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Off road MTB traverse in Algarve
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Discover a totally different Algarve
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The lands now making up the Algarve belonged to the ancient Roman province of Lusitania, having later fallen to the rule of the Visigoths. The current word Algarve derives from the Arabian word "Al-Gharb".
In 1801, this region was described as "paradise" by the person considered the first ever tourist, the Englishman Robert Southey, subsequently arrested in Lagos for vagrancy! Like true explorers, this adventure of ours leads us up through the Sierra, the red geographic formation known as Barrocal and out
over the Coast through trails carefully chosen for their own specific natural beauty.
Crossing rivers and fields, we discover a totally different Algarve between Alcoutim and Sagres, an area that in times long gone was referred to as Promontorium Sacro and whose strong winds led the Romans to believe it was inhabited by gods.
Grade: D – Demanding (inform about the general conditions)
Trip Profile: 7 days, 4 days off road MTB traverse with vehicle support.
Program:
Day 1: Arrive at Faro airport
Pick up and transfer to the Hotel in Faro
Optional MTB tour in the city just to relax.
Day 2: Alcoutim – Barranco do Velho
Transfer to Alcoutim where we start our traverse. Moving on from the easier stretch of this route, we enter the inner Algarve sierra. After a long climb up over undulating hilltops, we pass through some small and forgotten villages all the while taking in the scent of rock roses. At the end, we
pedal along the Ribeira do Vascão watercourse separating the Algarve from the Alentejo.
We take to one of the most isolated regions of the Algarve sierra, riding along paths used down through history to connect the now abandoned crofts and farms. Around midday, we ride through the traditional village of Mealha with its straw lofts and well-tended vegetable patches a legacy of life gone by
in these hills. We continue on through Serra do Caldeirão with its centennial cork-oak trees before reaching the mountain village of Barranco do Velho.
Duration: 7 or 8 hours; Distance aprox.: 80 Km; Ascent.: 2100 m.
Day 3: Barranco do Velho - Silves
We start the next day following a trail that runs along the limit of the sierra with spectacular views both looking inland and out over the sea. Through all-but forgotten villages and hamlets, we leave the sierra and begin the long descent down to an impressive region of red sandstone through which
we proceed as far as Rocha da Pena, an enormous and steep but flat topped calcareous rock formation, declared a "Protected Site" in 1993 due to its unique fauna and flora and the fact that it is an almost isolated calcareous formation in an area of schist.
Along trails flanked by typically Mediterranean vegetation, with arbutus and carob much to the fore, we reach Alte, the most traditional Algarve village. We leave Alte and cross an expanse of cork-oak trees and cultivated fields as we progress along the Gavião river. Always along riverbanks, we get to
the Funcho dam which we circuit in order to reach Arade dam. The day ends with arrival in a city that rises up like an amphitheatre out of its surrounding orchards of almond, orange and fig trees – Silves.
Duration: 7 or 8 hours; Distance aprox.: 89 Km; Ascent: 1500 m.
Day 4: Silves - Rogil
We leave Silves riding along the Odelouca river and through groves of orange trees. We cross this cultivated countryside before the long climb up the Senhora do Verde river valley in the direction of Monchique. Our location is where the Romans once used to flock for bathing, enjoying the benefits of
its excellent thermal waters and the excellent cuisine generated by the rich produce of the surrounding countryside.
Leaving Monchique, we’ll have an up hill to Fóia (902m) the highest point in the Monchique Sierra, and indeed of all the Algarve. From its peak, the views are superb, reaching from the ocean beyond out over the countryside and all the way to the Alentejo. It is then time for an approximate 15km descent
taking us down some 900 metres as far as the small Ceixe river where we climb back up to the Rogil plateau.
Duration: 7 or 9 hours; Distance aprox.: 93 Km; Ascent: 1700 m.
Day 5: Rogil - Sagres
Leaving Rogil we follow an irrigation course providing water for adjoining crops before swooping down to the beauty of the Amoreira beach and this stretch of the Atlantic coastline. Aljezur, the home of the yam, is in sight.
Moving out of Aljezur we head on past small pine copses as we approach the Atlantic coast and arriving at the nearby village of Carrapateira. We pedal the sandy track along the cliff taking in the spectacular views out over the beautiful and wild Costa Vicentina. From here to Sagres, we ride past some
of the isolated beaches strung out along this most beautiful stretch of coastline. Finally, Sagres, the Navigator’s Town, a land of adventure and courage, where stories of men and sea intertwine. Sagres is where everything finished and everything ends and where we finish our MTB journey.
Duration: 6 or 7 hours; Distance aprox.: 70 Km; Ascent: 1200 m.
Day 6: Faro
Transfer to the Hotel in Faro
Free day to rest and look around Faro.
Optional MTB tour in the city
Day 7: Faro airport
Drop off at Faro airport |
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Place
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Algarve |
Price
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from
€ 897 per person |
Number of persons
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min. 6 |
Duration
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7 days |
Inclusive
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- Lodging
- Day meals (picnic) in tour day 2 to 5
- Dinner in typical restaurants day 1 to 6
- All transportation from airport / meeting point to final drop-off
- Escorted 4 days tour accompanied with a spoken English guide
- Support vehicle
- Luggage transfers each day
- Extra MTB (in case of break down)
- Insurance |
Exclusive
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- MTB, Helmet and Gloves
- MTB repair costs
- Personal daily Expenses
- Day 7 Dinner
- Day 1, 6 and 7 LunchMTB Rent – Possible if reserved with tour confirmation (35€ / day / person) |
More info
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Compulsory equipment:
MTB and MTB Helmet
Recommended equipment:
Bag (+/- 60 litters)
Swimming gear, towel
Small Day Pack with water reservoir (2L in the summer)
Waterproof jacket
MTB clothing and gloves
Sunhat, sun cream and sunglasses
Warm jacket or sweat to use at night
MTB components like brake pads (if you are using your MTB) |
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Options
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- We do not accept on location registrations
- In order to ensure greater safety and quality as to the hosting of these activities,
the organisation remains free to change the time, location and structure of these activities should there be adverse weather conditions or other factors that require any such alteration
- Please consider that these are adventure activities. Hence, you should prepare yourself appropriately in order to be able to best enjoy unique moments and experiences in direct contact with nature. Do not hesitate to get in touch with any doubts or queries!
In case you wish to stay longer in the area please contact us in order to provide you accommodation solutions.
Also available for groups. |
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