Discovering The Douro

Travel on roads that take you to idyllic locations

Description

Trás os Montes and Alto Douro is a region with unrivaled natural beauty for cycling. Surrounded by nature, light, mountains, rivers and vines, each stage presents us with a unique experience and spectacular landscapes.

Day 1 to 3

Stage 1

»Transfer from the airport to Vidago

“Vidago Bike Test”

Distance: 40 km/ Elevation gain +550 meters
Route: Vidago-Pedras Salgadas-Vidago

Small Bike Tour around Vidago and Pedras Salgadas to test the bikes and make the last adjustments before starting the trip.

Stage 2 – “Terras de Barroso”

Distance: 100 km/ Elevation gain + 1630 meters
Route: Vidago – Chaves- Boticas -Vilarinho de Negrões-Boticas- Vidago

We leave the hotel and cycle along the N2, one of the most emblematic roads in Portugal, until we reach Chaves. Chaves, formerly Aquae Flaviae, is a city full of history and interesting places to visit. From Chaves we continue to Alto Rabagão lake and go by the village of Vilarinho de Negrões, the ideal spot for a break in a typical coffee shop. We climb up to Alturas do Barroso and the thermal village of Carvalhelhos, famous for its thermal waters. To finish the journey, we cross Boticas and return to Vidago.

Stage 3 – “To Pinhão”

Distance- 85 km/ Elevation gain + 1250 meters
Route: Vidago- Vila Real- Sabrosa- Provesende- Pinhão

We continue along the N2 heading to Vila Real and cross the famous Casa de Mateus, known for its architecture, its fantastic garden and its rosé wine. Upon reaching Sabrosa, we enter the heart of the Douro Wine Region, a World Heritage Site and where some of the best wines in the world are produced. The well-deserved rest is overlooking the Douro River.

Day 4 to 6

Stage 4 – “Along the Douro River-N222”

Distance- 60 kms/ Elevation gain +500 meters
Route: Quinta Nova- Pinhão- Folgosa do Douro -Barragem- Régua- Samodães

After arriving to the pier in Pinhão, we ride a few kilometres along the N222, which is known as one of the most beautiful and perfect roads in the world. In Régua we stop for a break and enjoy the coming and going of boats that constantly navigate the Douro River.

Stage 5 – “Douro Wine Region”

Distance 90 km/ Elevation gain +1600 meters
Route: Samodães- Resende- Gosende- Bigorne- Lamego- Samodães

This route to Resende is along the N222 and follows the Douro River, until the challenging Montemuro mountain begins, which is the highest point of the entire trip (about 1300 meters). Passing Lamego and the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios steps, the final kilometers are mostly going downhill.

Stage 6