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Route Rating Level 3 to Level 5

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TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 3 lunches.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please call our expert Trip Consultants at (800) GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) for more information.

Meet / Depart

Santiago de Compostela, Spain/Porto, Portugal

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Romance &/or Honeymoon, Spa

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Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
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Berkeley, CA 94710

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7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Spain Portugal Biking

Spain & Portugal Biking

Galicia & the Minho Wine Region

This trip is currently only available as a Private Trip. Looking for a similar trip? See Ireland Biking, Czech Republic/Austria Biking, Hungary/Slovakia/Poland Biking, Tuscany Biking, and Italy/Slovenia Biking. Or call 800-462-2848 to speak with a Trip Consultant.

Culturally diverse, geographically varied and awash in tradition and history, Spain's quiet Galician countryside and northern Portugal's Minho wine region are perfect for bicycling with Backroads. Between the medieval pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela and Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal in 1143, visit historic landmarks, pedal across eucalyptus-covered hills, encounter friendly locals on horse-drawn carts and explore the region's stunning tableaus, ranging from rugged alpine terrain to lush misty coastline.

You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

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Day 1 baiona

In the wine region of Rias Baixas, pedal from the picturesque fishing village of Baiona through hillside communities and eucalyptus forests Continue to the beach town of Panxon and the Playa America, named in honor of Columbus' return from the New World  If you're in the mood to tackle a steep hill, bike all the way to Monte Ferro for dramatic views of the Atlantic and the rugged Islas Ciés.

Day 2 valenca

Ride along the crashing surf from Baiona to Tui, perhaps stopping for a café con leche at one of the beachfront cafés in Panxon  In A Garda, indulge in fresh seafood, such as langosta (lobster) or zamburiñas (scallops) Cross the Minho River into Portugal Explore Valença's cheery tourist shops, which sell everything from snacks and postcards to linens, ceramics and wine.

Day 3 ponte de lima

Savor the landscape of rural Portugal and share the road with locals delivering milk or returning cows to pasture Take in views of hillsides adorned with of rows of grapevine and homes with bright red-tile roofs.

Days 4-6 canicada

Travel across a series of hills and through a lush landscape to the spa town of Caldelas Bike to Gerês, known for its herbal teas Venture into the serene Parque Nacional Peneda Gerês, a 178,000-acre reserve nestled in the Vale do Alto near the Spanish border If it's a clear day, you'll get spellbinding vistas of pine and heather-clad foothills studded with rotund granite boulders and topped by jagged ridgelines Shuttle to Porto, where our trip ends.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Guest Trip Reviews

Backroads was an amazing experience. Our trip far exceeded our expectations - and was literally, the trip of a lifetime.
Danielle Seymour - Lafayette, CO

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For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Spain and Portugal tour experts. For biking tours in Europe At Large, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe At Large biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large multisport tours click here.

Spain & Portugal Biking

SCENIC SETTINGS: Casual Inns

Talaso Atlantico

Baiona (1 night): A contemporary hotel with a swimming pool, whirlpool bath, hydromassage and views of crashing Atlantic surf.

Pousada de Sao Teotonio

Valença (1 night): A modern hotel situated above the Minho River within imposing fortified walls of the 17th-century fortaleza (fortress).

Quinta do Convento de Val de Pereiras

Ponte de Lima (1 night): At this former convent, enjoy a swimming pool, tennis courts, clean and simple guest rooms, and a serene setting.

Pousada de Sao Bento

Caniçada (2 nights): A timber-beamed, turn-of the-century mountain lodge with grand views, a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Spain & Portugal Biking Spain & Portugal Biking

Quinta do Convento de Val de Pereiras

You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

Spain & Portugal Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 13, 34 miles
  • 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 4 4 Route Options Available
  • 26, 38, 47, 52 miles
  • 2000 - 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • 13, 29, 59 miles
  • 2000 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • 17, 30, 49 miles
  • 1000 - 4000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
  • 9, 13, 23 miles
  • 500 - 4000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
  • 13, 24, 37 miles
  • 1000 - 4500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 15 miles
  • 700 feet elevation gain
Day 8
  • Conclusion of Trip
Spain & Portugal Biking Spain & Portugal Biking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles