Included: An experienced, local cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area 6-day cycling tour from Porto to the Serra da Lousã (5 days of cycling) Accommodation for 5 nights at hand-picked charming hotels along the route 5 breakfasts Mountain bike, professionally maintained and fitted to you before you roll out Support van and mechanic assistance throughout the ride Energy snacks and water refills Luggage transfers between hotels Transfer from Porto and back Travel insurance during the tour Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Single occupancy room E-bike or gravel bike upgrade Not included: Flights to Portugal Lunches and dinners Personal expenses Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this Central Portugal cycling tour, good fitness is required as well as comfort riding several days in a row . You’ll cycle an average of 39 km (24 mi) per day , for a total of 196 km (122 mi) over the five days. Much of the route follows converted railway trails, which are smooth, flat, and car-free, so the riding is easier than the distances suggest. The climb into the Serra da Lousã is the biggest effort of the week, and an e-bike or gravel bike upgrade can be arranged if you’d like a little more help or comfort. A support van travels with the group, and your luggage is moved between hotels, so you ride with nothing more than what you need for the day. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of Portugal bike tours .

What do I need to bring?

Cycling gear: Cycling helmet Padded cycling shorts (two pairs are handy for five days of riding) Cycling jersey or breathable top Light windproof or waterproof jacket Cycling gloves Stiff-soled cycling shoes or comfortable trainers Clip-in pedals and shoes, if you prefer riding with your own Padded saddle cover or your own saddle, optional Sunglasses Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L) Small handlebar bag or saddle bag for snacks and a phone Clothing & footwear: Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for the evenings Warm layer for cooler mountain mornings in the Serra da Lousã Sunhat or cap Swimwear, if your hotel has a pool Other: Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, chamois cream) Personal medication and a few plasters Phone, charger, and power bank Camera, optional but recommended Passport or ID, and a payment card for lunches, dinners, and café stops Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

What are the rental bikes like?

A Cube hardtail mountain bike is included in the price. It has front suspension, a Shimano Deore 1×10 drivetrain, and hydraulic disc brakes, which make it a good match for this terrain. If you’d like something different, two upgrades are available at an additional fee: Kona gravel bike — carbon fork, Shimano Cues groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, and mixed-terrain tires Bosch e-bike — Cube or Radon frame, Bosch mid-drive motor, Shimano Cues groupset, and hydraulic disc brakes

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: This central Portugal cycling tour runs in small groups with an experienced local guide and a support van. It takes a minimum of 4 cyclists for this tour to run. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants. Central Portugal cycling tours can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Central Portugal cycling tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

The price for this central Portugal cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee . You can add it to your booking at checkout. Solo travelers are welcome —they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Central Portugal cycling tour is Porto . To get there, most people fly into Porto Airport (OPO) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Porto. The transfer out of Porto at the start of the tour and back again at the end is included, so once you arrive in the city, the rest is taken care of. Your guides will confirm the exact meeting time and pick-up point before departure.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Mountain biker in a pink jersey rides a dirt track between mossy stone walls under oak trees in Porto

PORTO | Portugal

Cycling the Heart of Portugal: Bike Tour From Porto

Name: Central Portugal Bike Tour: Schist Villages
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

6 days | Moderate | 5.00

From $2,129 ()

Book a call

Trains once rolled through the Dão and Vouga valleys, and today their old lines are some of Portugal’s most celebrated rail trails: smooth, flat, and completely car-free. On this 6-day adventure through the heart of Portugal, we follow them through tunnels, over stone bridges, and past restored stations, with the river rarely out of sight. Then the scenery shifts as we climb into the Serra da Lousã, where misty forests hide the slate-built Schist Villages and every café stop comes with a warm welcome in the village square. A support van, a mechanic, and luggage transfers take care of the rest, and an e-bike upgrade is always an option.

Adventure Highlights

Car-free rail trails: Glide along Portugal’s most celebrated converted rail trails, through tunnels and past restored stations
Slate villages in the mist: Climb into the Serra da Lousã’s lush mountain forests to explore ancient, slate-built villages tucked into the mountainside
Everything taken care of: A support van, mechanic help, and your bags moved between hand-picked hotels while you just pedal

Duration

6 days

Season

April through October

Group size

Up to 12 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Over five days we cover 196 km (122 mi) from Porto to the Serra da Lousã, averaging 39 km (24 mi) a day. The first stages roll along converted railway trails through the Dão and Vouga valleys, where the gradients are gentle and the riding is car-free. Later the route climbs into the mountains and the pace shifts, with stone lanes, forest, and schist villages to explore before a transfer back to Porto on the final day. Nights are spent in charming hotels chosen along the route, breakfast included, with a support van and mechanic on hand throughout.

Day 1: Meet up in Porto and bike fit

Steel arch bridge with upper and lower decks crossing a wide river beside a hillside old town at sunset in Porto

Arrive in Porto, where the group comes together for a welcome night before the riding starts. Settle into the hotel, meet your guide and the rest of the riders, and get your questions answered over dinner somewhere in the city (dinners aren’t included, so you’re free to pick what you fancy). Bikes are professionally maintained and fitted to you before we roll out, so this is the moment to talk saddle height, tyre pressure, and how the next six days will unfold. An easy evening, and a good one.

Accommodation: Hotel in Porto

Day 2: Leaving Porto for the converted railway trails

Leaving Porto for the converted railway trails — Cycling in Porto

A transfer takes us out of the city and onto the first of Portugal’s converted railway trails. These are old train lines turned into smooth, car-free paths, so the riding is relaxed from the very first pedal stroke and there’s plenty of time to settle into the saddle, chat with the others, and get a feel for the bike your guide has fitted to you. The support van rolls along with us, your luggage goes straight to the hotel, and water refills and energy snacks are never far away. We finish the day at a hand-picked hotel along the route.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel along the route

Day 3: The Vouga greenway through tunnels and old stations

The Vouga greenway through tunnels and old stations — Cycling in Porto

Today belongs to the Vouga greenway, one of the prettiest stretches of old railway in the country. We roll through cool stone tunnels, cross bridges that once carried trains, and pass restored stations that now serve as shady spots to stop and catch our breath. The gradients are gentle, so this is a day for looking around rather than watching your legs. Your guide knows where the good coffee is, and the mechanic and support van are with us the whole way if anything needs a quick fix. Bags travel ahead again, and we settle into another hotel chosen along the route.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel along the route

Day 4: Morning ride and transfer to next stage

Wooden plank suspension footbridge with wire rails leading to stone houses on a wooded hillside in Porto

Today we do a final stretch of the railway before we get a transfer to Lousã. The afternoon is yours to explore the hotel with a spa in a Palace from the 18th century. Time to recharge for the next days exploring the Schist Villages.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel along the route

Day 5: Climbing into the Serra da Lousã

Stone village houses with slate roofs and wooden balconies beside a leafy green tree in Porto

Today the landscape changes character. We leave the easy railway grades behind and start climbing into the Serra da Lousã, where lush, misty forest closes in around the road and the air turns cooler with every turn. It’s the biggest effort of the week, but the support van is never far away, and there’s no prize for rushing. Take the climb at your own pace, refill your bottles when we regroup, and enjoy the views opening up behind you. By late afternoon we’re deep in the mountains, with the first slate rooftops of the schist country coming into sight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel along the route

Day 6: Schist villages and transfer back to Porto

Dense hillside village of dark stone houses with tiled roofs, surrounded by green forest and wooded slopes in Porto

Our final ride takes us between the Aldeias do Xisto, the ancient slate-built villages tucked into the mountainside. Narrow stone lanes, flower pots on the walls, and quiet squares where the locals are happy to see cyclists roll in. We stop for a coffee in one of them, which is the best possible way to finish a week in the saddle. Once the bikes are loaded, we transfer back to Porto with plenty of stories from the road and probably a few plans to come back for more.

Meals: Breakfast

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Photo gallery

Paved cycle path with wooden railing running beside a river through forested hills under blue sky in Porto

Stone village with slate-roofed houses on a forested hillside, seen from a wooden railing above a small pool in Porto

Lodging

Charming hotels along the route

Open red-framed window between linen curtains looking over tiled rooftops and a city skyline under blue sky in Porto

Each night we pull in at a hand-picked hotel chosen for its setting and its welcome, whether that’s a spot in a river valley town or a place tucked below the forested slopes of the Serra da Lousã. Rooms are comfortable and quiet, the kind where a hot shower and a soft bed feel like the best thing that’s happened all day. Your luggage is moved between hotels by the support van, so all you carry on the bike is what you need for the ride. Breakfast is included every morning, and there’s usually coffee, fresh bread, fruit, and pastries to get you rolling.

Note that exact accommodations may vary depending on availability, but will always be of the same standard and comfort.

Adventure, packed to go

Cycling the Heart of Portugal: Bike Tour From Porto

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (3 reviews)

Adam Killeen

Super organised and careful. Always ensured road safety was a priority. Super bubbly and friendly personality. Would definitely recommend to everyone!!

Annelies Goger

I have gone on 3 trips with Rodrigo, and each one has been a delight! He is a very diligent planner and is always thinking about how to adapt the route based on the riders, weather, and other circumstances. He chooses great accommodations and is a very thoughtful guide. He clearly has a passion for cycling and knows all the best routes. I highly recommend his trips, long and short.

Ankit Gaurav

Amazing bike tour. Definitely recommended. Everything was perfect.

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 6-day cycling tour from Porto to the Serra da Lousã (5 days of cycling)
  - Accommodation for 5 nights at hand-picked charming hotels along the route
  - 5 breakfasts
  - Mountain bike, professionally maintained and fitted to you before you roll out
  - Support van and mechanic assistance throughout the ride
  - Energy snacks and water refills
  - Luggage transfers between hotels
  - Transfer from Porto and back
  - Travel insurance during the tour
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Single occupancy room
  - E-bike or gravel bike upgrade
Not included:
- - Flights to Portugal
  - Lunches and dinners
  - Personal expenses
  - Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  - Guide gratuities — optional
In order to join this Central Portugal cycling tour, good fitness is required as well as comfort riding several days in a row. You’ll cycle an average of 39 km (24 mi) per day, for a total of 196 km (122 mi) over the five days.

Much of the route follows converted railway trails, which are smooth, flat, and car-free, so the riding is easier than the distances suggest. The climb into the Serra da Lousã is the biggest effort of the week, and an e-bike or gravel bike upgrade can be arranged if you’d like a little more help or comfort. A support van travels with the group, and your luggage is moved between hotels, so you ride with nothing more than what you need for the day.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of Portugal bike tours.
Cycling gear:
- - Cycling helmet
  - Padded cycling shorts (two pairs are handy for five days of riding)
  - Cycling jersey or breathable top
  - Light windproof or waterproof jacket
  - Cycling gloves
  - Stiff-soled cycling shoes or comfortable trainers
  - Clip-in pedals and shoes, if you prefer riding with your own
  - Padded saddle cover or your own saddle, optional
  - Sunglasses
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L)
  - Small handlebar bag or saddle bag for snacks and a phone
Clothing & footwear:
- - Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for the evenings
  - Warm layer for cooler mountain mornings in the Serra da Lousã
  - Sunhat or cap
  - Swimwear, if your hotel has a pool
Other:
- - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, chamois cream)
  - Personal medication and a few plasters
  - Phone, charger, and power bank
  - Camera, optional but recommended
  - Passport or ID, and a payment card for lunches, dinners, and café stops
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!
A Cube hardtail mountain bike is included in the price. It has front suspension, a Shimano Deore 1×10 drivetrain, and hydraulic disc brakes, which make it a good match for this terrain.

If you’d like something different, two upgrades are available at an additional fee:
- - Kona gravel bike — carbon fork, Shimano Cues groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, and mixed-terrain tires
  - Bosch e-bike — Cube or Radon frame, Bosch mid-drive motor, Shimano Cues groupset, and hydraulic disc brakes
Group sizes and pricing:
- - This central Portugal cycling tour runs in small groups with an experienced local guide and a support van.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 cyclists for this tour to run. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
  - Central Portugal cycling tours can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Central Portugal cycling tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this central Portugal cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Central Portugal cycling tour is Porto. To get there, most people fly into Porto Airport (OPO). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Porto.

The transfer out of Porto at the start of the tour and back again at the end is included, so once you arrive in the city, the rest is taken care of. Your guides will confirm the exact meeting time and pick-up point before departure.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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