Douro Valley Wine & E-Bike Tour

Day 1: Porto and transfer to Pinhão
Day 2: Pinhão – Vila Nova de Foz Côa, 46 mi. (74 km)
Day 3: Vila Nova de Foz Côa – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – Marialva, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 5: Marialva – Penedono, 17 mi.  (27 km)
Day 6: Penedono loop, 25 mi.  (40 km)
Day 7: Penedono – Régua, 32 mi (52 km)
Day 8: Transfer by train to Porto

Day 1: Arrival to Porto and transfer to Pinhão
Porto is ancient and was already a metropolis in Roman times. The favorable location at the mouth of the Douro in the Atlantic owes its importance as an important trading port and today offers a picturesque view of the colorful, stacked houses on the steep banks of the river.  This first day entails a 110 km transfer so we advise that you book an extra night before your tour in beautiful Porto so that you can check in and recover from your long flight. You can participate in a guided walking tour of Porto. Just ask.

Preferred accommodation: Quinta de la Rosa

Day 2: Pinhão – Vila Nova de Foz Côa, 46 mi. (74 km)
This is the land where the cave paintings are classified as World Heritage and also the region that produces the famous Douro wine. The route begins heading towards Ervedosa do Douro and continues to São João da Pesqueira so that you can truly enjoy the river. Once at your final destination, you will be able to visit its Northern plateau, a preserved village with a medieval castle that overlooks the highest point of Portugal. Between February and March, in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, this natural landscape provides beautiful scenery and scent of almond blossoms.

Elevation:
Min: 37 m
Max: 736 m
Ascent: 1266 m
Descent: 1507 m

Today you will travel on shared roads. During busy hours, exiting or entering towns, you may encounter moderate traffic.

Preferred accommodation: Longroiva Hotel

Day 3: Vila Nova de Foz Côa – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, 26 mi. (42 km)
Pedaling towards Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, you will visit the Northern plateau of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a preserved village with its medieval castle, overlooking the highest point of Portugal. You will pass through Castelo Melhor, Algodres, and Vilar de Amargo. Between February and March, this natural landscape is scented and colored by almond blossoms.

Elevation:
Min: 164 m
Max: 642 m
Ascent: 919 m
Descent: 594 m

Today you will cycle on secondary roads only used by locals to access their homes or farms.

Preferred accommodation: Colmeia Countryside

Day 4: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – Marialva, 38 mi. (60 km)
Today you follow the course of the Côa River, which leads to Pinhel. Slowly, the route ascends to Marialva. You can visit the castle of four towers and the incredible church of Santiago. Marialva once was a border settlement and is now one of Portugal’s Aldeias Historicas (Historical Villages).

Elevation:
Min: 354 m
Max: 741 m
Ascent: 1289 m
Descent: 1322 m

On this day, you will again travel on secondary roads but always keep in mind that when entering and exiting towns, some traffic is unavoidable.

Preferred accommodation: Casas do Coro

Day 5: Marialva – Penedono, 17 mi.  (27 km)
Expect some challenges as you will pass by Mêda and Ranhados, the highest points of this route. On your electric bike, you will breeze through any challenges!  From this stage on, you will enjoy the unique mountain landscapes. Ancient vineyards, still in use, climb the hills. 

Elevation: 
Min: 572 m
Max: 407 m
Ascent: 913 m
Descent: 225 m

Secondary roads but always keep in mind that when entering and exiting towns, some traffic is unavoidable.

Preferred accommodation: Penedono Hotel

Day 6: Penedono loop or free day, 25 mi. (40 km)
Enjoy a rest day or, if you prefer to be on the bike, you can cycle a loop, through neighboring villages.  It will not be an easy ride but you can adjust the assistance on your electric bike accordingly.  Leaving Penedono, you will find yourself in the middle of traditional farmlands, dominated by vineyards and chestnuts. The Sernacelhe area is known as chestnut country. Cycling alongside the Távora River, you can enjoy the wonderful geography with the mountains and valleys so typical of this part of the country. If you have the time, be sure to visit the 12th century church.

Elevation:
Min: 553 m
Max: 913 m
Ascent: 759 m
Descent: 755 m

Secondary roads but always keep in mind that when entering and exiting towns, some traffic is unavoidable.

Preferred accommodation: Penedono Hotel

Day 7: Penedono - Régua, 32 mi (52 km)
From here, you will ride along the Douro River. Régua is the last frontier to overcome on your way to Porto. You will be glad you had an electric bike so that you could truly relax and enjoy the incredible scenery on this tour.

Elevation:
Min: 78 m
Max: 759 m
Ascent: 921 m
Descent: 1437 m

Secondary roads but always keep in mind that when entering and exiting towns, some traffic is unavoidable.

Preferred accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca

Day 8: Train transfer from Régua to Porto

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Accommodations

The accommodations for this tour are 4-star boutique-level hotels. For example on the evening of Day 1, you will stay in the Quinta de la Rosa, a family-owned winery in the heart of a Unesco World Heritage site. On the evening of Day 2, you will accommodate at the Longroiva Hotel and Thermal Spa. The renovation project, designed by the architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade, rebuilt the old neoclassical thermal building, providing contemporary elegance. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred accommodation. If the hotel indicated is fully booked and not available, you will be offered an establishment of equal standard. Important to note, especially for self guided cyclists, accommodations are located out of the towns….dinners many times out of necessity must be at accommodations.

Bicycles

Electric Bike

KTM Macina

• Bosch motor
• 500 Wh battery
• Aluminum Frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano Deore gearing
• 9 speeds
• Schwalbe Energizer tires
• Shimano Piston brakes
• Platform pedals
• Rear rack

Cube Acid

• Bosch Motor
• 500 Wh battery (frame design)
• Aluminum frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano gearing
• 9 speeds
• Schwalbe Tough Tom tires
• Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
• Platform pedals
• Weight: 21.8 kg

Accessories:

• Helmet
• Bike tool kit for quick repairs (pump. inner tubes)
• Water bottle
• Lights
• Locks
• GPS Garmin

Hybrid Bike

Kross Trans 5.0

• Aluminum touring frame (available in men's and women's frame)
• Front suspension
• Shimano Tourney and Deore gearing
• 24 speeds
• Schwalbe Silento tires
• Shimano disc brakes
• Selle Royal saddle
• Platform pedals
• Rear rack
• Weight 17. 5 kg

Accessories:

• Helmet
• Bike tool kit for quick repairs (pump. inner tubes)
• Water bottle
• Lights
• Locks
• GPS Garmin

Road Bike

Specialized Tarmac Sport

• Carbon frame
• Shimano 105 gearing
• 22 speeds
• S works tire (700 x 24 mm)
• Axis brakes
• Body Geometry Toupe Comp gel saddle
  

Accessories:

• Helmet
• Bike tool kit for quick repairs (pump. inner tubes)
• Water bottle
• Lights
• Locks
• GPS Garmin

Trail Bike

Trek X- Caliber 7

• Aluminum frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano Acera and Shimano Alivio gearing
• 18 speeds
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
• Bontrager Arvada saddle
• Platform pedals
• Rear rack
• Weight 13.97 kg

Specialized Women's Pitch Comp 27.5

• Aluminum frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano TX800 gearing
• 24 speeds
• Ground Control sport tire (27.5)
• Radius mechanical disc brakes
• Myth sport saddle
• Specialized dirt pedals
• Rear rack

Accessories

• Helmet
• Bike tool kit for quick repairs (pump. inner tubes)
• Water bottle
• Lights
• Locks
• GPS Garmin