Cycle Holidays in the East Algarve & South of Spain

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Faro Airport

Transfer to Monte Gordo.

Monte Gordo fishing boats

Day 2 – Algarve: Santa Rita

Today we cycle from the hotel through intricate, quiet lanes meandering through the verdant countryside.
Our route will take us to the typical Algarve village of Santa Rita where we can take a break in the local café.
We then continue on picturesque lanes to finish in the lovely town of Tavira. Our route will take us directly to the train station, however, the town is well worth exploring.
The ride is on quiet tarmac lanes. There is a ford to cross before the village of Fonte Salgada which may present problems at times of heavy rain (if necessary can be avoided) but is usually perfectly ok with a firm concrete base & little water.
In Tavira, we take the local train back to Monte Gordo along with our bicycles.

Monte Gordo pine woods

Day 3 – Spain: Ayamonte and Isla Cristina

Cycle on designated cycleway to Vila Real S. Antonio, where the river Guadiana meets the sea. We’ll take our bikes across on the ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte.
We then cycle east through the salt pans of Ayamonte which for centuries have been producing salt & shellfish and now are a haven for birdlife.
We will tour the bustling small town of Isla Cristina before returning to Ayamonte and ferrying back to Portugal.
Much of the way is on designated cycleways.

Quiet path along Ria Formosa

Day 4 – Algarve: Tavira Ecovia

A charming route, running along the coast and the Ria Formosa on the coastal ecovia. En route, we will visit the quintessential coastal village of Cacela Velha with its Moorish-influenced architecture. We pass through Cabanas where cafés line the attractive waterfront. We finish again in Tavira, one of the most unspoiled towns in the Algarve. There will be time to stroll around & enjoy this lovely town.
Our route takes us to the train station where we can train back to Monte Gordo with our bicycles.

Ecovia in the East Algarve

Day 5 – Spain: Ayamonte & Isla Canela

Cycle through pine woodland on quiet, well surfaced, tracks to Vila Real S. António, where the river Guadiana meets the sea.
We’ll take our bikes across on the ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte.
We then cycle south to the resort area of Isla Canela and the Isla Del Moral, a more local fishing village.
We will then return to Ayamonte and ferry back to Portugal.

Vila Real Marina – Across the border from Vila Real is Spain

Day 6 – Algarve: Castro Marim Nature Reserve

A local circuit centered on the Local Nature Reserve, visiting the headquarters and information on the banks of the river Guadiana and the salt works of Castro Marim around which an abundance of birds have made their home.
We also visit the attractive and historic small town of Castro Marim dominated by its ancient castle and more recent fortifications guarding the river & giving great views over the surrounding countryside.

Castro Marim saltpans

Day 7 – Algarve: Ribeira Seca

A circuit into the verdant inland hills passing through tiny, sleepy hamlets, all on good and quiet tarmac lanes. A glimpse into the rural countryside of the Algarve is rarely seen by most visitors.

Monte Gordo pine woods

Day 8 – Departure