ViaAlgarviana

Great mountain biking in a warm winter climate

A new 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, but we are going to bike it!
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Everyday our guide will lead you along 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 see one or two obstacles where you might find yourself walking. But feel challenged to ride it all the way!
Frequently we 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 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.

Itinerary:

Day 1:
Arrival at Faro Airport, transfer at 18h00 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.

You will bike through the interior of the Portuguese Algarve, passing villages lost in the past, with amazing landscapes. Our MTB guide will show you the unique fauna and flora and all the magnificent sites and the most beautiful scenery 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.

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.
Fitness level required nº 4, difficulty D, see our PDF-file with grades here >>

The regular price for this guided mountain bike week, based on half board, is EUR 575 pp.
For 2010 we introduce the following special offers:

SPECIAL 2010 OFFERS:

13 - 20 March 2010: EURO 488.75 INTRODUCTION OFFER - 15 % OFF !
12 - 19 May 2010: EURO 499.00 EXCELLENT SPRING TIME OFFER !
29 Sept - 06 Oct 2010: EURO 546.25 INCLUDES 5 % DISCOUNT FOR EARLY BOOKERS

PRICE INCLUDES: AIRPORT TRANSFERS, LUGGAGE TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATION, HALF BOARD AND MTB GUIDE.

Available at any dates for groups with a minimum of 6 persons, contact us for your group rate and availability.

Prices are per person, per trip in Euros.

Includes:

• private transfer from Faro Airport to Alcoutim & free transportation of your MTB (departure time from Faro will be 18h00)
• private transfer from Lagos to Faro Airport & free transportation of MTB (departure time from Lagos will be 08h30)
• private transfer from Sagres to Lagos on the last riding day & free transportation of your MTB
• 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 (on days 3 and 4 a drink is included as well)
• 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 available at € 95 for the 6 days, see specs here >>
• lunches in local tavernes in the Algarve interior, allow yourself € 5 - 10 per day
• energy snacks during the day
• drinking water to fill up your Camelbak or bottles
• (extra) 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 on first day at € 93 for max 4 people including 4 bikes
• extra private airport taxi from Lagos to Faro on last day at € 69 for max 4 people including 4 bikes

• 3 star hotel Guerreiros do Rio in Alcoutim:
  • March:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 47,50 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 37,50 per night per room
  • May & 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:
  • March & May:
    • Twin room inc breakfast € 44,00 per night per room
    • Single room inc breakfast € 37,50 per night per room
  • 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:

Via Algarviana                   AllTravel Lda                      BikeZone
GR 13                                Travel Agent                       Bikeshops
Walking Project Algarve    Transfers                            Portugal