Cycling The Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago
9 days | from 1.090€
See the best of northern Portugal and Galicia as you cycle the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago along the coast.
Explore the culture and countryside of Lima Valley on our 1-week self-guided cycling holiday.
Cycling in Portugal’s Lima Valley is the perfect way to discover its verdant and varied countryside, where you will find warm-hearted people, tasty food, and vinho verde wine. Divide your time between the River Lima, the surrounding hills and countryside, the unspoilt coast north of Viana do Castelo, and fascinating historical towns and villages.
Whether you cycle alone, with friends or family, you can appreciate the unique alliance between nature and man-made landmarks such as medieval monasteries and Roman bridges.
The local culture and proud sense of tradition find expression in many different forms: through handicrafts, music and dancing, gastronomy, religious festivals and numerous creative and recreational activities.
Discover the identity, history and the evergreen charms of the Lima Valley.
Itinerary – Day by day
Day 1: Transfer from Porto to Ponte da Barca
Meet your private driver and enjoy the scenic drive to the small town of Ponte da Barca in the Alto Minho region. After an in-person welcome briefing with one of our team, they’ll also ensure your bike is set up correctly for you.
If you have time, you might wish to take a short walk along the banks of the River Lima and admire the beautiful Medieval Bridge built in the first half of the 15th century or simple settle into your hotel and relax in preparation for your cycling adventure.
Accommodation: Ponte da Barca, 3-star hotel
Day 2: Ponte da Barca loop via Arcos de Valdevez
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +501m / -503m
On your first cycling day, leave the village of Ponta da Barca to enter quiet agricultural land, interspersed with tiny hamlets and patches of woodland. Cross the River Lima via the Touvedo dam and continue through the countryside to cross the River Vez and reach the attractive and interesting town of Arcos de Valdevez. Take some time to explore the town before following the River Vez downstream back to Ponta da Barca.
Accommodation: Ponte da Barca, 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Ponte da Barca → Ponte de Lima
Distance: 26 km (16 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +510m / -535m
Say goodbye to Ponta da Barca and make your way into the “Land of Nobrega” for amazing views and the chance to see to two of the most important medieval monasteries in the region, Crasto Monastery and Bravães Monastery. Then follow the riverside cycle path along the River Lima, all the way to the gorgeous historical town of Ponte de Lima, accompanied by fields and trees, until you reach the town’s ancient Roman bridge.
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Ponte de Lima loop via Bertiandos Lagoons
Distance: 32.4 km (20.1 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +463m / -462m
Leave Ponte de Lima via the Roman bridge and follow the River Lima. Enjoy the woodland and lakes and look out for local wildlife in the nature reserve known as Lagoas de Bertiandos. Then follow the undulating route through a series of hamlets, open countryside and patches of trees, passing a famous watermill in Estorãos and the medieval chapel of Espirito Santo in Moreira do Lima. Marvel at the Lima Valley and its surrounding hills from various perspectives before returning to Ponte de Lima via the Roman bridge.
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Ponte de Lima loop via Freixo
Distance: 38.2 km (23.7 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +581m / -585m
Today’s tour takes you along secondary roads to the village of Freixo. From there, it’s just a short distance to the Way of St. James. From there, the yellow arrows will guide you through Correlhã to end this journey back to Ponte de Lima.
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Ponte de Lima → Viana do Castelo
Distance: 26.6 km (16.5 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +152m / -146m
This cycling day links the towns of Ponte the Lima and Viana do Castelo, at the mouth of the River Lima. Cross the Eiffel bridge to arrive in the city centre, allowing plenty of time to discover the treasures of this medieval city.
Accommodation: Viana do Castelo, 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Viana do Castelo loop via Montedor
Distance: 27.9 km (17.3 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss): +414m / -415m
This tour follows part of the Atlantic Route to the Montedor Lighthouse. From there, you’ll climb to top of the iconic Santa Luzia mountain, from where you can admire the entire Lima Valley and the town of Viana do Castelo. Some people say that it is the best viewing spot in Portugal.
Accommodation: Viana do Castelo, 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, it’s time to prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the charming historic centre of Viana do Castelo before you leave.
Meals: Breakfast
Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?
- Simply get in touch to tell us what you’re looking for. We’re happy to make changes to create your ideal holiday.
Looking for more cycling holiday inspiration?
- Explore our full range of self-guided biking and cycling holidays in Portugal and Spain, including other routes through northern Portugal and Galicia.
Map
Lima Valley Cycling Holiday
General Conditions
Prices (per person)
Base: per person, sharing a double/twin room. Single room supplement applies for solo occupancy. Local tourist taxes, if any, are payable on site.
- March to June | 16 September to 31 October
- In double room occupancy: 870 Euros
- Single room supplement: 320 Euros
- 1 July to 15 September
- In double room occupancy: 890 Euros
- Single room supplement: 340 Euros
What’s included
- 7 nights’ hand-picked accommodation with breakfast;
- 6 days bike rental (MTB TREK Marlin 6 with 29” wheels + panniers + helmet);
- Luggage transfer between accommodations;
- Detailed route notes;
- App with trail information for use on a smartphone;
- Private transfer from Porto to Ponte da Barca (day 1);
- In-person welcome briefing;
- 24-hour emergency contact number (English-speaking).
What’s not included
- Lunches and dinners; Insurance; Tourist taxes; Private transfer from Viana do Castelo to Porto; Gratuities; Personal expenses; Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above.
Optional extra services
- Extra nights in
- Porto (4-star hotel): On request.
- Viana do Castelo (4-star hotel): On request.
- Transfers
- Viana do Castelo → Porto city/airport: 130 Euros for up to 3 people; 170 Euros for 4 to 7 people.
- hotel → airport in Porto: 55 Euros for up to 3 people; 85 Euros for 4 to 7 people.
- Upgrade to e-bike
- TREK Allant+ 7 (or similar): 175 Euros/e-bike
PRATICAL INFORMATION
- Region: Minho
- Duration: 8 days | 7 nights
- Tour type: Self-guided
- Nº of people: Minimum 2
Season
- 1 March–31 October
Difficulty
- Grade: Easy
Total distance
- Cycling route: 176.1 Km | 109.4 miles
Highlights
- Romanesque and medieval monasteries, Gorgeous Lima Valley, Ponte de Lima historical town, Lagoas de Bertiandos nature reserve, Estorãos watermill and bridge, Typical Minho villages, Viana do Castelo medieval city, Atlantic coast and seaside windmills, Views from Santa Luzia, Delicious local dishes, Vinho verde wine.
Important notes
- The route is a combination of rural paths (asphalt, cobblestones or dirt), forest trails (dirt or gravel, uneven and sometimes rocky), secondary roads and some main roads (both on asphalt). Along the journey you may sometimes encounter some steep climbs and descents, so good advance physical preparation is necessary in order to do this trip.
- It is essential that you have previous experience with mountain bikes and basic bicycle repair knowledge, especially how to change a tire as punctures may occur during your trip.
OUR BIKES
Because we’ve carefully created this programme ourselves, we selected the most appropriated bikes for this route. Each bike has a full service between trips, replacing any parts as needed. Plus, we always ensure the brake pads are changed, delivering the bike as new to our guests.
All our bikes are high-quality Trek bikes, chosen for reliability and performance. We have different sizes and use the Trek size guide to pick the best one for you. When you book a cycling holiday with us, we’ll ask for your height so we can reserve your bike.
We also have some e-bikes in our fleet, which can help give you a boost on the hills, that we offer as an optional upgrade.
MTB: Trek Marlin 6
This 29-inch hardtail mountain bike (27.5-inch for smaller sizes) is the standard bike for most of our cycling holidays. The geometry and front suspension make it a comfortable ride and it’s perfect for off-road trails. The medium width tyres roll well on asphalt, gravel, and cobbles.
Electric hybrid bike: Trek Allant+ 7
This 27.5-inch electric bike was named the Dutch e-bike of the year in 2020. The faster rolling tyres, more upright design, and front suspension, make it comfortable on smooth surfaces. It’s perfect for longer distances on roads, and the electric motor means you can still enjoy the ride when the hills get steeper.
What’s provided with our bikes?
Relax and enjoy your cycling holiday, knowing we’ve got everything covered for you:
- Rear pannier rack and bag
- Bottle cage and brand new Portugal Green Walks water bottle
- Helmet
- Adjustable phone mount on the handlebars
- Bell
- Bike lock
- Battery charger (where applicable)
- Small repair kit per group. This includes spare inner tubes (Schrader valve), tyre levers, bike pump, chain oil, chain link, disposable gloves, and multi-tool.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Lima Valley cycling holiday good for first-time cyclists in Portugal?
- The daily distances on our Lima Valley cycling holiday range from 25-38km with an average elevation gain of 436m. It’s easy to moderate cycling, and the self-guided format lets you ride at your own pace. First time cyclists or those preferring a gentler effort may wish to upgrade to an e-bike for extra help on the climbs, making it even more enjoyable.
How easy is the Lima Valley cycling holiday?
- Our Lima Valley cycling tour is designed for a relaxed week of cycling. You’ll follow rural paths, forest trails, and quiet roads through beautiful scenery. Whether you’re a recreational cyclist or more experienced, this self-guided holiday gives you plenty of time to soak up the culture and scenery, with the freedom to take breaks whenever you want.
What’s special about cycling in the Lima Valley?
- The Lima Valley is a peaceful and authentic part of northern Portugal, offering a fantastic mix of medieval towns, lush green countryside, and riverside trails. You’ll explore traditional Minho villages, cross medieval bridges, and pass through historic towns with centuries of history. This cycling holiday lets you sample regional food and drink and finishes on the Atlantic coast, giving you a taste of Portugal’s Costa Verde (Green Coast).
When’s the ideal season for cycling in the Lima Valley?
- April to October is ideal for a gentle cycling holiday in the Lima Valley. The weather is pleasantly warm during spring, and the landscape is at its greenest. Summer is hotter and busier, while winter can be rainy and less favourable for cycling, making spring and autumn the best choice for an enjoyable ride.
Does the route follow main roads, trails, or signs?
- Our self-guided cycling holiday in the Lima Valley mainly follows quiet country roads, cycle trails, and riverside paths through picturesque scenery. You’ll receive GPX tracks, printed route notes, and access to a navigation app, making it easy to ride at your own pace. The route avoids busy roads wherever possible, giving you a stress-free cycling experience in northern Portugal.
What kind of scenery will I see cycling through the Lima Valley?
- Cycling through the Lima Valley, you’ll follow the Lima River from the mountains to the Atlantic coast, passing through the historic towns of Ponte da Barca, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte de Lima, and Viana do Castelo. The route mixes rolling hills, riverside trails, and traditional Minho countryside. You’ll discover natural highlights like the Lagoas de Bertiandos nature reserve and enjoy panoramic views from Santa Luzia Mountain. This self-guided cycling holiday blends cultural heritage, natural beauty and local cuisine for a truly memorable experience.
DIGITAL DETAILED ITINERARY
Click on the button below to download the itinerary with day-by-day details, highlights, prices and the respective general conditions.
