(originally posted in "Trip Planning") I'll be in Covilha for a spaceflight dynamics and control workshop, and my wife and I are renting a Transalp for 4 days after the workshop, planning to ride around a bit. I've ridden some in Portugal, more in Spain. Looking for must-ride roads, must-see castles, must-stay small town hotels, must-dine restaurants, must-visit motorcycle museusm, you know, that sort of thing. Thanks in advance, Chris King on the Mountain Pig in a Castle
Hi! When will you be here in Portugal? Any area/region/cities in mind to visit? I'll post your thread in the Nomad's forum (a portuguese motorcycle adventure group) I'm pretty sure anyone will help you. Cheers
Paulo, I will be in Portugal 6-15 October, about half that in Covilha. Then the four days on the motorbike will be 11-15 October, picking up in Lisbon and planning to head south to Faro. Thanks for the cross-posting to the Nomad's Forum! By the way, that's a Portuguese pig. I don't remember the name of the castle, but it's near Penamacor. I was riding from Covilha back to Madrid. Thanks, Chris
Hey Chris, Who you renting the TA from? I was in Spain & Portugal this past summer and saw a bunch of trails in Portugal. One area I wish I had a bike was between Guarda to Quiaios to Figuiera da Foz. I also heard Port was beautiful. Anyway, I think I saw more open trails in Portgual than Spain. Good luck and keep us posted. John
Hi, There's a couple of routes on best biking roads - http://www.bestbikingroads.com/show_routes_in_selected_province.php?code=12328 Did them both this summer and they are both very good stretches of road. It's worth going from Monchique up to Foia, as suggested in the route, as you can see the western and southern coasts from the viewing point at the top. Have a good trip.
Thanks for the pointers. I'm renting the TA from AdMo, though I don't have my confirmation yet. Last time I rented the Pegaso from Happy Riders (or something like that). Looking forward to a little exploration, though my wife will be just as happy if we keep it on roads (dirt roads okay, trails not so much). chris
Hi! I live in the northern part of Portugal, Braga, so I can't personally help you although I can point some nice places. For example all the coast heading south from Lisbon all through Sagres. Great views and great people! I linked this post on Nomad's forum and so you should get more help, specially from the guys in the south. If you decide to came northbound from Lisbon just let me know http://www.lusolabs.com/nomads/viewtopic.php?p=20752#20752 Cheers
Hi Chris, From Lisboa to Algarve in 4 days at a relaxed pace you can either follow the western coast or do it deeper in the Alentejo. Points of interest along the coast include Setubal, Troia,Comporta, Sines, Porto Covo, Milfontes, Zambujeira, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Arrifana, Sagres, then you can visit Lagos, Portimão, climb to Monchique/Foia as sugested above, and then Faro. If you decide on Alentejo, I would cross from Setubal to Troia/Comporta anyhow then Alcacer do Sal, Évora, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Mourão, Moura, Serpa, Pulo do Lobo, Mértola, Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Tavira, Olhão ending in Faro You can get lucky with the weather - sometimes we have nice sunny days mid October. Whatever you decide we can try to point you to some restaurants, places to stay and must sees. If you're looking for a place to stay in Lisbon I can sort you at my place. Feel free to post in English at the Nomads, let me know if you need help with registration (as I think the reg process is in portuguese only).
Here's a short trip report, one photo. Longer version with more pics to come. Spent one night in Hotel Fenix at M. Pombal in Lisbon and enjoyed the Republic Day parade, convenient to our hotel. Spent four nights in Tryp Hotel in Covilha while attending a conference at the University. Lots of good food at various restaurants in the area. There are indeed >1000 ways to prepare bacalhau. Bus back to Lisbon, another night at the Fenix, train over to Cascais to pick up the Transalp. Packed up that night and left in the morning for four days on the TA. Day One: Lisbon to Queluz, couldn't find the horses, but enjoyed a walk around the palace. North to Mafra, enjoyed the monastery. North and East on a variety of backroads eventually crossing the Tejo at Villa Franca, then on South and West to Evora, where we spent the night, staying at the Ibis, just outside the Wall. Great dinner at a little wine cellar somewhere lost inside the Wall. Day Two: Wandered around Evora some more to enjoy the Roman temple, then headed South some more and West some more. Somehow missed the turnoff to the menhir, but thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful castle and church in Viana do Alentejo. Continued South and eventually found a place to spend the night in Tavira. Day Three: Headed back inland, and found some fabulous roads on our way to Silves by going North and then East. Will look up the names. Great time touring the castle and cathedral at Silves. Then back South and West to Sagres, where we toured the forteza and watched the brave Portuguese fishermen: It hurt my stomach just to see them standing so close to a 500 foot dropoff, but one of them caught a beautiful fish while we were watching. Rode on out to the Cabo sao Vicente, to visit "km 0": Headed back North and spent the night in Aljezo (or something like that). Nice place, with another example of how much those folks liked to play King on the Mountain. Day Four: Pretty much a straight blast back to Lisbon, though mostly on backroads until we reached Santiago (with another nice castle and church). More details later when I get over my jetlag and get caught up with work. Chrish out