Santarém, Almourol, Serra da Estrela & Nazaré, 8 Days

The meeting point in the morning is Santarém, with a transfer from local hotels and railway stations available if needed. After the briefing and kitting out, very easy paths lead into a nearby forest, where the rest of the day belongs to the basic techniques – around 60 kilometres, followed by a shared dinner.

Northeast the way runs into the North Alentejo, where a mixture of fast tracks and forest paths waits, surrounded by pastures and small villages. The high points are the wide views over the Tagus and a brief stop at Almourol Castle on its island. Back in Santarém, 150 to 200 kilometres.

Northwest a coffee at the salt mines of Rio Maior comes first, then the tracks of the Serra de Aire national park. Out the other side the way continues to Nazaré, where lunch is likely, and in the afternoon back by an alternative route, 150 to 200 kilometres.

Today you can rest and do as you please. You keep full access to your rental machine, and we will suggest a few nearby places worth a visit as well as a few off-road routes, in case resting is not your thing after all.

Eastward the way returns to the Alentejo with its golden pastures and fields. A long but fast riding day, at the end of which it climbs to Castelo de Vide near the Spanish border. Depending on the season a swim stop by the river is possible along the way, around 180 kilometres.

Northward the way approaches the highest range in Portugal at 1,993 metres. The landscape changes dramatically, from the dry plains south of the Tagus to the greener forests of the north. The destination is Piodão, a World Heritage village built entirely of slate, around 180 kilometres.

Southwest the way heads toward the sea. Today too the landscape changes noticeably as the mountains fall away and the more densely settled coastal region begins. The day ends near Fátima, a pilgrimage site known the world over for the Virgin Mary, around 160 kilometres.

The final day passes close to Nazaré once more, but this time carries on south to the bay at S. Martinho and as far as Peniche. Lunch is grilled fish from the local catch. On the way back come the castle of Óbidos and another coffee at the salt mines, with the day ending around 5 pm in Santarém.