Foia Uphill Challenge

The Foia Uphill Challenge delivers you extra bike training on holiday. Conquer the Algarve´s highest peak, uphill !

Outdoor-Tours.com has 10 years of experience in the Algarve in organizing fun and safe Downhill Cycling Trips and Downhill Off-road Bike Trips. These tours start from the top of Fóia, with 902 meters the highest peak in South- Portugal ánd from south-west europe.

Through the years, many times we have cycled ourselves uphill to Fóia.

It keeps us fit, and it is a great challenge for all fit holiday makers in the Algarve. In conversations with clients, some of them responded enthusiastically and wanted to join us the next time. Only a few clients have really joined through years, and the reactions were so positive that we´ve decided now to offer it here as the Fóia Uphill Challenge.

So, we´ll start from our office near the coast (see map) on sea level (+6 mtrs) and we´ll cycle in the most straight line possible, up to the top of the “Fóia” (902 meters), see map.

In August & July we´ll start early at around 08h00 to avoid the heat.

The rest of year we´ll start a bit later (around 09h00) so reach the summit on the warmest part of the day.

Downhill. There are 2 options:

– in a group that follows one of our Downhill Cycling Nature Trips or the Downhill off-road Trip (perhaps the rest of your family/friends might join this tour!)

– alone on tarmac straight back to our office

Your Foia Uphill Challange guide will normally cycle downhill with a group that has booked a Downhill Trip for that day. In case there is no group, the guide will cycle with you downhill.

Route Foia Uphill Challenge

The total distance is 30 km with 1000 altitude meters. Normally we see that we complete this challenge in about 3 hours between start and finish, excluding prep-time.

The route starts with relatively flat and quiet tarmac roads through rural valleys. Here you´ll do your warming-up.

After 7 km the terrain changes into a wide gravel road and now you´ll be surrounded by cork trees. Soon this track starts ascending slowly and winds it´s way up through a eucalyptus forest.

The gravel track now shows some loose rocks and put holes, but it would still be possible for example to drive here (slowly) with a mini-van.

Now you have reached the small mountain village of Casais where we´ll take a short break for a coffee. Here we´ve done already 20 km and have reached an altitude of 385 meters.

The second part of the challenge is the steepest part. Here you´ll be riding on steep tarmac roads and some very steep residential cobbled roads with an inclination of 10 – 12 %.

The last part of this uphill trip is on the main two lane road, that leads you to the top of Fóia, which is above tree level. Here, on 902 meters, together with a NATO base, all mobile and TV companies have put their antennas. You´ll also find a restaurant for a well deserved coffee/breakfast/snack (closed on Saturdays).

The views to both the west and the south coast are rewarding !

For dates/ bookings and enquiries get in touch with Frank.
Phone/ whatsapp +351 912 120 123
Email frank <at> outdoor-tours.com or fill in the form below.
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