Rota Beira Serra “Skirting the Mountains”

Difficulty Level ***

This route is especially designed to pass the most attractive rural aspects of the Algarve without going up very many hills, which are a major characteristic of the interior of the province. It remains challenging and requires some degree of fitness. This route contains a rest day at Loulé

Stage one

Castro Marim-Tavira 20km

 View to Spain from Castro Marim

This stage between Castro Marim and Tavira takes you down through the Ria Formosa natural park. Most of the way is along a marked cycle route.

For those that like bird life this is one of the primary stop of points for birds migrating between Africa and Northern Europe. Commonly seen, for example are pink flamingos. I would recommend to any enthusiastic bird watcher to bring a guide to birds of Southern Europe and some binoculars and take some time of the bike to see the birds. Cycling is swift and silent, so you would be surprised how much wildlife can be spotted from the saddle before it is startled and run away.

Historically, this area also has a lot to offer. For example right in Castro Marim there is a Moorish castle facing Spain. Cacela Velha is a beautiful, ancient village. It has a pretty chaple on a bluff over looking the lagoon. At the final stop of the day, Tavira, there is also a lot to see. There is a Moorish castle, which one can visit in the heart of the town. Climb up you glimpse the sea a couple of kilometres away passed the salt pans. And view the famous roofs of the town. There is also a basilica and various museums.

For those with time and energy I recommend going to the “Ilha de Tavira”. This is a barrier island on the Ria Formosa. It can reached by a ferry which costs 1.5€. Also near Tavira is “Pego do Inferno” a waterfall with a plunge pool.

Cyclists take a break at Cacela Velha 

Stage two

Tavira-Loulé 42km

Tavira and Loulé have a huge tradition in cycling. And have also traditionaly been rivals on the road. Initially Loulé was the stronger team winning the 1988 Volta a Portugal with Birtish rider Cayn Theakson. There was then a period of time when there was no professional cycling in Loulé. In the noughties the rivalry was relit. This time Tavira were the Stongest team winning the Volta a Portugal three times in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

This stage goes out west from Tavira and takes you along some country road to Moncarapacho and then Estoi. Along the way you will pass orchards full of orange trees along mostly empty rural roads. At Moncarapacho there are the “Grutas de Moncarapacho”; the caves of Moncarapacho for sight seeing. There is also a neolithic temple by these caves.

10Km further on from Moncarapacho is Estoi, which has quite a lot for visitors to see. Firstly there are the Roman Ruins known as “Milreu”. As is the case with these things, one never knows exactly what they are looking at, however the leading hypothesis is a n early Christian settlement. The interesting fish on the temple could either be Christian or a tribute to Neptune or another water god. Incidentally the eerily straight roads in the area are a hangover from the romans and before would have been paved in stone. There are details of this in the visitors centre.

Also in Estoi is the Palace. This palace is currently used as a “Pousada”; a type of high end accommodation in palaces or other places of historic influence. More or less the same as a parador in Spain. It's got beautiful gardens and is a very nice place to go for tea or coffee, as there is a magnificent view to the sea from their gardens.

On from Estoi the route heads down into the country and the agricultural heart of the Algarve knowns as “Campinas”. Here the roads are less good however and you get the occasional bad driver to look out for. You then head past the Algarve Stadium and up to Santa-Barbara.

From Santa-Barbara you head up-hill to Grojões. At Grojões you take a right to Goldra and head down a fabulous valley. Near the end you have a hill to climb. On cresting this hill you see your final destination which is Loulé. You then role on in to Loulé, where right in the heart is your hotel.

The Place at Estoi

Day Three “Rest Day”

At Loulé you will have “rest” day to visit the town. It has a beautiful market, a castle an ancient church up on a hill protected by something resembling a flying saucer. It also has a deep salt mine in the town centre for those who are interested in “industrial” heritage of which there is little in the Algarve.

Loulé at Dusk one winters eve

Stage Three

Loulé-Silves 48km

The Algarve is divided into two regions, the “Sotavento” and the “Barlavento”, which mean leeward and windward respectively. There is a noticeable difference between these two subregions and this stage crosses the divide.

Leaveing Loulé the route heads down hill to “Vale Judeu” It passes near a cement factory and there is quite a few lorries going on the road. Going through Vale Judeu you come to The EN125, which is the main road in the Algarve. This road has good hard shoulders and is safe for cycling. We follow it to Boliqueime.

And then begin to head up inland towards Paderne along a new and excelent road. At Paderne there is a Castle to see.

From Paderne we head on the old main road to Lisbon a bit, before delving into the countryside again and crossing to Tunes. At Tunes we then have a long very flat trip into Silves through lush country side.

4km from your destination you descend, round a corner where the town comes into view descend further and arrive at your hotel over looking the town with it's castle and cathedral evident on the hill top.

Stage Four:

Silves-Lagos 47km

During this stage there is far less traffic as you head deep into the countryside. You are not likely to see much traffic till near the end of your cycle as you approach the Costal town of Lagos.

The route goes by the Arade and Boina rivers. It is pretty much completely flat initially. Then you pass a small hill and begin to head up towards the moutains, before turning west again. Avoiding the big climbs. The road west is rolling countryside and very beautiful, you climb up a point before descending back down again to the Algarve Autodrome. You may be interested the Autodrome, which has some attractions, like a Spa and various cafés and shops to do with motor racing.

On leaving the Autodrome you descend to the coast along river valleys characterised by systus plants and eucalyptus trees. Till the little town of Odeaxere. At Odeaxere we cross the main road, back into the landscape and head to Praia Grande, a large beach as the name suggests. You go by praia grande till you reach the marina at Lagos. 

What's provided:

-Accommodation for day of arrival to day of departure (7 nights in total)

-Baggage delivery each day at your hotel

-Breakfast (7 breakfasts in the hotels you will stay at)

-Private transfers between point of arrival in the Algarve and beginning/end points of your holiday

-Road book, maps and a guide. And cultural agendas for the localities you will be passing through

Please see About the Tours for more details