serious climbs. The hardest one is just outside Almeida, after we cross a roman bridge. Almeida is one of the crown jewels of Portuguese military architecture – the hexagonal shaped walls of Almeida´s fortress were built in the XVII century. Short Version: 43.2 km/26.8 mi Lodging - Almeida Day 4 - Almeida-Castelo Rodrigo-Marialva (72km/45miles) Today´s ride takes us to the Douro River International Natural Park. The landscape is beautiful and we will be riding our mountain bikes on part of an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Castelo Rodrigo was once a very important settlement due to its proximity to the Spanish border. On the way to Marialva we will have to cross the Côa river -expect some serious climbing. Short Version: 37.8 km/23.5 mi Lodging - Marialva Day 5 - Marialva-Linhares da Beira (65km/41miles) Marialva is a medieval walled village that will take you back in time, to when the brave inhabitants of Marialva fought against the Spanish invaders. Our final destination is Linhares da Beira, the capital of para-gliding in Portugal. Linhares has a very interesting castle that is worth visiting. Rocky sections and ancient cobblestone paths are on today´s menu. Short Version: 39.4 km/24.5 mi Lodging - Celorico da Beira Day 6 - Linhares da Beira-Piodão (88km/55miles) Big climbs and long descents on a very hard day of mountain biking. We are riding near three mountains - Açor, Lousã and Estrela. The terrain is rocky and tough. Fun! Our final destination is Piodão, a beautiful village were the houses blend perfectly with the natural environment. Lodging - Piodão Short Version: 32.9 km/19.9 mi Day 7 - Piodão-Castelo Novo (88km/55miles) Back to Castelo Novo expect a pretty intense day of riding. 60 miles with a lot of climbing and plenty of loose rocks. Great mountain biking! Short Version: 22 km/13.7 mi Notes: Prices: 
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Also see tour packages in: Europe Portugal Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring Cultural Journey |
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