Gravel Cycling Tour along the Historic Portugal - Spain Border from North to South. Our 860km Iberian Divide Gravel Tour could be the one for you. Guided, Self-Guided and Club options are available. Pricing starts at €1250pp. Portugal is one of the least explored countries in Europe, and a true hidden gem for cyclists. During our unique Iberian Divide gravel tour you will traverse the country from North to South, starting from Pocinho in the North-Eastern region of Portugal Tras-dos-Montes on the Douro river and finishing in Alcoutim in the Algarve. The regions of Portugal and Spain that we will cycle through are some of the least explored in the whole of the Iberian Penninsular. This gravel tour is a chance to do something new and completely different from other gravel tours on the market at the moment in Europe. The north of Portugal is hilly, lush and unspoilt - world famous for the Douro Wine Region, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The ancient terraces cling to the side of every hillside, changing colour in Autumn turning the valleys to gold. leaving unforgettable images in the memory of any passing cyclists. From here we will head into Spain, where similar countryside is set apart from Portugal by the completely different architecture. Wooden Tudor-like houses on stunning little streets of small villages with almost no tourism makes for a truly amazing start to the trip because you really are exploring areas that are very much untouched by modern living. The central part of this trip is characterised by a number of hilltop fortified villages we will visit, such as Monsanto, Castelo de Vide, Marvao and Monsaraz. These spectacular towns have such a rich history, and are beautiful, fascinating places to walk around at the end of the day. As you reach Southern Portugal and Spain, the greenery returns along with a range of hills that produce a few punchy climbs but stunning views towards Spain and the surrounding 'Serra'. Cork oak plantations make a large majority of the roadside vegetation, along with beautiful orange groves. The Iberian Divide route is littered with more magnificent castles - such as Elvas with its huge aquaduct and fortress, a reminder of its less peaceful past. The Algarve itself was one of the last strongholds of the 400 year long Islamic Conquest of Iberia, re-taken by the Christians in 1189, and in fact many place names, churches and the gastronomy of central and southern Portugal still hint at this rich heritage. The Iberian Divide is perfect for medium to advanced level cyclists looking for a challenge. We have designed it specifically to ensure that there is no hike-a-bike or very technical sections, however days range from 50km to 90km, so a good level of fitness is best to truly enjoy the lumpy terrain! You can join our 2027 Guided Tour for the full package, or book a Self-Guided tour for added flexibility. This includes GPX files, hotel and restaurant reservations, airport transfers, cafe recommendations and 24/7 whatsapp support. If you prefer a DIY approach, check our our Instant Download package and get started on your planning straight away! Check the full information below. Our itinerary covers the Iberian Divide in 10 days, but of course we are able to customise this if you are capable of doing over 100km per day, this could be reduced to 6 or 7 day instead. For anyone booking a self-guided tour we can also add in a couple of rest days (we recommend Monsaraz and Monsanto at the minimum) to let your legs recover as well as exploring these incredible local places. This is possibly one of our very most scenic routes, covering so many of Portugal's diverse landscapes in one trip. You will start by taking the train through the world famous Douro Valley, followed by Portugal's most north-easterly region - Tras-dos-Montes. You will then traverse the spectacular historic border between Spain and Portugal south, passing through mountain-top fortified villages, forests, open rolling plains and miles of small-scale olives, vines and oranges. A gravel or mountain bike is what you will need for this tour. We'd recommend a minimum width of 40mm tyres for the slightly rockier sections and to make life more comfortable, especially if you are carrying luggage. In our experience the best seasons for cycling the Iberian Divide are spring to early summer (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) when temperatures are moderate, and the landscapes are at their most scenic. Summer can be very hot, especially in the Alentejo and Algarve, while winter may bring rain and colder conditions in the north. For the most part, we book and recommend 3* rural hotels for our Iberian Divide Tour. As this it a tour in rural Portugal, we focus on the smaller boutique and family-run Portuguese guesthouses, which will make your experience truly special. Self-Guided Tour Includes: Scenic train from Porto to Poçinho, Taxi from Poçinho station to Torre de Moncorvo, 10 spectacular days of cycling from Torre do Moncorvo to Alcoutim, 11 nights high quality accommodation, Buffet breakfast, GPX files of all stages in advance, Phone Assistance, Restaurant organisation, Civil liability Insurance, 5* service - our promise! Guided Option Includes all of the above, plus: Knowledgable and friendly guides with you every pedalstroke of the way, Ride Snacks, 3 Course Dinner each night, All staff first aid qualified, Support vehicles + Luggage Transfer. 2027 Guided Tour Dates: 10 Riding Days, 11 Nights, 22nd September - 3rd October 2027. The train will leave from Porto to Pochino on the afternoon of Tuesday 22nd September. We will ride on Wednesday 23rd from Pochino, arriving in Tavira on the afternoon of 3rd October. Twin Room €2150. Single room: €2750. Includes: Luggage transfer from Porto to Pochino, Scenic train from Porto to Pochino, 10 spectacular days of riding from Torre de Moncorvo to Tavira, 11 nights accommodation in bike-friendly accommodation, Buffet breakfast each morning and 3-course dinner each evening, Civil liability insurance, Support vehicle with mechanic, light snacks and fluids, Luggage transfers, Awesome English speaking guides, Detailed itinerary and GPX route files in advance, 5 star service - our promise! Self-Guided Tour Pricing: 1-2 people: From €1897/person (Low Season), From €2277/person (Medium Season), From €2783/person (High Season). 3-5 people: From €1650/person (Low Season), From €1980/person (Medium Season), From €2420/person (High Season). 6-11 people: From €1485/person (Low Season), From €1782/person (Medium Season), From €2178/person (High Season). Instant Download Tour: €350/download. GPX files and recommendations only. Perfect for independent cyclists who enjoy making their own plans. Optional Extras: High Season Single Supplement €180/night pp extra, Medium Season Single Supplement €160/night pp extra, Low Season Single Supplement €150/night pp extra. Other Optional Extras: Luggage transfers and mechanical support vehicle: €360 per group per riding day, Luggage transfers: €150 per group per riding day (up to 5 riders) or €200 (6+ riders), Guiding: €260 per group per riding day, Bike Rental: See our options here, Massage: on request, Other 'off-the-bike' activities: on request. Custom Club and Group Tours: We have hosted groups of up to 45 riders and some clubs come back to us year after year. In the past we have delivered large group tours from Madrid to Lisbon, Lisbon to Faro, and many others. We can build you a point-to-point tour, a single location trip, or anything else in between.
Hotel
A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.
