Gravel Portugal
Gravel Portugal
Southern Portugal’s Algarve region - maybe the best gravel riding in Europe!
A spectacular ride on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean and through the Monchique mountains – the Algarve, in southern Portugal, has some of the best Beyond Tarmac riding in Europe.
Overview
Details
Next Departure
April 20th 2025
From
USD $3,895
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
From USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Loosely based on the famous Via Algarviana cycling and hiking route, this 6-day traverse of the Algarve region in the south of Portugal is one of the favorites of the Thomson gravel staff. Spectacular views, perfect gravel, smiling people all around, excellent food and great hospitality make this a bucket-list trip that you should not miss!
Video
Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through the Algarve
Trip Technical Difficulty
Ride Surfaces
Bike Setup Recommendations
Recommended Tires
700×38
A minimum 700×38, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort and grip if your bike has extra tire clearance.
Recommended Gearing
38T × 11-42
We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.
Gravel Explained
Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.
Roger Malinowski, USA — 2021
Willy Catsbaril & Isabelle Desjardins, USA — 2021
Brian Davis, USA — 2021
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bem vindo a Portugal | Porto Covo Hotel & Spa | |||
| 02 | Atlantic Festival | Hotel Alto da Lua | |||
| 03 | The heart of the Via Algarviana | Monchique Resort & Spa | |||
| 04 | The Monchique Mountains | Monchique Resort & Spa | |||
| 05 | Back to the Ocean | Hotel Alto da Lua | |||
| 06 | Salty Gravel | Memmo Baleeira Resort | |||
| 07 | Obrigado! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bem vindo a Portugal
Your trip starts at Lisbon Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Porto Covo.
After lunch, an orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride, an easy loop to shake the jet lag off and be sure your bike is ready for the epic week ahead.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Atlantic Festival
Embark on our Algarve journey with a breathtaking ride heading south, tracing the stunning Atlantic coast. Traverse small fishing villages, feel the salt in the air, and revel in countless cliffside photo opportunities on this unforgettable day!
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
The heart of the Via Algarviana
Another captivating stage today. While yesterday showcased fishing villages and cliffs, today promises adventure and remoteness. We’ll trace the Via Algarviana official track, winding through expansive eucalyptus forests, without a town in sight, until we reach the road near the renowned Formula 1 track – the Autodromo do Algarve. Our route alternates between beautiful little roads and gravel tracks, leading us to the thermal resort in Monchique—where spa time awaits!
Pro tip: Don’t forget your swimsuit; tonight, we’re staying in a thermal resort!
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
The Monchique Mountains
Time for a magnificent loop today, starting and finishing at the thermal resort. Departing from the hotel, we ride up to Monchique, where a proper espresso awaits at the trendy Velochique cyclist coffee-hub. Descending on a perfect gravel pista through the Taipas valley, the journey then takes a challenging climb to reach the main road before the rewarding long downhill back to our spa.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Back to the Ocean
One of our crew’s favorite stages is the ride from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Leaving our thermal retreat (with some sadness), we begin the day with a climb on the road to the Estrada da Foia, the highest point in the area, offering a wonderful 360-degree viewpoint. Descending from the summit, we rejoin the Algarviana route, navigating an infinite network of perfect double-track gravel paths to Aljezur. There, we start to smell the ocean breeze and can admire the hanging cliffs, along with the surfers enjoying a sunny, offshore, chest-high surf day.
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Salty Gravel
Concluding the trip, enjoy magnificent ocean vistas and an extended stretch of gravel, crossing the interior between Aljezur and Sagres. Once reaching Vila Do Bispo, we turn back towards the ocean, passing by idyllic beaches with the southernmost point of Portugal already visible on the horizon. Our ultimate destination is the beautiful surfer town of Sagres, where we’ll spend the final night in a very cool beachfront hotel!
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Obrigado!
Unfortunately, your trip across the Algarve has come to an end.
Our shuttle will drop you off at Lisbon Airport.
Map & Profile
Surface Details
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Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | |||||||
|
Book this tripClosed
|
Oct 20 - 26 |
Closed |
Places Available |
USD $3,895
|
USD $700 |
USD $730 |
Book this trip |
| 2025 | |||||||
Apr 20 - 26 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,895
|
USD $650 |
USD $730 |
Book this trip | |
Oct 19 - 25 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,895
|
USD $650 |
USD $730 |
Book this trip | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
 Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Lisbon Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Radisson Blu Hotel Lisbon |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Lisbon Airport |
11:00 am |
Rental Bikes
3T Exploro Boost e-bike
Frame
3T Exploro Ultra Boost Carbon
Groupset
Sram Rival AXS XPLR Electronic
Weight
12.8kg
Wheels
Rodi alloy 700c
Chainrings
40
Cassette
12-speed 10-44t
Sizes
XXS, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $750
View Details
Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon
Frame
Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon
Groupset
SRAM Eagle
Weight
Under 1kg (size 56)
Wheels
Roval Terra C
Chainrings
40T
Cassette
11-50t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View Details
Gravel Portugal
A stunning "beyond tarmac" ride across Southern Portugal's Algarve region!
