Portugal Douro Valley Cycling Tour
Riding Days
4
Number of Nights
4
Total Distance
520km
Total Climbing
8,500 metres
Difficulty
4/5
At a Glance
Douro Valley in Portugal is a new and undiscovered location as far as road cycling is concerned. With destinations such as Mallorca now seeing a regular influx of cyclists, the Douro Valley remains a hidden gem yet to be frequented by the cycling masses.
With temperatures being optimum in spring and late summer/autumn the climate is ideal for riding with a warm and consistent sunny day. The terrain never climbs too high meaning you don’t have to worry about chilly mountain descents. The region boasts idyllic climbs, spectacular riverside routes and quiet and well-surfaced roads weaving their way through vineyards with views of the river below.
Portugal Douro Valley Cycling Tour La Fuga have been running many times before and is a perfect place for a mini-break. Starting in Porto which is offering a number of excellent restaurants and places to see with an easy access to the rolling hills of the Douro valley. The stunning location perched on a hillside with views of the vineyards and the meandering river, offer total relaxation whilst off the bike.
Tour Highlights
Ride and enjoy the culture of one of Europe’s friendliest locations. Home to the famous Port fortified wine, discover the story and sample the regions other delights.
Tour highlights:
Book Tour
€1,525.00 – €2,995.00
Overview
Portugal Douro Valley Cycling Tour - The region and the challenge
The Douro Valley was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001 and deservedly so! This is one of the oldest demarcated regions for wine in the world. The ‘Port’ wine that we know so well in the UK originates from the Douro valley and then shipped down this navigable river and into Porto, from which, the wine takes its name.
On our Portugal Douro Valley cycling tour as you travel up the river, you would find rows upon rows of neatly terraced vineyards snaking up the hillside. Until recently this was a long journey by road from Porto or an even more rickety journey by train in often stifling conditions. Most port lovers would not make the journey to the slopes where the precious grapes are grown but stay in the town where the wine is aged in oak casks ready to ship to the colonies and further afield.
Transport links have improved with new motorway tunnels cutting the journey time by half and enabling more people to explore the region.
Portugal Douro Valley - Cycling Paradice
The region is perfect for cycling; initial comparisons are to be drawn with more popular wine-growing regions such as Tuscany. The difference is the imposing Douro River, whose source is way up in the Iberian Peninsula in Spain and forms part of the natural border between the two countries. The river is ever-present as you ride around this spectacular region, as you climb higher and higher amongst the vines you can look down and sneak a peek of the Douro.
The popularity of this region is growing immensely with several new hotels opening up. No longer are the tourists confined to the banks of the river in Porto, but are venturing up the river on the traditional ‘barcos rabelo’ – boats for porting the barrels to the ageing houses – or by road. The hotels, restaurants and the roads themselves are a perfect place for a cycling escape to explore everything the Douro has to offer.
The route on the Portugal Douro Valley cycling tour will explore the river valley in both directions from our central base and seek out the rolling hills close by. A feature day will also allow you to climb the highest peak of the nearby national park to gain commanding views of the region.
Climate
The Douro enjoys its own micro-climate, which is an important reason for the quality and style of its wines.
The most important geological features responsible for this are several mountain ranges sheltering it from the Atlantic Ocean influence, giving it a continental climate, As you travel upriver in the region, the rainfall decreases and the temperatures increase.
The average temperature in the Douro Superior is more than 6 degrees higher and the rainfall as little as a third of that in Porto.
May is a very pleasant time to visit the Douro valley as temperatures are consistent and warm.
Temperatures are generally about 20 – 23 degrees C in the daytime, and cooler at nights. Weather can be changeable, but you will still benefit from warm sunshine and quiet roads. As always, it’s a good idea to pack some light rain gear just in case. A gilet and arm & knee warmers should suffice to keep you warm on the descents.
Gearing
Details
What's Included
- 4 night’s accommodation
- All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel and local restaurants*
- Airport transfers – transfer times to be arranged
- Experienced on the bike ride guides
- Mechanical support / building and packing of bikes
- Support vehicle to follow rides
- Road side picnics on ride days
- Digital route files for your GPS Devices
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- La Fuga welcome pack
*Meals are included up to a specific budget after which a supplement will be applied
What's not Included
- Flights
- Restaurant lunches stops and coffee stops
- All drinks with meals
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Incidental Expenses
- Parts and spares used during the trip
- Tips and gratuities
- Massages - available at the hotel
- Bike Rental option available during the checkout
Itinerary
Our La Fuga guide will pick you up from Porto airport and transfer you to your hotel in the Porto town.
Once settled in, your bikes will be assembled. If there is time you can either go on a short easy ride along the riverside or relax at the hotel and take advantage of the pool and Jacuzzi to relax into Portuguese lifestyle.
We’ll take an aperitivo on the terrace looking an the famous Ponte de Dom LuÃs I before walking into the town to a local restaurant and preparing for a great ride on the bike the following day.
Your first day big day heads west from Pinhão along the riverside, a nice flat warm-up At first the terrain is flat and gives you time to get used to the bikes and hopefully bask in the warm late summer temperatures. You’ll be able to take in the beautiful vistas as you gaze down the Douro valley with the vines rising high above you.
Just before the town of Peso de Regua, the road rises upwards as you leave the riverside. The quiet winding road climbs through the vines and traverses sleepy little villages with the occasional ancient cobbled street thrown into the otherwise smooth roads. Beware as some of the roads can ramp up quite steeply.
You ride from valley to valley catching glimpses of the Douro River below as you ride through the Port and Douro wine vineyards. The day finishes with a 15 km descent and a short ride back up to the hotel where you can relax weary legs.
Your second day of riding will take you in a different direction along the Douro River. Yesterday we headed inland and away from the river whereas today you’ll trace the river as close it is possible. Make no mistake this is by no means a gentle meander along its flat banks. The road often rises and falls in dramatic style but constantly ensures spectacular riding.
Although the train line from Pinhao to Porto is afforded a constant level gradient, the road is not so fortunate. You start climbing almost immediately as we head on the north side of the river. The road then meanders up the hillside and through various Quintas (the name given to the vineyards in this region) and then sweeps back down to the riverside. By the time you’ve got to the river crossing at 81km, you’ve climbed 4 significant ascents of around 4-6km each time.
Should you wish to take a boat ride during your trip to the Douro Valley, this would be a perfect opportunity. You may continue further in the direction of Porto before climbing aboard a boat and taking a trip back towards the hotel.
If you wish to return to the hotel by bike, then the return route along the Douro is more consistent with only two longer but more significant climbs.
The last full ride will head north into different terrain completing a loop that comes back heads to the eastern part of the Douro River. If you thought the last few days of riding were on quiet roads then just wait for today. The roads are smaller and more provincial, you may encounter some more mixed roads surfaces as a result but you will see more rugged places away from the immaculate pristine lined terraces of the Douro vineyards and into more rocky and uncultivated terrain.
You cross the river again at 80km and back uphill. 15km of the descent takes you back to Pinhão where a celebratory drink and some more pool action can be enjoyed.
Your last breakfast overlooking the amazing Douro River. There is time for a short ride in the morning should you wish or you could spend the morning relaxing ahead of the journey back to Porto airport.
Your bikes would have been packed up and ready for a departure back to the airport.
Accommodation
Hotels may be subject to change from time to time due to availability.
Portugal Douro Valley Cycling Tour
