The House
Portugal Gravel
The House – Portugal Gravel
Southern Portugal’s Algarve region - maybe the best gravel riding in Europe!
From the Spanish border through the Monchique mountains and a spectacular conclusion on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve, in the south of Portugal, has some of the best Beyond Tarmac riding in Europe.
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
Loosely based on the famous Via Algarviana cycling and hiking route, this 6 day traverse of the Algarve region in the south of 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!
Our East to West Beyond Tarmac pilgrimage starts in the town of Tavira near the Spanish border. Perfect gravel trails through dense pine and eucalyptus forests kick off the ride before we head into the Monchique mountains where we gradually start smelling the salty breeze of the Atlantic Ocean which will welcome us for the final stages.
Video
Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through the Algarve
Trip Technical Difficulty
Ride Surfaces
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.
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bem vindo a Portugal | Hotel Quinta do Marco | |||
| 02 | Pavé du Sud | Amendoeira Golf Resort | |||
| 03 | The heart of the Via Algarviana | Monchique Resort & Spa | |||
| 04 | The Monchique Mountains | Monchique Resort & Spa | |||
| 05 | Towards the Ocean | Casa Fajara | |||
| 06 | Salty Gravel | Memmo Baleeira Resort | |||
| 07 | Obrigado! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bem vindo a Portugal
Your trip starts at the Lisbon Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Tavira, close to the Spanish border.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride, an magnificent route through the fishing port of Tavira and past the amazing beaches of this part of Portugal.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Pavé du Sud
We kick off our journey across the Algarve with a stunning ride through typical, quaint Portuguese villages with lots of narrow trails decorated by centuries-old stone walls. You’ll also get to experience the Portuguese pavé, ancient routes made of cobbles and that are gradually being converted to gravel or pavement.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
The heart of the Via Algarviana
Another beautiful stage today. If yesterday’s route was all about small villages and meeting people, today we are going to feel adventurous and remote. We follow the Via Algarviana official track through vast eucalyptus forests without a town in sight until we reach the road again close to Silves. From there we alternate some beautiful little roads with nice gravel tracks to get to the Thermal Resort in Monchique (spa time!)
Tip: don’t forget your swimsuit, we are staying in a Thermal Resort tonight! In fact, we are staying here for 2 nights in a row, so get ready for some relaxing spa time!
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Map & Profile
Surface Details
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Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount |
|---|
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
Hotel Quinta do Marco
Amendoeira Golf Resort
Monchique Resort & Spa
Casa Fajara
Memmo Baleeira Resort
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 |
|---|
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 |
|---|---|
|
Lisbon Airport |
11:00 am |
The House – Portugal Gravel
A stunning "beyond tarmac" ride across Southern Portugal's Algarve region!
