Self guided cycling holiday in the Algarve, mountains to sea
| country: | Portugal |
| location: | Algarve |
| trip type: | Self guided, moderate cycling holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you (Jul & Aug are best avoided as it can be too hot) and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From £460 - £540 (8 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, transfers, maps and routes and bike hire |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This 7 night holiday offers you the opportunity to explore the unspoilt west Algarve beginning in the hills of the Serra de Monchique – the heart of the Monchique bio park. Here you have the opportunity to cycle around the hills before heading downhill & along the Seixe valley to the village of Odeceixe.
The village lies just inland from the sea but in the Cape St Vincent Natural Park and for the remainder of your holiday your routes are all within the Park. You have a day to explore the coastline here before we transfer you south to ‘Lovers beach’ where you cycle the magnificent Pontal headland before travelling to Cape St Vincent (considered by the Romans to be the ‘end of the world’) and the port of Sagres.
From here you cycle the southern margins of the Park exploring unspoilt beaches and the standing stones (3,000BC) of Monte das Amantes before finishing at the fishing village of Salema.
You cycle on a mixture of quiet country roads and good tracks, busy main roads are avoided wherever possible and so are steep hills. In each town you stay there is a good selection of restaurants, bars and small shops.
Included in this holiday are 2 nights in a small Albergaria just outside Monchique town, 2 nights in a small Portuguese guest house in Odeceixe, 1 night in a small Albergaria in Sagres and 2 nights in a comfortable guest house in Salema (all accommodation is on a bed and breakfast in a double/twin room with en-suite facilities), transfers to and from Faro airport or arrival point in the Algarve, baggage transfers, bike rental & insurance, map routes & notes, and back up support.
The village lies just inland from the sea but in the Cape St Vincent Natural Park and for the remainder of your holiday your routes are all within the Park. You have a day to explore the coastline here before we transfer you south to ‘Lovers beach’ where you cycle the magnificent Pontal headland before travelling to Cape St Vincent (considered by the Romans to be the ‘end of the world’) and the port of Sagres.
From here you cycle the southern margins of the Park exploring unspoilt beaches and the standing stones (3,000BC) of Monte das Amantes before finishing at the fishing village of Salema.
You cycle on a mixture of quiet country roads and good tracks, busy main roads are avoided wherever possible and so are steep hills. In each town you stay there is a good selection of restaurants, bars and small shops.
Included in this holiday are 2 nights in a small Albergaria just outside Monchique town, 2 nights in a small Portuguese guest house in Odeceixe, 1 night in a small Albergaria in Sagres and 2 nights in a comfortable guest house in Salema (all accommodation is on a bed and breakfast in a double/twin room with en-suite facilities), transfers to and from Faro airport or arrival point in the Algarve, baggage transfers, bike rental & insurance, map routes & notes, and back up support.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival & transfer to Monchique. |
| Day 2: | A circular ride around the foothills of Picota and Foia with a chance to visit the old spa town of Caldas de Monchique, 46km. |
| Day 3: | You descend down to the Seixe valley where you cycle west to Odeceixe, 40km. |
| Day 4: | A circular ride through countryside & cliff tops with the opportunity to visit the Esteveira nature reserve, 46km. |
| Day 5: | You head south today passing Carrapateira where you cycle the beautiful headland before travelling to Cape St Vincent & Sagres, 50km. |
| Day 6: | Continuing your journey through the Natural Park you visit the beaches of Ingrina & Zavial before reaching Salema, 38km. |
| Day 7: | A free day with the opportunity to visit the historical town of Lagos, we can provide a cycle route through the National Forest if you prefer, 32km. |
| Day 8: | Transfer back to your departure point in the Algarve. |
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
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The west Algarve coastline was designated a Natural Park to protect the unique flora which includes a large number of endemic plants; by visiting the area using designated roads and tracks you are helping to support the work of the Park officials who are under constant threat from developers.
The holiday uses small locally owned accommodation and we as a company pay a fair price for rooms, we do not seek large discounts. Many of the local people from the Monchique area and west coast have to move to the larger resorts to find employment which is having a detrimental effect on local villages & families: by using local accommodation & restaurants you can help to provide jobs & bring much needed income to the community. Cycling is the perfect way to see an area without damaging the environment & we actively encourage all our clients to be environmentally aware. To help clients get the most out of the holiday we provide all our clients with an information sheet which includes tips and general background on lifestyle and customs of the local people. We actively encourage our clients to be environmentally aware of all their actions and act in a proper, responsible manner at all times. Information, tips and recommendations on the life and customs of the local people are given to all clients. As much as we can our office recycles waste and we use recycled products when ever possible. We are aware that travel in any country has some effect on the area and with this in mind we strive to lessen the impact, promote local employment through use and at all times show a positive attitude towards the environment and encourage others to appreciate its importance. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |