Tour plan and presentation:
- Day 0 – Arrival and welcome dinner
- Day 1 – Santarem to V. Rei (180km)
- Day 2 – V. Rei to S.Estrela (180km)
- Day 3 – S. Estrela to Gois (170km)
- Day 4 – Gois to Fatima (120km)
- Day 5 – Fatima to Peniche (160km)
- Day 6 – Peniche to Santarém (120km)
The “Northern Odyssey” is my longest and most complete tour. A 6 day, 1200 Km adventure that will surely test your endurance and skill! Please note that this tour DOES NOT include a training day.
On this tour we ride half way accross the country; starting off with the rally roads and cork trees of Alentejo, we’ll keep going deeper into the countryside until we reach the tallest peak of the tallest mountain. From there, its mountaisn and denses forests all the way back to the coast (The famous Portuguese Silver Coast) with its breathtaking cliffs over the ocean. This tour really has it all!
Note: On this tour we will carry on our bikes the necessary luggage for the 5 nights we will spend travelling, each of them in a fascinating new location with its own gastronomic offer.
Day 0 : Arrival Day
Riders are expected to arrive in Santarém the day before the event. In my FAQ page you can get instructions on how to get here coming from Lisbon.
This first night in hotel is included and so is the welcome dinner (around 7h30pm), an awesome opportunity for all of us to get to know each other and to savour some typical Portuguese delicacies as we talk about the details of the upcoming tour.
Day 1 -10: Santarém – Vila de Rei (~180 Km)
In the morning we’ll gather, gear up, prep the bikes, and finally embark on our exciting journey. We’ll head East towards the golden trails of Alentejo sided by thousands of cork trees and farmland. In the afernoon we will cross the Tejo river heading North, ending the day in an epic location: Vila de Rei, the heart of Portugal (quite literally, as this town stands as the geodesic center of the country!)
Day 2: Vila de Rei – Serra da Estrela (~180 Km)
The goal for this day is to reach the top of the tallest mountain in Portugal, Serra da Estrela (~2000m tall), one of my all time favorite regions! You will notice an increase of difficulty as we leave the plains down south and start moving up the mountains.
The terrain will transform, featuring captivating rocky formations abd the vistas will become more breathtaking than ever! Furthermore, the culinary experience will elevate as we delve into the unique delicacies of the mountains, including delectable options like grilled wild pig, goat stew, juniper rice, and much more!
Day 3: Serra da Estrela – Gois (~170 Km)
We’ll continue our journey northward for half a day, and then back South, delving deeper into the rich diversity of Serra da Estrela. Encounter gravel roads winding through the peaks, offering unbelievable sights, navigate challenging narrow rocky trails that will truly test our skills, and traverse dream-like mountain passes etched into our memories forever.
Our day concludes in Gois, a picturesque city nestled alongside the Ceira River.
Day 4 – Gois – Fatima (~ 120 Km)
On Day 4, our off-road adventure takes us from the charming mountain village of Góis to the sacred town of Fátima. As we ride through rugged forest trails and winding backroads, we’ll experience breathtaking landscapes and some exhilarating off-road challenges. The day culminates in Fátima, where riders can enjoy a short visit to the Fatima sanctuary, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the world, adding a spiritual touch to our journey.
Day 5 – Fatima – Peniche (~160 Km):
Today we’ll journey from the blessed trails around Fátima to the coastal beauty of Peniche. Our ride takes us through the lush landscapes near the famous Alcobaça monastery and along the cliffs overlooking Nazaré, famous for its massive Atlantic waves. Expect a mix of challenging terrain and awe-inspiring views, as we transition from Portugal’s rolling countryside to dramatic seaside vistas. It’s a day packed with unforgettable scenery and diverse riding experiences, ending at the ocean’s edge in Peniche.
Day 6 – Peniche – Santarém (~140 Km):
For our victory lap, heading back “home”, to Santarém, we will experience an incredible mix of terrain along the way. The route will lead us through scenic trails and by the impressive salt mines in Rio Maior, where we can marvel at this unique site and taste it’s local delicacies (a great way to pay respects to the portuguese gastronomy). As we head inland, expect thrilling and bucolic off-road sections, culminating in our arrival at the cultural heart of the Ribatejo region, Santarém.
