Cycling without seasons, seven destinations to get excited about cycling in winter
Portugal. Discovering the Algarve and Alentejo between ocean and hills
Portugal is one of the European destinations that best lends itself to winter cycling: the mild climate, bright light and mixture of landscapes make cycling pleasant even in the coldest months of the year.
One of the most fascinating routes is the Via Algarviana, an itinerary of around 300 kilometres that crosses the Algarve region lengthwise, from Alcoutim on the banks of the Guadiana River to Cabo de São Vicente in Sagres. Divided into 14 stages, it originates from an ancient pilgrimage route to the promontory sacred to St. Vincent and winds its way through rural villages, cork oak forests and hills, crossing the Serra do Caldeirão and the Serra de Monchique, where the most beautiful views can be enjoyed from Fóia and Picota. Inland, cycling is synonymous with authenticity in a scenery dotted with carob, herbs and cork oaks and small villages of whitewashed houses, mills and communal ovens. For those who prefer the sea, an excellent alternative is the Ecovia do Litoral, a route that is part of the EuroVelo 1 - Route of the Atlantic Coast. At 214 kilometres long, it links Vila Real de Santo António to Cabo de São Vicente, continuing towards Aljezur along the south-western coast.
The route alternates between dedicated cycle paths and low-traffic roads, crossing protected areas such as the Ria Formosa, the Sapal de Castro Marim and the wild coastline of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano. Other routes run further north, such as the St. Vincent Route, which runs for over 400 kilometres between Cape St. Vincent and Santiago do Cacém, and the routes leading to the Alqueva Lake, past medieval villages and Unesco sites.
https://euroveloportugal.com/pt/route/eurovelo-1
