The Granitic Villages on the Mountains
MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR
(Guided)
«« The Granitic Villages on the Mountains »»
Tour Highlights
1. Riding over 1000m altitude
2. Beautiful Granitic Villages in the North
3. Breathtaking Mountain sceneries
4. Pitoes das Junias, the highest village in Portugal
5. The incredible 12th century monastery in Pitoes
6. The limpid and clear water of the waterfalls
7. Riding on Roman roads that are 2000 years old
8. Delicious food and wines!
9. Riding in Portugal and Spain on the same tour
10. Riding a bike together with wild horses (Garranos) in the Mountains
Summary
This is a journey to authenticity in the most beautiful mountainous region in Portugal – Minho and its green fields! It is a mountain bike tour along forest tracks, old paths and spectacular stone-paved roadways that link typical granitic villages in the North of Portugal, where we ride almost always at 1000m-high! The Tour will start near Braga, or Bracara Augusta as the Romans called it more than 2000 years ago. We will cross the amazing Hills of Cabreira, unique for the forest mantle where we can see oak-trees, Scottish pine-trees, poplars, plane-trees, chestnut- trees, pine-trees, birch-trees, cork oak-trees, cedars and even giant sequoias! We will spend the night in Agra, a small traditional village with its granitic buildings, and we will stay in Rural Tourism. Then we will ride on the Hills of Barroso and Larouco, the latter is the second highest in Continental Portugal and is about 1527m-high. We will cross many typical granitic villages with their medieval churches, we will ride along ancient stone-paved roadways and we will admire the land where the traditional farming and pasturing still prevail. We will visit the old castle in Carvalhelhos, an ancient village dated from the 1st century BC. Montalegre with its beautiful castle is the biggest town that we visit – it has 1800 inhabitants. The last two days take place in a pure mountainous region; we will ride along high tracks crossing mountain ridges and meadows where we will see wild ponies. We will spend the night in Pitoes das Junias, the highest village in Portugal (1100m-high) and we will visit its incredible monastery that is hidden in a valley and is dated from the 12th century. This Tour will end in Spain, Lobios, and we will stay in a thermal hotel which is perfect for our rest.
Technical Data
Class: LANDSCAPE TOUR
Region of Portugal: North of Portugal (Minho)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Vieira do Minho (Braga)
End: Lobios (Galiza, Spain)
Overall difficulty level: 1 2 3 4 5 => Expert. You are in very good shape! You are a winner!
Distance: 269km (168mi)
Average: 54km/day (34mi/day)
Trails: 84% off-road – 16% asphalt
Location
- Directions:
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We provide transfers from and to Lisbon airport to the starting point of the PortugalBike tour, or from and to Faro airport, depending on the tour. Don’t worry! :)
- City
- Lisbon
- State / Region
- Lisboa
- Zip / Postcode
- Country
- Portugal 38.7070186 -9.1362056
Itinerary
ProgrammeDay 1: Arrival – Welcome at OPORTO airport. 1H00 drive to Braga followed by dinner. Lodging in a 4* hotel in the center of one of the largest urban centers in Portugal. Day 2: Transfer (30min) to Vieira do Minho. Amazing views over Geres Mountain and the granitic village of “Agra” – 33km (21mi), 760m ac. gain, level 3. Lodging in Rural Tourism; this is an 18th century house that was converted into a small hotel which harmoniously maintains the architectural authenticity of a house built in the ancient Minho. Day 3: Villages in the Mountains – 57km (36mi), 1430m ac. gain, level 5. Lodging in a 3* Estalagem located in a thermal village.Day 4: Crossing typical Granitic Villages – 54km (34mi), 1170m ac. gain, level 5. Lodging in a 4* hotel with a swimming-pool whose building was once the prison house and was recently renovated. Day 5: Up to the highest village in Portugal, Pitoes das Junias with its incredible 12th century monastery –55km (34mi), 1450m ac. gain, level 5. Lodging in a typical Guest House with amazing views over the Mountains.Day 6: Crossing the Mountains to Galicia (Spain) – 70km (44mi), 1290m ac. gain, level 5. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with SPA in Spain, which is very near to the National Park Peneda Geres and some historical Portuguese small towns. Day 7: Departure – Farewell at OPORTO airport. 2H30 drive to airport.Dates and Prices for 2010:*08 ~ 14 May:* PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1410 (Single Suppl. + € 160)*19 ~ 25 June:* PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1410 (Single Suppl. + € 160)*18 ~ 24 September:* PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1410 (Single Suppl. + € 160)*=>* Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.
Inclusions
What does the price of this PortugalBike Tour include?- 7 days with PortugalBike- Mountain Bike Tour with a Guide – Mountain Bike rental (BH A60k Expert Disc) with helmet and backpack- Transfers from and to Oporto Airport- Accommodations (usually a 4 star-quality hotel, double bedroom occupancy)- 6 Breakfasts- 5 nourishing and energetic picnics – 6 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) – Daily energy-bars and water – Luggage transport from Inn to Inn- Car connections at some stages (when necessary) – Documentation about PortugalBike Tour- Liability Insurance- Personal Accident Insurance- Techno-Mechanical Assistance – First-Aid assistance on location- Permanent Backup Vehicle
Cancellation policy
If cancelled up to 14 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged. If cancelled later or in case of no-show, the entire activity price may be charged.
