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 T. Moncorvo (220km)
- Day 4 – T. Moncorvo to Gois (280km)
- Day 5 – Gois to Fatima (140km)
- Day 6 – Fartima to Santarém (190km)
The “Northern Odyssey” is my longest and most complete tour. A 6 day, 1200 Km adventure that is not for the faint of heart! Expect long days on the saddle riding half way accross the country along the coast, deep into the countryside, through the tallest peak of the tallest mountain, along the vineyards of the Douro river, and the cork tress of Alentejo. 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 : 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 – Torre de Moncorvo (~220 Km)
We’ll continue our journey northward, 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 Torre de Moncorvo, a picturesque city nestled alongside the Douro River.
Day 4 – Torre de Moncorvo – Gois (~ 280 Km)
Today will be the longest, but also the one with the highest ON-road percentage, all for good reason!
As we kick off the day, we’ll head West into the enchanting Douro Valley. Riding alongside the acclaimed N222 National road (seriously, it’s considered one of the most beautiful roads in the World!), we’ll be treated to a breathtaking views of the river and the vibrant vineyards, known for producing the iconic Port wine.
After covering around 100 kilometers on-road we’ll take the trails once again and make out way south towards Gois, a cozy little town surrounded by mountains and meandering rivers.
Day 5 – Gois – Fátima (~140 Km):
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Day 6 – Fátima – Peniche – Santarém (~190 Km):
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