Lisbon to Algarve Ride

Depending on the time of your arrival in Lisbon, your leader will arrange a short orientation tour in the historic centre. There is plenty to see and we recommend travelling a day earlier if you are interested in exploring more of the enchanting capital. Overnight in Lisbon.

In the morning, we take a transfer (45 minutes) to Setúbal, where we check into our accommodation and receive our bikes. After lunch, we go for a short ride to get used to our bikes and see the area, including Arrabida Mountain and the archaeological site of Cumenda. A welcome dinner is included this evening and we overnight in Setúbal. Route: Easy ride around Setubal, with a slight climb and descent. Terrain: 96% paved roads, 4% unpaved roads (B/D).

We start the day with a ferry across the Sado Estuary to the Troia Peninsula, which was once inhabited by the Romans and was of high strategic-economic importance as a manufacturing centre for salting and preserving fish. We cycle south along the peninsula until we reach Comporta, a picturesque spot surrounded by paddy fields. With the Atlantic Ocean to one side and vast dunes to the other, we continue through pine forests to the beach towns of Melides and Santo André.

Continuing south, we cycle via the 1,235-acre (500ha) Lagoa de Santo André Natural Reserve, an area of high ecological importance not only for its wetlands, but also for its dune ridge that separates them from the ocean. Here, the fresh and salt waters provide the perfect environment for a wide array of flora and fauna to thrive. Overnight in Santo André. Route: Flat ride out of the Tróia peninsula, afterwards undulating ride to Santo André. Terrain 78% paved roads, 22% dirt roads with some sandy sections (B).

The start of the day takes us to Sines, a port city with an important historical role in international trade. Dating to Roman times, the settlement was a small fishing village until the 1970s, when its strategic coastal position brought rapid expansion and a large oil refinery. We visit the medieval castle, which offers wonderful views of Sines bay and Vasco da Gama beach.

Following the coast towards Porto Covo, we cycle alongside fabulous beaches and cliffs, through an area rich in biodiversity and unique geological heritage. Among the 750 plants and 200 bird species that have been identified throughout the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, we can keep our eyes peeled for peregrine falcons and Bonelli's eagles.

We continue beyond Porto Corvo until we reach Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming coastal town where we stop for the night. Route: Mostly flat ride to Sines, afterwards coastal undulating ride to Praia do Queimado. Slight climb and descent to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Terrain: 73% paved roads, 27% dirt roads (B).

Today, we ride along key sections of the Rota Vicentina, passing highlights such as the village of Almograve and the lighthouse at Sardão, which sits in an unspoiled environment of great natural beauty and offers breath-taking views of the craggy coastline and many inaccessible beaches. At the cliffs, we may see white storks or the numerous seabirds that inhabit this coast. Our journey continues through idyllic scenery until we reach Zambujeira do Mar, a small, peaceful fishing village with a beautiful golden-sand beach.

Continuing through agricultural fields, we reach the road that takes us along Ribeira de Seixe then guides us to the sea and Odeceixe Mar Beach, a favourite of surfers and bodyboarders. At the end of today's cycle, we visit Junior Jacques Distillery, famed for its Medronho fruit brandies. We stay the night in Rogil, a village within the Vicentine Coast Natural Park and our last stop in Alentejo. Route: Mostly undulating ride, with a couple of short, steep climbs between Zambujeira do Mar and the exit of Odeceixe. Terrain: 71% paved roads, 29% dirt roads with some sandy sections (B).

Today we follow a mainly inland route, crossing into the Algarve region and heading towards Sagres, the southernmost point of Portugal. This is where Portuguese sailors learned to manoeuvre the caravel ship in the 15th century and was the starting point for many pioneering voyages. We continue cycling south towards Aljezur, a small village renowned for its cultivation of sweet potatoes, and there is an opportunity to visit its 10th-century Moorish castle, which offers fantastic views over the entire region.

Before heading to our accommodation, we visit the surfing beach and village of Carrapateira, the perfect place for a refreshing dip at the end of the ride. We spend the night in Pedralva. Route: Undulating ride to Aljezur, short climb and descent to Bordeira. Climb from Carrapateira to Pedralva. Terrain: 52% paved roads, 48% dirt roads (B).

Continuing south, we leave Vila do Bispo with adventure in the air, as we discover virgin beaches, a rich culture and delicious cuisine centred around the sea. There is time to visit the traditional market in Vila do Bispo before we cycle to Cordoama beach, where the cliffs reach more than 328ft (100m) in height. Overlooking the beach is a spot popular with paragliders – if we're lucky, we may spot them taking off.

Just 3mi (5km) away from Sagres is the southwestern-most point in Europe, Cabo de São Vicente, the last piece of home that Portuguese sailors would see as they sailed into the unknown. We visit this remote, windswept headland before our final push to Sagres, a laid-back small town with an end-of-the world feel. Overnight in Sagres. Route: Undulating ride and then slight descent to Cabo de São Vicente.

Continue on a flat road to Sagres. Terrain: 47% paved roads, 53% unpaved roads (B).

This morning marks the final breakfast of the adventure; an excellent opportunity to reflect on some of the many wonderful experiences you've enjoyed during this cycling holiday in Portugal. A group transfer is available to Faro Airport for those who wish to take it (B).