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Portugal

Atlantic Trails

Guided Mountain Bike Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£1,945 P.P.
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11
This mountain bike holiday will give you a great taste of some of Portugal's most fantastic biking. The journey takes us on a tour of the highlights in the Lisbon region and its many great riding areas. While not well-known outside of Portugal local riders have been enjoying these trails for years and included in the trip are two of Portugal’s picturesque natural parks; Sintra and Arrabida.
The riding on this mountain biking trip is varied and interesting, with trails ranging from wide-open paths to tight and technical singletrack. On many of the days we have the chance to pick from a selection of trails, allowing us to cater the riding to the needs of the group. If you are a regular rider but dont think you are quite up to a week in the high mountains then this is the ideal trip.
Starting out south of the city we explore the coastal Alentejo province and the Arrabida Natural Park. Moving on to the coastal region west of Lisbon we spend a day ‘lost’ in the network of trails that have been created within Sintra Natural Park before heading north along the coast and into the Portuguese countryside.
Staying relatively close to the coast means that we are never far from our creature comforts. One of the biggest highlights of the tour is the area’s fantastic food and extremely high quality accommodation. We'll be staying in hilltop castles and luxury hotels, allowing plenty of chance for relaxing after each day of your biking adventure.
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Holiday Highlights

  • The superb trails in Lisbon’s beautiful Natural Parks
  • Magnificent ocean views from the highest peaks of Sintra
  • Exploring the rural villages of the ‘Zona Saloia’
  • Our local team’s favourite woodland singletrack
  • Pedalling to picturesque Palmela Castle
  • Vimeiro and its Atlantic Ocean vistas

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My favourite day was the last day from Sintra along the coast. The views were fabulous, really good fun!

Cathy, Devon

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival: Lisbon / Santiago do Cacém
Non Riding Day
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  • Meals: Dinner

After collection from Lisbon Airport (LIS) we transfer to a rural hotel in Santiago do Cacém, around 1.5 hours drive south of Lisbon. We’ll stay here for the next two nights. We will take time to build our bikes, size up rental bikes and have a meeting to discuss the upcoming adventure before sitting down to the first taste of fantastic local cuisine.

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Day 2
Costa Vicentina Loop Ride
40 Miles / 64 Kms Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.

Today we start riding directly from the hotel. We will be completing a tour in a part of the Costa Vicentina protected area that extends alongside the western Atlantic coast all the way to the Algarve. The landscape is mainly forests of very luxuriant vegetation which are full of trails meandering through the valleys and over the short but sometimes steep hills. We will eventually get to the coast at the beautiful village of Porto Covo and ride north along the coastline before meeting a reservoir hidden in the forest. On our way back to the hotel we will visit Castelo de Santiago do Cacém (Santiago’s Castle).

The hotel is known for its cuisine so we may well be in for a treat. But before dinner, if the weather allows it, you are invited for a swim in the pool in the hotels grounds and a couple of beers as nice way to stay hydrated and recover your body after a long day on the saddle.

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Day 3
Santiago do Cacém - Palmela (via Serra de Arrabida)
19 Miles / 31 Kms Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 871 Metres Approx.

This morning we take a short transfer to Troia and a quick ferry crossing from Troia to Setubal. We then set off to explore the natural park of Arrabida, the highest point of which reaches 500m. There are magnificent ocean views and amazing singletrack in the forest with a few more technical sections here and there. The vegetation and climate makes us feel like we are on the Mediterranean rather than the Atlantic Coast.

We finish the ride in the village of Palmela located on the north entrance of the Arribida natural park before arriving at a wonderful Pousada Castelo Palmela hotel, which is located inside historic Palmela Castle perched high on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. This incredible location is where we will be staying for tonight and will be one of your finest memories from the trip.

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Day 4
Palmela - Sintra
16 Miles / 26 Kms Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 894 Metres Approx.

After a quick transfer, today we start our ride on the western-most point of the European continent at Cape da Roca. Our ride take us up into Sintra Natural Park to discover the hidden beauties of its lush forest. The riding alternates from forest double tracks to brilliant single tracks inside the very dense forest. The end is in the beautiful village of Sintra, a world heritage site, and our cosy small hotel for the next 2 nights is located in the centre to allow for an easy must-do visit to the several palaces and other historic sites of this romantic place.

Dinner is normally taken at a restaurant in the village.

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Day 5
The Sintra Mountains Loop Ride
24 Miles / 38 Kms Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 1,081 Metres Approx.

This time we aim to reach the top of the notorious trig point called “Monge” from where we will descend on some technical forest single tracks as far as the ocean. Our return route will take us back to the mountainous ridge inside the park from where we will finally descend back to Sintra on another tight single track for an enthusiastic finale in the village where we should celebrate around the famous lovely pastries in a local café.

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Day 6
Sintra - Ericeira (The Western Shoreline)
28 Miles / 45 Kms Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 1,127 Metres Approx.

We start riding from the hotel and venture through the park once again, heading west to arrive eventually at the seafront. From here we ride north following trails along the hills and the shoreline. The many beaches and neighbouring cliffs provide glorious views. The ride gets more demanding as we head into more rugged terrain and test our skills crossing numerous streams and rivers we come across along the way.

Our hotel in Ericeira is built on a cliff overlooking the sea providing a relaxing vista of the ocean from our bedroom windows. We’ll go for dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

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Day 7
Departure: Ericeira / Lisbon
Non Riding Day
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  • Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we transfer to Lisbon airport (around 45 minutes) to say our goodbyes and board our return flights.

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The Cycling

Terrain

This holiday takes in a wide range of landscapes from the impressive cliffs of the Atlantic Coast to the beautiful Arribida and Sintra Natural Parks.

The riding focuses on fun, with a mixture of dirt paths, 4×4 tracks and a variety of singletrack ranging from easy to technical. Quiet roads are sometimes used to link the trails together, and you may experience some traffic as you head in and out of Sintra.

As with most of our holidays the odd cheeky climb makes an appearance though these are generally short and rewarded by fantastic views. Surfaces range from dry, dusty tracks to forest trails and can occasionally be rocky.

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Mountain Biking Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 3 - 4: Moderate/ Challenging

25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day

Aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays

For mountain bikers with some experience of singletrack and steeper terrain

May include rocky features and switchbacks

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 3-4, will have aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays. If you have experience of off road riding on a variety of terrain, and would like a taste of more challenging terrain, a grade 3-4 trip could be for you. Terrain will include singletrack and steep sections (both up and down) which require more bike handling ability. Shorter technical and demanding features suchs as rocks, roots and tricky climbs will be encountered on occasion on most days. A day’s ride can see you on the trails for around 8 hours (with breaks) and covering between 25-50 miles depending on the terrain. If you’re generally fit and manage to ride frequently this could be the level for you.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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As usual every detail of the holiday had been meticulously planned so that everything ran like clockwork. Amazing service!

Simon, Herefordshire

Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £200 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

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Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
* 05/05/2024
Guaranteed
Return Date
11/05/2024
Duration
7 days
Price
£1,945.00
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Start Date
03/11/2024
Return Date
09/11/2024
Duration
7 days
Price
£1,945.00
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*

Late Availability

We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms)

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides

D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid

E) Support vehicle and luggage transfers

F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Lisbon airport (LIS)

G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Lisbon airport (LIS)

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

The Essentials

Travel Options

Your tour starts in Santiago do Cacém and finishes in Vimeiro.

Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday and both the arrival and return transfer from / back to Lisbon airport (LIS) will be co-ordinated with the group flight schedule.

We will provide you with details of suitable flight/arrival/departure schedules as flight timetables become available.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to ensure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to make sure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers.

Please note If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the scheduled transfer windows, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this holiday is an excellent selection of small, high-quality hotels in fantastic locations and often with views to die for! Accommodation is in shared twin or double rooms, however single rooms are generally available (and incur an additional supplement).

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent. These are typically very good mountain bikes featuring front suspension, disc brakes and good quality components.

If you do decide to rent we can include a helmet and all necessary spares for the trip. Please request helmets at the time of booking.

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News, Reviews & Stories

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Reviews

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