Iberian Divide 10-Day Gravel Tour GPX Download
Gravel Cycling Tour along the Historic Portugal – Spain Border from North to South
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IBERIAN DIVIDE – AT A GLANCE
Bike Type: Gravel or e-Gravel
Number of riding days: 10
Tour Type: Guided or Self-Guided, Point to Point
Airport Porto / Faro
Km / day: 50-100km
Elevation gain / day: 6000-1800m
Overall Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
Accommodation: Rural Hotels
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Are you looking for a new gravel adventure in Europe, somewhere very few people have cycled before?
Our 860km Iberian Divide Gravel Tour could be the one for you.
860km 10-day Historic Gravel Adventure along the Spain – Portugal border
Fancy setting off on our signature tour? Download our GPX files for just €350 and we will send you our essential accompanying guide, including all the best cafes and restaurants, and unmissable highlights along the way.
Portugal is one of the least explored countries in Europe, and a true hidden gem for cyclists. During our unique Iberian Divide gravel tour you will traverse the country from North to South, starting from Pocinho in the North-Eastern region of Portugal Tras-dos-Montes on the Douro river and finishing in Alcoutim in the Algarve. The regions of Portugal and Spain that we will cycle through are some of the least explored in the whole of the Iberian Penninsular. This gravel tour is a chance to do something new and completely different from other gravel tours on the market at the moment in Europe.
North
You will start the Iberian Divide with an unforgettable train journey along the Douro River from Porto all the way to the end of the line in a small village of Pocinho. From here it is a stone throw away from where we will start the tour, in Torre de Moncorvo. The north of Portugal is hilly, lush and unspoilt – world famous for the Douro Wine Region, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The ancient terraces cling to the side of every hillside, changing colour in Autumn turning the valleys to gold. leaving unforgettable images in the memory of any passing cyclists.
From here we will head into Spain, where similar countryside is set apart from Portugal by the completely different architecture. Wooden Tudor-like houses on stunning little streets of small villages with almost no tourism makes for a truly amazing start to the trip because you really are exploring areas that are very much untouched by modern living.
Central
The central part of this trip is characterised by a number of hilltop fortified villages we will visit, such as Monsanto, Castelo de Vide, Marvao and Monsaraz. These spectacular towns have such a rich history, and are beautiful, fascinating places to walk around at the end of the day.
South
As you reach Southern Portugal and Spain, the greenery returns along with a range of hills that produce a few punchy climbs but stunning views towards Spain and the surrounding ‘Serra’. Cork oak plantations make a large majority of the roadside vegetation, along with beautiful orange groves.
The Iberian Divide route is littered with more magnificent castles – such as Elvas with its huge aquaduct and fortress, a reminder of its less peaceful past. The Algarve itself was one of the last strongholds of the 400 year long Islamic Conquest of Iberia, re-taken by the Christians in 1189, and in fact many place names, churches and the gastronomy of central and southern Portugal still hint at this rich heritage.
How challenging is our Iberian Divide gravel tour?
The Iberian Divide is perfect for medium to advanced level cyclists looking for a challenge. We have designed it specifically to ensure that there is no hike-a-bike or very technical sections, however days range from 50km to 90km, so a good level of fitness is best to truly enjoy the lumpy terrain!
How many days does it take to complete the Iberian Divide tour?
Our itinerary covers the Iberian Divide in 10 days, but of course we are able to customise this if you are capable of doing over 100km per day, this could be reduced to 6 or 7 day instead. For anyone booking a self-guided tour we can also add in a couple of rest days (we recommend Monsaraz and Monsanto at the minimum) to let your legs recover as well as exploring these incredible local places.
What type of scenery can I expect along the Iberian Divide?
This is possibly one of our very most scenic routes, covering so many of Portugal’s diverse landscapes in one trip. You will start by taking the train through the world famous Douro Valley, followed by Portugal’s most north-easterly region – Tras-dos-Montes. You will then traverse the spectacular historic border between Spain and Portugal south, passing through mountain-top fortified villages, forests, open rolling plains and miles of small-scale olives, vines and oranges.
What type of bike is best for the Iberian Divide?
A gravel or mountain bike is what you will need for this tour. We’d recommend a minimum width of 40mm tyres for the slightly rockier sections and to make life more comfortable, especially if you are carrying luggage.
What is the best time of year to cycle the Iberian Divide?
In our experience the best seasons for cycling the Iberian Divide are spring to early summer (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) when temperatures are moderate, and the landscapes are at their most scenic. Summer can be very hot, especially in the Alentejo and Algarve, while winter may bring rain and colder conditions in the north.
Itinerary
Interested in a Self-Guided or Instant Download Iberian Divide Tour?
🗺Self‑Guided Tour | ⚡Instant Download Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| GPX Files | ✅ | ✅ |
| Detailed Daily Overview & Route Preview | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recommended Cafés en Route | ✅ | ✅ |
| Points of Interest | ✅ | ✅ |
| Airport Transfers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Luggage Transfers and/or Support Vehicle | Optional extra | Optional extra |
| 24/7 WhatsApp Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Restaurant Booking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Accommodation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Breakfast | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bike Rental | Optional extra | Recomended Providers |
| Civil Liability Insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
⚡Download Route Files Now! ⚡
✅ Tried and tested route files in GPX format
✅ Detailed daily itinerary
✅ Recommended cafés en route
✅ Points of interest
✅ Points of caution - e.g. river crossings
✅ WhatsApp contact with a Paradise guide
Please note that our luggage transfer deal only applies to groups of up to 5 riders. If you are a group of 6 or more, please get in touch via the contact form.
Looking for a custom route?
Our Bespoke Route Design service allows you to ride the trip of your dreams, without any of the hassle. We have 15 years of collective experience riding in the Algarve, and we love to create new routes which showcase the best of cycling in Portugal.
Get in in touch
Would you like some more information about this tour? Drop us a line and one of our friendly team will be in touch with you within one working day.
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