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A bike tour fit for beginner and intermediate bike touring enthusiasts, in the cradle of Portugal: the Minho region. Ride by marked, easy macadam trails alongside luscious green landscape, from the Lima and Vez Rivers to the Atlantic Ocean, rediscovering the traces of early Portuguese history, from the 12th century on. Relaxing in former Manor Houses, now refurbished as charming hotels, you’ll ride along the Vez and Lima Rivers, in Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez, nearby the Peneda Geres National park, towards the sea, discovering the historical centres of Viana do Castelo, Caminha and Valença, while tasting the trademark green wines, gastronomy and millennial old history of this region. Riding by the Lima river, you’ll reach Ponte de Lima, the oldest “vila” or village, in Portugal, founded in the 12th century and best known by its Roman and Medieval bridge – a small town, which has much to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy and local wines, as this region is renowned by its typical Green wine. Arriving to the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll get to visit Viana do Castelo, with the ever present Santa Luzia Sanctuary overlooking this piscatorial city – explore it’s historical Centre by the sea and enjoy the fresh fish and seafood of the region. From Viana, you’ll start riding by the Atlantic Ecopista, which is also a marked trail that is part of the Camino de Santiago, so you get to ride by the “Camino Português”, a pilgrimage route that started in the 9th Century with the discovery, in Galiza, of the remains of St. James. Arriving to Caminha you’ll get to see the Minho river, that serves as a natural border between Portugal and Galiza, in Northern Spain. Riding alongside the Minho river, by the Ecopista, you’ll reach Valença, where you’ll get to visit and stay for the night inside this 17th century fortress overlooking Spain, where you should try the local “Alvarinho” wines.
Getting to know a bit more of Portugal on two wheels with the Portugal Bike Tours team was unforgettable. They made ...
Day1 - Bike tour in Minho - Transfer from Porto to Arcos de Valdevez. Optional loop (44km, 658 meters elevation gain)
At the scheduled time pick-up at Porto airport, and transfer to Arcos de Valdevez. Check-in at your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the two nights, exploring Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez regions. If you arrive early, we suggest going for a loop ride to Sistelo, an old medieval village, that still retains all its ancestral rural beauty. Night in Arcos de Valdevez at Ribeira Collection Hotel & Spa (upgrade to superior room, in the premium option)
Day 2- Bike tour in Minho - Arcos de Valdevez loop (24km, 284 meters elevation gain or 46km, 612 meters elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, after which you can opt between the proposed ride, or the shorter version, with different difficulty levels. You can choose to ride for 24km, in a bucolic and rural landscape by the right bank of the Vez and Lima rivers, riding on the macadam trails and wooden pathways before returning to your hotel. Or extend the ride up to 46km, continuing north on the Ecopista before crossing the Vez river, to then return by the secondary roads, across the small parishes of Arcos de Valdevez. Night in Arcos de Valdevez at Ribeira Collection Hotel & Spa (upgrade to superior room, in the premium option)
Day 3- Bike tour in Minho – Arcos de Valdevez – Ponte da Barca - Ponte de Lima (36km, 588 meters elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Today you’ll start your ride going south to Ponte da Barca, where you should take your time to marvel at the local manor houses, 12th century Portuguese architecture. Then ride westwards, following the marked trails on the left bank of the Lima river. These are soft riverside macadam trails, with no climbs, that’ll lead you to Ponte de Lima, the oldest “vila” in Portugal, founded in the 12th century. With its imposing Medieval bridge marking the landscape, this small town - where we recommend stopping for lunch - has much to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy and local wines. Cross the bridge to ride upwards, to Paço de Calheiros Manor House – the climb will lead you to a 13 acres estate with its very own manor house and vineyards, and where you’ll be greeted by the Count of Calheiros himself. Night in Ponte de Lima, at Paço de Calheiros Manor House (upgrade to superior room, in the premium option)
Day 4- Bike tour in Minho - Ponte de Lima - Viana do Castelo (34km, 324 meters elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Ride down south, back to the margins of the Lima river – today, you’ll be heading towards the sea! After reaching Ponte de Lima, you'll ride west bound, following the river on the Ecopista. As you are closer to the Foz of the Lima river and the Atlantic ocean, you'll see a change in landscape, as the river grows wider and the vegetation shifts from the luxurious trees of the last days into a more maritime fauna. There are no major climbs today or technical terrain. Crossing the river on the Eifffel bridge, the main entry point in Viana do Castelo, you’ll be able to see the monumental Santa Luzia sanctuary that looks over the city. The historical city Centre of Viana is really worth exploring and has great options for lunch. Spend your night in the city center, or climb a bit more up to the Pousada, for a privileged view over the city. Night in Viana do Castelo, at Casa do Ameal Manor House or Pousada de Viana do Castelo (included in the premium option)
Day 5- Bike tour in Minho - Viana – Caminha (28km, 273 meters elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Today you’ll head North, but first you’ll ride by Viana’s beautiful city Centre, discovering its Fort and Nossa senhora da Agonia church, before reaching the Atlantic Ecopista, which is a part of the “Camino de Santiago” pilgrimage route. This is an ocean side marked trail with no technical difficulties, that’ll lead you to Vila Praia de Âncora and then to Caminha. You’ll ride by macadam trails, backroads and boardwalks by the beautiful beaches of northern Portugal, crossing pine tree forests and some ancient pathways. Once you arrive, take the time to visit the lovely historical centre of Caminha and delight yourself with the local gastronomy, specialised mainly in fresh fish and seafood. Night in Caminha, at Porta do Sol (upgrade to superior room, in the premium option)
Day 6- Bike tour in Minho - Caminha - Valença (31km, 409 meters elevation gain)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Leaving the ocean behind, you’ll ride by the left bank of the Minho river, overlooking Spain across the border as you ride east along the Ecopista towards Valença. No technical difficulties as you’ll ride mainly by a marked pathway alongside the river, towards Vila Nova de Cerveira – its quaint Centre is worth a visit and a stop at a local cafe – and then towards Valença do Minho, marked by its medieval fortress, which you should dedicate some time to explore. You’ll spend the night inside the fortress overlooking Spain and Tui – and make sure to try the “Alvarinho” wines from the region. Night in Valença, at Pousada Valença (upgrade to superior room, in the premium option)
Day 7- Bike tour in Minho - Transfer to Porto
Breakfast and check-out of your hotel. If you feel like riding some more, go for a short loop up to Spain, to visit Tui’s historical city Centre, before being transferred back to Porto at the scheduled time.
If you have a group and want to make this a private tour, or want to schedule a different date than the ones listed above, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
All prices include VAT and may be subject to change. The information in this program is valid up to 31/12/2023, and may suffer from additional changes, due to the availability of the hotels and activities listed in the program. Does not dispense confirmation of this information by Live Love Ride.
If you have a group and want to make this a private tour, or want to schedule a different date than the ones listed above, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
All prices include VAT and may be subject to change. The information in this program is valid up to 31/12/2023, and may suffer from additional changes, due to the availability of the hotels and activities listed in the program. Does not dispense confirmation of this information by Live Love Ride.
If you have a group and want to make this a private tour, or want to schedule a different date than the ones listed above, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
All prices include VAT and may be subject to change. The information in this program is valid up to 31/12/2023, and may suffer from additional changes, due to the availability of the hotels and activities listed in the program. Does not dispense confirmation of this information by Live Love Ride.
