EPIC Trans Portugal
EPIC Trans Portugal
Portugal - one of the best kept secrets in European cycling
Take the high road across this quiet country’s wondrously diverse terrain. Enjoy the magnificent scenery, historic villages and traffic-free roads – and of course it wouldn’t be Thomson terrain without a few big climbs.
Featured Climbs
Torre, Senhora da Graca, Serra de Alvelos
Overview
Details
Next Departure
May 11th 2025
From
USD $4,895
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Portugal is one of Europe’s hidden cycling gems. The country has everything for the avid road cyclist: big climbs, magnificent scenery, historic villages (complete with cobbles!), and exceptional food and wine. Combine all of the above with the quietest, traffic-free roads you’ll find anywhere in Europe, super-friendly locals and impressive historical hotels and you’ll soon understand why Portugal is a firm favourite with repeat guests and staff alike.
And who would have thought that one of Europe’s toughest climbs would be in Portugal. 30km (19 miles) in length and with a total elevation gain of 1,765m (5,800ft), the climb to the Torre ski-station in the Serra Estrela is up there with the Col du Tourmalet and other Tour de France legends.
Bring your climbing legs and get ready for some of the best cycling to be found anywhere in Europe.
Rick McNair, USA — 2022
Eirinn Boots, Canada — 2015
Brian Davis, USA — 2021
Itinerary
Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Welcome to Portugal! | Pousada Vila Vicosa | |||
02 | Marvao via Sao Mamede | Monte Filipe Hotel & Spa | |||
03 | Portas de Almourao | Hotel Santa Margarida | |||
04 | Torre! | Casa das Penhas Douradas | |||
05 | The Douro Valley | Delfim Douro Hotel | |||
06 | Senhora da Graca | Pena Park Hotel | |||
07 | Serras da Cabreira and Geres | Pousada Caniçada – Gerês | |||
08 | Tchau! | ||||
Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Portugal!
Your trip starts at Lisbon Airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your hotel in the ancient Royal city of Vila Vicosa.
After lunch, orientation meeting, and bike build-up, you’ll head out on an afternoon warm-up ride through the Portuguese countryside around Vila Vicosa.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Marvao via Sao Mamede
Your first destination on the journey across Portugal is one of the country’s most spectacular hilltop fortified villages, Marvao. You’ll ride through the magnificent Serra da Sao Mamede Natural Park and climb to Montarecos, the highest peak in the park at just over 1,000m (3,300 ft).
Tip: make sure to save some energy for the final climb of the day.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Portas de Almourao
Enjoy the spectacular views of the River Ocreza Canyon from the Portas de Almourao as you make your way north to Oleiros.
Tip: Save something in the tank for the final 16km climb to Serra de Alvelos.
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
Torre!
Who would have thought that one of Europe’s most challenging climbs would be right here in Portugal. Today’s ride is your chance to tick off the monster climb to the Torre ski station in the Serra da Estrela National Park. 36km (22 miles) in length and a total elevation of 1,758m (5,800ft) puts it on a par with the Passo Stelvio!
Tip: the descent from Torre to Manteigas is one of the best descents in Europe.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
The Douro Valley
After the last couple of extremely challenging days, you’ll have a bit of a breather today with a flatter ride into the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO world heritage site! Enjoy virtually traffic-free roads and timeless villages, with extensive olive groves gradually being replaced by the terraced vineyards as we enter the famous Douro River Valley.
Tip: most of the villages we ride through today have cobbled streets. The most efficient way to ride the cobbles is to stay seated, use a big gear and power your way through.
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Senhora da Graca
After the “flat day” yesterday it’s back into climbing mode, including an iconic climb from the Volta a Portugal pro race – the Cat. 1 climb to Alto da Senhora da Graca, which spirals around the mountain for 9 km (6 miles) before reaching the summit at the famous sanctuary.
Tip: the first 15km (9 miles) of today’s ride offer magnificent views and photo ops of the Douro River Valley as we gradually climb from sea level to 700m (2,300ft). Ride easy and enjoy the views!
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Serras da Cabreira and Geres
Possibly the most picturesque route of the entire week, this ride is a firm favourite with our ride leaders. River valleys, big climbs, pristine lakes and the usual timeless, ancient villages characterize today’s ride. Rising through the unique, boulder-strewn landscape of the Geres National Park, the climb to Calcedonia is a real gem and concludes a remarkable week of riding.
Tip: the descent of the Calcedonia offers some incredible views of the Cavado River valley to the south and the high peaks that mark the border with Spain just 10km (6 miles) to the north.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Tchau!
Unfortunately, your trip across Portugal has come to an end.
Our shuttle will drop you off at Porto Airport.
Map & Profile
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No major climbs today |
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sao Mamede from Alegrete |
4.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Marvao from Portagem |
5.4% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serra de Alvelos from Alvito da Beira |
4.8% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Torre from Covihla |
5% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Penhas Douradas from Sabugueiro |
4% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No major climbs today |
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barragem do Alvao from Queiro |
7% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Senhora da Graca from Pedravedra |
7% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leiradas from Esturrado |
4.6% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Torrinheiras from Cabeceiras |
5.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Cabeco da Calcedonia from Vilar da Veiga |
5.7% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Cerdeirinhas from Barragem da Caniçada |
7.1% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No major climbs today |
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||||||
Book this tripClosed
|
Oct 20 - 27 |
Closed |
Places Available |
USD $4,795
|
USD $850 |
USD $900 |
Book this trip |
2025 | |||||||
May 11 - 18 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip | |
Oct 19 - 26 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
Pousada Vila Vicosa
Monte Filipe Hotel & Spa
Hotel Santa Margarida
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Delfim Douro Hotel
Pena Park Hotel
Pousada Caniçada – Gerês
What's Included
What's Included | What's Not Included |
---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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|
What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
Pickup Location | Time |
---|---|
Lisbon Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
Radisson Blu Hotel Lisbon |
9:00am |
Departure
Drop Off Location | Time |
---|---|
Porto Airport |
9:00am |
Rental Bikes
Specialized Aethos Expert
Frame
Aethos FACT 10r Carbon
Groupset
Di2 Shimano Ultegra
Weight
699g (size 56)
Wheels
Roval C38
Chainrings
52/36T
Cassette
11-34t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View DetailsEPIC Trans Portugal
Join us for incredibly quiet, traffic-free cycling through magnificent scenery, historic villages and BIG mountains