Southern Explorer

12-DAY TRIP/10 DAYS OF CYCLING – from €2,100 

This guided tour explores the hills, plains and historic towns of the southern Alentejo before crossing into the Algarve and ending at the historic riverside resort of Lagos.

Launched in 2018, the route for our this tour takes in the landscapes of the two southernmost regions of Portugal.

We normally run this trip in early spring (in time for the first wildflowers but ahead of most other tourists) and in late autumn when the days are still generally sunny and reasonably warm.

My wife and I will lead you on a journey from the open expanses of the Alentejo, through the hills along the southern edge of this region and across country to the Algarve coast.

Scroll down to read more about the Southern Explorer. You can also see what riders thought of this and other previous tours on our Reviews page. For further news and other information on biking in Portugal you can also check out the Pedal Portugal Facebook page and blog. 

“We finished the Southern Explorer a few days ago and our experience was as wonderful as last year’s Border Castle tour. Fabulous scenery, excellent accommodations, delicious food, great fellow riders and exceptional guides.” Barb Jarvis, Canada

Dates

Departure/finish dates for this tour are: 

• Spring 2024: Saturday 16th to Wednesday 27th March – €2,100 – Sorry, tour full

Why this tour?

This tour offers an opportunity to explore some of the highlights of southern Portugal.

We run the tour in early spring and late autumn.

We can’t guarantee sunshine and dry weather but you’re more likely to enjoy pleasant riding conditions here than anywhere else in Europe or North America at these times of year.

The majority of the tour is across the southern half of the Alentejo, which offers some of the best terrain for touring cycling anywhere in Portugal. 

This is one of the least-populated parts of Portugal and you’ll stay in a selection of small provincial towns, all rich in history and sights but mostly well off the normal tourist trail. 

Agriculture is still one of the Alentejo’s few major industries and you will ride for hours past vast swathes of pasture and grain fields, plus areas of cork oaks, olive plantations and vineyards. Birdwatchers will be able to keep their eyes peeled for a wealth of avian life – from eagles to bee-eaters and storks to hoopoes.

The last two days of the tour see us cross the hills that divide the Alentejo and the Algarve, following a scenic route that takes in some quiet countryside and a number of small villages and towns before ending at the beaches of Portugal’s southern coast.

In terms of distance, the daily rides range from 50-68km (32-42 miles). There are no major mountain ranges involved but the ride is not flat and there is a reasonable amount of climbing on most days.

Note: The main riding days should present no major challenges for anyone who is reasonably fit and used to cycling. However, riders must be able to cycle the relevant distances on consecutive days. 

In terms of climate, the Alentejo sees some of the highest summer temperatures in Portugal but spring (late February-early May) and late autumn (October onwards) are the best times for biking in the region.

Some wet days are likely in March but there is also a high chance of sunshine and warm days. (Statistically, the southern part of the region gets around 200 hours of sunshine and around 55mm of rain in March.)

From past experience, conditions are similar in the Algarve. Sharp showers and periods of light rain happen but on previous tours we’ve enjoyed lots of sunshine. You can expect daytime temperatures of around 15-22°C (60-70°F) in early March, often making for very pleasant riding conditions. (See pictures on our Algarve Coast & Country page to see how the scenery looks at this time of year – all these photos were taken in January, February or early March.)

Please note: all pictures used on this page are of roads/locations on the tour and taken on previous visits to the region.

Where do we go?

The tour does a loop through the south-east of the Alentejo region, going almost to the border with Spain before turning west to follow the hills that separate the Alentejo from the Algarve.

After turning south, we cross the border with the Algarve and ride through citrus orchards before ending our ride at the pretty beach at Carvoeiro.

We will ride across rolling plains, through rugged hills and along a dramatic coastline, staying in historic towns with sights dating from Roman, Moorish and medieval times.

Although not car-free, around 90% of the route is on quiet lanes and back roads where traffic is very light. There will be two rest days (with options for additional morning rides) during the tour. The planned itinerary* is as follows:

• Day One: arrive in Évora and meet your fellow riders 
• Day Two: cycle through the countryside to the south-west of Évora, passing through a couple of small historic towns on our way to a hotel in the village of Odivelas. 68km 
• Day Three: we ride roughly east, visiting the small town of Cuba and the Roman ruins of São Cucufate before arriving in the small town of Vidigueira. 62km
• Day Four: we ride through low hills and quiet countryside and visit the Alqueva dam (holding back one of the largest reservoirs in Europe) before reaching the pretty provincial town of Moura. 50km
• Day Five: take an optional rest day in Moura with its castle and a picturesque Moorish quarter, or enjoy a morning ride out into the surrounding countryside
• Day Six: we zigzag our way south through olive orchards and remote countryside close to the border with Spain on our way to the attractive small town of Serpa with its ruined castle. 63km
• Day Seven: we continue roughly south through the Guadiana Valley natural park, visiting the copper-mining town of Mina de São Domingos on our way to the ancient river port of Mértola. 59km
• Day Eight (Sunday): take a rest day and explore the museums and cobbled streets of this historic town. There are also marked walking trails in the surrounding hills for anyone wanting to stretch different muscles.
• Day Nine: we cycle roughly west, skirting the hills that form a barrier between the Alentejo and the Algarve as we head to Almodôvar, a small town with some unusual sculptures. 61km
• Day Ten: turning south, it’s our biggest climb as we head over the hills to the Algarve border and a spectacular hairpin descent from Malhão, before continuing to a guesthouse in the countryside. 54km
• Day Eleven: we work our way through citrus orchards, farmland and some hills before turning south to the historic river-mouth port of Lagos for our final night together. 64km
• Day Twelve: transfers for onward travel connections

Coffee and cake stops will also be an important part of the day!

*Please note: the exact itinerary may change depending on accommodation availability and other similar factors.

“I just finished this tour and can honestly say it exceeded my expectations!…We cycled perfectly planned routes…ate outstanding local cuisine, and there was always that little extra – like when we were serenaded by three locals who blew us away with Alentejo folk songs.” John Adomonis, Canada

How much?

• 11 nights bed and breakfast (based on two people sharing a twin or double room) in a good hotel or guest house
• evening meal – typically three courses with house wine or beer and coffee*
• picnic lunch on main riding days (not provided on optional rides/rest days)
• support vehicle to carry luggage etc (and emergency transport)**
• transfers from Lisbon on Day One and to Faro on Day Twelve if required***
• experienced guide to ride with you****

Notes:

*Food: Vegetarian and other special diets are possible but need to be arranged in advance – and menu choices may be less varied. Please let us know about any dietary requirements and seek advice when booking.

**Support van: The support van will carry your luggage. It can also take passengers if a rider is unable to continue cycling following an accident, mechanical breakdown or other emergency. It is not suitable for using on a casual hop-on, hop-off basis and riders should be capable of riding the necessary distances on consecutive days.

***Transfers: We will book train or bus travel from Lisbon to Évora on Day One and organise transfers to Faro on Day Twelve if required. We can also advise on bus and/or rail travel for any riders travelling on other days or from/to different destinations.

****Guides: My wife and I will alternate between riding with you and driving the support vehicle.

What’s not included?

The price above does not include:

• travel to Portugal and any internal transport other than that detailed above
• insurance – you are responsible for ensuring you have all appropriate insurance
• snacks, coffees etc. and lunch on non-riding days
• bike hire (see below)
• single rooms (see below)

If anyone is unable to ride, where possible, we will try to take them in the support vehicle. However, the support vehicle is not intended for taking passengers. In some circumstances, we may need to make arrangements with a taxi or bus but any individual costs will be additional.

Cycle hire

We will also organise bike hire, including delivery to the start point of our tour and collection from the finish point.

Please see the bike hire page for more information on bike options, our recommendations and pricing.

Please note that although we organise bike hire, each rider is responsible for their own bike and liable for the cost of any loss or damage.

Single rooms

For anyone not sharing, individual rooms can be booked but will involve an additional supplement of around €240. 

For anyone wanting additional accommodation, either before or after the tour, I can either book this for you or suggest various options but this would be an extra cost.

Country road south of Evora in March 2018

What now?

Read what previous riders thought on our reviews page  or keep scrolling down for more pictures from previous Southern Explorer trips.

Places are limited – and I need a minimum of six riders to make the tour viable – so the sooner you sign up the better. If you have any questions, please contact me via pedalportugal@gmail.com

Otherwise, please read our full terms and conditions before completing the booking form.

For further tour news and other information on biking in Portugal don’t forget to also check out our Facebook page and blog.