From the sunny south of the Algarve to the peaceful hills of the Alentejo, passing through lush valleys and picturesque villages.
359 Google reviews
Discover the wild and lesser-known Portugal on this all-inclusive gravel bike tour
Explore Portugal with peace of mind on this small-group, guided gravel bike tour - all logistics are taken care of for you. From Porto to southern Algarve, embark on an adventure along quiet roads and scenic gravel tracks, winding through lush valleys, remote hills, and authentic villages. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas and let yourself be charmed by the Portuguese way of life, with its pristine nature, local culture, and generous gastronomy.
Whether you’re a gravel enthusiast, a sports-focused traveler, or simply seeking an unforgettable nature escape, this 10-day cycling journey offers a complete immersion into an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Portugal.
✨ Team’s favorite: the stunning contrasts between golden hills, green valleys, and the coastal panoramas of southern Portugal.
Moments of sharing and laughter among gravel cyclists, in the heart of Portugal’s wild landscapes.
Panorama over the hills of the Algarve, where gravel trails wind through valleys and olive groves.
Experience slow travel through soft mobility by gravel bike, perfectly combined with train travel.
Meet the local culture in a historic village, an authentic stopover during the tour.
Coffee break in a Portuguese rural village, an authentic moment between two cycling stages.
Early morning departure along the quiet paths of Guadiana Natural Park, perfect for traffic-free roads.
Gravel roads in the heart of the Portuguese countryside, perfect for gravel bike exploration.
Sunset over the hills of Alentejo, with breathtaking views from the gravel trails.
Typical white village of southern Portugal, a picturesque stop in the heart of the gravel adventure.
Cyclists on gravel trails winding through the golden plains of Alentejo, among olive groves and cork oak trees.
Hear from those who’ve lived the experience – and come ride with us!
359 Google reviewsI was lucky enough recently to experience a one week gravel tour of north Portugal led by Fiona. This was my first real introduction to gravel
Ruth Siddorn
Had the most amazing experience at the Cycling and Wellness retreat in the Algarve! Fiona and her team were wonderful! The riding routes and local knowledge was exceptional. I highly recommend and look forward to coming back again.
Tom. R
Excellent organization by Fiona and her entire team! The guides were very friendly and attentive. The support and refreshment stops were perfect. Thank you again for a wonderful week – I highly recommend it 😁
Annie.C
Fabulous week of cycling wellness and nutrition - highly recommended 🚲
Mike. H
Stages, landscapes, highlights: discover the program that awaits you. This itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather or logistics, to ensure the best possible experience.
The trip begins with a meeting at Oca Oriental Hotel, where you’ll meet the guides and fellow participants. We’ll then enjoy a friendly lunch at a nearby café before boarding a panoramic train at 1:35 pm, departing from Porto and following the river toward Poçinho.
Please remember to bring drinks and snacks, as no onboard service is available.
Upon arrival, taxis will take you to Torre de Moncorvo, a charming historic town. You’ll spend the night at Casa da Avó, a character-filled guesthouse located in the town center, just steps away from cafés and a restaurant for dinner.
On the first day, we’ll head straight into the mountains, offering spectacular views of one of the least-visited regions of Portugal.
The day will end in the star-shaped fortified town of Almeida, where we’ll spend the night within the walls, for a complete immersion in history and the charm of the area.
It’s time to cross the Spanish border. The town of San Martín de Trevejo is so remote that it has its own dialect, “A Fala”, still spoken by its locals today. Its cultural traditions surrounding vineyards and olive oil production are the main source of income in the region.
The cycling day will be relatively easy and flat, covering about 70 km to the border, where we’ll climb into the hills. The day ends with a 10 km descent to the village.
Today, we cross the hills again to return to Portugal, ending the day in one of the most unforgettable villages of our trip: Monsanto.
In this unique village, humans and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Among massive granite boulders, the locals have built their walls and houses from the same stone, creating a settlement in total symbiosis with the natural environment.
Today, we cross the hills again and end the day in the emblematic village of Monsanto.
In this unique village, humans and nature coexist in perfect harmony: the locals have built their houses and walls using the massive granite boulders of the region, creating a perfect symbiosis with the natural landscape.
Descending from Monsanto, we’ll ride along small roads and paths through typical villages towards Castelo Branco, a town rich in history, once occupied by the Romans and later by the Templars. The day also offers superb smooth gravel trails, winding through fields and historic villages.
This day will probably be one of the highlights of the tour!
You’ll pass through Nisa, famous for its terracotta streets, then Castelo da Vide, a breathtaking fortified village, before tackling the long climb to Marvão, a fortified village offering spectacular views of Spain and the surrounding countryside.
Tonight, get ready for a unique experience in the historic town of Coimbra. Your boutique guesthouse welcomes you in the heart of the old town, just steps from the famous university and its majestic library.
Leaving Marvão, you’ll enjoy spectacular views as you descend through the Serra Marmede Natural Park. Then the landscape changes, shifting from steep rocky terrain to the gentle hills of northern Alentejo.
The day ends in Elvas, famous for its star-shaped fortress, and will be generally easier than previous days, with mainly downhill riding and little gravel.
Today, we head to Monsaraz, one of the most magical hilltop villages in Portugal. Its cobbled streets give the feeling of stepping back 100 years, and the atmosphere is peaceful and enchanting.
You’ll spend the night in a small boutique hotel, right in the village center.
A day through the gentle hills of Alentejo, dotted with olive trees and almond trees, passing near the Alqueva Reservoir, and ending in Serpa, a town famous for its cheese.
Discover this charming boutique hotel, ideally located in the heart of Serpa, and enjoy the town’s unique evening atmosphere. A perfect stopover to relax after a day of cycling.
We’ll ride through the vineyards of Alentejo and wide gravel roads, passing through Mértola, a stunning castle townoverlooking the river.
The day ends in Alcoutim, on the Spanish border, famous for its pirates and its smuggling history.
The Alcoutim Hotel is ideally located on the banks of the Guadiana River, close to the town center. It also features a swimming pool, perfect for cooling off after a long day of cycling.
Today, we enter the Algarve, finishing in Tavira, a charming fishing village and one of the most picturesque towns in southern Portugal. The day alternates between landscapes, from the hills of Alentejo to citrus orchards and wooded areas of the Algarve, and ending with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
A perfect moment to enjoy a cold beer by the river and celebrate this incredible adventure.
We will arrange transfers to Faro Airport according to your flight schedule, ensuring arrival 2 hours before departure.
If you are not departing from the airport, we can also organize transfers to any other location in the Algarve.
Practicalities
How to get there?
There are two ways to reach your trip:
• Arrive by your own means and go directly to the meeting point indicated. • Arrive by train or plane. In this case, we organise a shuttle between the arrival train station or airport and your accommodation.
Detailed information (locations, timings, transfer organisation) can be found in the Adventure Book – Day 1 section of your trip.
Equipment
Yes, we ride on routes where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes are perfectly suited — that’s what makes gravel so special! You can bring your own gravel bike or rent one directly when booking your trip.
Across all our destinations, we offer two models from Origine: the lightweight Graxx GTO (8.1 kg) and the Help e-gravel (12 kg). Both combine performance, versatility and comfort - perfect companions for your adventure. Learn more about our rental bikes.
Good to know: Thinking about buying a gravel bike after your trip? Our partner Origine will refund your first day of rental if you decide to purchase a Graxx or Help afterwards - the perfect opportunity to test them out before making your choice.
Level
With us, there’s no stopwatch. We start together and we finish together. To help every rider find the adventure that suits them best, we offer 5 difficulty levels, from 1/5 to 5/5, detailed below. The level of each trip is shown at the top of its page, on the header photo. If you’re still unsure, just write to us at bonjour@gravelup.earth — we’ll be happy to help you assess the right level for you.
Please note: all our trips are open to e-gravel bikes (available for rental in all our destinations). Our groups include both traditional and electric bikes to ensure a smooth balance of pace.
Booking
Not at all! Our expeditions do not require previous gravel riding experience. Our itineraries are designed to be accessible to all, as long as you have a spirit of adventure. You may have to carry or push your bike on some short sections, but that's part of the Gravel Up adventure!
Please note: Our hire bikes are the latest spec models and are meticulously maintained for your comfort and safety. They are the ideal bikes in terms of comfort and safety for all our adventures
Practicalities
You will be accommodated in charming hotels, chalets, or renovated former shepherds’ cottages, carefully chosen for their comfort, history, and the authenticity of their hosts!
Booking
We prioritize small groups of 8 to 12 participants to encourage meaningful interactions and maintain the friendly spirit of the trip.
Traveling in a small group also allows us to minimize our impact on the trails we use and to respect the territories we pass through.
Safety
Our guides are carefully chosen based on their experience and local knowledge of each region to guarantee you an unforgettable adventure. All our guides have French State validated bike qualifications. They are also French levels 1 and 2 first aid trained as you would expect.
Booking
You can change the date of your trip free of charge up to 30 days before departure. You can also cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner Chapka insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip. Subscription link available here.
Important: the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
Our routes are designed to suit all types of riders, from beginner gravel cyclists to experienced riders and bikepacking enthusiasts.
Explore Portugal on a gravel bike and embark on a unique 10-day adventure. Discover the country in a new way with this exceptional gravel bike tour, where each day of riding takes you through Portugal’s hidden landscapes. From the sunny beaches and rolling hills of the Algarve to the lush valleys and authentic villages of the Alentejo, this journey combines pristine nature, local culture, and unforgettable sporting experiences.
Our guides will show you unique spots and introduce you to local personalities for authentic, scenic, and tasty breaks. All that’s left is to choose your package and get your gravel bike ready for an expedition that promises lifelong memories.
Download our catalog HERE to see all our offers.
