Lisbon & Alentejo Coast Challenge

Start the day’s cycling in the vibrant area of Lisbon along the Tejo.  The riverside Parque das Nações and the capital’s most iconic square – Praça do Commércio – museums, cafés, monuments and all sorts line up along the way to Lisbon’s moorish attraction at Belém. Built on the wealth of the Golden Age of Portuguese exploration, the lavish Jérónimus Monastery has a beautiful cloister courtyard garden and the Tower of Belém seems to float on the Tejo. Sample Pasteis de Belém, a delicious egg custard tart in its home town before catching the ferry to Trafaria and the Costa da Caparica coast.

Overnight in the resort of Costa da Caparica.

Miles 13 Kms 21

At the mouth of the Tejo, the Costa da Caparica is, as its name suggests, a highly prized coast. It has a history of fossil finds, but is now mainly renowned for its extensive sandy stretches and wonderful Atlantic surf – a highly popular chill-out zone for the ‘Liboetas’. Backed with pine forests and characterful beach shacks, it’s a refreshing change from city life, but there’s more nature – and a more strenuous cycling adventure – ahead as you enter the Arrábida Natural Park on the north shore of the Sado River and engage with the Arrábida hills. Here, it’s the vegetation and views which really steal the show – glimpses of blue ocean offset by the bright lush greens. The micro-climate is more akin to the ‘maquis’ scrublands of the Dalmatian Coast and wildlife abounds from all types of reptiles and amphibians to unusual birds. You’ll want to explore the amazing beaches of Portinho da  Arrábida and Figueirinha before you finally pedal on to the thriving port of Setúbal on the ‘Stork estuary’ of the Sado River, home to one of the most prestigious fishmarkets in the world.

Overnight in Setúbal.

Miles 37 Kms 60

Few ferry boat trips are quite like the one you’ll experience today – as you set out across the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve to admire the flocks of storks (spring/ summer), you can expect to be accompanied by the resident population of bottlenose dolphins. As well as rice fields, the estuary is home to over 250 species of birds, so be sure to have those binoculars in the panniers. Landing on the Troia peninsular, it’s soon time to coast along a while as the landscape relaxes into the gentle plains of the Alentejo – a land of white-washed villages and robust castles, home to crystal waters and officially some of Portugal’s very best beaches. If you like history, you’ll love the wide range of en-route offerings from Visigoth churches to Roman remains, even prehistoric engravings and mighty megaliths. And just when you think things can’t get any better, there are vineyards and Alentejo wines to help the day along.  And after a great day of exploring the old fishing town of Sines has to be an appropriate place to stay – birthplace of Vasco da Gama, you’ll find his statue standing proudly by the walls of his castle.

Overnight in Sines.

Miles 28 Kms 46

Cycle down through the Southwest and Costa Vicentina Natural Park. The finest preserved stretch of coastline in Europe, it reaches right into the Algarve and is renowned for its fantastic flora and fauna. No wonder that the natural park is favoured by botanists and zoologists – a landscape fo steep cliffs, surf and rocky coves; Atlantic Ocean views, beautiful beaches and charming fishing harbours. Otters exist in a marine habitat here – one of the last places in Europe where and it’s the only place in the world where white storks nest on seashore outcrops. Keep a look out for eagles too! Vila Nova de Mil Fontes is your overnight destination, but even that can have an extra treat to end the day – the sunset at Portinho do Canal.

Overnight Vila Nova de Mil Fontes.

Miles 26 Kms 41

More time today in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park – more fascinating species, vistas and lofty cliffs topped with sandy dune systems and unique flora around the Ribeira de Aljezur estuary and Amoreira beach. Foodies will love the historic Aljezur, home of the sweet potato festival, but its restaurants excel in fishy delights too like bream and sea bass. Of 10th century Moorish origin, the town spreads across the hillside, dominated by its massive twin-towered castle. Climb the walls and look back at the hills you’ve scaled, but don’t miss the many museums and sacred art-rich churches around the town too though.

Overnight in Aljezur.

Miles 44 Kms 71

From Aljezur, the Costa Vicentina which reaches into the Algarve is perhaps the area most associated with Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese prince behind Europe’s Golden Age of exploration into Africa, Asia and the Americas. Cabo São Vicente’s (Cape St Vincent) 100m high cliffs were the European landmark and sign of home for those determined explorers returning on treasure filled ships from afar. Today, like so much of the Costa Vicentina, it’s an unrivalled haven for sea- and shore-birds as well as birds of prey. Visit the site of Henry’s original church site and admire the Cape’s lighthouse funded by a bishop to help the safe passage of local fishermen. The fortified port of Sagres is your destination for the day, but can you resist an evening trip back to the Cape to catch a sunset which sets the world on fire?

Overnight in Sagres.

Miles 21-42 Kms 34-68

Depart after breakfast following your final night in Sagres.