Algarve Bike Tours
Explore all the Algarve has to offer on one of our bike tours! We offer a wide variety of tours from leisurely road and tour bikes, to more challenging mountain algarve bike tours!
Why book our Algarve Bike Tours?
Algarve bike tours are a great way to get to know the region better! Exploring by bike gives you the freedom to appreciate the flora and fauna up close and discover the hidden corners and well known beauty spots.
Led by enthusiastic, experienced guides the tours offer the best of the Algarve: the drama of the landscape, fresh air and sunshine! If you’d like to discover the Algarve in a fun, healthy and environment friendly way, then we have a trip to suit you. In the beautiful hills of Monchique from the highest point in the Algarve there are easy downhill cycling tours for casual riders. We also offer off-road and challenging mountain biking tours for more experienced cyclists! If you cycle a lot and are up for a challenge we can go uphill instead if you’d rather! There is also an exhilarating off road mountain biking tour along the cliff tops and by the shores of a lagoon. This is designed for regular cyclists and is .
Cycling Holidays
We also offer cycling holidays and tailor made private guided Algarve bike tours! Take the guess work out of your holiday planning and let us organize everything from arrival to departure!
The ideal way to see the hidden beauty of the Algarve is by bike and we offer a wide variety of options, from easy going family tours, to more intensive biking for experienced cyclers!
Highlights
From the luxury and glamour that is Quinta do Lago to the salt flats and the local charm of the Praia de Faro. This is a fantastic healthy way to spend a morning. We will cycle at a pace to suit you, mainly along quiet roads and dirt tracks, and we have bikes and helmets available. All you need to do is turn up and pedal.
You and your bikes will be transported to the exclusive residential estate of Quinta do Lago, from where we set off for a morning of gentle cycling. Skirting the edge of the award-winning golf course, with views across the lagoon to the dunes and Atlantic ocean beyond, it is not long before we enter the famous Ria Formosa National Park. This is a UNESCO heritage site situated on low lying coastline amidst a maze of lagoons, channels, salt marshes and islands. It is home to an abundant array of wildlife and over 30,000 birds stop off here on their journey from Europe to East Africa. You can often spot kingfishers, hoopoes, bee-eaters, egrets, blue magpies and many other species.
Cycling through pine woodland, surrounded by freshwater lakes and salt marshes, we come across some fish salting tanks, which date back to Roman times. Then we continue along the salt marshes, admiring the vegetation and hopefully spotting the odd turtle basking in the sun, before reaching the salt pans which are a thriving local industry.
Continuing our journey, we find ourselves at the back of Faro Airport which, surprisingly, opens up to more beautiful scenery, and is home to the University Marine Project. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the hills that provide a backdrop to the Algarve and, if you’re lucky, you will be treated to the sight of flamingos as they land on the freshwater lakes just next to the cycling track. So keep your cameras handy!
From here we cross over to the Praia de Faro (Faro Beach). This is a large strip of land which is joined by a single lane bridge and is host to a plethora of authentic Portuguese cafes and fish restaurants. On the far side is a long sweep of beautiful sand, whilst on the nearside is a more sheltered lagoon. This is where the locals from Faro come to sunbathe and is bustling throughout the summer months. It is also home to many traditional fishermen’s cottages which are accessed by a boardwalk. We stop for a coffee here and you can treat yourself to a homemade Pastel de Nata (local cake) or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from locally grown fruit.
Suitably refreshed, we head back along the dyke towards Quinta do Lago. This is a popular walking and jogging route and provides another chance to enjoy the inland and coastal views and spot more wildlife and dune vegetation. We take a slight detour through the immaculate, landscaped residential estate – where the rich and famous holiday – before arriving back at the lake and transportation back to your hotel and a well-earned rest or dip in the pool.
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Tuesdays |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Level | Novice to Intermediate |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire Cycling mainly on dirt tracks and traffic -calmed roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop in Praia do Faro Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
We start in the unhurried horticultural town of Moncarapacho, with cobbled streets, traditional houses and a pink, arabic-style police station! We head out through the cultivated fields along a dirt track to join quiet, largely traffic free roads. Passing through sleepy Algarvean villages and scenic countryside, where time seems to have stood still, it is hard to believe we are still in the heart of Portugal’s most popular tourist destination.
We climb steadily into a stunning area of pine covered hills and valleys abundant with orange trees (which form a natural barrier to the all too common summer fires in this area). We then follow the path of the river as it winds its way through the hills along tree-shaded roads and down into Tavira, one of the prettiest towns on the Algarve coast. Tavira is home to a castle, an old Roman bridge and a wealth of traditional architectural styles; it’s the perfect spot for a well earned café break, next to the band stand, where music is often played in the summer months.
After a coffee and a cake (optional!), we leave Tavira by another dirt track which keeps us away from the main road. This is a lovely shortcut to the beautiful village of Santa Luzia, famous for its Octopus fishing . We pass through Pedras del Rei, where we may spot the little train that takes sunbathers to the expansive beach of Barril and the old tuna fishing village.
From here we join the Ecovia Litoral (a dedicated cycling path that spans across the Algarve from East to West). We are now in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a UNESCO heritage site situated on low lying coastline amidst a maze of lagoons, channels, salt marshes and islands. It is home to an abundant array of wildlife and over 30,000 birds stop off here on their journey from Europe to East Africa. You can often
spot kingfishers, hoopoes, bee-eaters, egrets, blue magpies and many other species. The views across the salt flats, (where salt is still cultivated using traditional methods), are simply breathtaking. It is a gentle, flat ride along the coast and we can enjoy the cooling sea breeze coming from the Atlantic ocean.
Finally, we head inland again, along quiet country lanes and take a shortcut along a dirt track back into Moncarapacho and our starting point.
This is a ride of approximately 41kms, but we take it at an easy pace and, though there is a gentle climb during the first half of the route, the remainder is mostly downhill and flat. The terrain is easy to negotiate, so it is suitable for most riders. It lasts for approximately 4 hours (including cafe break and water stops).
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Thursdays |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and traffic-calmed roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop in Tavira Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun screen, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
This tour starts at Ribeira Parque (the old bus station) in Albufeira old town. We are soon into quiet, unspoilt countryside, passing Sir Cliff Richard’s famous vineyards in Guia, and along pleasant country lanes to the coast.
Passing by the Salgados Lagoon, we should see a variety of birdlife and maybe a turtle or two swimming in the lakes. Our ride here is along specially constructed boardwalks, which makes for easy cycling. With the high rise resort of Armação de Pera in the background to the west, and the traditional old town of Pera nearby, we continue east through the golf resort of Salgados, finding more cyclable boardwalks as we continue east along the coast with lovely views down to some great beaches.
As the coast gets rockier we stay a little inland away from the cliff edge and then cruise down to the colourful new marina on the edge of Albufeira . Through the Marina and onwards up a small hill, we can now see the spectacular main beach of Albufeira. Carefully navigating a few narrow cobbled streets of the old Town, we are soon back at our starting point by the old bus station.
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Fridays |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and quiet roadsCollection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop by the beach Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
The route, which can be around 60km or 80km, has been specifically designed for a mixture of abilities. There are few hills and most of the roads are traffic-free and smooth under wheel. But if you want to push yourself just that little bit harder, you can simply up the pace.
Depending on your preference and ability, we can start the tour from our shop in central Albufeira (and this will provide an extra challenge as you climb a couple of small hills out of town). Alternatively, we can transfer you to the quaint old town of Paderne, shaving a good 20km off the overall distance, and avoiding that first hill.
Paderne is set in a lush green valley, making for a very pleasant start to your ride. It is also the gateway to an expansive and peaceful rural landscape that is punctuated by sleepy villages and working farms. It’s a far cry from the bustling tourist destinations that hug the coast.
As we navigate our way along quiet roads (you can easily go ten minutes without seeing a single car), there is plenty to arouse the senses and, as you take in the fresh country air, you can’t help but feel energised. The beautiful scenery makes for an extremely pleasurable ride, where the kilometres just seem to disappear without you really noticing!
Our coffee stop is in the small working town of Algoz, at a fabulous local café that prepares some of the best Tosta Mistas (toasted cheese and ham sandwiches) in the area. Or you can sample some of their freshly made cakes; you will certainly have earned it after forty-odd kms of steady cycling.
Back on the road we take a shortcut through the smallest of villages and, as we skirt the edge of Paderne, with its orange orchards and nurseries, we join a long, straight road, perfect for a quick sprint before we reach the end of the ride. (if you have opted for the longer ride, you still have around 10km to go, but it’s mostly downhill back to Albufeira, so you can still end with a sprint!).
We will be back in plenty of time for you to chill by your hotel pool or visit one of the many fine beaches for which the Algarve is renowned.
| Price | €60 per person |
| Availability | Mondays |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Level | Easy to Intermediate |
| Included | Quality Aluminium framed road bike (optional upgrade to a carbon fibre framed bike)
Cycling mainly on smooth & quiet tarmac roads Transfer from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
Our tour starts in the old town of Albufeira and it is not long before we are away from the hustle and bustle of this busy town and heading West along the coast. We pass through the popular resort of Armação de Pêra, with its nature reserve full of wildlife, including a wide variety of birds and even the odd turtle!
We then head up to Porches, from where we weave our way through quiet country roads, down to the beautiful, tiny bay at Benagil. It’s a sharp contrast to the expansive beaches around the main tourist spots, and it’s a steep climb down to (and back from) the little cove, but worth it. There are a few more hills to negotiate as we hug the cliff tops towards Carvoeiro, another favoured seaside resort, set in a valley, with a lively square and beachfront cafes.
Our final stop on the coastal part of this circuit is Ferragudo, which is a fishing village set on the Arade River, that joins the sea at Portimão. There are fabulous views across the bay as we head inland towards Estômbar. Up and over the hills we start to experience true Algarvean countryside as we negotiate our way towards Silves, once the Moorish capital of the Algarve. It’s a dramatic entrance to this ancient city as we catch sight of the old castle on the hill above the town. It’s the perfect spot for a refreshment break and, if you have the energy, you can make the climb up to the castle where you will enjoy stunning views across the surrounding countryside.
From Silves, you have a few options, depending on your desire and ability. We can take the shorter route back, cycling through orange groves to Algoz, a small working agricultural town, then along quiet country lanes towards Tunes and over the hills to drop back down to Albufeira.
Alternatively, we can add an extra loop back into the interior landscape, taking in the spectacular Arade Reservoir. With beautiful views of the northern mountains, we follow the winding roads all around the reservoir and cross the imposing dam, before continuing through sleepy villages (where a café stop and a sample of the local produce is a must), and heading South through the orange groves towards our destination, Albufeira old town.
| Price | €60 per person |
| Availability | Tuesdays |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Level | Easy to Intermediate |
| Included | Quality Aluminium framed road bike (optional upgrade to a carbon fibre framed bike)
Cycling mainly on smooth & quiet tarmac roads Transfer from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
We can tailor our tours to suit varying cycling fitnesses and abilities and, wherever we go, we can promise some stunning scenery. From the dramatic cliffs along the coast to the hilltop villages and sweeping farmland, you will soon be away from the hustle and bustle of ‘tourist town’ and can lose yourself in the peace and tranquillity as you freewheel along quiet country roads and through sleepy hamlets.
There is plenty to challenge the keen cyclist, as we sample sections of the professional Tour of the Algarve circuit, including ascents to some of the highest points in the Algarve. It is well worth it for the panoramic views and the thrill of the downhill return journey.
Equally, if a leisurely pace through the rural landscape that forms the backbone of this agricultural region is more to your taste, you will not be disappointed. You will see parts of the ‘real Algarve’ that most people never see and you can enjoy the local hospitality in family run cafes that seem to be lost in time.
Distances vary, but typically range from around 60 to 90 kms.
| Price | €60 per person |
| Availability | Wednesdays and Thursdays |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Included | Quality Aluminium framed road bike (optional upgrade to a carbon fibre framed bike)
Cycling mainly on smooth & quiet tarmac roads\Transfer from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Highlights
We start the ride close to Silves, situated a little above sea level, making for a serious climb accumulating around 1550 m. d+ over a distance of around 80 kms . We have a variety of routes up and also down so the route can be varied to suit the group . Our efforts are more than rewarded by the changing scenery as we climb away from the tourist trail; from the orange groves in the Odelouca river valley, the eucalyptus plantations and traditional cork oak and chestnut forests to the huge granite blocks exclusive to the hillsides of Picota and Foía as a former volcanic area.
After passing through the mountain towns of Alferce and Monchique we tackle Foia from the northern side, which guarantees minimal traffic and superb mountain scenery with views stretching miles to the North and East.
With the climb under our belt there’s an obligatory and rewarding water/coffee stop at the Foía summit. Don’t forget your cameras! Whilst on a clear day you can see a vast area of the Algarve, right down to the south coast and the Atlantic ocean, the elevated situation can bring with it other challenges such as fog and low cloud cover.
Starting the descent can be a cool affair.
But as we cruise down the smooth tarmac of the southern slope the warmth of the sun soon returns and it makes for a very comfortable ride back towards the coast, in the knowledge that we have made it to the roof of the Algarve by bike!
| Price | €70 per person |
| Availability | Fridays |
| Duration | 4 to 5 hours |
| Level | Intermediate and Advanced |
| Included | Quality Aluminium framed road bike (optional upgrade to a carbon fibre framed bike)
Cycling mainly on smooth & quiet tarmac roads Transfer from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop Insurance. |
| Not included | Water, sun screen and energy gel/bar, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Are you an experienced cycler who is looking for a challenge? Our mountain bike tours are for you! With qualified and knowledgeable guides, we will have you cycling through the most amazing tracks with breathtaking views!
(Tuesdays) Quinta do Lago – Praia de Faro Tour
The ideal way to see the hidden beauty of the Algarve is by bike and this is one of our most popular tours.
Highlights
From the luxury and glamour that is Quinta do Lago to the salt flats and the local charm of the Praia de Faro. This is a fantastic healthy way to spend a morning. We will cycle at a pace to suit you, mainly along quiet roads and dirt tracks, and we have bikes and helmets available. All you need to do is turn up and pedal.
You and your bikes will be transported to the exclusive residential estate of Quinta do Lago, from where we set off for a morning of gentle cycling. Skirting the edge of the award-winning golf course, with views across the lagoon to the dunes and Atlantic ocean beyond, it is not long before we enter the famous Ria Formosa National Park. This is a UNESCO heritage site situated on low lying coastline amidst a maze of lagoons, channels, salt marshes and islands. It is home to an abundant array of wildlife and over 30,000 birds stop off here on their journey from Europe to East Africa. You can often spot kingfishers, hoopoes, bee-eaters, egrets, blue magpies and many other species.
Cycling through pine woodland, surrounded by freshwater lakes and salt marshes, we come across some fish salting tanks, which date back to Roman times. Then we continue along the salt marshes, admiring the vegetation and hopefully spotting the odd turtle basking in the sun, before reaching the salt pans which are a thriving local industry.
Continuing our journey, we find ourselves at the back of Faro Airport which, surprisingly, opens up to more beautiful scenery, and is home to the University Marine Project. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the hills that provide a backdrop to the Algarve and, if you’re lucky, you will be treated to the sight of flamingos as they land on the freshwater lakes just next to the cycling track. So keep your cameras handy!
From here we cross over to the Praia de Faro (Faro Beach). This is a large strip of land which is joined by a single lane bridge and is host to a plethora of authentic Portuguese cafes and fish restaurants. On the far side is a long sweep of beautiful sand, whilst on the nearside is a more sheltered lagoon. This is where the locals from Faro come to sunbathe and is bustling throughout the summer months. It is also home to many traditional fishermen’s cottages which are accessed by a boardwalk. We stop for a coffee here and you can treat yourself to a homemade Pastel de Nata (local cake) or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from locally grown fruit.
Suitably refreshed, we head back along the dyke towards Quinta do Lago. This is a popular walking and jogging route and provides another chance to enjoy the inland and coastal views and spot more wildlife and dune vegetation. We take a slight detour through the immaculate, landscaped residential estate – where the rich and famous holiday – before arriving back at the lake and transportation back to your hotel and a well-earned rest or dip in the pool.
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Tuesdays |
| Duration | 3-4hr |
| Level of experience | This tour is appropriate for novice/intermediate riders. |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire Cycling mainly on dirt tracks and traffic -calmed roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region (Albufeira)Cafe stop in Praia do Faro Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting place | Albufeira |
(Thursdays) Moncarapacho – Tavira Tour
This is a stunning tour which gives you the opportunity to see a little of the ‘real’, unspoilt Eastern Algarve.
Highlights
We start in the unhurried horticultural town of Moncarapacho, with cobbled streets, traditional houses and a pink, arabic-style police station! We head out through the cultivated fields along a dirt track to join quiet, largely traffic free roads. Passing through sleepy Algarvean villages and scenic countryside, where time seems to have stood still, it is hard to believe we are still in the heart of Portugal’s most popular tourist destination.
We climb steadily into a stunning area of pine covered hills and valleys abundant with orange trees (which form a natural barrier to the all too common summer fires in this area). We then follow the path of the river as it winds its way through the hills along tree-shaded roads and down into Tavira, one of the prettiest towns on the Algarve coast. Tavira is home to a castle, an old Roman bridge and a wealth of traditional architectural styles; it’s the perfect spot for a well earned café break, next to the band stand, where music is often played in the summer months.
After a coffee and a cake (optional!), we leave Tavira by another dirt track which keeps us away from the main road. This is a lovely shortcut to the beautiful village of Santa Luzia, famous for its Octopus fishing . We pass through Pedras del Rei, where we may spot the little train that takes sunbathers to the expansive beach of Barril and the old tuna fishing village.
From here we join the Ecovia Litoral (a dedicated cycling path that spans across the Algarve from East to West). We are now in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a UNESCO heritage site situated on low lying coastline amidst a maze of lagoons, channels, salt marshes and islands. It is home to an abundant array of wildlife and over 30,000 birds stop off here on their journey from Europe to East Africa. You can often
spot kingfishers, hoopoes, bee-eaters, egrets, blue magpies and many other species. The views across the salt flats, (where salt is still cultivated using traditional methods), are simply breathtaking. It is a gentle, flat ride along the coast and we can enjoy the cooling sea breeze coming from the Atlantic ocean.
Finally, we head inland again, along quiet country lanes and take a shortcut along a dirt track back into Moncarapacho and our starting point.
This is a ride of approximately 41kms, but we take it at an easy pace and, though there is a gentle climb during the first half of the route, the remainder is mostly downhill and flat. The terrain is easy to negotiate, so it is suitable for most riders. It lasts for approximately 4 hours (including cafe break and water stops).
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Thursdays |
| Duration | 4hrs |
| Level of Experience | Intermediate |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and traffic-calmed roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop in Tavira Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun screen, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting place | Albufeira |
(Fridays) Albufeira Coast and Country Tour
There is a lot more to the Albufeira region than meets the eye and this is a tour of many contrasts.
Highlights
This tour starts at Ribeira Parque (the old bus station) in Albufeira old town. We are soon into quiet, unspoilt countryside, passing Sir Cliff Richard’s famous vineyards in Guia, and along pleasant country lanes to the coast.
Passing by the Salgados Lagoon, we should see a variety of birdlife and maybe a turtle or two swimming in the lakes. Our ride here is along specially constructed boardwalks, which makes for easy cycling. With the high rise resort of Armação de Pera in the background to the west, and the traditional old town of Pera nearby, we continue east through the golf resort of Salgados, finding more cyclable boardwalks as we continue east along the coast with lovely views down to some great beaches.
As the coast gets rockier we stay a little inland away from the cliff edge and then cruise down to the colourful new marina on the edge of Albufeira . Through the Marina and onwards up a small hill, we can now see the spectacular main beach of Albufeira. Carefully navigating a few narrow cobbled streets of the old Town, we are soon back at our starting point by the old bus station.
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Fridays |
| Duration | 3-4hr |
| Level of experience | Intermediate riders. |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire, Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and quiet roadsCollection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop by the beach Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun cream, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting place | Albufeira |
Highlights
It’s an ideal tour for fit and competent mountain bikers who want to go that bit further. We head out to the so-called Barrocal area, where there is an abundance of technical trails and we can tackle as many hills as we want. Our regular 40 km tour has a bit of both, but there are many options to extend or adapt this interesting and challenging ride.
Starting in Albufeira we head North to the villages of Ferreiras and Cerro d’Ouro, where we soon encounter the Quarteira river valley. The valley’s southern location and steep hill sides protect it from forest fires and agriculture, preserving its lush vegetation which can be fully enjoyed as we cruise along the single tracks on both sides of the river.
This route treats us to a few surprises, too, such as an old Roman bridge, still pretty much intact, and Paderne’s castle from Moorish times. The hill top castle is a classic example of the Moorish Taipa building method using the local clay, but bikers may be more interested in the climb to get there or, even better, the technical descent to the river and Paderne itself for a well-earned break.
North of Paderne, one arm of the Quarteira river is known as the Algibre coming in from the hills around the market town of Loulé. This region makes for great biking with extensive single tracks, surrounded by nature, that can only accessed by enthusiastic bikers and the occasional farmer or hiker.
As we eventually make our way back to Albufeira, the western loop to Aldeia dos Matos and Tunes includes some surprising rocky trails through orange grooves and pine forests, as well as the last hill climbs of the day, which will leave us feeling satisfied with our efforts!
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Wednesdays |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Level of experience | Intermediate and Advanced |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire
Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and quiet roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop by the beach Insurance. |
| Not included | Water, sun cream and energy gel/bar, which we recommend that you bring along. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
This tour starts in the traditional old village of Paderne, a well know centre for hiking and Biking, with many trails available. Heading out of the village, we are soon onto some quiet trails passing by vineyards and varied agricultural land where time appears to have stood still for years . There are many orange and lemon groves in this area and we can cycle past many of these, taking in the scent of the orange blossom as we pass by . Cycling mainly on tracks or the occasional quiet road , this are is so peaceful its unlikely that we will meet much traffic along the way .
Our cafe destination on this ride is the quaint hillside village of Alte and there will be a few hills on the way there, but worth it for the views back to the coast or beyond . A coffee and Pastel de Nata ( Portuguese custard tart ) awaits in Alte and we will have the time to cycle around the village a little and visit the Fontes where the stream is dammed in summer to create a local swimming pool .
Heading back in the direction of Paderne we have some climbing to do to reach the abandoned village of Rocha Amarela , abandoned in the late 1960s with the introduction of tourism into the Algarve, many of the previous inhabitants gave up on their rural existence and sought work and money in the tourism industry on the coast . Many of the houses in the village remain intact, though without regular care they are starting to deteriorate and fall apart. The village is in a very tranquil setting near the top of the hill and gives some insight into the rural lifestyle of a bygone era. The ride down offers some splendid views as well as some challenging tracks, before we meander our way back to the starting point back in the village of Paderne .
This tour offers some of the most scenic and varied landscapes in the Algarve and is a tour that can be enjoyed by all intermediate and more advanced bikers alike
| Price |
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| Availability | Thursdays | |
| Level of experience | Intermediate and Advanced | |
| Included | Quality mountain bike and equipment hire
Collection and transfer back to accommodation in the Central Algarve Cafe stop in Alte Insurance |
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| Not included |
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| Meeting point | Albufeira | |
Highlights
We start close to the centre of Alcantarilha, a small village of Moorish origin, set on a hill with the remains of a 17thcentury castle and a church with a rather gruesome chapel of bones!
We are soon onto quiet dirt tracks (the more serious bikers amongst you will enjoy these, though they are perfectly navigable for those less experienced), cycling past vineyards and the recently developed Amendoeira golf course. After crossing the railway line we head up and over some hills, along dirt tracks that are hidden amongst orange groves and down towards the Rio Arade amidst scenic countryside. The area north of the river is traditional algarve countryside at its unspoilt best. You will spot the traditional stone walls and the odd derelict farm along the way.
We join the flat, narrow pathway along the ‘levadas’ , traditional irrigation channels still very much in use, for several kms. Tricky at times, this is not a ride for novices, but is a fabulous way to cut across country before joining the main road into the picturesque town of Silves. Once the Moorish capital, Silves is steeped with history. It is an enchanting town on the banks of the Rio Arade and home to the best preserved castle in the Algarve. Serious riders may wish to tackle the hill up to the castle, but this is optional. We take a cafe stop along the riverside here in Silves.
Fully refreshed, we cross the old bridge and head along the river bank, with splendid scenery and we may spot the odd river boat travelling up from Portimão, before emerging from the valley for a panoramic view of the town and castle. We continue our journey along quiet roads, where the only traffic jam we are likely to encounter is a herd of goats and sheep! After a while, we turn into an ancient dirt track that skirts one of the few rice fields in the Algarve, also home to all kinds of wildlife, including storks. Finally we pass through the sleepy village of Fontes da Matosa before arriving back to our starting point in Alcantarilha.
This is a ride of approximately 41kms, which is ideal for those who want to get stuck in to some decent mountain bike riding on rough single paths and along little used dirt tracks. We can adapt the pace to suit you, but it is most suitable for reasonably fit and capable riders.
| Price | €50 per person |
| Availability | Thursdays |
| Level of experience | Intermediate |
| Included | Quality bike and equipment hire
Cycling mainly on a mixture of dirt tracks and traffic-calmed roads Collection from your accommodation in the central Algarve region Cafe stop in Silves Insurance. |
| Not included | Water and sun screen, which we recommend that you bring. |
| Meeting point | Albufeira |
Explore the breathtaking Monchique mountains on one of our mountain bikes! We offer leisurely cycling routes to challenging tours on a daily basis!
Downhill Off-road Trip – Enjoy a Downhill Off-road Bike Tour on superb MTB trails in the green and cooler Serra de Monchique. You´ll ride a well maintained and clean Giant 29-er. We run this Downhill Off-road Bike Tour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And we´ll meet a bit before 09h30 and return around 15h00. Lunch is usually at 12h30. After a short safety briefing you´re ready to start your Downhill Off-road Bike Tour, back to the south coast. Our bike guide will lead the tour, and our support vehicle follows with your belongings and a cool box with cold (and free) bottled water. The Downhill Off-road Bike Tour is offered as a social ride with (photo) stops and some explanations about the local flora & fauna.
(53eur pp)
Downhill Trip – We cycle downhill from the Foia, which is with 902 meters, the highest mountain in the Algarve. From here we run all year-round nature and family friendly cycling tours. Whilst you can enjoy your downhill cycling tour, the support vehicle makes sure that you will have always a cooled bottle of water at hand. Our cycling guide will show you the most fun and safe route for your downhill cycling tour in the Serra de Monchique. We will lead you on forest paths with tarmac/asphalt, and through the green valleys of the Serra de Monchique. The Downhill Family Cycling Trip is offered as a social ride with stops and explanations about the local flora & fauna. This trip is suitable for young people and for the not so young. We usually see that everyone between 12 and 70 years old with some cycling experience can enjoy this downhill cycling tour!
(53eur pp)
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