Douro Valley Wine bicycle Tour
A demarcated and classified wine region
The Douro valley is one of the ultimate wonders of nature. It is the culmination of the effort and energy of men and women, who through their labour gave shape to an already astonishing landscape. Travelling Douro is enjoying its convents and churches, meeting its rustic crafts, tasting the genuine cuisine and witnessing the Portuguese folklore traditions.
Port Wine is undoubtedly the most famous product of this region. Douro comes to life during the summer and beginning of Autumn, with the several holidays and wine celebrations that happen at this time of the year. The harvest of the grapes is most likely the biggest and liveliest event of this region.
Route description:
- Mostly steep. Up and down route.
- 100 % paved roads with very low traffic.
- 4435 meters of cumulative ascents.
Itinerary:
Day1: Porto – Pinhão (110 km, transfer de comboio)
Day 2: Pinhão – Vila Nova de Foz Côa (74 km)
Day 3: Vila Nova de Foz Côa – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (42 km)
Day 4: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – Marialva (60 km)
Day 5: Marialva – Penedono (27 km)
Day 6: Penedono loop (40 km)
Day 7: Penedono – Régua (52 km)
Day 8: Transfer by train to Porto
Hotel 4 *: Quinta de La Rosa or Farm Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta (included in premium option)
Starting in Pinhão, you will begin your journey by heading towards Ervedosa do Douro and continuing to São João da Pesqueira, where you can visit a wine museum. The day will end with an accommodation in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, very well known site for its World Heritage Paleolithic paintings. Hotel 4 *: Longroiva Hotel or upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option
Pedaling towards Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, will pass through Castelo Melhor, Algodres and Vilar de Amargo. Once in your final destination, you will be able to visit its Northern plateau, a preserved village with a medieval castle which overlooks the highest point of Portugal. Between February and March, in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, this natural landscape provides a beautiful scenery of almond blossoms. Rural house Casa da Amendoeira - Turismo Rural or Hotel 4 *: Colmeia Countriside (included in premium option)
Continuing your cycling journey in the heart of Douro, you will now be heading to Marialva. The day will start with the following of the course of the Côa River, which will go up to Pinhel. Marialva is connected to a nobility title of Marquis, created after the Portuguese Restoration, in 1640, as well as connected to the equestrian art of the 18th Century. Hotel 4 *: Casas do Coro or upgrade to 2 nights in Casas do Coro (included in premium option)
Expect some challenges as you will pass by Mêda and Ranhados, the highest points of this route. From this stage on, we will enjoy the unique mountain carved landscapes, that which portraits the inhabitants of Douro, where vineyards stand the test of time. Choose the longest route and enjoy Trancoso village. With a past that parallels the history of Portugal, Trancoso is a town whose narrow streets and stone houses preserve the medieval atmosphere Hotel 4 *: Penedono Hotel or upgrade to 2 nights in Casas do Coro (included in premium option)
Enjoy a free day, or cycle a loop, to get to know surrounding villages. In case you opt for cycling, you will leave Penedono and find yourself in the middle of traditional farmlands. The landscape is dominated by vineyards and chestnuts, so much so that "Sernancelhe" area is known has the chestnut county. You will understand how much chestnut the region actually produces on the road side scenery. With the river Távora by your side you can enjoy the wonderful geography, with mountains and valleys, which is a trademark image of this part of the country. If you have the time, take a visit to the XIIth century church. Hotel 4 *: Penedono Hotel or upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option
From Penedono we will once again ride along the Douro River. Régua is the last frontier to overcome on your way to Porto. Hotel Delfim Douro Hotel or Farm: Quinta da Pacheca (included in premium option)
*Season:
- LS - Low season: Nov 01 to Mar 25
- RS - Regular season: Mar 26 to 25 Jun and Set 26 to 31 Oct
- HS - High Season: Set 01 to 25 Set
- SS - Summer Season: Jun 26 to August 30
Observations:
- Prices are based for 2 people sharing the same standard room
- Sea view (when available) or premium rooms, price on request;;
- Prices can suffer updates due high season, holidays or weekends
- Beverages are not included in Self Guided and Guided option when meals are booked
- Selected drinks are included in Premium package when meals are booked
- If in a triple room with parents Children up to 10 years old - 35% discount. Children from 11 to 14 years old - 20% discount. Children from 15 to 17 years old - 15% discount.
Extras
- Electric bicycles price: 240
- Supplement for single room: 390€, RS: 420€, HS: 450€, SS.480€
- Solo traveler: 280 €
- Extra nights: on request
- Private group price on request
Gallery
What People Are Saying
Wagabonne, Beijing, China,Sergio arranged a really great 5 day (6 nights) tour for me with breathtaking views of Douro valley, interesting and challenging off roads, quite and tranquil back countries, and comfortable and quaint accommodations to relax in at the end of each day. Sergio took great care of us (there were another couple whose tour dates were the same as mine), checked from time to time to see how we are doing, any questions or problems we might have, and shared with us much information on the local culture. His other staff are also great, friendly and knowledgeable about their city. Sergio arranged for a free walking tour of Porto as part of the package, and when we were at Pinhao he took us to a vineyard for port wine tasting. We were equipped with GPS with turn by turn instructions, no way to get lost. Douro valley is a beautiful and serene place to cycle, sometimes you feel like you have the whole place just to yourself. The villages and towns along the way are not touristy at all, very much maintained its local way of life. A great way to see beautiful nature and way of life in the wine country of Portugal. Really recommend a visit to the archeological site of Foz Coa to see the rock art our ancestor left us over 20,000 years ago and hear about the fascinating history of how it was discovered and the fight to preserve an important part of human heritage. Miss the nature, the sun and tranquility of Douro wine valley. Fold'n and Visit is the company to go with when you want to book tours in Porto or the countryside around it. Really recommend it for their service, care, attention to details and hospitality.
Kim Rucki, Canada,What an incredible trip!! Sergio from Top Bike Tours curated a wonderful week for us with excellent hotels and routes. Surpassed our expectations! The little extras like a walking tour and wine tastings at different stops were thoroughly enjoyed as well. We had a few issues on Day 2 with some flats which were addressed the next day so all was good. We opted for e-bikes due to the climbs and we were glad we did. The descents were thrilling and something we will always remember. Would recommend this company if you want to tour Portugal! We loved our trip!
Julie Smalley, USA,This was such a highlight of our 3 1/2 weeks in Portugal. Can’t say enough good things about this ride! The views and the diversity of scenery were amazing. We did this with e-bikes as there is a lot of climbing in this trip. Sergio and his team were wonderful. We went to his shop beforehand to get fit for the bike and given all the details of the ride. The GPS route was extremely easy to follow and the accommodations were very good. The location of the accommodations were so unique and tucked into places with amazing views. It more than met my expectations! I’ve been on several self guided bike trips and this one ranks up there with the best! Don’t hesitate to book with Sergio.
Marie D, Switzerland,Magnifique séjour dans le Douro avec des vélos de route!
Nous avons demandé un séjour personnalisé de 5 jours avec des vélos de route. Tout fût parfait: choix ses routes avec peu de traffic, paysages, hôtels, informations, ... Sergio est très disponible et parle couramment l’anglais! Il s’est donné la peine de remplir chacune de nos demandes à la perfection. Nous avons vraiment aucun feedback négatif à faire, et recommandons en tous points! Vraiment un super séjour!
Katherine, Melbourne, Australia,My family recently did a 7 day bike tour through the Duoro Valley with Sergio (driving the van) and Henrique (our guide). We had the most fabulous week! The route chosen by Sergio was perfect and the scenery was different every day. We stayed at beautiful Quinta's each night where we either ate dinner with the family (which was very traditional) or went out to great local restaurants. We also got to have unique experiences with the families (port tasting, olive oil visits, palaeontology visits etc). Henrique was the best guide we could have wanted. He was very friendly and enthusiastic and provided us with a wealth of information about every city, church, region, etc. Both Sergio and Henrique were extremely professional and went above and beyond to make our week the best it could be! We wouldn't have changed one thing! Thanks Sergio and Henrique!!