Biking the Rota Vicentina

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded as moderate, based on the average daily distances, terrain and elevation. It's suitable for relatively fit and regular cyclists, seeking an active holiday. You'll spend much of the day in the saddle, experiencing two regions of Portugal. The terrain is rolling, with some longer ascents and descents on quiet country roads, forest tracks and costal trails, with the occasional short stretch on busier roads as you approach towns. You'll cycle a total of 282.5km (excluding the optional 32km loop ride at Odeceixe, where we have built in a rest day), with a daily distance ranging from 32km-70km. The daily total elevation ranges from 200m to 403m. E-bikes are available on this tour should you decide to have battery powered assistance on this tour, allowing more time to relax at the accommodation and cool down by the pool after your day's ride. The terrain on this tour is mainly off-road on gravel tracks, with small sections of rugged path as you go inland, or sandy tracks by the coast, though the hire Trek bikes are robust with fabulous suspension, giving you a comfortable ride. Please note that during wet weather, the tracks can become muddy with puddles in places, and extra care must be taken here. If you're uncomfortable with wet off-road terrain, we recommend cycling this route in the drier months.

Navigation

Please note that turn-by-turn directions or a roadbook are not available on this route, and navigation is done via the GPX tracks on the Macs Adventure App. You'll be following the official Rota Vicentina waymarking for a lot of the way. With both the App and waymarking, navigation and finding your way will be relatively easy. You will also have the support of our local partner nearby should you need this.

• Accommodation in boutique casa-style guesthouses and hotels
• All breakfasts
• Luggage transfers
• Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
• Transfer from Sagres to Faro (Airport, train station or hotel)
• 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office
• Welcome briefing upon arrival
• Bike hire (E-bike hire also available for a supplement)

• Travel insurance (required)
• Travel to Setubal
• Personal equipment
• Snacks, lunches and dinners
• E-bike hire

• Transfer from Lisbon to Setubal at the start
• Transfer from Sagres to Lisbon at the end
• Upgrade to an E-bike

When To Go

We offer this tour year-round, though the nicest months of the year are March to June, and then from September to November. July and August can experience extremely high temperatures, making it very hot to cycle. If you cycle in the springtime you can expect to see the inland areas covered with wildflowers and enjoy pleasant temperatures. The autumn months of September to November are also very mild. For keen birdwatchers, the autumn migration period from late August to mid-November brings lots of seabirds. For nesting birds such as the Alpine Swift visit during the spring. The winter months can be a bit more wet, making the terrain more difficult due to muddy sections with puddles, and extra care must be taken during this time. If you're uncomfortable with wet off-road terrain, we recommend cycling this route in the drier months. Most accommodations either have swimming pools or are located close to the beach, so there are plenty of opportunities to unwind and cool down at the end of your ride. Or why not cool down in the sea at one of the spectacular beaches along your way on the ride.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Setubal is easily reached from Lisbon Airport, which is 7km from the city centre. From Lisbon Airport, take the Aerobus into the city centre (approx. 5 Euros), and then another bus to Setubal (journey time approx. 45 min). This second bus is operated by www.rede-expressos.pt and costs approx. 6 Euros. There is also a train station in Setubal, with a direct train leaving from Lisbon, taking approx. 1 hour.

Lisbon's Metro rail service also also links you up to and from the city centre and the airport. Taxis from the airport to the city centre cost approx. 25 Euros.

Private Transfers: We can arrange a private taxi transfer from Lisbon to Setubal for an extra cost. Journey time is approx. 40 minutes.

Getting from the End

By Air: The closest airport to Sagres is Faro Airport. To get to the airport from Sagres, we have included a transfer for ease. We can also include a transfer to Faro train station or to a hotel in Faro should you wish to spend the night there (please let us know in advance if you wish to do so). From the centre of Faro, shuttle buses operate to the airport for you to make your own way to the airport if you spend an extra night in Faro (15 min). 

For those travelling further afield and who need to return to Lisbon Airport, you would first need to make your way from Sagres to Lagos by bus (journey time approx. 1 hour), from where you can catch another bus to Lisbon (journey time approx. 4 hours, operated by www.rede-expressos.pt). 

Private Transfers: We can also arrange a private transfer to take you from your hotel in Sagres back to Lisbon Airport, at an additional cost (journey time approx. 3 hours).

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Bike & E-Bike Hire

Hire of a XC hardtail bike is included (Trek X-Caliper 9), and comes with a pannier rack, 1 pannier, bag, a handlebar bag, a helmet, tube and a lock. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for your own comfort. You'll also be supplied with a pump and repair kit (shared between two people).

For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recomend hiring an e-bike. We can arrange hire of high quality E-bikes at an extra cost (TREK Powerfly 5). The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon swim or simply for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment. 

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.