Mountain Biking from Lisbon to Porto (Central)

[GDRD]

Can you ride the whole route following the walking pilgrims and signs .... or are some parts just not possible to ride - even though we are prepared to push bikes. Thanks, Robyn, Napier, New Zealand

 

[dougfitz]

I walked most of the CP from Lisbon earlier this year. The section I missed was when I walked from Santarem to Fatima, following which I rejoined the CP at Tomar. I cannot recall any section before Porto where it wouldn't have been possible to follow the marked path on a bicycle. Someone else might care to comment about the days from Santarem to Tomar, but it doesn't seem to me to have anything that would stop you cycling.

 

[trecile]

Someone else might care to comment about the days from Santarem to Tomar, but it doesn't seem to me to have anything that would stop you cycling.

I was on the Portuguese Camino shortly after @dougfitz, and I don't remember anywhere between Santarém and Tomar that you wouldn't be able to cycle on a mountain bike.

 

[trecile]

You should check out the Bicycling on the Camino subforum. There are some posts there about cycling the Portuguese way.

Here are a few that might be useful:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cycling-portuguese-vigo-to-portevedra.77384/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/portuguese-way-from-lisbon.74553/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/biking-the-portuguese.72978/

 

[Flatlander]

CrazyGuyOnABike is always a great place to find info.

crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: Journals by Locale: Portugal

crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: Journals by Locale: Portugal

www.crazyguyonabike.com

 

[VivB]

Can you ride the whole route following the walking pilgrims and signs .... or are some parts just not possible to ride - even though we are prepared to push bikes. Thanks, Robyn, Napier, New Zealand

Hi Robyn. We cycled the CP in 2016 mostly on the marked route (Lisbon to Santiago). We were on rigid bikes with wider tyres and panniers. Lots of cobbles but totally rideable and easier on a MTB. We really enjoyed it. Hope you do too.
Viv, from Christchurch NZ.

 

[Helen O'Shaughnessy]

Hi Robyn from Napier. I’m in Auckland if you want to chat….but to answer your question I cycled from Lisbon to Coimbra in early October. It’s flat and semi industrial heading out of Lisbon for the first 2 days, though the river is close, and the railway closer. Then it gets more interesting and hilly. I was doing 40-60k a day, and I took my time as I was on my own. The terrain changes frequently, tarmac, cobbles, gravel, farm and forestry roads…so in the couple of gnarly bits, where I had to unload the bike, push it uphill and go back down to retrieve bags ….it was very short lived….and I always enjoyed the downhill I met loads of cyclists, road and mtb,….out for training or recreational rides….and didn’t see too many pilgrims walking….but there were a handful every day.
I can’t speak to after Coimbra, from what I’ve read, it is very hilly and potentially slow in poor weather. I was told to avoid the suburbs of Porto, them being the most industrialised parts of Lisbon….so I took a local train across to the coast. You can cycle from there on Eurovelo 1 to Porto…..much more pleasant.

 

[GDRD]

Thank you so much Helen that is very helpful .... MERRY XMAS!