Cycling pioneers can extend the season on Portugal's coast. The Ecovia for normal trekking bikers and the Via Algarviana for sporty trekking bikers and mountain bikers.
Character
The Algarve offers two relatively new long-distance cycle routes. The Ecovia is well signposted and runs for 214 kilometres, mainly along the coast, from the Costa Vicentina in the west to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Spanish border. The route runs along side roads with little traffic, cycle paths and country lanes. The Via Algarviana also starts on the Costa Vicentina and leads up and down on sometimes very bumpy paths and tracks for 301 kilometres through the hills of the Algarve to Alcoutim.
Further information and tickets at http://megasportalgarveuk.blogspot.com
Tour tips
Algarve Combi Tour
Ecovia:
Via Algarviana:
Best time to travel
Mid-February to early June and mid-September to mid-November. In periods of low rainfall, cycling is also possible throughout the winter.
Arrival
Direct flights to Faro depart from several German airports, e.g. with Air Berlin and Condor. TAP Air Portugal flies daily via Lisbon. Taking a bike costs 40-50 euros each way.
Bike service
We tried it out: Guided tours for Via Algarviana and Ecovia, proper bike hire with delivery service, workshop etc. are offered by Megasport in Quatro Estradas/Loulé, tel. 00351/289 393 044, http://www.megasport.pt
Go Cycling Portugal rents out bikes and equipment. Bikes can be delivered to and collected from customers throughout Portugal on request. en.gocyclingportugal.com
Restaurants
Restaurante Mazagao in Carrapateira (Costa Vicentina). Chef Fernando recommends his cataplana (fish stew with sweet potatoes).
Restaurante Ramire s in Guia, http.//www.restauranteramires.com
Everyone here only eats chicken "PiriPiri".
Accommodation
Traditional house with beautiful rooms in the hills of Monchique: Villa Term al in Caldas Monc hique, http://www.monchiquetermas.com
Maps/Literature
Baedeker travel guide "Algarve" with map 1:200,000, 282 pages, 17.95 euros.
Marco Polo map "Algarve, Portugal South", 1:200,000 at 8.99 euros.
Information (general)
Turismo de Portugal, Zimmerstr. 56, 10117 Berlin, Tel. 030/254106-0 http://www.visitportugal.com, http://www.visitalgarve.pt
