North Portugal

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Variation 1: Easy-Moderate Version

Day 1: Melgaço
Day 2: Melgaço - Valença, 27 mi. (43 km ) plus extra track to Tui 
Day 3: Valença – Viana do Castelo, 37 mi.  (60 km)
Day 4: Viana do Castelo – Ponte de Lima, (25 km)
Day 5: Ponte de Lima – Esposende, (55 km)
Day 6: Esposende – Porto, (60 km)
Day 7: Departure

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Melgaço
This amazing cycling trip starts in Melgaço, a city in the north of Portugal, on the banks of the Minho River.  It is a small town, very beautiful and historic, overseen by the tower of Homage, located high up in the old medieval town. It overviews the beautiful Minho valley, filled with vineyards, that surrounds Melgaço and the nearby Peneda Geres park. Included is an introductory meeting with our local partner including tour presentation and explanation.

Day 2: Melgaço – Valença, 27 mi. (43 km) plus extra track to Tui, 4 mi. (6 km)
Your route follows several bicycle paths along the Minho River, always with Spain on the other side. The Minho River Valley is famous for its beautiful landscapes, history, gastronomy, and the well-known, and much appreciated green wine, Alvarinho.  The sloping valleys here are conducive to the practice of agriculture and viticulture. Several archaeological sites testify to the passage of different people and cultures through these lands. Your destination today is Valença, a historic town in the north of Portugal, located on the border with Spain and separated by the beautiful Minho River. The village sits on a hilltop and is surrounded by ramparts. During the Middle Ages, Valença’s hilltop position and privileged view over the River Minho were vital to protecting Portugal from invasion by its northern neighbors.

Elevation:
Min: 17 m  Max 167 m 
488 m ascent / 601 m descent

Day 3: Valença – Viana do Castelo, 37 mi. (60 km)
Leaving Valença but continuing along with the Minho river that marks the border with Spain, one of the destinations today is Caminha, a fortified border town where several battles were fought between Portugal and Spain. Standing on a tiny island in the middle of the estuary are the ruins of the fort of Ínsua, built as a defensive measure concerning the entrance in the river during the XVth century. Nowadays there is a daily ferry-boat linking the two banks of the river between the countries. This
city is also very well-known for its natural and green heritage: the sightseeing areas, waterfalls, beaches, camping parks and the Modelo beach (a favorite destination of famous people in Portugal). The middle stop of this day is Vila Nova de Cerveira, the 'Village of the Arts'. An internationally recognized 'cognomen', resulting from the pioneering of the “InternationalArt Biennials”, which began in 1978. The city then became the meeting point of artists from all over the world. 

Today's destination is Viana do Castelo. One of the most beautiful seaside cities in the north of Portugal. Viana was critical to Portugal in the Age of the Discoveries.  This city has a deep connection with the sea showcased during the great festivity of “Nossa Senhora da Agonia”. It was also here that the ships were built and later deployed to Brazil, India, Africa, and other Portuguese colonies (14th and 15th centuries).

Elevation:
Min. 0 m Max 21 m
304 m ascent / 309 m descent

Day 4: Viana do Castelo – Ponte de Lima, 16 mi. (25 km)
Leaving Viana, today the cycling will lead inland, with the beautiful Lima River as your companion. The destination is Ponte de Lima, one of the most charming towns of northern Portugal. It is also one of the oldest, with a charter from 1125. Its bridge over the Lima River, built by the Romans in the first century, has always been a place of passage for the pilgrims who are going to Santiago.

Elevation:
Min. 11 m
Max. 114 m
300 m ascent / 270 m descent

Day 5: Ponte de Lima - Esposende, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today is the day to know the south bank of the river Lima for about 25 km and then you will begin your journey heading to Esposende, a seaside city
located in the North. During the first day, you will be overwhelmed with seaside landscapes and small“Portuguese rivieras” until you reach Esposende, a city from the Middle Ages. Neiva river and its clear waters, green pine forest of Ofir and the stunning views that offer different viewpoints about Esposende, are just some of the interesting features of the county in which the richness of the natural landscape and heritage built by human hand as is the case of windmills, fields in the trough, the forts, and mills, are combined in a unique harmony, forming landscapes of high scenic and environmental value and confirms Esposende as one of the most beautiful counties in the North region.

Elevation:
Min. 0 m
Max. 78 m
347 m ascent / 334 descent

Day 6: Esponsende - Porto, 41 mi. (65 km)
During this last day, you will be overwhelmed with seaside landscapes and small “Portuguese rivieras” until you reach Porto. During your last day, a huge variety of fishing villages (Póvoa de Varzim) will be met by us, where we can experience ancient traditions linked to the fish exploration as well taste this famous gastronomy. In Vila do Conde, you’ll know why these Portuguese coastal cities were so important during the “el dorado” of the Portuguese Discoveries.

Elevation:
Min. 4 m
Max. 83 m
496 m ascent / 575 descent

Day 7: Porto

Variation 2: Easy Version

Day 1: Melgaço
Day 2: Melgaço – Valença, 27 mi. (43 km). Option short extension to Tui, 4 mi. (6 km)
Day 3: Valença – Caminha,19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Caminha – Viana do Castel,16 mi.(25 km)
Day 5: Viana do Castelo – Ponte de Lima, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 6: Ponte de Lima – Ponte da Barca, 11 mi. (18 km). Option for extension to Arcos de Valdevez, 17 mi. (28 km)
Day 7: Departure

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Melgaço
This amazing cycling trip starts in Melgaço, a city in the north of Portugal, on the banks of the Minho River.  It is a small town, very beautiful and historic, overseen by the tower of Homage, located high up in the old medieval town. It overviews the beautiful Minho valley, filled with vineyards, that surrounds Melgaço and the nearby Peneda Geres park. Included is an introductory meeting with our local partner including tour presentation and explanation.

Day 2: Melgaço – Valença, 27 mi. (43 km) 
Your route follows several bicycle paths along the Minho River, always with Spain on the other side. The Minho River Valley is famous for its beautiful landscapes, history, gastronomy, and the well-known, and much appreciated green wine, Alvarinho.  The sloping valleys here are conducive to the practice of agriculture and viticulture. Several archaeological sites testify to the passage of different people and cultures through these lands. Your destination today is Valença, a historic town in the north of Portugal, located on the border with Spain and separated by the beautiful Minho River. The village sits on a hilltop and is surrounded by ramparts. During the Middle Ages, Valença’s hilltop position and privileged view over the River Minho were vital to protecting Portugal from invasion by its northern neighbors.

Elevation:
Min: 17 m  Max 167 m 
488 m ascent / 601 m descent

Day 3: Valença – Caminha, 19 mi. (30 km)
Leaving Valença, but continuing along the Minho River that marks the border with Spain, today's destination is Caminha, a fortified border town where several battles were fought between Portugal and Spain. Standing on a tiny island in the middle of the estuary are the ruins of the fort of Ínsua, built as a defensive measure during the 15th century. Nowadays there is a daily ferry linking the two banks of the river between the countries. This city is also very well-known for its natural and green heritage, waterfalls, beaches, camping parks, and Modelo beach. During the day, you will pass through Vila Nova de Cerveira, the 'Village of the Arts'. Since 1978, Vila Nova de Cerveira has been famous for its biennial exhibition of visual arts, a prestigious national event whose fame has now spread to other countries and has begun to attract many international artists.

Elevation:
Min: 0 m
Max 21 m
308 m ascent / 313 m descent

Day 4: Caminha – Viana do Castelo, 16 mi.(25 km)
Along the coast, you cycle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, passing through Vila Praia de Âncora. Located at the end of the Âncora river, this beautiful little city is nested in a valley protected from the winds by the Serra d'Arga hills on the north and the Monte de Santa Luzia in the south. With its enchanting landscapes, magnificent views from the Mount of Calvary, and excellent regional gastronomy, this village will surely amaze you. Today's destination is Viana do Castelo. One of the most beautiful seaside cities in the north of Portugal. Viana was critical to Portugal in the Age of the Discoveries. This city has a deep connection with the sea showcased during the great festivity of “Nossa Senhora da Agonia”. It was also here that the ships were built and later deployed to Brazil, India, Africa, and other Portuguese colonies (14th and 15th centuries).

Elevation:
Min: 8 m
Max 52 m
226 m ascent / 238 m descent

Day 5: Viana do Castelo – Ponte de Lima, 17 mi. (26 km)
Leaving Viana, today the cycling will lead inland, with the beautiful Lima River as your companion. The destination is Ponte de Lima, one of the most charming towns of northern Portugal. It is also one of the oldest, with a charter from 1125. Its bridge over the Lima River, built by the Romans in the first century, has always been a place of passage for the pilgrims who are going to Santiago.

Elevation:
Min. 11 m
Max. 114 m
300 m ascent / 270 m descent

Day 6: Ponte de Lima – Ponte da Barca, 11 mi. (18 km)
Continuing along the Lima River, the day's destination is Ponte da Barca, a mountainous municipality with the Lima River flowing along the left bank, and half its territory extending into the Peneda-Gerês National Park. It earned the title of Natural Reserve of the Biosphere. Archaeological findings have proved that it was already inhabited since prehistoric times. The bridge is one of the most important medieval bridges in Portugal, dating back to the first half of the 15th century.

Elevation: 
Min: 7 m
Max:  41 m
416 m ascent / 399 m descent

Arcos de Valdevez (extended track), 17 mi. (28 km)
This is a lovely hillside town, located on the Rio Vez. 

Elevation:
Min: 11 m
Max: 114 m
300 m ascent / 270 m descent
 

Day 7: Departure

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• North Portugal