Mountain biking

We ourselves fell in love with this spot during a cycling trip and have been fanatic mountain bikers for years. That’s why we can say without doubt: this is a great place for mountain-biking.  

It is also excellent for road cycling. There are many quiet roads on which you can ride for hours meeting only the occasional car. Connecting roads can be somewhat busier, and the Portuguese sometimes drive fast on the narrow winding roads. On the other hand, they are used to slow traffic, and when you take this in account, and if you like a hilly ride, you can make long trips on tarmac without feeling at all harrassed.

But for the best spots and the most beautiful tracks you do need a mountain-bike. In this part of Portugal most roads are still unpaved, what makes that you can connect tracks forever and bike to no place in particular but just ... nice biking. For all levels.

We do have a few descriptions of nice rides through and to beautiful places. One of our favourite rides is the 3-villages tour that will take you via the singing windmill, and the villages of Troviscais, Vale Bejinha and Sao Luis. Alongside the river Mira and through the Serra de Cercal to Rocha d’ Agua D’alta, a magical spot on top of a waterfall that is dry most of the year.

This is a medium-challenge ride of more than 40 km, but of course we also have shorter or longer (but easier) tours. For example: to the town of Odemira and a favourite local beauty spot; Pego das Pias, where you can cool down in the clear waters of this natural pool. 



But you can also take several short rides in the direct area of the lodge,  just an hour in the morning to start a lazy day.

A day ride which is partly on paved roads (but you can also do this part by car), brings you to the beautiful tracks on the cliffs along the coast. On one side the unspoilt sand dunes, covered with wild rosemary, thyme and juniper. On the other side - down below the jagged slate cliffs is the deep blue ocean.

Especially in the low season, when the beautiful beaches are almost deserted and the sand on the path is not too soft, you should not miss this.