The Algarve self-guided MTB Holiday offers you a clean & safe cycling setting that you can start any day of the year.
Individual rooms are available with full access to the Portuguese kitchen. We´ll provide you with 10 GPS routes, a support vehicle, airport/luggage transfers and personal 24/7 support.
“Excellent service from Outdoor – Tours … I would certainly recommend this company for anyone requiring an adventure holiday in the Algarve. Obrigado.”
Ride with friend(s) and love the:
✅ the freedom of travelling alone with the aid of a GPS route
✅ the experience of exploring by yourself and together with your bike buddies
✅ the independence, but appreciate the 24hr support from our customer service team
The Algarve Self-Guided MTB Holiday
The Algarve Self-Guided MTB Holiday is a 6-day trip that offers a wide range of GPS routes for you to choose from. They take into consideration all skill levels and personal interests, so you decide which trails suit you best.
Our routes cover large stretches of ground along the Via Algarviana, between the Spanish border and the Cape St. Vincent, the most south-westerly point of Portugal.
Originally a hiking trail known as the GR13, we have converted the Via into a fantastic MTB route that takes you through picturesque villages and rural backcountry, past rolling hills and breathtaking landscapes.
Our GPS routes lead you over double and single tracks, through lush forests and grasslands. The average daily distance is between 50km – 70km, with a long, 85km trek on the last day.
The iconic lighthouse of Cape Saint Vincent, high on the rocks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is where your journey ends. And if you’re lucky enough to catch a sunset from here, well, that’s a little bit of magic that will stay with you long after your holiday is over.
By this point, you probably will have worked up quite an appetite, so that night you’ll enjoy a delicious Portuguese dinner in the nearby hotel. A buffet breakfast will also be available for you the next morning.
Are you happy to ride the Via Algarviana self-guide and prefer to ride with others? Look for our scheduled MTB holidays. MTB groups and clubs can contact us for a Guided Trans Algarve MTB Holiday.
Hire A Bike Or Bring Your Own
Prefer to bring your own bike? That’s absolutely fine. We’ll transport it from Faro Airport to your hotel in Faro. We’ll also store your bike box for you until you need it again.
Giant 29er Hard-Tail 
We ride Giant 29ers with 2×10 or 3×10 gears and hydraulic disc brakes. These hard-tails come with a helmet and bottle holder. Please advice if you need SPD pedals.
Price: €120 for one week (6 days), including delivery.
Fully Carbon XT + FOX 32/FLOAT
This 29-er carbon MTB full suspension with XT set up makes you fly through the Algarve. Available in various frame sizes for €279 for 7 days.
KTM 29er E-bike 
If you prefer we can hire you a KTM Macina Race 29er E-bike from our local KTM dealership.
Price: €279 for 7 days including delivery.
Enquire now
Get in touch about your preferred date, group size and other requirements.
Covid-19 “Clean & Safe”
Portugal takes Covid19 seriously and has low numbers of cases and fatalities. Algarve Outdoor Tours is committed to follow its coronavirus policy.
The Algarve Self-Guided MTB Holiday is for you if…
- You are between 16 – 70 years of age
- You have mountain biking experience in off-road conditions
- You have some technical skills
- You have a good level of fitness to cover the daily high metres
Required fitness level nº 4, technical D
Make sure that you are in excellent condition for this week. Spare parts are not always in stock and not quickly available in the Algarve.
Included
- 2 x airport transfers
- transport of your bike or hire bike
- 7 nights in rural B&B´s or 4* hotel
- 7 x daily healthy breakfast
- 1 x tasty Portuguese dinner
- daily luggage transport
- GPS route with POIs
- daily support
- liability insurance
- Portuguese guarantee fund
Not included
- personal accident (mandatory)
- repatriation insurance (mandatory)
- MTB guide (available on request)
- Giant hard tail 29er – €120 per week
- KTM Macina E-bike – €279 per week
- lunches (allow €10-15 pp)
- dinners, except on day 2
- extra drinks, water during dinner
- extra transport, taxis or broom car
Booking conditions
- Contact us with your request and the number of participants
- We will confirm availability and the total cost
- In these exceptional times, we now accept last-minute payments.
- See our conditions page for full details
Itinerary on the Algarve Self-Guided MTB Holiday
Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to 4* hotel in Faro
Once you are settled in your hotel you can choose to explore Faro on foot (map provided) or follow our GPS route for a short afternoon ride to the beach. You can also enjoy free use of the Spa and Gym in the hotel.
33 km -100/ +100 m
Day 2: Ride to Monte Gordo
Ride along the coast, through traditional fishing villages, to the Spanish border. Stop halfway for a delicious lunch of fresh fish and sparkling green wine, the Portuguese Prosecco.
Sleep in a 4* hotel, just a stone’s throw away from the beach. Dinner is included.
72 km -390/ +367 m
Day 3: Ride to Baranco do Velho
Cycle inland over rolling hills and through the remote countryside where the famous Portuguese cork grows. Little known fact, but Portugal actually provides 50% of the world’s cork.
Stop for the night in a cosy B&B where you’ll participate in a truly authentic gastronomic experience. Dinner is included.
65 km -910/ +1724 m
Day 4: Ride to Silves
Cruise along single tracks by the river Algibre and down through lush valleys crowded with fruit trees.
Sleep in a 3* hotel in the ancient city of Silves. We can advise you on the best restaurants in town.
75 km -1000/ +540 m
Day 5: Rest Day/ Ride to the beach
Relax by the pool with your favourite book, or follow our GPS route to the nearest beach for a refreshing dip in the ocean and a sardine lunch. Choose from the 2 GPS routes available.
Sleep in Silves in the same 3* hotel, and try out a different local restaurant.
45 km -290/ +290 m
Day 6: Ride to Monchique
Today is an uphill trek to Mt. Foia, the highest point in the Serra de Monchique. Ride through the perfumed air of the eucalyptus forests, up to 900m.
Sleep in a rustic B&B, on the southern slope of Foia, with magnificent views all the way to the sea. Dinner is a regional speciality that this B&B is famous for.
On-road: 47 km -810/ +1290 m (1 peak included)
Off-road: 44 km -985/ +1690 m (2 peaks included)
Day 7: Ride to Cape St. Vincente
It may seem like you’re riding downhill all the way, but today you’ll still climb around 1000 metres. Rolling landscapes of giant eucalyptus trees and ancient cork forests provide the backdrop to your trip. Finish your ride with a well-earned beer in the café near the iconic lighthouse of Cape St Vincent. In winter you might be lucky to watch the sunset from the top of the rocks, at the most south-westerly point of Europe!
Return transfer to the 4* hotel in Faro
85 km -1530/ +1050 m
Day 8: Return Transfer to Faro Airport
We’ll pick you up approx 2½ hours before your flight so there’s no rush. Once on board, you can take a moment to look back over the very satisfying week you’ve just spent in the saddle, on the Algarve Self-Guided MTB Holiday.
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