Via Algarviana

Great mountain biking through Portuguese country side

A challenging Mountain Bike Adventure in Portugual’s sunshine district: the Algarve.

The Via Algarviana, also known as the Grande Route 13, is leading you from the Spanish border, to Europe´s most South-West cape; the Cabo São Vicente.

It is designed as a hiking path, and you can also bike it!
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Everyday our guide will lead you along the 50 - 75 km and you will challenge daily an average of 2200 altitude meters. The route is mainly single and double tracks.
As the Via Algarviana is designed as a hiking route, each day we will see one or two obstacles where you might find yourself walking. But feel challenged to ride it all the way!
Frequently we will bike on wide gravel roads…rarely you will feel tarmac. Needless to say we will not meet much traffic or dense population.
The Via Algarviana is a new route and relatively unknown and quiet; on an average day we encounter only 1 or 2 couples walking or biking on the tracks.

This mountain bike week will challenge your skills and it will make an excellent (winter)training for you.
These are 300 kilometers off-road fun, in one week.

MTB groups on the Via Algarviana

This mountain bike week is available at any dates for groups with a minimum of 8 persons. You can choose your own start date, and start day of the week.

The airport transfers are private and exclusive for your group. You are flexible in the time for your group transfer. On your arrival day, one free transfer to Alcoutim is included. Would you need additional transfers, feel free to request a quote with us, or see below for the price for 4 people.

A discount is available for groups who prefer to bike without a guide. On the Internet are many gps routes of the Via Algarviana available, and the route is in general well signposted. In case you would decide to ride without our guide, we will still deliver your luggage every day.

On day 2 and day 3 we are limited to 20 riders due to availability in accommodations. In case your group exceeds 20 riders, we can arrange tents and (cold) shower. Diners and breakfast can be arranged for larger groups. Alternatively for larger groups you could decide to start riding from day 4 in the morning. Just drop us an email any time.

Best time of the year for mountain biking on the Via Algarviana

For this mountain bike week we recommend to avoid the busy and hot summer months July and August. The interior of the Algarve will not cool off so much as it does on the coast. Besides that, availability in the accommodations is hard to find and higher priced.

The Algarve “winter” months are great for biking, but the weather in December, January and Februari is a bit less stable. You could ride your bike in blue skies for weeks, but there are some days with occassional showers. Day temperatures are between 15 - 20º C.

We normally see that riding the Via Algarviana is the most pleasant in the months March, April, May, June and September, October and November. Day temperatures are between 20 - 30º C.

Itinerary:

You will bike through the interior of the Portuguese Algarve. You will pass Algarve villages lost in the past, and discover amazing landscapes of the Sotavento and Barrocal. Your MTB guide will show you the sub-tropical fauna and flora on the most interesting sites of the Algarve interior.
The overnight stays will be in rural accommodations, located in unique settings in the Portuguese countryside. Here you will rest and fill up your reserves for the next day with a healthy and nutritious diner. And, we´ll make sure there is a cold drink available when you arrive.

Day 1:
Arrival at Faro Airport, transfer to the hotel nearby Alcoutim. Briefing and diner.

Day 2:
First day on the bike; rolling hills, authentic Portugal - 59 km, 1510 altitude meters.
Stay overnight in a local lodge nearby an old copper mine and a donkey sanctuary in Vaqueiros.

Day 3:
Biking through cork tree forests and beautiful farmlands. - 60 km, 2800 altitude meters.
Stay overnight in a rural bed & breakfast, run by a fantastic chef near Baranco do Velho.

Day 4:
Biking to Silves, passing Salir and Alte with amazing landscapes near well known Rocha da Pena - 63 km, 2600 altitude meters.
Stay overnight in a comfortable hotel near the river Arade, and 2 minutes walking distance to the historical centre of Silves.

Day 5:
Climbing up the Serra de Monchique with the highest point of the Algarve - 46 km, 2900 altitude meters. Stay overnight in a cosy bed & breakfast on the south slope of the highest mountain (Fóia - 902 mtr), with outstanding views.

Day 6:
Riding downhill the Serra de Monchique, our trail will lead you to Europe´s most south west point, Cabo São Vicente - 78km, 1366 altitude meters.
Transfer to buzzing Lagos and time to look back to a fantastic week of biking, in one of the many bars in the old centre of surf town Lagos. Stay overnight in a comfortable 3 star hotel near the centre.

Day 7:
Free day to relax and discover the historic town of Lagos, from where the Portuguese started to discover the world. There is a great coastal trail to ride, or lots of water sport activities to do.
Stay overnight in a comfortable 3 star hotel near the centre.

Day 8:
Transfer at 08h30 back to Faro Airport. End of a great mountain bike week.

Is the Via Algarviana my tour?

This trip is suitable for everyone between 15 - 65 years with mountain bike experience and a good fitness level. Although it´s more a social then a competitive event, please make sure that you and you´re equipment are in excellent condition for this demanding week. We assume that when you book this holiday, you have already some mountain bike experience, and that you will not join this tour to learn to ride, or see it as a try out.
The guide holds a valid First Aid certificate and knows the quickest ways to emergency health services. We have an excellent safety record, and it´s our ambition to keep it like that.

Fitness level required nº 4, technical level required D, see our grades here >> [PDF]

2012 PRICES & DATES:

Check below the friendly price for your favourite month of mountain biking on the Via Algarviana in the Portuguese Algarve.
Included in the package are two return airport transfers (also for your bike!), every day luggage transportation, 1 week accommodation with half board and an experienced mtb guide. The regular price for this guided mountain bike week, based on half board, is EUR 599 pp.
For 2012 we introduce the following special offers:

January - February - March 2012: EUR 499 ENJOY THE FIRST SUNSHINE - EUR 100 OFF !
April + May 2012: EUR 529 EXCELLENT SPRING TIME OFFER !
June 2012: EUR 569
September 2012: EUR 569 INCLUDES 5 % DISCOUNT FOR EARLY BOOKERS
October 2012: EUR 529
November + December 2012: EUR 499 WINTER PROMOTION - EUR 100 OFF !

Prices are per person, per trip in Euros.

Includes:

• one private transfer for your group and your MTB´s from Faro Airport to Alcoutim (departure time from Faro chosen by you)
• one private transfer for your group from Lagos to Faro Airport & free transportation of your MTB (departure time from Lagos chosen by you)
• private transfer for your group together on the last riding day from Sagres to Lagos & free transportation of your MTB´s
• 7 nights staying in rural hotels or lodges, based on sharing a room with 1 other person (on days 2, 3 you might be sharing your room with 2 people, depending on groups size and availability)
• most accommodations have internet access, but some do charge for it
• a healthy breakfast with lots of fruits and energy
• a tasty diner, full of carbo hydrates and vegetables
• every day luggage transportation to the next accommodation
• mountain bike guide with first aid kit, mobile phone and mechanical support kit
• a support car is stand-by

Not included:

• MTB rental for your size is now available at € 87 for the 6 riding days, see specs here >>
• lunches in local tavernes in the Algarve interior, allow yourself € 7 - 14 per day
• energy snacks during the day
• drinking water to fill up your Camelbak or bottles
• drinks during the diners when not included
• personal expenses
• travel insurance for personal accidents and repatriation (Outdoor-Tours.com offers this at € 14 for the week per person, minimum insurance conditions accordingly to Portuguese law)

Extra stay:

In case you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer in the Algarve we can arrange extra nights, and book an extra private transfer for you and your bike:

• extra private airport taxi to Alcoutim at € 102 for max 4 people including 4 bikes
• extra private airport taxi from Lagos to Faro at € 86 for max 4 people including 4 bikes

• 3 star hotel Guerreiros do Rio in Alcoutim:
  • January, February, March, April + October, November & December 2012:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 47,50 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 37,50 per night per room
  • May, June & September:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 57,50 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 47,50 per night per room
• 3 star hotel Monte Mar in Lagos:
  • January, February, March, April, May + October, November & December 2012:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 44,00 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 37,50 per night per room
  • June + September:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 52,50 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 47,00 per night per room

Booking Conditions:

• Contact us with the dates and the number of participants for your pre-booking
• We will confirm availability and the total cost and payment options
• After we have received your 30 % deposit the booking is confirmed
• See our conditons page for booking & cancelation conditions
• Rates and programme are subject to alteration without prior notice

This great MTB week is supported by:

AllTravel Lda
Travel Agent
Transfers