ALENTEJO ADVENTURE SELF-GUIDED GRAVEL TOUR

Overview

An incredible self-guided gravel tour through the Alentejo region of Portugal, a true hidden gem for cyclists. This trip starts from Loulé, a historic market town in the Algarve, and rides towards the Spanish border, through towns such as Mertola, before turning west to ride through the remote heart of the Alentejo. You will reach the west coast and head south, before heading inland again, to finish in the interior of the Algarve. The Alentejo region's expansive plains are dotted with small villages that feel utterly untouched by modern life, and it's home to some of the best producers of cheese, wine, and olive oil in the country. Cyclists will appreciate the plane trees lining the route for shade and observe storks roosting in telegraph poles. The Algarve, Portugal's most southerly region, offers quiet inland roads and endless gravel tracks, twisting along steep hillsides forested with cork oak, eucalyptus, and olive trees, with orange and lemon groves providing color and shade. Cobbled streets invite exploration of small towns and villages like Alte and Loule, showcasing Moorish heritage. The region was one of the last strongholds of the Islamic Conquest of Iberia, with place names, churches, and gastronomy still hinting at this rich heritage. Two available options for the Alentejo Adventure: a 7-day tour for strong gravel cyclists comfortable with 6 hours in the saddle for back-to-back days, and a 6-day option for competent gravel riders preferring slightly shorter days. The tour can be downloaded instantly for route files, accommodation, and restaurant/cafe recommendations, or booked as a self-guided tour with services including GPX files, hotel and restaurant reservations, luggage transfers, airport transfers, and mechanical support. Terrain typically consists of 30-50% gravel, on tracks also suitable for 4x4 vehicles. Most are non-technical, though some may become challenging seasonally with occasional stream crossings. The remainder of the route is on small, low-traffic back roads. Scenery includes fortified hilltop towns, forgotten Alentejo villages, unspoilt countryside, forests of cork oak, groves of olives, oranges, and lemons, the wild beauty of the Atlantic coast, and rice fields near Alcácer do Sal. Roads are generally very safe for cycling with light traffic outside major towns and well-maintained surfaces. Drivers are accustomed to cyclists. The company prioritizes small backroads and smooth gravel tracks to avoid traffic and hike-a-bike sections. A gravel bike or a sturdy road bike with gravel tires is most suitable. Bike hire, including e-bikes, is available. The best time of year to ride is Spring or Autumn with temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius, though Winter can also be fabulous and quiet. Summer temperatures can be very hot. Southern Portugal is exposed to Atlantic weather, so expect some wind, especially on day 5 along the west coast. The tour can be adjusted by editing the route or contacting the team for assistance. Major changes may be considered a custom tour with extra charges. Hotels booked are typically 3-4 star, with potential adjustments for individual, couple, or small group travelers based on preferences. 6-Day Intermediate Itinerary: Day 1 (Loulé - Almodovar, 75km, 1600m) - Long road climb followed by a stunning gravel track, gradually descending to Almodovar on a mix of small road and tracks. Day 2 (Almodovar - Mertola, 51km, 693m) - Riding through small villages with white and blue houses, typical Alentejano cows, a mix of small roads and easy gravel tracks. Mertola is a fortified town overlooking the Rio Guardiana. Day 3 (Mertola - Castro Verde, 67km, 1180m) - Riding into the 'home of gravel cycling in the Alentejo,' Castro Verde, a traditional town with good local restaurants. Day 4 (Castro Verde - Vila Nova de Milfontes, 84km, 1017m) - Riding to the Atlantic coast, experiencing coastal life, seafood, fishing villages, and rugged cliffs with unspoilt coastal paths suitable for gravel bikes. Day 5 (Vila Nova de Milfontes - Monchique, 88km, 1326m) - Route switches between gravel tracks and small roads to Cabo Sardão, featuring a spectacular cliff-top path, followed by a winding ascent through eucalyptus forests in the Serra do Monchique, possibly to the highest point at 900m. Accommodation is in the Serra de Monchique amongst cork oak trees. Day 6 (Monchique - Alte, 66km, 615m) - Cycling back into the Algarve countryside via small roads and tracks to Silves, then through orange groves and avocado fields to Alte, with a stop at a local bike cafe. All days offer detailed itineraries and route previews. 7-Day Advanced Itinerary: Day 1 (Loulé - Mertola, 110km, 2300m) - Immediately feeling the spirit of Alentejo with villages, cows, and a peaceful atmosphere. Riding is about 20% gravel, the rest on very small back roads. Mertola is a fortified town overlooking the Rio Guardiana. Day 2 (Mertola - Monsaraz, 130km, 1600m) - Cycling north through typical Alentejo landscape with fabulous gravel tracks. Crossing the largest reservoir in Portugal, Alqueva, and finishing in Monsaraz, a fortified hilltop town overlooking the Alentejo landscape. Day 3 (Monsaraz - Vidigueira, 80km, 918m) - Cycling through ancient olive groves and neolithic menhirs, joining the edge of the Alqueva reservoir on easy rolling gravel. Vidigueira is famous for its vineyards. Day 4 (Vidigueira - Alcácer do Sal, 94km, 899m) - Typical Alentejo riding through small white and blue villages like Torrão and Alcácovas, finishing in the flat rice fields near Alcácer do Sal. Day 5 (Alcacer do Sal - Vila Nova de Milfontes, 130km, 976m) - Riding to the Atlantic coast, experiencing coastal life, seafood, fishing villages, and rugged cliffs with unspoilt coastal paths suitable for gravel bikes. Day 6 (Vila Nova de Milfontes - Monchique, 88km, 1326m) - Route switches between gravel tracks and small roads to Cabo Sardão, featuring a spectacular cliff-top path, followed by a winding ascent through eucalyptus forests in the Serra do Monchique, possibly to the highest point at 900m. Accommodation is in the Serra de Monchique amongst cork oak trees. Day 7 (Monchique - Alte, 78km, 708m) - Cycling back into the Algarve countryside via small roads and tracks to Silves, then through orange groves and avocado fields to Alte, with a stop at a local bike cafe. All days offer detailed itineraries and route previews. Self-Guided Tour Includes: GPX Files, Detailed Daily Overview & Route Preview, Recommended Cafés en Route, Points of Interest, Airport Transfers, 24/7 WhatsApp Support, Restaurant Booking, Accommodation, Breakfast, Civil Liability Insurance. Optional extras: Luggage Transfers, Mechanical Support Vehicle, Guiding, Bike Rental, Massage, Other 'off-the-bike' activities. Instant Download Tour Includes: GPX Files, Detailed Daily Overview & Route Preview, Recommended Cafés en Route, Points of Interest. Recommended Providers for Bike Rental. Pricing for 6-Day, 7-Night Self-Guided Tour varies by season and group size, with Low Season (Dec-Feb) starting from €945/person (6-11 people), Medium Season (Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov) from €1134/person, and High Season (May-Sept) from €1386/person (6-11 people). Prices are based on two people sharing a room; single supplement applies for individual rooms. Optional extras include luggage transfers, mechanical support, guiding, bike rental, massage, and other activities. Instant Download for 6-Day tour is €250. Pricing for 7-Day, 8-Night Self-Guided Tour also varies by season and group size, with Low Season starting from €1080/person (6-11 people), Medium Season from €1296/person, and High Season from €1584/person (6-11 people). Instant Download for 7-Day tour is €300. Optional extras are as listed above. Custom Club and Group Tours are available for groups of up to 45 riders, with options for point-to-point tours, single location trips, and more. The company has hosted groups for tours from Madrid to Lisbon, Lisbon to Faro, and others. Interested parties can find more information via a link and contact the team.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included