Crossing Peneda-Gerês National Park (E-Bike Touring)

Crossing Peneda-Gerês National Park – 7d (E-Bike Touring)

Includes

Pick-up & drop-off from Braga/Terras de Bouro
Lunch + snack + water
Insurance
Conservation support

 

Duration and  availability

6 Stages | 7 days
Spring / Summer
Autumn / Winter

Price

1140€  | Entire Crossing
230€    | Single Stage
family friendly
scenic views
history and culture
wilderness

Crossing Peneda-Gerês National Park (E-Bike Touring)

We propose a fabulous week in the unique Peneda-Gerês National Park riding a very comfortable ebike. 

During this circular crossing you will be able to enjoy many different areas, rich heritage and a few curiosities on a very pleasant tour in both Portuguese and Spanish (Galician) protected natural areas. 

This traverse is organised in 3 + 3 days of cycling with 1 day off, to make sure your energy is restored for the second part of this beautiful adventure. 

We tailored this comprehensive trip to share with you this vast territory and its differences in one week route. 

All you need is to know is how to ride a bike – don’t worry about this being an e-bike, it will only take you a few minutes to learn how to master it – everything else is taken care of: pickup and dropoff at your accommodation in Braga or in villages along the way, packed lunches, snacks, water, photos and insurance are all included in this programme. 

You will mainly use tar roadand well-maintained dirt roads, cycling through villages and forests, and crossing rivers in the wonderful scenery that is the unique Portuguese National Park. 

Stage by Stage

You can choose to do this crossing at your own pace. Freely choose 1 or more stages, according to your availability, fitness level and interests. For example: you can choose 4 stages in a row or every other day; 3 Saturdays in a row; a few stages this month and some the next month, or even next year... you decide. 

Each stage is a full-day tour on its own, meaning it always includes guides, pick-up and drop-off in Braga or around the area you will be hiking, packed lunches, snacks, water, insurance and photos. 

Relax, everything is taken care of. 

Crossing Peneda-Gerês National Park (E-Bike Touring)

Location

Mourela Plateau / Gerês Mountain

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate
Length | 37.50 km (23.30 mi)
High. elev. | 1341 m (4400 ft)
Elev. gain | 1369 m (4491 ft)
Max. incline | 30.8%
Paved Roads | 36%
Dirt Roads | 49%
Trails | 15%

Tourém – Cabril

From the picturesque village of Tourém, on the Salas valley, climb and explore the Mourela Plateau and discover the wonders of Pitões das Júnias, a beautiful village placed between the smooth plateau and the rough mountain. 

Ride through the wonderful Beredo forest and enjoy the astonishing views of Paradela lake. 

Learn about the troubled relation between the villagers and the wildlife and how they adapted to each other. Roam on fascinating villages and dazzle with beautiful waterfalls. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture

Location

Gerês Mountain

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate
Length | 34.2 km (21.25 mi)
High. elev. | 861 m (2825 ft)
Elev. gain | 1718 m (5636 ft)
Max. incline | 27.9%
Paved Roads | 73%
Dirt Roads | 27%
Trails | 0%

Cabril – Vilar da Veiga

Depart from Cabril to explore the mountain villages of Pincães and Fafião and its communitarian features. Ride deeper into the mountain and reach luxuriant woods that hide centuries old stone-made corrals. 

Discover one of the most iconic waterfalls of the National Park and the broad views over the Caniçada Lake. 

Ride though the lush vegetation of the Gerês valley in a challenging climb right on the edge of the National Forest. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture

Location

Gerês and Amarela Mountains

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate/Hard
Length | 50.5 km (31.38 mi)
High. elev. | 909 m (2982 ft)
Elev. gain | 1600 m (5249 ft)
Max. incline | 19.5%
Paved Roads | 55%
Dirt Roads | 35%
Trails | 10%

Vilar da Veiga – Lindoso

Ride on the Geira, a 2000 year-old roman road that cuts through the Albergaria Forest, and enjoy opulent flora and the emerald pools of the wild creeks. 

Discover some well-hidden places as you cross Amarela mountain in one challenging but highly rewarding stage.  

Roam in mountain trails that take you through forests and moorlands, villages and wilderness and reach the border village of Lindoso, protected by its magnificent castle and embellished by its collection of granaries. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture

Location

Lima Valley and Peneda Mountain

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate
Length | 39 km (24.23 mi)
High. elev. | 1241 m (4072 ft)
Elev. gain | 1442 m (4731 ft)
Max. incline | 26%
Paved Roads | 49%
Dirt Roads | 46%
Trails | 5%

Lindoso – Gaviera

Explore the old summer villages of Soajo as you move north and climb the mountain to contemplate the territory from some of the most impressive view points of the National Park. Discover the villages on the bottom of the Valley of Peneda and the summer villages up slope, as well as the important Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda, which hosts a popular annual pilgrimage that hosts people from the northern Portugal and Galicia. 

Ride seldom used roads and enjoy the smell and fresh air of the mountain as you move towards Castro Laboreiro, a beautiful parish entrenched between the mountain and the plateau, in an area covered with magnificent oak forests. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture

Location

Peneda Mountain and Castro Laboreiro Plateau

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate/Hard
Length | 51.7 km (32.12 mi)
High. elev. | 1274 m (4180 ft)
Elev. gain | 1304 m (4278 ft)
Max. incline | 27%
Paved Roads | 52%
Dirt Roads | 42%
Trails | 6%

Gavieira – Castro Laboreiro

From the broad horizons of Batateiro, start riding downhill and explore the summer villages of Gavieira, as well as a small Catholic sanctuary dedicated to Saint Benedict. Enjoy the luxurious oak forests and the impressive Santuary of Our Lady of Peneda and its bucolic surrounding.  

Enjoy the ride through the intra-mountain depression of Lamas the Mouro and its scots pine forests and be dazzled by the smooth landscapes and complex megalithic monuments of the Castro Laboreiro Plateau. Explore the summer villages of this mountain parish, marked by a complex human occupation pattern. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture

Location

Baixa Limia and Serra do Xurés

Specifics

Difficulty | Moderate/Hard
Length | 46.4 km (28.83 mi)
High. elev. | 1121 m (3678 ft)
Elev. gain | 1494 m (4902 ft)
Max. incline | 26.9%
Paved Roads | 73%
Dirt Roads | 27%
Trails | 0%

Castro Laboreiro – Tourém

Start the day exploring the winter villages of Castro Laboreiro and then roam towards Galicia. In this almost entirely spanish stage, discover the Baixa Limia/Serra do Xurés Natural Park, both its low lands close to Lóbios and Entrimo and its higher areas of Muiños. 

Ride on rough routes of this northern slope and reach completely abandoned villages and view points over dramatic views. As you head towards the picturesque Tourém, explore the galician villages of Requiás and Guntumil. 

geology
biology
wilderness
history and culture
Specifics
  • 6 stages with long rides (from 5 to 10 hours)
  • Suitable for everyone from 12 to 75 years old
  • Minimum group size: 2
  • Maximum group size: 5
  • Available all year round
  • Duration of each stage: full day – 9:00 to 20:00
Recommendations
  • Wear weather and biking appropriate clothes and shoes
  • Depending on the stage, bring swimwear – to dress up and take off on location (to avoid returning wet) –, a towel (you can rent one for 2€) and flip-flops (not essential)
  • Bring sunscreen (if relevant)
Background
All the tours include:
  • Pick-up and Drop-off at accommodation
  • SUV with all seats facing forward
  • Toddler/child car seats available (9 to 36 kg)
  • Lunch, snacks and water
  • Photos and videos
  • Specialized local guide with first aid training and carrying a first aid kit
  • A 2,00 € contribution for a conservation project
  • Small-group tour
  • All equipment necessary for the activities
  • Insurance, both personal and liability
The tours do not include:
  • Accommodation*
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Swimwear
  • Towels (you can rent one for 2€)

We can help you find a nice place to stay – for 10,00€, we’ll send you between 3 to 5 options; just share the kind of accommodations you prefer (hotel, hostel, house), the type of room (single, double, shared) and your budget per night.

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