Madrid to Lisbon

Day 1: Madrid
Arrive at the Madrid Airport where your guide will be waiting to take you to your first accommodation. If you arrive early enough, be sure to check out this incredible city full of famous museums, world-class restaurants, and unbeatable nightlife. Before dinner this evening, you'll be given a briefing about the days to come.

Day 2: Madrid - Rascafria (54 miles/87 km)
Starting in the center of Madrid, in Plaza del Sol, you'll follow pedestrian streets and parks such as Parque del Retiro, going north circling the Anillo Verde. You'll soon begin to head into the mountains of Guadarrama, where an uphill pedal will prepare you for the challenges to come!

Elevation gain 4,921ft/1,500m

Day 3: Rascafria - Ávila (76 miles/123 km)
You'll continue climbing in the hills of Guadarrama, starting with a big ascent which will of course lead to an incredible descent. Beautiful countryside and golden fields lead you away from the big cities to reach Ávila. This is arguably one of the most interesting cultural cities on the route, mostly because it is one of only a few medieval cities in the world that is totally enclosed in a nearly intact wall.

Elevation gain 6,233ft/1,900m

Day 4: Ávila - Barco D'Ávila (77 miles/124 km)
Leaving the city of Ávila, you'll continue on the high mountain roads that are a staple on this tour. You'll cycle alongside the Tormes River, which features Roman bridges and lots of typical villages. Reaching Barco D'Ávila, you'll be amazed by the panoramic views of the Sierra de Gredos.

Elevation gain 6,233ft/1,900m

Day 5: Barco D'Ávila - Alberca (70miles/113 km)
Today is a challenge as you'll conquer various passes and long roads, but never without the picturesque Central Iberian vistas to accompany you. You'll pedal through the Béjar Mountain Range before reaching the Hurdes region. Alberca, situated in the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park, is a quaint town that was the first rural village in Spain to be given National Historic Heritage status.

Elevation gain 7546ft/2,300m

Day 6: Alberca - Saugal (91 miles/146 km)
This is one of the longest days in the itinerary, but after today you will be halfway through! You'll continue climbing to reach the epic ascent from the cycling race the Spanish Vuelta: Peña de Francia. After this climb, you'll continue in one of the most remote regions of the Peninsula, the Sierra da Gata. Finally, the border of Portugal comes into view and soon you'll reach Sabugal.

Elevation gain 8202ft/2,500m

Day 7: Sabugal - Piódão (76 miles/123 km)
Portugal's most historic villages are on full display today. Discover Sortelha, a tiny medieval village where rugged vegetation meets 13th-century architecture. You'll soon reach the highest mountain in Portugal, but not before passing through beautiful forests and the town of Manteigas which sits in a glacial valley. After the climb, you have the longest descent of the entire trip before one last uphill to reach Piódão. Piódão is straight from a fairytale, with stone houses climbing into the hillside.

Elevation gain 8858ft/2,700m

Day 8: Piódão - Penela (66 miles/107 km)
Today is your last day being above 1,000m. Lots of variety awaits you as you pedal through the central schist mountain system before entering into the karst landscape where you'll see the scenery radically change. Now the typical vegetation is olive groves and holm oak; you are in the limestone kingdom!

Elevation gain 5249ft/1,600m

Day 9: Penela - Óbidos (98 miles/158 km)
Leaving the limestone hills and the lovely town of Penela, you will finally reach the sea. A descent will bring you out of the mountainous region to where the Atlantic Ocean is in sight. Now, it is time to head south along the coast and through vast pine tree forests. You'll visit the typical coastal villages of São Pedro de Moel and Nazaré (now famous for its giant waves), before reaching today's destination of Óbidos.

Elevation gain 6561ft/2,000m

Day 10: Óbidos - Cascais (75 miles/121 km)
The final biking stage. For those that conquered the first 9 days of this trip, today's cycling will be an absolute joy. Quiet roads over the cliffs and by beaches, through typical fishing villages of the area, make this a unique and welcome change from the previous stages. Roca Cape is today's destination and the westernmost point of all of Europe! After a quick celebration, you can ride or be transported to your hotel.

Elevation gain 5,249ft/1,600m

Day 11: Departure from Lisbon
All good things must come to an end. You are transported back to Lisbon airport in time for your flight (transfer time 40 minutes).

Day 1: Madrid
Arrive at the Madrid Airport where your guide will be waiting to take you to your first accommodation. If you arrive early enough, be sure to check out this incredible city full of famous museums, world-class restaurants, and unbeatable nightlife. Before dinner this evening, you'll be given a briefing about the days to come.

Day 2: Madrid to Miraflores (43 miles/69 km)
Starting in the center of Madrid, in Plaza del Sol, you'll begin pedaling from the km 0 landmark where roads lead away from the city. Following pedestrian streets and parks, like the Parque del Retiro, the route goes north circling the Anillo Verde. After only a few miles and an hour into the ride, you'll reach the dirt roads and single tracks joining the Camino de Santiago. Cycling through beautiful golden fields away from the stress of the big city, the goal is to reach the Miraflores at 1,100 m of altitude in the Guadarrama Mountains.

Elevation gain 3,609ft/1,100m
Average ascent grade: 3.3%
Average descent grade: 3.4%

Day 3: Miraflores to Cercedilla (41 miles/66 km)
Leaving Miraflores de la Sierra, near the Guadalix River, you'll pedal uphill on a nice forest track between pines and oak trees. This day is marked by high mountain scenes with a strong likelihood of encountering horses, cattle, and other wildlife. You'll be on awesome single tracks between small waterfalls and beautiful scenery, conquering long uphill sections with fun descents. This is a day to remember! You'll finish with a long 10 km downhill untl Cercedilla.

Elevation gain 5,905ft/1,800m
Average ascent grade: 5.8%
Average descent grade: 5.5%

Day 4: Cercedilla - Ávila (54 miles/88 km)
On the third day of this traverse, you will do an impressive 54 miles on high-altitude plains and forest tracks. You'll pass through some interesting cultural sites along the way, such as Cruz dos Caidos, El Escorial, and Collado de la Mina. You'll also cycle along a ridge through a windmill park. A hidden treasure awaits you at the end of the day: a perfect single track to Ávila, one of the most special cities during this tour.

Elevation gain 5,577ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 5.4%
Average descent grade: 5.3%

Day 5: Ávila - Barco D'Ávila (70 miles/113 km)
Leaving behind the medieval city of Ávila, you'll descend along the ancient walls going westward, entering a forest track along a winding creek. Today is another day biking on high mountain trails and you'll also reach the highest passage through Zapatero Mountains at Gredos Massif (1,822 m). The beauty of the landscapes and the miles cycled alongside the Tormes River, with its Roman bridges, helps ease the fact that this is your longest day. Finally, the route reaches Barco d’Ávila, a historical villa within this mountain range.

Elevation gain 6,233ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 4.7%
Average descent grade: 4.3%

Day 6: Barco D'Ávila - Sotoserrano (54 miles/87 km)
On the sixth day of this adventure, you’ll find a real challenge: The Béjar Mountain. This is a day full of difficult climbs, hard trails, and lots of single tracks, but also tons of emotion as you continue through this region. You will pass through oak forests and the picturesque Candelário Villa. You finally reach Sotoserrano, for a well-deserved rest.

Elevation gain 4,921ft/1,500m
Average ascent grade: 5.4%
Average descent grade: 5.6%

Day 7: Sotoserrano - Pinofranqueado (52 miles/84 km)
Today the route is a bit softer, and a good way to recover from yesterday's ride. The mountains get lower and the terrain is now schist. This is the place of Oak and Pine with nice forest tracks and the possibility to enjoy the landscapes of Las Hurdes, cruising until Pinofranqueado.

Elevation gain 5,249ft/1,600m
Average ascent grade: 4.6%
Average descent grade: 4.7%

Day 8: Pinofranqueado - Trevejo (60 miles/97 km)
Almost half of the traverse is completed and it’s time to enjoy cycling through small villages, seemingly stuck in the Middle Ages, where the locals still live a traditional lifestyle. The Sierra da Gata offers nice tracks and astonishing photo opportunities during a nice day’s ride. You finish the day in Trevejo.

Elevation gain 5,249ft/1,600m
Average ascent grade: 4.4%
Average descent grade: 4.5%

Day 9: Trevejo - Sabugal (30 miles/48 km)
Half of the route is done! This is a good day to recover for the remaining stages of the tour since it is one of the shortest. Up again in the mountains, you’ll cross the border between Portugal and Spain at almost 1,000 m, on the mountain of Malcata. The goal is to cross this isolated and wild mountain region to reach the first gorgeous villages in Portugal. Starting close to a forest area of pines and oaks and finally reaching Sabugal, you'll enjoy your first Portuguese traditional meal.

Elevation gain 3,280ft/1,000m
Average ascent grade: 5.3%
Average descent grade: 5.4%

Day 10: Sabugal - Manteigas (51 miles/82 km)
You're in for an awesome day visiting some of Portugal’s most iconic historical villages. Discover Sortelha, a tiny medieval village where rugged vegetation meets 13th-century architecture. You'll cycle on old stone roads and single tracks in scenic valleys. Reaching the higher mountains of Portugal through beautiful forests, you'll eventually arrive in the picturesque village of Manteigas, which sits in a glacial valley.

Elevation gain 6,233ft/1,900m
Average ascent grade: 5.5%
Average descent grade: 6.6%

Day 11: Manteigas - Aldeia das Dez (43 miles/70 km)
Today you'll reach the highest peaks in Portugal, passing the 1,600 m mark near a picturesque lagoon in the Serra da Estrela. This granite mountain range is an impressive massif with forests, mountain meadows, and typical mountain villages. At the end of the day, you will arrive in Aldeia das Dez, a rural town situated on the Alva river.

Elevation gain 5,249ft/1,600m
Average ascent grade: 7%
Average descent grade: 6.7%

Day 12: Aldeia das Dez - Penela (59 miles/95 km)
Leaving the granite houses and haylofts of Aldeia das Dez, you'll pedal through the central mountain system of Portugal. The route follows rounded ridges; the scenery is incredible. Today is your last day being above 1,000m. You'll end your day with an incredible downhill track to the quiet village of Penela.

Elevation gain 5,577ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 6.7%
Average descent grade: 7%

Day 13: Penela - Tomar (50 miles/80 km)
You'll cycle through an awesome variety of landscapes today. Today is all about mountain scenery, traditional villages and a magnificent trail through the Alge canyon. You'll visit an impressive waterfall and cycle on super fun single tracks along the river, a delight for any mountain biker. Afterward, the scenery changes radically as you enter a hilly region of the karst landscape that will dominate the next stages with its olive groves and holm oak. You are in the limestone kingdom!

Elevation gain 5,577 ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 6.5%
Average descent grade: 6.7%

Day 14: Tomar - Alcobaça (59 miles/96 km)
Leaving Tomar, you'll start the day cycling over limestone hills. The paths are surrounded by stone walls built over a hundred years! Over the last ridge of these mountainous terrains, you'll have your first look at the Atlantic Coast! You'll arrive in Alcobaça, made famous by the Monastery and the Royal Abbey of Santa Maria, listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.

Elevation gain 4,921ft/1,500m
Average ascent grade: 3.9%
Average descent grade: 3.5%

Day 15: Alcobaça - Lourinhã (57 miles/92 km)
The impressive medieval buildings of Alcobaça will stay in the rearview while you ride to Lourinhã, the town where dinosaurs once roamed. This is the final crossing through karst landscape, on the beautiful path through the Montejunto Sierra with superb views over the plains. You'll ride on singletracks on ridges full of typical windmills and by rivers through lush Mediterranean vegetation.

Elevation gain 5,577 ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 4%
Average descent grade: 4.2%

Day 16: Lourinhã - Cascais (54 miles/87 km)
Finally, on the last day of this epic journey, you arrive at the sea! After 14 days through the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula, there is no greater feeling than reaching the ocean! The remaining roads and paths follow along the sea, and single tracks and trails on the cliffs and beaches make this a unique and different way to end your tour. Finally, you arrive to Roca Cape, the westernmost point of Europe! You will celebrate before transferring to your hotel in Cascais (25 minutes).

Elevation gain 5,577 ft/1,700m
Average ascent grade: 5.9%
Average descent grade: 5%

Day 17: Departure from Lisbon
This once-of-a-lifetime experience comes to an end, you will be transferred to the airport in Lisbon for your return home (40 minutes).

• 10 x nights accommodation with breakfast
• 9 x nourishing picnics
• 10 x dinners
• Daily fruit, energy bars and water
• Transfers from Madrid Airport to Hotel on arrival day
• Transfers to Lisbon Airport on departure day
• Tour guide
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
• Support pack bike for transportation
• Mechanical assistance
• Spare bike
• Backup vehicle
• Madrid-Lisbon Bike Jersey

• 16 x nights accommodation with breakfast
• 15 x nourishing picnics
• 16 x dinners
• Daily fruit, energy bars and water
• Transfers from Madrid Airport to Hotel on arrival day
• Transfers to Lisbon Airport on departure day
• Tour guide
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
• Support pack bike for transportation
• Mechanical assistance
• Spare bike
• Backup vehicle
• Madrid-Lisbon Bike Jersey