Compare The Wild Algarve by Light Blue Travel

Day 1: Arrival

Dinner included in van-guided and guided tours only

Accommodation: In a nice guesthouse in the centre of the village.

Arrival at Faro or Lisbon airport and transfer to Odeceixe.

If you arrive early (flight to Faro) we suggest a visit to the historic centre of Faro before the transfer to Odeceixe.

Arrival to Odeceixe in time for a drink at the little square and maybe to visit the windmill or a short cycle to the beach, classified as one of the seven wonder beaches of Portugal.

Day 2: The Wild Beaches

Lunch and dinner included in van-guided and guided tours only.

Accommodation: Vicentina Aparthotel 4*with swimming pool

Distances:
32kms
Total ascent: 350 mts

Level: Easy

Optional extra kms: 4 + 20 (to ride to the extra beach)

Cycling from Odeceixe to Aljezur.

Cycle along the river until we reach the gorgeous beach of Odeceixe.  Enjoy the stunning views and the rock formations near the beach.  Then travel through farmland with cornfields of green and yellow depending upon the season to reach another wild beach.

A typical café will be found for a stop to enjoy a cool drink and a light lunch while watching the surf schools in action.  Have a swim and then cycle to the village of Aljezur which was one of the last to conquer the moors.  The local artist shop and gallery deserve a visit, as well as the local museums.

If you want a liuttle more exercise it is possible ride to another beach or along a beautiful farmland valley.

Terrain: Secondary roads with no traffic at all. Some dirt tracks. One more adventurous descent where some people may prefer to walk but very short and easy (300m).

Day 3: From Impressive Cliffs to Charming Valleys

Picnic and dinner included in van-guided and guided tours only.

Accommodation: Aldeia da Pedralva rural tourism, with swimming pool

Distances:
44kms
Total ascent: 650 mts

Level: Medium

Optional extra kms: 4 with 150 mts ascent

Cycling from Aljezur to Pedralva.

Start by conquering the Castle of Aljezur enjoying the beautiful views over the village and its neat and tidy vegetable gardens.  Then cycle to the coast again visiting a fortress with stunning views over the cliffs.  From here we can see the "needle rock", an imposing rock standing in the middle of the ocean.

We go inland again and start our dirt track adventure. First between eucalyptus, later between the wild endemic bushes and finally along a gorgeous little lake and along a valley. Completely wild, surprising and breathtaking.  Cycle to Bordeira, a lovely hamlet with a Manueline style church, and then ride along another enchanting valley until Carrapateira.  Here you will be stunned by the incredible views and rough coast line.  Cycle for a few kms along the cliffs. Take time to stop and enjoy the veiw. Picnic lunch will be served on a beach (on guided tours only).

The fisherman's museum is a visit not to be missed, with fantastic pictures of the man hanging from rocks to catch the famous local delicacy "percebes".  Learn about the lives of the people from the region that risk their lives to catch the best fish for your meal!

Riding along another green valley we reach tonight's accommodation, a lovely hamlet where half of the houses were carefully renovated for tourism.

Terrain: Difficult start with some steep climbs, always on asphalt. Then dirt tracks, most of them flat or down. One technical descent (400m) where some people may prefer to walk.

Day 4: Infant D. Henrique and the Sea Discoveries

Picnic and dinner included in van-guided and guided tours only

Accommodation: Charming "Pousada", with swimming pool

Distances:
41kms
Total ascent: 500 mts

Level: Easy

Optional extra kms: 4

Cycling from Pedralva to Sagres.

Leave Pedralva through a dirt road along the valley. Pass under teh towering modern wind farms and reach the sanctuary of Guadalupe. Here learn about the interesting life of Infant D. Henrique, the sea discoveries prince amd then cycle through a couple of pretty villages to reach the wild coast again.

Have a swim at the beach and then cycle to the Cape of S. Vicente, the most SW point of Europe.

Stop for a swim again at a fantastic beach surrounded by huge cliffs. After visiting the Fortress of Sagres we continue to our very nice hotel with panoramic views over the cliffs and the fortress.

Terrain: Good dirt tracks, mostly flat, with a couple of short climbs. Steep climb on asphalt to come back from the beach where we have our lunch (guided trip only).

Day 5: Beach Roller Coaster!

Picnic included in van-guided and guided tours only. Dinner not included.

Accommodation: Hotel Tivoli 4* with swimming pool

Distances:
43kms
Total ascent: 720 mts

Level: Medium

Cycling from Sagres to Lagos.

Today the route goes along the south coastline, visting wild beaches. Several stops for swims and drinks can be enjoyed. The ocean here is warmer and more tranquil than the west coast. The cliffs change colour, from the black schist to the orange sandstone. The villages are bigger and more touristic, with many cafés, restaurants and shopping opportunities. We pass a couple of fortresses with fantastic views and go up and down narrow secondary roads. The last few kms is an amazing ride along the cliffs from where we can see beautiful rock islands in which erosion has formed arches, caves and beautiful shapes. Lagos is a lively coastal city with charming architecture.

Visit the local museum, the beautiful church and enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Terrain: Start with flat dirt track with some rocks to challenge our senses. This is a real dirt track! Steep valley passage to be done walking by everyone. Steep down and steep up, too technical to ride. (but what a gorgeous views!!!). Then asphalt roller coaster, always steep up and down but always short. Maximum 80 meters each time. In the end optional flat cliff dirt track or asphalt.

Day 6: The Charming Villages

Picnic included in van-guided and guided tours only. Dinner not included.

Accommodation: Charming "Pousada", with swimming pool

Distances:
30kms
Total Ascent: 220 mts

Level: Easy

Cycling from Lagos to Tavira.

The day starts with a train ride along the coast, the salt production lakes and the farmland away from the coast. Arriving to our destination we unload our bikes and cycle to a charming little village famous for its pottery.Then cycle back to the coast and have a drink by the lagoon of the Natural Park of Ria Formosa. Cycle along this lagoon and enjoy the quietness and watch the bird life.

It's usual to see fisherman catching clams and razors in low tide and boats arriving from a fishing day in high tide.

Tavira is probably the prettiest and most traditional town in the Algarve. Its architecture is charming, the atmosphere relaxing. Save time to explore and buy some arts and crafts.

Terrain: Flat asphalt most of the way. Very few dirt tracks.

Day 7: The Local Economy

Picnic and dinner included in van-guided and guided tours only

Accommodation: Hotel Apolo 3* with swimming pool

Distances:
37kms
Total Ascent: 250 mts

Level: Easy

Optional extra kms: 13

Cycling from Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António.

From Tavira we cycle along the Natural Park again, passing several beaches and golf resorts that make it such an attractive tourist location. Beaches here are busy and lively. the lagoon sits between the maniland and the beach.To reach the beach you either walk over long wooden bridges over the river or take a charming little train or a local boat. Visit the charming Cacela-a-Velha and the views over the lagoon and then cycle inland to Castro Marim.

On the way we will visit a biological farm and learn about the fig and carob trees, and the local produces that are made from their fruits. In this farm the motto is “waste nothing”..everything the trees produce is harvested. After we visit the salt marshes (or salines) and learn about the local production process. Later we cycle to our final destination, Vila Real de Santo António, where the second language is the Spanish! All restaurants have the menus in Spanish as this is the main tourism market as Spain is literally across the river! On arrival we have one last surprise and the opportunity to visit a local pastry factory. On guided groups, besides visiting, you will have the chance to make some pastries and, of course, taste them!!!!

Terrain: Flat asphalt most of the way. Very few dirt tracks.

Day 8:Departure

Departure day

Transfer to Faro Airport