Cycling from Sesimbra to Setúbal.

Today’s bike tour ride will start with the visit to Sesimbra picturesque fisherman’s market followed by a climb to the castle built in the 12^th century to watch over the port.

Then the green lust of Arrábida Natural Park will keep you company until the picnic by the sea. You will be impressed… After an unforgettable lunch and swim having the ocean on one side and the mountain on the other, you will cycle to Setúbal, the day’s destination, a vibrant and prosperous city.

Cycling from Setúbal to Carvalhal.

The day’s bike tour ride will start with a visit to the surprising Setubal downtown followed by the ferry crossing of the Sado river, home to a healthy resident dolphin population.

Riding in the peninsula of Troia, surrounded by sand dunes of this once island, you will get to our wine tasting. After we ride to the beach for a swim and another wonderful picnic. This 50 km long white sandy beach is the biggest in Portugal.

After lunch, the wild egrets and storks will keep you company through the rice fields, a prosperous Moorish heritage, until the transfer stop. Or, if you are feeling strong, you can continue on and reach Santo André cycling. Enjoy the Sado Estuary natural park.

Optional extra kms: 36 

Optional Extra ascent: 100 mts – in this case you cycle to the hotel

Cycling from Santo André to Santiago do Cacém.

After the initial warm up, explore a couple of ecosystems of freshwater lagoons, wildlife heaven on the natural reserve of Santo André and Sancha lagoons. After a drink by the sea ride to a unique outdoors library made of marble, followed by a picnic under a cork oak forest.

Then we pay a visit to a very nice family who owns a small olive mill, several generations old. The ride ends in Santiago, a very interesting and old small town with great aristocratic architecture and a castle with unforgettable views.

Feel tired? Book a recovery massage at the hotel.
 Location: Santiago do Cacém.
 Distance: 36 kms.
 Total ascent: 450 mts.
 Difficulty: Medium.
  Terrain:  Gentle rolling roads with final climb, 3 kms of dirt roads.
 Picnic Lunch: Included in van guided and guided tours only.
 Dinner: Not included.

Cycling from Santiago do Cacém to Porto Covo.

Off course this bike tour would not leave Santiago without exploring its rich history filled with knights and damsels in distress. The view from the top of the castle is well worth the small climb, from there you can see into the past and the future.

Santiago is also the land of wind, so with the visit to the last operating windmill say farewell to this town towards the coastline through a lush green oak forest.

The Blue Ocean and warmer waters by the schist cliffs will frame the beach picnic and the last kilometers to the hotel in the enchanting fisherman’s village of Porto Covo. The beach coves are impressive and 5 minutes away from the hotel you can go for a swim. Start visiting the Natural park of southwestern Alentejo and Vicentina coast.

Cycling from Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes.

The fortification that used to protect the natural harbor against pirate attacks is the first stop of this bike tour day. The peach island poses for our pictures.

Soon after there is the opportunity of walking into the ocean, a really defying experience in this fishing harbor where the unloading of the fish and the lamprey drying in the sun are always an interesting experience.

The lunch in a restaurant overviewing the beach will close the morning. The afternoon at the beach or snooping the small streets and shops of Vila Nova de Mil Fontes followed by the romantic riverside farm/hotel of Zambujeiro will set the environment to the perfect days end.

VILLAGE CENTER OPTION
Though our chosen hotel is a really wonderful farm and a highlight of the tour for most guests, some would have preferred to stay in the center of the village, which is also a beautiful option. Let us know if this is your preference.

Cycling from Vila Nova de Milfontes to Vila Nova de Milfontes.

On the last bike tour day you don’t have to pack your bags, just set the camera to landscape mode and ride through roads only used by local people, mostly easy dirt roads. As always, alternative asphalt road is possible, but you would miss the amazing cliff ride! If you prefer to sleep in a different place you can continue along the west coast and finish in a beautiful small village already in the Algarve region.

Get ready to use all of your camera MB taking pictures of pinnacle rocks standing precariously in the ocean, ornamented by storks nests, unexplored hidden coves and small beaches and cliffs with an impressive array of colors and contrasts.

Capture all these moments and share them… yes, it’s selfies time!

The stage for the last picnic is a beach, walled by tilted cliffs inviting to a lazy afternoon basking in the sun. Then when the time is right we go back to Vila Nova de Milfontes. On the way, we stop for a last swim and drink on the fantastic beach of Almograve. You deserve it!!!!!!!

The journey ends with a rewarding dinner celebration with some surprises in a very genuine atmosphere and  during one of the most beautiful sunsets that you have ever seen.

Tour extension: Continue Cycling south, on our Wild Algarve or get a transfer with us to the gorgeous inland of the Alentejo and do the Castles and Wine Tour.