AUTHENTIC ALGARVE GRAVEL CYCLING HOLIDAY
2nd-9th May 2025
The ‘real’ Algarve following the best gravel tracks in Europe…
Experience some of Europe’s best gravel cycling routes
Gallery – click or swipe for more…
Next Available Dates:
2nd – 9th May 2025
Bike Type: Gravel, MTB
Number of riding days: 6
Tour Type: Guided
Airport Faro
Km / day: 80-120km
Elevation gain / day: 800-2500m
Overall Difficulty: Medium
Accommodation: Alte Tradition Guesthouse & Quinta do Marco
Explore the very best of the real Algarve on our Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Holiday
A next-level gravel holiday
We believe the gravel cycling in Portugal is some of the best in Europe. This is your chance to be taken into the hidden valleys and secret trails of the beautiful countryside of the Algarve. We can guarantee this is a true escape from your normal every-day life and an unforgettable week of sublime gravel riding. We don’t like traffic and we know our clients don’t either. That’s why we have invested hours riding and plotting the quietest and gravel-bike friendly routes we possibly can.
Difficulty Level
For more competent off-road riders there are some more challenging single tracks that we will introduce you too. Novice? Don’t worry, for you we will have beginner-level tracks and trails for you to enjoy! Most tracks are suitable for 4×4 vehicles, and so couldn’t be better suited for any gravel thrill-seeker.
Heritage and Culture
This week is not just about the bike… as you cycle, you will also experience the culture and heritage of this amazing country – the local cuisine, wine and liquor making, the agriculture, historic monuments and the ancient creative traditions. You will leave with a taste of real Portugal – and we know you will want to come back.
Accommodation
After a successful trial run on 2024, for 2025 we have chosen to split the holiday between Alte (4 nights) and Tavira (3 nights).
Guests will stay in the beautiful Alte Tradition Guesthouse, a newly renovated traditional guesthouse in the centre of the village. With a rooftop hot tub and a plunge pool we know you will love the first choice of accommodation. On the 4th day we will ride a stunning route over to our second hotel, he wonderful Quinta do Marco (your bags will be taken and delivered to your rooms).
With a recently renovated pool, spacious rooms with views over the Tavira hills down to the sea, Quinta do Marco is a tranquil escape. Perfect for both gravel and road cycling from the door. The staff are wonderful, as is the restaurant where we will dine on the first two evenings we are there.
Cuisine
We love to support the local restaurant owners, so you will eat in different hand picked local restaurants each night, most within walking distance of the hotel. By the end of the week you will have had a taste of the many traditional dishes of Portugal and in particular the Algarve. Your evening meals are included in the cost of your holiday, as well as house wine or a beer too!
Allergies or dietary requirements? No problem, we can take care of everything.
Bike Hire
We can provide a range of top quality gravel bikes to suit your needs. For all the details and pricing, check the ‘extras’ in the ‘What’s Included’ section below.
What’s Included?
Airport transfers
6 spectacular days of cycling
7 nights high quality accommodation
Buffet breakfast
NEW! 3 course evening meals plus house wine or beer.
GPX files of all stage options in advance
Mechanical assistance
Professional drone and GoPro photos of your trip
Civil liability Insurance
5* service – our promise!
Ride Snacks
Knowledgable and friendly guides with you every pedalstroke of the way
All staff first aid qualified
Support vehicles on longer rides
Not Included
Flights
Lunch and snacks at cafés
Extras
Gravel Bike Hire €230
Cycling Jersey
Massage
Extra Night
Alte Tradition Guesthouse
For the first 4 nights on our Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Holiday guests will stay in this beautiful village centre guesthouse within walking distance of the village restaurants and cafes. The hotel has a plunge pool, lounge as well as a rooftop hot tub with a view of the village. The hotel is ideally situated in the Algarve – away from the busiest coastal roads, with the best gravel riding right on the doorstep.
Quinta do Marco
For the final 3 nights, we have a real treat for you – at Quinta do Marco rural hotel, near Tavira. This boutique getaway in the hills overlooking the coast has been recently renovated, with fabulous spacious rooms, stunning pool area and spa.
2025 Dates – Ideal for solo cyclists, couples or a small group of friends wanting a holiday together in the Algarve.
In 2025 we have one week available for our Authentic Algarve Gravel Tour – 2nd – 9th May 2025.
If you are ready to book – you can do so direct here by adding a deposit to your cart and checking out.
Please note – bookings are made per room. So if you choose one double or twin room, you will be paying for two people in total. If you choose a single room, you will be paying for just one person in their own private room.
Those dates don’t work for you? Send us a quote request for a bespoke tour!
Reserve your spot here
Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Holiday
Please note this is only an indication as external factors such as group ability might impact which exact routes are followed.
Arrival into Faro Airport, transfer to Alte
We will arrange for you to be taken (with any bikes and luggage you have of course!) from Faro Airport to Loulé.
Here you will be met by our friendly team and checked into the hotel. Depending on your flight arrival time there might be time for an afternoon spin before dinner.
Need help with bike set up? Dont worry! Our team will assist you with everything. We will have a comprehensive tool kit, floor pump and everything you might require to get your bike ready to rock and roll.
Easy Intro Ride
40-50km 1000m
On your first day, we will head out for a rolling spin along some of the easier small road nearby. This is a good chance to shake out your legs after your journey and ensure the bikes are rolling smoothly.
We have chosen Alte to be our location for this road cycling holiday because there are so many options close by for great smooth, quiet roads. We can enjoy flat easy riding or rolling hills, beautiful countryside or coastal rides. We can’t wait to show you everything!
Ride to Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve
50-80km 900-1400m
Today we will pass through the orange groves and avocado plantations to the striking fortified town of Silves, ancient capital of the Algarve, with a strong Moorish influence. We will ride back via the beautiful Barragem do Funcho, one of the Algarves biggest reservoirs.´
All our routes will be guided with two ride options – one shorter and one longer, to suit all abilities within the group. We will try and meet up at the coffee or lunch stops if we can, to keep it as sociable as possible!
Barranco do Velho, the heart of the Serra de Caldeirão
50-80km 900-1500m
A This day we will head up to Barranco and our amazing friends at ‘Spot na Serra’ – a new café at the top of one of the best climbs in the Algarve. Beautiful winding roads, steady climbs and fantastic never-ending descents – that’s what’s on the menu!
For the longer group, they will head further into the hills, to Montes Noves and Cortelha, adding some more climbing along superb empty roads in the forest with amazing views.
Alte to Tavira, across the Algarve!
60-80km 800-1500m
Today we will ride across to Tavira from Alte, traversing the Algarve from east to West. Tavira is one of my very favourite places in the Algarve -it’s on the coast, yet so traditional still, with lovely cobbled streets lined with flowers. Quinta do Marco, where we will stay is situated in the foothills of the Serra, just outside Tavira.
We will be welcomed by the fantastic staff at the hotel, your bags will be waiting for you in your rooms. With plenty of time to enjoy the pool overlooking the stunning view of the Eastern Algarve coastline before dinner together at the hotel.
Stunning hills above Tavira
40-70km 800-1500m
This hilly ride will BLOW YOU AWAY with it’s incredibly quiet and well-maintained roads and breath-taking views back towards the coast. It’s a challenging day, but we are in no hurry – time to get into a nice rhythm on the hills and take in the scenery.
There will be an easier coastal option for those that want a less demanding ride, with time to relax by the pool in the afternoon before a final last meal together in Tavira in the evening.
Tavira Coastline Ride
40-60km 800-1000m
Today we will enjoy an easier flatter day, around the coastal roads near Tavira and Santa Luzia. This is the best region of the Algarve to ride on the road near the coast, as the roads are still not too busy, they are well surfaced and the villages on the coastline here are picturesque and unspoilt.
Adeus!
All good things come to an end!
We will arrange a transfer to take you and your luggage to Faro Airport.
Até a proxima!
GROUP CYCLING TOURS
Have you been tasked with finding a club trip for 2025? We can organise many different types of cycling tour to suit you.
Club pricing can start as low as €925 per person with dinner, support vehicles, guiding and accommodation included. We can suggest the dates below, but also will try and work around your requirements in terms of flight availability. Contact us using the form below to get the ball rolling and we will take care of everything!
SEND A RESERVATION or QUOTE REQUEST
Send us a reservation request below for the Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Tour and one of our friendly team will get back to you within 1 working day to help finalise and plan your trip.
Don’t forget! We create bespoke trips for small groups or clubs too – anything you would like to add, please don’t hesitate to ask us and we will do our best to make your ideas a reality.
Liked the sound of our Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Tour? You might also be interested in our other cycling holidays in Portugal…
Authentic Algarve Gravel Cycling Holiday
For the gravel riders. Enjoy an off road / gravel cycling holiday in the Algarve! Let us introduce you to the best tracks and trails in the beautiful Algarve, both along the coast and inland.
€1.850,00 – €3.140,00
Alentejo Adventure Self-Guided Gravel Bikepacking Tour
For the bikepackers. An adventure is on the horizon! Escape your normal routine and join us for a truly new and exciting gravel bikepacking experience into the Alentejo.
Faro to Lisbon Self-Guided Gravel Tour
For the gravel tourers. This is a fantastic gravel trip for anyone wanting to experience a wide range of landscapes – west coast, rolling Alentejo plains and the beautiful Algarve backroads.
€795,00 – €1.295,00
Authentic Algarve Road Cycling Holiday
For the roadies. An unforgettable week of road riding in the Algarve. Not just bikes – this cycling holiday is also about enjoying the Portuguese culture, gastronomy and incredible landscapes too!
€1.850,00 – €3.140,00
738km North to South N2 Cycling Tour
For the challenge-seekers. A stunning road cycling holiday with a goal to achieve! Put your cycling legs to the test during this 6-day Challenge. A total of 738km, along Europes longest road.
€1.450,00 – €1.800,00
FAQ’s
What is your cancellation policy?
We strongly recommend that you travel with adequate travel insurance to cover the cost of flight cancellation and holiday cancellation.
How technical is the gravel cycling in Alte?
The gravel cycling here ranges from beginner to medium level in terms of technical difficulty. We will adapt the riding to suit our guests, but for the majority you can imagine easy 4×4 tracks and small roads. There might be the odd bit of single track for a bit of fun… 😉
Can I hire a gravel bike?
Of course. Just get in touch to let us know exactly what you would like and we will give you a quotation.
I would like to create my own bespoke holiday - can you help?
Of course! We would love to help you put together the perfect cycling holiday for you and your group.
We can assist with:
- Booking hotels, villas or BnB’s
- Hiring bikes
- Plotting cycling routes (road or off-road)
- Hiring guides
- Car Hire
- Booking restaurants
- Recommending cafes
- Airport transfers
We charge really reasonable prices for all of the above, making your life as the organiser really easy. Let us know what you have planned and we will help you plan an unforgettable week of cycling in Portugal for you!
I am worried my fitness won't be good enough!
Don’t worry. We pride ourselves on providing holidays for all abilities, and we have guides for different fitness levels. Often groups will be divided into three different groups so suit everyone!
