Portugal Gravel
with Jonah Luzier

Portugal Gravel with Jonah Luzier

Portugal - the best gravel riding in Europe!

Portugal is one of the favorites of the Thomson gravel staff. Spectacular views, perfect gravel, smiling people all around, excellent food and great hospitality make this a bucket-list trip that you should not miss!

Overview

Details

Next Departure

No Upcoming Departures

Duration

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

Not available

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Portugal is one of the most unknown and at the same time awesome cycling destinations for a Thomson trip.

We will cover 2 different areas and landscapes during our journey. First we will enjoy the rugged beauty of the Serra da Estrela mountain range, North of Lisbon and the highest point in the country, for some altitude mix of b-roads and gravel.

We then move South to the famous Algarve, where we will enjoy some of the best gravel terrain the country has to offer, mixing secondary roads with no traffic, agricultural paths and double track gravel roads. We will pass through some beautiful old towns like Aljezur, Vila do Bispo or Sagres, with their beautiful buildings, old churches and all around smiling people (and amazing pastries and food!)

 

Video

Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through Portugal

Trip Technical Difficulty

1
2
3
Mixed terrain gravel, from perfect double tracks to flowy singletrack. Possibly a few more technical sections, overall what most people would recognise as “classic gravel”.

Ride Surfaces

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
15%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
5%

Bike Setup Recommendations

Recommended Tires

700×38

A minimum 700×38, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort and grip if your bike has extra tire clearance.

Recommended Gearing

38T × 11-42

We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.


Gravel Explained

Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.

Click below to see Cycling Tips’ great explainer video on gravel surfaces.
GRADE 1
Bad roads, cobbles and rough paved surfaces. You’d find this rideable on a standard road bike.
GRADE 2
Well-made, hard-packed dirt roads offering a road-like experience but without the traffic. Some rutting and looseness of stones.
GRADE 3
Reasonably smooth gravel. Discernible small rocks over a hard-packed surface.
GRADE 4
Rough gravel with conditions that may include shale, larger gravel and rocks. Tubeless tyres and big clearance are the most practical choice.
GRADE 5
Borderline MTB terrain, at the rougher end of the spectrum for the capabilities of most gravel bikes.

Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bem vindo a Portugal Casa das Penhas Douradas
02 Serra da Estrela North Casa das Penhas Douradas
03 Serra Da Estrela South H2otel
04 Transfer day Monchique Resort & Spa
05 Discovering Monchique Monchique Resort & Spa
06 Towards the Ocean Casa Fajara
07 Salty Gravel Memmo Baleeira Resort
08 Quick leg-shaker before the drop-off in Lisbon!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bem vindo a Portugal

September 24th. Your trip starts in Lisbon where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Manteiga.

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in the beautiful Serra da Estrela mountain range.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Serra da Estrela North

Get ready for the first long day in the saddle on the roads and easy gravel of Serra da Estrela, the highest point in Portugal.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Serra Da Estrela South

Another beautiful and long stage today exploring Manteigas to the south side of the mountain range.

Map & Profile

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
55%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
25%
Grade 4
0%
Grade 5
0%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
50%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
10%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
0%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
40%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
20%
Grade 4
15%
Grade 5
5%

Surface Details

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices

Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
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Waiting List


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    Trip Hotels

    Casa das Penhas Douradas

    Monchique Resort & Spa

    Casa Fajara

    Memmo Baleeira Resort


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off in Lisbon (location TBD)
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8-10 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off in Lisbon (location TBD)
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8-10 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Lisbon Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Hotel in downtown Lisbon (TBD)

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Lisbon Airport

    11:00 am



    Portugal Gravel with Jonah Luzier

    A stunning "beyond tarmac" ride across the Serra da Estrela and Portugal's Algarve region!


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