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Tours

Road Bike Tour along the Mythical N2

dates
13rd - 21st April 2024
19th - 27th October 2024
Type Guided
Lodging Comfort

One road, one adventure but different landscapes, different traditions and a country to see top to bottom - a road cycling trip crossing Portugal, from North to South. You will follow the longest and most mythical road in Portugal - National Road 2.

It is not only a road marked by different eras and stories but also an exceptional panoramic, historical-cultural and gastronomic itinerary with all that Portugal can offer. From km 0 to the final destination, the opportunities to experience different routes are almost limitless, from scenic and water routes, religious and historical routes, oenological and gastronomic routes to cultural heritage routes.
This trip is based on an annual event that goes from Portugal from Chaves, on the mountainous northern border, to Faro, on the sunny south coast. It is a unique opportunity to challenge your senses in discovering the diversity and history of an entire country. So come and challenge yourself to a unique adventure!

Daily Itinerary

Day 01
Arrival to Portugal​
Arrive in Porto and transfer to the hotel in Chaves.
The hilly city of Porto presents a mingle of styles and eras that will enchant you. Porto is renowned all over the world for its delicious fortified wine, its strong people and gorgeous Ribeira. After a quick transfer, get to know the beautiful city of Chaves. Enigmatic for its thermal baths and the Roman bridge of Trajan, today you can rest and can walk through this small city and its historic centre, climb its tower and admire the colourful balconies while eating a pastel of Chaves.
Briefing.
Overnight in Chaves.
Day 02
Cycling Route 1: Chaves – Régua (90Km)
Begin your journey without major difficulties, going up and down the mountains as you cross the northern landscape of the Trás-os-Montes region and head into the breathtaking Douro Valley. The entrance to the Alto Douro Wine Region is drawn in twisted contours, modelled by man and with the noble distinction of World Heritage by UNESCO. Here you will travel through small villages and cross slopes of vineyards and orchards. After crossing the Douro River into the city of Peso da Régua, you will strive towards the Mézio summit, with its 1000m of elevation, a challenging high point. In Régua, don’t forget to visit the Douro Museum to learn more about the history of this beautiful region, before you go out to dinner and try the local cuisine, accompanied by amazing wine.
Overnight in Régua.
Day 03
Cycling Route 2: Régua – Tondela (108Km)
Today you will continue south, visiting the historical town of Viseu, quiet and rich in historical Portuguese treasures, keeper of sacred art and religious architecture - as seen in the numerous churches that fill its historical centre. Maybe consider a stop to visit its cathedral and try their famous sweets, like the “Viriato” – a V-shaped cake made with special dough, filled with egg candy and layered with granulated sugar. Leaving the vineyards behind, eucalyptus and pine trees dominate the landscape, which gives you a gorgeous lookout filled with beauty and peace of mind. Stop to rest in Tondela, an ancient city of the Dão wine region, where you can try the fresh wines while exploring its gorgeous historical centre.
Overnight in Tondela.
Day 04
Cycling Route 3: Tondela – Pedrógão Pequeno (122Km)
A day filled with nature as you follow the Mondego and ride through the Lousã Mountain Range. Don’t miss the “Library of Mondego”, a self-describing fantastic geological phenomenon. Although there are two of the harder climbs of this journey during today’s ride, it is all worth it in order to marvel at the beauty that Lousã has to show you. Deeply wrinkled by water lines, a land of rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes, it is a work of nature where, just a few kilometres from civilization, you can find deer, wild boar and roe deer that happily wander among the cork oaks, oaks and pines that protect them.
You also pass through Pedrógão Grande, one of the regions in the country where natural beauty, customs and popular traditions, combined with the purity of the air and water, are maintained. It’s where the “warriors” will have their deserved rest over the great lake of the Cabril dam, which is one of the biggest dams in Portugal. The finish line of the day will lead you to Pedrógão Pequeno.
Overnight in Pedrogão Pequeno.
Day 05
Cycling Route 4: Pedrogao Pequeno – Montargil (130Km)
Following another river, the Zêzere, for these first few kilometres, you will leave the northern and central mountains of Portugal and get into the flatter landscapes of the Alentejo. But before that, you will pass through Vila Real, a sleepy university town set in a sea of rural tranquillity. This city is filled with Gothic churches, a former holiday palace of the Portuguese Royal Family, and the geodetic centre of Portugal, the Picoto da Melriça. The Tejo river will deeply mark the change in the scenery, to one of peaceful countryside with olive groves, cork and oak trees, dams full of biodiversity and small whitewashed villages, that are enriched by the alternating and colourful contours of doors and windows.
Overnight in Montargil.
Day 06
Cycling Route 5: Montargil – Odivelas (Alentejo) (122Km)
Welcome to the flattest section of the entire journey! These will be the easiest days, with straight roads and flat terrains ahead of you. It is a chance to see the gorgeous landscape of Alentejo. populated with small villages like Ciborro, filled with picturesque tiny white houses. Observe a “Montado” area, filled with ancient and huge Sobreiros - coak oak trees. 
You will also have the chance to visit Montemor-o-Novo! This town is known for its heroes, whose mark in Portuguese history was won in the battles for the nation's freedom, and for its traditional dishes that fill the senses and delight the taste buds, while its wines warm even the coldest soul. Its ex-libris, an ancient castle built over a moor fortress, was home to several historical moments such as the final planning for the sea crossing to India, by Vasco da Gama in 1496. Stay the night at the typical “alentejana” village of Odivelas, which has a unique feeling of calm, tranquillity and comfort to those who visit it.
Overnight in Odivelas.
Day 07
Cycling Route 6: Odivelas – Almodovar (70Km)
On these endless roads of tranquillity, take a look up once in a while and scan the skies for the amazing birdlife of the region. Today you will ride what is known as “White Field”, a tone of colour acquired during the summer months - from Owls, to Red Kites, Common Buzzards and even Storks! Pass through the mining village of Aljustrel before reaching the gorgeous plains of Castro Verde. This city boasts a Unesco Biosphere Reserve for its golden (cereal grain) fields, natural grasslands and endemic bird species, including the Iberian Imperial eagle, one of the most endangered birds of prey in the world. These plains are also home to wintering northern European bird species, so it is a true bird watching paradise all year round.
Almodóvar is your stop tonight. A small village with pretty streets filled with traditional white buildings marked by the colourful edges of its doors and windows, a traditional Portuguese style.
Overnight in Almodovar.
Day 08
Cycling Route 7: Almodovar – Faro (80Km)
As you leave the Alentejo and cycle to enter the Algarve, you will see the significant change in landscape, as mountains are back to challenge you one last time. You will climb through the Caldeirão Mountain range, which is of critical climatic importance as a barrier for the northern cold winds, contributing to the famous nice weather of the Algarve. Throughout it, you can find water mills, dams, windmills, barns and other symbols of an ancestral rural lifestyle. You will also pass at the “Barranco do Velho”, an iconic mountain pass where many editions of the “Volta ao Algarve” were decided. On the last leg of this adventure, which was kilometres and kilometres of pure beauty, incredible landscapes, unique heritage and opportunities to taste rich gastronomy, you will start heading towards Faro. Often overlooked, the district capital has nevertheless managed to maintain its peaceful atmosphere and traditional charm within the walls of its ancient city. Known mainly for its historical monuments, such as the gothic cathedral and Episcopal palace, as well as its marina, it also provides easy access to other cities, such as Loulé, Albufeira and Olhão, allowing you to diversify the end of your trip. 
Overnight in Faro.
Day 09
Departure
Transfer from Faro to Faro Airport.
End of services.
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Dates & Prices

Fixed Dates: 
28th October - 5th November 2023 [sold out]
13rd - 21st April 2024 [new]
19th - 27th October 2024 [new]

Prices:
From 1790.00€/person | Min. 8 participants
Single Supplement: 395€/person

Note: It is also possible to do this tour in more or less stages. Contact us for more information.

More Information

Included
 
  • Organization of the program
  • 8 nights of accommodation in a double room, breakfast included
  • Daily Briefings  
  • 1 A2Z Driver guide giving support during all stages
  • 2/3 Pit Stops on each stage
  • Luggage transfers – 1 bag per person – up to 15kg/bag;
  • Transfers from Porto to Chaves and from Faro to Faro Airport
  • Personal accident insurance
Extra services
 
  • Road Bike Rental Carbon: on request
  • Cost for 1 A2Z Riding Guide: on request
  • Costs for 1 Mechanic to give assistance during riding days: on request
  • Non-standard Transfer Porto - Chaves (Van 4 pax) plus bike bag: on request
  • Transfer from Faro to Lisboa/Porto: on request
 
Not included
 
  • Personal equipment
  • Other personal expenses
  • All items not mentioned in “included”
  • Flights


 

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