Iberian Divide 10 Day Gravel Tour
SOLD OUT FOR 2024
Gravel Cycling Tour along the Historic Portugal – Spain Border from North to South
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IBERIAN DIVIDE OVERVIEW
Bike Type: Gravel
Number of riding days: 10
Tour Type: Guided or Self-Guided, Point to Point
Airport Porto / Faro
Km / day: 50-100km
Elevation gain / day: 6000-1800m
Overall Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
Accommodation: Rural Hotels
Are you looking for a real gravel adventure, somewhere very few people have cycled before?
Our 860km Iberian Divide Gravel Tour could be the one for you.
860km 10-day Historic Gravel Adventure along the Spain – Portugal border
Guided, Self-Guided and Club options are available. Pricing starts at €1250pp.
Portugal is one of the least explored countries in Europe, and a true hidden gem for cyclists. During this unique gravel tour you will traverse the country from North to South, starting from Pocinho in the North-Eastern region of Portugal Tras-dos-Montes on the Douro river and finishing in Alcoutim in the Algarve. The regions of Portugal and Spain that we will cycle through are some of the least explored in the whole of the Iberian Penninsular. This gravel tour is a chance to do something new and completely different from other gravel tours on the market at the moment in Europe.
North
You will start the tour with an unforgettable train journey along the Douro River from Porto all the way to the end of the line in a small village of Pocinho. From here itis a stone throw away from where we will start the tour, in Torre de Moncorvo. The north of Portugal is hilly, lush and unspoilt – world famous for the Douro Wine Region, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The ancient terraces cling to the side of every hillside, changing colour in Autumn turning the valleys to gold. leaving unforgettable images in the memory of any passing cyclists.
From here we will head into Spain, where similar countryside is set apart from Portugal by the completely different architecture. Wooden Tudor-like houses on stunning little streets of small villages with almost no tourism makes for a truly amazing start to the trip because you really are exploring areas that are very much untouched by modern living.
Central
The central part of this trip is characterised by a number of hilltop fortified villages we will visit, such as Monsanto, Castelo de Vide, Marvao and Monsaraz. These spectacular towns have such a rich history, and are beautiful, fascinating places to walk around at the end of the day.
South
As you reach Southern Portugal and Spain, the greenery returns along with a range of hills that produce a few punchy climbs but stunning views towards Spain and the surrounding ‘Serra’. Cork oak plantations make a large majority of the roadside vegetation, along with beautiful orange groves.
The route is littered with more magnificent castles – such as Elvas with its huge aquaduct and fortress, a reminder of its less peaceful past. The Algarve itself was one of the last strongholds of the 400 year long Islamic Conquest of Iberia, re-taken by the Christians in 1189, and in fact many place names, churches and the gastronomy of central and southern Portugal still hint at this rich heritage.
Self-Guided – What’s Included?
Scenic train from Porto to Pocinho
Taxi from Pocinho station to Torre de Moncorvo
10 spectacular days of cycling from Torre do Moncorvo to Alcoutim
11 nights high quality accommodation
Buffet breakfast
GPX files of all stages in advance
Phone Assistance
Restaurant Booking
Civil liability Insurance
5* service – our promise!
Guided Option – all of the above, plus..
Knowledgable and friendly guides with you every pedalstroke of the way
Ride Snacks
All staff first aid qualified
Support vehicles + Luggage Transfer
Not Included
Flights
Lunch and Dinner (although we will recommend cafes and restaurants for you)
Extras – e.g. jersey, bike hire, single supplement for accommodation
2024 Iberian Divide Fixed Dates – Ideal for solo travellers!
In 2024 we have one tour available to book onto: 13th – 24th October 2024.
The train transfer from Porto to Pocinho will leave on the afternoon of Sunday the 13th October we will start riding on the 14th October, and arrive in Alcoutim the afternoon of the 23rd October.
If you are ready to book – you can do so direct below!
Those dates don’t work for you? Send us a quote request for a bespoke tour!
860km Iberian Divide Gravel Tour
Please note this is only an indication as external factors such as available hotels might impact which exact routes are followed. You will receive a detailed itinerary once you have booked.
Arrival into Porto Airport, scenic train journey to Torre de Moncorvo
Bem-Vindo!
We will meet you in Porto, either at the airport or in the town centre (if you have stayed a day in Porto beforehand). If you are joining the guided tour, we will take your large suitcases and bikeboxes from you, leaving you to enjoy the next section hassle-free.
You will start the journey on one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe – along the Duoro River.
On the guided tour, we will accompany you on the train, and the van will meet us at the end to take us to our hotel for the night nearby in the beautiful vineyard-surrounded town of Torre de Moncorvo.
If you are doing this as a self-guided tour, we will book the train and a taxi to Torre de Moncorvo for you.
Torre de Moncorvo – Almeida
88km, 1500m
The first day will take us directly up into the mountains, with stunning views.
We will cycle close to Spain, crossing the Douro river, see ancient Roman roads and bridges.
It’s one of the areas least-travelled in the whole of Portugual. The day will finish in the incredibly striking town of Almeida where we will be staying just outside these spectacular city walls.
Almeida – San Martín de Trevejo
81km, 850m
It’s time to cross the border into Spain The town of San Martín de Trevejo is so isolated that it has it’s own dialect ‘A Fala’, which is spoken still today by it’s inhabitants.
It’s cultural traditions of winemaking and olive oil production are the main source of income for the people of this region.
The riding today will be fairly easy and flat until around 70km at the border where we head up into the hills and are rewarded at the end of the day with a 10km descent into the town.
San Martín de Trevejo – Monsanto
46km, 833m
Today we will cross the hills again back into Portugal, finishing the day in one of the most memorable villages we will see on the trip – Monsanto.
In this unique village in the world, man and nature live in harmony. In the midst of colossal blocks of granite, the people built walls of the same stone and built homes, in perfect symbiosis with the natural environment
Monsanto – Castelo Branco
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66km, 904m
Descending from Monsanto we will use tiny roads and tracks through tiny villages heading towards Castelo Branco, which has a important historical significance in northern Portugal, settled by the Romans and inhabited later by the Templars.
Here we will stay in the town centre and will use the opportunity for a clothes wash.
Castelo Branco – Castelo de Vide
80km, 1300m
Today will probably one of your highlights of the whole trip – it’s just packed with wonderful places to see along the whole route. You will pass Nisa, famous for its terracotta streets, then over to through Castelo da Vide to Marvão – both breathtaking fortified hilltop towns.
Castelo de Vide – Elvas
85km, 1000m
On leaving Castelo de Vide we will enjoy spectacular views as we descend through the Serra Marmede Natural Park. After this, the landscape will change completely from rocky outcrops to the flatter rolling lands of the northern Alentejo.
We will finish the day in Elvas, like Almeida, famed for it’s outstanding star-shaped fort.
Elvas – Monsaraz
78km, 1100mm
This day will take you to one of my personal favourite hilltop towns in all of Portugal – Monsaraz. It’s stunning cobbled streets will make you feel you have stepped back in time 100 years, and there is a peace and tranquility about the place that is simply magical. We will stay in a small boutique hotel right in the centre of this magical village.
Monsaraz – Jerez de los Cabelleros
86km, 1200m
Today we will head down from Monsaraz, which overlooks one of the largest reservoirs in Europe, through Morão (another Portuguese fortified town) towards the Spanish border and into Spain.
Jerez de Los Caballeros has the deep marks of both the Templars of Portugal and Moors. The Templars first came to Portugal in the 12th century to help the new nation in its fight against the Islamic presence in Iberia known as the Reconquista
Jerez de los Cabelleros – Arroche
68km, 1200m
Today will be entirely in Spain, in a region famous for its dried Iberian Ham. Aroche is situated at the far western edge of the Sierra near the Portuguese border. One of the least visited places in the Sierra, it is all things considered worth exploring for its rich history and extraordinary area. Aroche is a hilltop town, its whitewashed houses flanking the sides of a reestablished medieval castle. It is surrounded by magnificent countryside rich in wildlife, including the rare black vulture.
Arroche – Alcoutim
98km, 1500m
It’s your final riding day! Through the Spanish countryside, finishing at the Rio Guardiana and taking a small boat across to the river border town Alcoutim, Portugal.
After the first 35km to get the main climbs out of the way, the day gets easier with long sections of relatively easy rolling small tracks and roads.
CLUB IBERIAN DIVIDE GRAVEL TOUR
Have you been tasked with finding a challenging club gravel trip for 2024 or 2025? Maybe the Iberian Divide Gravel tour could be the perfect option.
Club pricing can start as low as €1425 per person with dinner, support vehicles, guiding and accommodation included. We can suggest the dates below, but also will try and work around your requirements in terms of flight availability. Contact us using the form below to get the ball rolling and we will take care of everything!
We can also arrange any bespoke tour for your club. In the past we have organised Madrid to Lisbon, Lisbon to Faro and multiple others.
Bespoke Small to Medium Group Tour Pricing
Below is an idea of pricing for our bespoke Iberian Divide Tours, over 10 days, based on 2 people sharing rooms.
OCTOBER 13-24th 2024
Including Guide, Train Tickets, Supporting Vehicle + Luggage transferIberian Divide Gravel Tour – Fully Guided Tour
- A guide will accompany you every pedalstroke of the way, leaving you to enjoy the landscapes as you traverse Portugal. They will take care of everything – from choosing the best cafe for lunch, to helping you repair a puncture and ensuring every part of the day runs perfectly.
- Accommodation, breakfast, highly experienced guides (male and female), support vehicle and luggage transfer are all included. We will organise dinner every evening at a local restaurant (please note dinner costs are not included), and we will also ensure that we stop at cafes en route for re-fuelling of course!
- This tour is confirmed to run in October 2024, and places are limited to a maximum of 12 people.
BESPOKE GUIDED - 2 - 5 people
Including Guide, Train Tickets, Supporting Vehicle + Luggage transferIberian Divide Gravel Tour – Fully Guided Groups of 2 to 5 people
- A guide will accompany you every pedalstroke of the way, leaving you to enjoy the landscapes as you traverse Portugal. They will take care of everything – from choosing the best cafe for lunch, to helping you repair a puncture and ensuring every part of the day runs perfectly.
- Accommodation, breakfast, guides, support vehicle and luggage transfer are all included. We can also organise lunch, dinner, bike hire, single room and more for an extra fee – just get in touch.
- This is a great choice for a couple or a small group or friends, when the organisation and logistics is more complicated.
BESPOKE GUIDED - 6-11 people
Including Guide, Train Tickets, Supporting Vehicle + Luggage transferIberian Divide Gravel Tour – Fully Guided Groups of 6 to 11 people
- A guide will accompany you every pedalstroke of the way, leaving you to enjoy the landscapes as you traverse Portugal. They will take care of everything – from choosing the best cafe for lunch, to helping you repair a puncture and ensuring every part of the day runs perfectly.
- Accommodation, breakfast, guides, support vehicle and luggage transfer are all included. We can also organise lunch, dinner, bike hire, single room and more for an extra fee – just get in touch.
- This is a great choice for large groups, when the organisation and logistics is more complicated.
BESPOKE SELF-GUIDED - 2-5 people
Accommodation, Airport transfers, Train Tickets, GPX routes and more...Iberian Divide Gravel Tour – Self Guided Groups of 2 to 5 people
- Prefer a little more autonomy? This is the right choice for you.
- Leave us to organise everything including the accommodation, airport transfers, route planning. You will receive kit list, GPX files and day-day logistical organisation (hotel bookings, restaurant recommendations etc) in advance, meaning you can simply get your cycling shoes on and enjoy the ride!
- We can also organise luggage transfer for an extra charge, for cyclists who do not wish to travel with panniers. Prices vary throughout the season and are subject to our providers availability – contact us and we will give you a good estimate immediately, followed up by a quote within 2 working days.
BESPOKE SELF-GUIDED - 6-11 people
Accommodation, Airport transfers, Train Tickets,, GPX routes and more...Iberian Divide Gravel Tour – Self Guided Groups of 6 to 11 people
- Prefer a little more autonomy? This is the right choice for you.
- Leave us to organise everything including the accommodation, airport transfers, route planning. You will receive kit list, GPX files and day-day logistical organisation (hotel bookings, restaurant recommendations etc) in advance, meaning you can simply get your cycling shoes on and enjoy the ride!
- We can also organise luggage transfer for an extra charge, for cyclists who do not wish to travel with panniers. Prices vary throughout the season and are subject to our providers availability – contact us and we will give you a good estimate immediately, followed up by a quote within 2 working days.
More than 12 people?
We are highly experienced at organising large group challenges and events. We can offer unbeatable pricing for the group trip you have in mind.
SEND A RESERVATION or QUOTE REQUEST
Send us a reservation request below for the Iberian Divide Gravel Tour and one of our friendly team will get back to you within 1 working day to help finalise and plan your trip.
Don’t forget! We create bespoke trips too – anything you would like to add, please don’t hesitate to ask us and we will do our best to make your ideas a reality.
Liked the sound of our Iberian Divide Gravel Tour? You might also be interested in our other cycling holidays in Portugal…
Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Holiday
For the gravel riders. Enjoy an off road / gravel cycling holiday in the Algarve! Let us introduce you to the best tracks and trails in the beautiful Algarve, both along the coast and inland.
€925,00 – €1.275,00
Alentejo Self-Guided Gravel Bikepacking Tour
For the bikepackers. An adventure is on the horizon! Escape your normal routine and join us for a truly new and exciting gravel bikepacking experience into the Alentejo.
Faro to Lisbon Self-Guided Gravel Tour
For the gravel tourers. This is a fantastic gravel trip for anyone wanting to experience a wide range of landscapes – west coast, rolling Alentejo plains and the beautiful Algarve backroads.
€795,00 – €1.295,00
Authentic Algarve Road Cycling Holiday
For the roadies. An unforgettable week of road riding in the Algarve. Not just bikes – this cycling holiday is also about enjoying the Portuguese culture, gastronomy and incredible landscapes too!
€875,00 – €1.275,00
738km North to South N2 Cycling Tour
For the challenge-seekers. A stunning road cycling holiday with a goal to achieve! Put your cycling legs to the test during this 6-day Challenge. A total of 738km, along Europes longest road.
€1.450,00 – €1.800,00
FAQ’s
Is it possible to do the N2 in fewer or more days?
Can I hire a bike?
Yes. Just get in touch to let us know exactly what you would like (road, e-bike or hybrid) and we will give you a quotation.
Am I too slow?
Definitely not! We pride ourselves on providing holidays for all abilities, and we have guides for different fitness levels. Often groups will be divided into three different groups so suit everyone!
Having said that, there are two trips that do require a reasonable level of fitness – the Bikepacking Adventure and the N2 Challenge. Both of these trips have a minimum number of kilometres to complete each day.
I would like to create my own bespoke holiday - can you help?
Of course! We would love to help you put together the perfect cycling holiday for you and your group.
We can assist with:
- Booking hotels, villas or BnB’s
- Hiring bikes
- Plotting cycling routes (road or off-road)
- Hiring guides
- Car Hire
- Booking restaurants
- Recommending cafes
- Airport transfers
We charge really reasonable prices for all of the above, making your life as the organiser really easy. Let us know what you have planned and we will help you plan an unforgettable week of cycling in Portugal for you!
What is your cancellation policy?
We strongly recommend that you travel with adequate travel insurance to cover the cost of flight cancellation and holiday cancellation.
Where are you based?
We are based in the central Algarve, in the south of Portugal. But we run road and gravel tours all over the country!
@echappee.portugal
