Portugues route from Lisbon by bicycle

[Cycle gal]

We are hoping to ride the route from Lisbon to Porto then onto Santiago. Has anyone done this trip, and if so, what should be be aware of. Are there places to rent bikes in Lisbon for this purpose? We prefer not to join a guided tour. Are there any specific bicycle books available?

 

[islandwalker]

We are hoping to ride the route from Lisbon to Porto

Here is a Wikiloc track that might be helpful to you. At the bottom of the comments section, this cyclist gives links to the seven daily stages he did, thus making the elevation profiles easier to draw conclusions from. On the right side, under the statistics box, there are also links to videos of the trail showing lots of information about the trail surface. (If you don't read Spanish, Google Translate or opening the page in Chrome with auto-translate enabled will help.) https://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=4889499
Elaine

 

[Jan_D]

If you wanted to do the coastal route from Lisbon this website lists all of the "accessible" options for each stage - it's aimed at wheelchair users wanting to get to Fatima, so all the bicycle paths are listed, as well as further information about the state of the roads and accessibility in general:

http://trilho-das-areias.webnode.com

(It's in Portuguese but if you click on the "etapas" on the right there are pictures and maps and nothing Google translate couldn't help with!)

 

[hecate105]

We cycled it several years ago. Could not find a way out of Lisbon airport (it may of changed now) so we got a cab to Sintra and started there, made our own route up the coast to Porto, which was easy to do with the old military maps (i have a set if needed!) they are the only ones which give enough detail and not much had changed. Traditionally a queen of Portugal had taken the coastal route - and there were clues along the way, statues of St James, scallop shells etc, but no waymarking as such. (just keep sea on left!) From Porto we used the Brierley guide. I'm afraid I ignored his advice (i had contacted him beforehand and he said 'Do NOT go over the Portela Grande above Ponte de Lima on a bicycle!') and only just lived to rue the day... It is basically a goat track going over an extremely tall mountain - no place to take a heavily loaded bike - never mind 2 - and a trailer! But apart from avoiding that - the rest was doable - and if you have the maps you can always take alternative routes if the offroad bit looks too daunting... But - those bits are SO beautiful and you really see the rural heart of portugal, so don't miss them all..!
Good luck - you will love it!

 

[TulaB]

Question about the Portela Grande on a bike. For travelers in bikes without packs and bags and decent mountain bike experience is it still a poor idea? I imagine walking some but riding as much as possible. Is it possible? Question safety with other pilgrims etc. Also what do you think of us riding the Variante Espiritual?

 

[hecate105]

Question about the Portela Grande on a bike. For travelers in bikes without packs and bags and decent mountain bike experience is it still a poor idea? I imagine walking some but riding as much as possible. Is it possible? Question safety with other pilgrims etc. Also what do you think of us riding the Variante Espiritual?

Without packs/bags and with plenty of water (you pass the beautiful 'Three Springs' on the way) - you could possibly push your bikes to the top (there is a tough section a mile or so beforehand too - where you have to carry bikes over a makeshift bridge!)without panniers you should manage your own bike... then you only have to contend with the 'babyhead' rocks on the steep descent, probably better on foot too.... but then a lovely cycle thru woods down to the nearest village. There is a recommended 'pension' run by a local lady, but despite my tears, she refused us a room... So we continued to the albergue - which was really nice.
It is a beautiful route and well worth doing, but just be aware that it will be a very tough day.... don't run out of water and take your sense of humour...!

 

[Camembert]

Mind that driving on Portuguese roads Portuguese car and truckdrivers drive very fast and in their way aggresive. So to be seen wear reflecting safetyvests specially on the first leg from Lisbon to Porto.
On the second leg from Porto special the part from São Pedro de Rates to Barcelos is a notorious part .
From Ponte de de Lima choose the normal road to Rubiães and Valença do Minho to avoid de Alto da Portela mountain . on these mentioned roads wear your safetyvests. It is fairly risky because some parts are dark because of shade of the trees and here again mind the Portuguese drivers.
Once in Spain it is far better with the behaviour of the drivers.
Bom caminho