Chaves to Faro
Travelling the length of Portugal – Top to Toe of one of the oldest countries in Europe. We will be riding from the northern Portuguese border with Spain to the southern coast in the Algarve.
This route offers plenty of flexibility and isn’t limited to the example shown here. There are many different ways to do this journey, and we can adapt it to your requirements. The options are endless, what you’ll find below is simply a typical itinerary.
The route we will take largely follows the N2, which dissects the country from east to west. National Road 2 (N2) is to Portugal a little like the mythical Route 66 is to the United States of America. It crosses the country from one end to the other, passing through all the geographies and landscapes Portugal has to offer. It’s a little over 700 kilometres between the cities of Chaves and Faro, winding through the lush Douro, the mountainous centre and the beautiful Alentejo plains, ending in the sunny Algarve.
The Royal Road, as it is called, goes through eleven districts, traverses eleven mountain ranges and crosses thirteen rivers.
Chaves to Faro Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Chaves
Fly into Porto and meet the pie team to be taken by private coach to the hotel in Chaves. Bikes will have been unloaded from the freight truck by the pie team. Bike check (if flight times allow), dinner, welcome and briefing on the next day’s ride.
Example Accommodation: Forte Sao Francisco
Day 2 – Chaves to São Pedro do Sul
Distance: 164km
Elevation: 2755m
After breakfast, we set off on our first 100-mile day. The starting point of our ride is Chaves, a city in Trás-os-Montes and kilometre zero of this adventure, an area of hot springs (in Pedras Salgadas) and bridges dating back to Roman times, from where you will discover the fabulous Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of the world-famous Port Wine. This is an extremely tough day, but after this, it will get easier!
Example Accommodation: Hotel do Parque
Day 3 – São Pedro do Sul to Pedrógão Pequeno
Distance: 140km
Elevation: 2487m
Leaving São Pedro do Sul, we head off into the Dao wine region and soon find ourselves crossing the tail end of the Serra de Estrella, home to mainland Portugal’s highest mountain.
Example Accommodation: Hotel da Montanha
‘This was one of the best experiences of my life. Definitely the best cycling trip. Fantastic organisation and support throughout.’ – Top to Toe of Portugal 2024
Day 4 – Pedrógão Pequeno to Montargil
Distance: 123km
Elevation: 1477m
Today, we cross the mighty Tagus and therefore pass Lisbon to the west. The countryside starts to flatten now, and our horizons can broaden.
Example Accommodation: Lago de Montargil Hotel
Day 5 – Montargil to Albufeira da Barragem do Roxo
Distance: 162km
Elevation: 1586m
The Alentejo is one of Portugal’s most fantastic regions. The vast plains convey a feeling of unparalleled freedom, with temperatures rising whenever the incredibly golden vines are bathed in the summer sun.
Example Accommodation: Vila Gale Alentejo Vineyards
Day 6 – Albufeira da Barragem do Roxo to Vale do Lobo
Distance: 121km
Elevation: 1514m
As we head into the Algarve, we now start to use some of the Volta ao Algarve routes, which come through here every year. 5 days of riding later, we arrive at the coast for a celebration before heading to our final hotel for the night.
Example Accommodation: Ria Park Garden Hotel
Day 7 – Return Home
Free time until the transfer to the airport.
