Detailed holiday and bike tour description

 

Day 1

 

Arrival and you take a taxi to your hotel (approx. 15€). In the evening Roadbike Holidays Algarve will greet you at the hotel, the bicycles will be handed over and adjusted, afterwards we make a trip orientation.

 

Day 2     Tour 1 Red East - 74 km

 

The tour starts from the hotel towards Estoi and further on to Stª Barbara de Nexe, until you finally reach the small town of Loulé . The previous route was mostly flat, after Loulé it starts a gentle slope with a length of 20km at 200 meters of altitude. At first you ride through a rural area with fruit plantations and thereafter through a wooded area with pine, cork, and eucalyptus trees . Arrived in Barranco do Velho the first hill is done. The tour continues through a small valley with two short but very steeply climbs. After a few kilometres along the hilltop, it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Serra and the coastal area. Now, a long steep descent begins to São Brás. After then the tour leads again over a ridge back to your hotel.

 

 

Day 3     Tour 2 Blue East - 70 km

 

Today's track is a relaxation tour, with only 500 meters altitude and takes you to the sea. At first you ride to Estoi and São Brás, continue on a long flat road to the hamlet in Bengado. It starts a winding downhill with good views of the range of hills of the Serra with the widely scattered cork-, olive - and carob trees and reach Stª Catarina Fonte do Bispo , with a modern oliveoil production . Next, you will drive through a varied landscape, along the hills of the Serra and then it goes down the valley of the " Rio Gilão " along towards Tavira . The route takes you through Tavira , about the " Roman Bridge ", which dates from the morish time , through winding streets and alleys down to the sea and to “ Ria Formosa “. A short distance along the lagoon, with a view of the large salt mountains of the famous salt extraction, “Flor de Sal“. Next, the tour leads you through the small fishing village of Santa Luzia and Pedras d'el Rei. The fishermen of Santa Luzia specialize in catching Octopus which are trapped in clay-pots on the seabed. During the passage of Pedras d’ El Rei such over-sized clay-pot can be seen. Then, drive a short distance on the national road 125 to Olhão , where at the entrance the "Quinta da Marim" is located and then reach the port of Olhão , the largest fishing port in the Algarve. After, you ride along the railway line and the lagoons towards Faro , cross the EN 125 and driving on a side street back to your hotel.

 

 

Day 4     Tour 3 Green East - 74 km

 

On this day you change hotels and ride to Silves . The tour begins with a flat street to Stª Barbara de Nexe, with a slightly ascent to Loulé and then on a 2 km long climb on a hill, 200m altitude, with a view to the valley of the Algibre. Next, you will find a steep descent and right after a steep climb, with a height difference of 125 m, which immediately repeats itself. You finally reach on a range of hills the village of Salir, drive along the ridge towards Alte , with views of the Serra side to the many cork trees and on the other side of the coastline. The tour continues through the town of Messines and the reservoir of the Rio Arade, a fertile area with citrus fruits, almond- and carob trees. The area around the reservoir and theSerra is dominated by gorse bushes, rock roses and heather fields. Along the winding road of the reservoir, through the valley of the Rio Arade you reach Slives and your new hotel.

 

 Tour 4  Black Short West - 35 km

 

Today's tour is flat and short (can be extended upon request to the desired km). The tour leads you to the imposing rocky cliffs near the sea, or with the possibility at the end of the tour to visit Silves and the castle.The tour begins with a drive through rural areas with orange groves and Vineyards , the closer you are to the coast, denser are the buildings. The coastal area is fitted with residential suburbs, hotels and golf courses, but there are still places that are natural, the tour will take you on side roads from village to village along the coast, directly to the imposing rocky cliffs and reach the beach in Benagil. If you would like, you can leave your bike in the restaurant "Pescador" and make a small cliff walk , but with good shoes, in an easterly direction. Then you ride back with the bike to Silves , pass Estombar towards Rio Arade. The road takes you along above the river with a good view of the wide river valley back to your hotel. At the beginning of the road you will see on the slope to the river, the largest karst springs in the Algarve

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Day 6   Tour 5 Red West - 102 km

 

Today's stage is the queen stage. It guides you through the Serra de Monchique and over the highest hill in the Algarve, Foia 902m. The first part of the route is mostly flat, you go to São Bartolomeu de Messines, with little populated area but with many fruit and vegetable fields. In Messines, the tour takes you into theSerra and you will achieve on a long straight road the village of São Marcos da Serra , a typical Portuguese village in the middle of the Serra , with evergreen olive -, carob - and cork trees and wild herbs fields. After then, the route leads very curvy further west towards Monchique. The first steep climb must be managed at km 45 and then the road to Monchique is rising more and more. You ride through the village in direction to Foia, where you partially expect gradients of 20%. The distance is 8 km long and there are 500m of altitude to ride. The reward is a fantastic panoramic view over the Serra de Monchique and to the coastal area. Ater then, starts a long descent on a winding road to Caldas de Monchique, a spa town, and continues on a very good road along the valley of the Rio Arade, back to Silves .

 

Day 7   Tour 6 Violet - 72 km

 

Today you go out the same route as yesterday, but back 12km along the Rio Arade in direction to Estombar. Then you drive across the bridge with a stunning view over the estuary of the Rio Arade into the sea and the marina of Portimão . Drive on paved cycle tracks through the city to Praia da Rocha, along the promenade above the beach. After then, the tour takes you to the small fishing village of Alvor , ride through narrow streets, and reach a wide road which leads you along the lagoon landscape of the Ribeira da Odiaxere. Afterwards you ride in northern direction through hilly terrain of the Serra and pass theAutódromo of Portimão . The tour continues towards the river valley of Rio Odelouca which you will reach after a small climb at km 54. Riding along the river, continuing in east direction over a small hill, where the tour leads you to the other side of the river valley of Rio Odelouca. Near the river the route leads you back to Silves .

 

Day 8   Return journey

 

Return journey, you will take a taxi from your hotel to the airport Faro (approx. 35€).