Minho and Porto by bike : from the mountains to the sea
- Peneda-Gerês National Park filled with unique species
- Fishing villages frozen in time, plenty of traditions
- Porto and its World Heritage centre
Reference : PT3
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to November
Departure: Sunday
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
Your cycling tour from Minho to Porto:
The Minho and Porto biking holiday will give you an almost surrealistic “change of scenery” experience. Starting high in the mountains area, you will literally cycle down to the Atlantic Ocean stretching before you as far as you can see. This land is also blessed by the Minho, Lima and Douro rivers, each of which will accompany you at one stage or another of your ride.
This is a proud land, proud of its maritime history and of the remains of the fortifications that helped keep the Spanish well within their borders. It is the land of fine mountain cuisine and, along the cost, a wealth of fish and seafood dishes, best enjoyed with a glass of Vinho Verde.
Cycle across the ancient Roman bridge at Ponte de Lima, famous for its beauty and its importance to medieval pilgrims as they made their way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy biking through the North of Portugal at its most authentic.
Day 1 : Arrival in Porto airport - Transfer to Castro Laboreiro
Shared transfer at 2:00 pm from Porto airport to Castro Laboreiro, inside the Gerês National Park. As you are driven across the hills and mountains of the countryside, past extensive vineyards, you will observe small villages dotted here and there, like pieces of mosaic, on the distant hills. This is a tiny hamlet with beautiful wind and watermills.
Day 2 : Castro Laboreiro – Monção | 44 km or 57 km
The first stage is exceptionally beautiful, a pleasant downhill journey past the Spanish border, past a landscape of stark granite outcrops and few trees, across the northern regions of the Gerês National Park and into the land of the Serra de Peneda mountain range. Then you arrive in Monção, the fortified town on the River Minho, you will understand why the Portuguese are so proud of the fact that the Spanish were never able to conquer them.
Day 3 : Monção - Vila Praia de Ancora | 48 km
Today, you cycle along the river Minho to the Atlantic Ocean. This journey will take you through the demarcated Vinho Verde winemaking region and the vineyards that produce the dry white wine for which it is famous. Enjoy the elegant Brejoeira Palace and also the impressive 17th century stronghold at Valença and the Vila Nova de Cerveira fort. That evening, you will stay in Vila Praia de Ancora, a traditional fishing town by the river and the sea.
Day 4 : Vila Praia de Ancora - Ponte de lima | 52 km
Cycling along the Atlantic Ocean and ride past fishing villages that appear unchanged for centuries. Arrive in Viana do Castelo, a lively city at the estuary of the River Lima. From here you will cycle inland again, following the River Lima until Ponte de Lima. The oldest village in Portugal, it is famous for its beautiful 24-arch Roman bridge.
Day 5 : Ponte de Lima – Barcelos | 33 km
This is a pleasant, not complex, bike ride through cornfields and vineyards to the city of Barcelos on the River Cavado. The center of the pottery industry, it is also of religious importance. You must visit the 13th century Mother Church. Every hour on the hour, you will hear the pealing of the church belles of the many parishes for which the city is famous.
Day 6 : Barcelos – Vila do Conde | 36 km or 44 km
Today you cycle back to the Atlantic until Vila do Conde, famous for its shipbuilding past, as we can see by the replica of a ship used during the Discoveries and built here. The city centre is dominated by gracious manors and small palaces. Enjoy a wonderful sardine or other fresh fish dinner in town.
Day 7 : Vila do Conde – Porto | 34 km or 48 km
This last stage will take you on quiet cycle paths along the coast, through a sea bird reserve, along dunes and across fishing villages. You are approaching Porto and you will soon enter the city via the estuary of the River Douro. This city, famous for Port Wine past and present, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Day 8 : Departure during the day
Private transfer from the hotel in Porto to Porto Airport.
The little extra with RandoVélo
- Wine experiences package featuring 3 visits and tastings including :
. 2 Vinho Verde wine visits and tastings, at wine estates in Monção and Ponte de Lima – Vinho Verde wine region
. 1 Port Wine visit and tasting at a historic Port Wine cellar in Porto
- Special Wine & Dine package with 2 dinners – Barcelos & Porto – including :
. 1 Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, with a 2-dish menu and wine, desert and a glass of port wine– in Barcelos
. 1 Gourmet dinner with four courses & three wines – in Porto
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 30th
from October 1st to November 30th - Departure: Sunday
320 € / pers.*
- from May 1st to September 30th
- Departure: Sunday
395 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 7 nights in 3-star & 4-star cat. hotels (or equivalent category guest houses), with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped mountain bike rental for 6 days without helmet
•
Porto airport transfers : to the start (Day 1) and from the ending points of the programs (Day 8) in a car, van or minibus
•
A dedicated app to follow the route
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (7 nights included)
According to the category(price per person)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 25 € / pers.*
High season
+ 110 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
6 light lunch meals to carry on bike in riding days
Only from 1 to 3 people
(in the case of a single person per booking) Amount to be confirmed – please contact us.
Your cycle hire
Man or Lady frame
- 1 rear pannier (saddlebag)
- 1 front pannier with map holder (1 per 2 bikes)
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (1 per 2 bikes)
We suggest to bring your own helmets. However, we do provide our previously used helmets, if needed, with no extra charge.
There is also the possibility of buying a brand-new helmet for an extra cost of 60 euros (to be paid on spot). It has to be informed upon requesting the booking.
Universal frame
- 1 rear pannier (saddlebag)
- 1 front pannier with map holder (1 per 2 bikes)
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock (1 per 2 bikes)
- Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.
- Leave your bike rental at your hotel in Porto. We take care of its repatriation.
> Your journey
> Your arrival in Porto
> Return
Departure day
Your journey
60% tarmac roads, 40% unpaved (including cobblestones).
From Caminha to Ponte de Lima and from Ponte de Lima to Barcelos, the tracks are moderate, due to the dirty paths and steep hills.
From Ponte de Lima to Barcelos, the difficulty/track can be shorten by requiring in advance a transfer (for no extra fee).
Your arrival in Porto
On Day 1: transfer by motorcoach at 2:00 pm from Porto “Sá Carneiro” airport to Castro Laboreiro.
- If you arrive after 2:00 pm, a private transfer to reach Castro Laboreiro is possible (with extra cost – please consult us).
- If you arrive before 2:00 pm, an additionnal transfer before 2:00 pm could be provided (with extra cost – please consult us).
By plane:
Porto “Sá Carneiro” airport.
Take in charge at 2:00 pm and transfer to Castro Laboreiro.
By train:
From Porto station: reach Porto airport by your own, then take in charge at 2:00 pm and transfer to Castro Laboreiro (by metro: about 2.10€ / by taxi: about 30€).
By car:
. Possibility to park your car at Porto airport – Parking Low Cost : www.lowcostparking.pt
. Possibility to park your car in Porto town center (contact us for more information).
Then you have to go to Porto airport by your own. Then take in charge at 2:00 pm and transfer to Castro Laboreiro (by metro: about 2.10€ / by taxi: about 30€).
Return
Private transfer from the hotel in Porto to Porto Airport is included in your package.