loulé btt e, 29 km

BTT E Santa Margarida
Mountain bike circuit e from the council of Loulé goes from the village of Santa Margarida near Alte. The main road crossings is also the village's square and a good point to start this bike ride. The first part goes slowly up hill on tarmaced road, as is about 50% of this route. The road offers excellent views of the valley deep down and the vast Serra do Caldeirão north of us, until we get to the windmills at the end of the hill range. After a fast descent on tarmac we go off road to turn around the windmills and enter the valley on the other side of the hill range. A beautiful serene valley with comfortable dirt roads, small and quiet tarmaced roads and an occasional hill to climb. All is well until we reach Macheira. We will do a loop from here before returning to Santa Margarida. The climb out of the village is not very long and starts pleasant. However, having left the last houses behind us the pretty little dirt road gets steeper and steeper and on the last bit even the triple is not enough to put us on top of the hill range. Rewarded with a spectacular descent and shaded by huge cork oaks we roll into Sarnadas. Turning south we have the massive limestone rock called Rocha dos Soidos right in front of us. The indication on the road side shows where we have the option to go all the way up or not. First part on tarmac is fairly steep. The road goes down on the other side but there's a single track into the rocky fields. At the first limestone walls it's best to leave the bike and continue for the last bit on foot. The impressive cliff top is at an altitude of 467 m. overlooking great parts of the Serra do Caldeirão until de Serra de Monchique.
The path back to the bikes is easy to find and the down hill continues with a technical off road descent to complete the loop back to Macheira. The last part is mainly up hill and after a couple of surprising turns through some farms we arrive back at the Santa Margarida square and café.

Distance: 28,55 km

Accumulated ascent: 635 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 3/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Cascades of Vigário near Alte's cemetery
• 13th century water mill in the Alte river Moinho de Abóboda
• Alte's 13th century's main church and 15th century chapel
• The springs of Fonte Pequena and Fonte Grande in Alte
• Casa Memória d'Alte museum
• Classified Site of Rocha da Pena

Food & drinks:

• Café Nascer do Sol, Santa Margarida
• Café Pôr do Sol, Santa Margarida

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=chgadsjfejjormvo

tavira gr23, 47 km

GR 23 Cachopo-Mealha-Cachopo
The international network of long distance (foot)paths (Grande Randonnée, Grande Rota, Gran Recorrido, Great Route, or GR) offers endless opportunities to visit rural areas you are not familiar with guided by its characteristic red and white markings. Unlike many other GR trails, GR23 is a circular route. You can pick it up anywhere and it will take you back where you began. We choose the town of Cachopo to start this bike ride for being well accessible, very charming and there's some pleasant cafés and restaurants for necessary refreshments.
From the town centre we take off in southern direction for the first stretch to Feiteira. Soon after Currais we descend deep into the valley to cross the Leitejo river, logically followed by a long hairpinned climb on wide tracks. This is what this route is like, not an easy ride! So far the route has been coinciding with GR13, the Via Algarviana. However, a few kilometers before Feiteira the Via Algarviana decides to dive deep down towards Castelão and the Odeleite river. We remain higher on the hill side until reaching Feiteira and main road 124. We turn right and at leaving Feiteira we cross the 124 to the north side. The second part towards Mealha shows us a vast, wide open, almost empty landscape. Some forestation of cork, eucalyptus an pine. Rock rose growing abundantly and the precious arbutus tree (medronheiro) you find all over, as well as bee boxes. For the first time today we cross the magnificent Foupana river at the abandoned hamlet and picnic area of Estragamantens and follow comfortable tracks until all of a sudden we find ourselves at Mealha. The GR route turns east immediately, but a little tour through Mealha first gives an opportunity to observe the typical slate rock houses and recovered haystacks. Today this pretty village probably does not look a lot different than it would have some 50 years ago. An exeption perhaps for the chickens walking about that by then had a lot more playing children to share the narrow streets with. Migration to the cities is one of the problems interior villages of Algarve are suffering from.
Heading for Casas Baixas we climb up until we are at a site with dolmen from Neolithic times called Anta de Masmorra. Great mountain biking after this descending once more into the Foupana river, follow the rocky river bed for a bit and after crossing there's a big climb to remember. The triple comes in most handy getting up these steep hills. After this all is easy. Moderate ups and down take us to Casas Baixas where we join the itinarary of the Via Algarviana again. To get to Cachopo the mountain tracks lead into a narrow valley where oak trees provide shade and the trail gets smaller. This reminds us that some single track is the only thing that could improve this otherwise fantastic ride. For more experienced riders that enjoy a good workout this is probably the best permanent mountain bike circuit in Algarve looking at distance, difficulty, signposting and scenery.

Distance: 46,54 km.

Accumulated ascent: 1236 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Ethnographic and anthropologic museum nucleus in Cachopo
• Cachopo's 16th century church
• Neolithic burial site of Antas das Pedras Altas at Mealha
• Neolithic dolmen of Anta de Masmorra at Alcarias Pedro Guerreiro

Track author: In Loco, http://www.in-loco.pt/, Municipality of Tavira, http://www.cm-tavira.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=cjyjzcfldzrdoyzd

aljezur btt 1, 17 km

BTT 1 Trail of tides
The mountain bike route at Carrapateira in the council of Aljezur definately shows that the village deserves more visitors than only fishermen, nature lovers or surfers. This is a great opportunity for bikers to appreciate the spectacular scenery of the Vicentina coast.
Starting at the main road that enters Carrapateira coming from Bordeira we follow the road to Bordeira beach. The road starts to climb up to the cliffs of the famous 'Pontal da Carrapateira'. Here the tarmaced road changes into a wide dirt road following the cliff tops south and offering great ocean views. Various well accessible view points have been created to enjoy this rough and wild scenery in safety. Before we get to Amado beach the road passes close to the little fishing port of Zimbreirinha. This amazing creation on the steep cliff sides shows the efforts local people must make in order to make a living out of fishing.
After observing many surfers at Amado beach we turn inland following smaller tracks through forrestal area with pine and eucalyptus. We cross the main road now south of Carrapateira turning north. Soon we go off towards Monte Velho to enjoy a speedy descent. So speedy that we overlook the sharp left turn at the bridge and end up turning around a bit further down at Vilarinha. For the home stretch we follow the comfortable track along pretty valley of the Carrapateira river until it opens up to a wider area again just before the main road and the starting point.

Distance: 17,46 km.

Accumulated ascent: 212 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Museum of Sea and Land in Carrapateira (Museu do Mar e da Terra)
• Archaeological site of 12th century Moorish fishing settlement (Ponto do Castelo)
• 17th century Christian defensive fortress
• Carrapateira's 16th century church
• Vicentina Natural Park (PNSACV), http://www.vicentina.org/
• Costa Sudoeste, Natura 2000 PTZPE0015, PTCON0012, http://www.icnb.pt/

Track author: Bordeira parish of the municipality of Aljezur, http://www.cm-aljezur.pt/jfbordeira

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open:
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nvthvsjbbzhyqiam

loulé btt q, 19 km

BTT Q Portela do Barranco
The mtb q circuit starts at Portela do Barranco, north of Salir, council of Loulé. An excellent chosen scene in a beautiful part of the Serra do Caldeirão, still dominated by cork farming. Probably the hardest part is at the beginning of the tour climbing a wide dirt road that starts where the tarmaced road ends right outside Portela do Barranco's café. With a few bits down hill to catch our breath the road continues to climb all the way until the wind mill and first houses appear. The serene village of Barrigões is tucked away high up in the hills and only seems to be accessible by dirt road. We turn west to enjoy the views and the descent after which we follow a track through the valley creating a lot of enthusiasm with the dogs of the farm we pass through at the California road. This road would have taken us right into Alentejo if we would not have turned south after the bridge. A beautiful old trail along one of the many creeks in this area and obviously this used to be an important connection for the pretty hamlet of Sobreira Formosa. A steep climb after the village takes us to the top of the hill. Overlooking the hills there are so many tracks to choose from. The one back towards Portela do Barranco crosses a few creeks, smaller hills and a reforested area with pine trees. We climb to the road at Cerro do Alganduro. A recommended option is to climb just a bit further through this village up to the wind mill where you can overlook the vast area of hills to the south down to Salir. After this all is easy. The road back to Portela do Barranco is quiet and relaxed this great ride comes to an end.

Distance: 19,30 km.

Accumulated ascent: 533 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Caldeirão, Natura 2000 PTCON0057, http://www.icnb.pt/

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xuroqowxgiyspubm

albufeira btt, 36 km

BTT Albufeira-Paderne-Albufeira
A mountain bike route to get from the Albufeira coast to the trails of the Algarvian 'barrocal' at Paderne and back. For about 50% off road through mainly agricultural area where almond, carob, fig and olive trees are grown abundantly in the fertile thick red clay. Some orange trees and cork oak you will find as well.
Unlike almost all other tracks you find in this blog, this route is not intended as a permanent circuit. It is here to help the many visitors of Albufeira area that do not know their way around so well, but possibly do know how to handle a gps device and are willing to go for a nice bike ride.
From the famous Albufeira view point 'Pau da Bandeira' the ride takes us to the charming village of Paderne.
At the parking in front of the Paderne football pitch the municipality of Albufeira did create 3 signposted circuits, PR1, PR2 and PR3, aiming to entertain walkers and mountain bikers. Pretty trails, a good initiative indeed. You can find them on http://www.toursandtracksalgarve.blogspot.com/.
In our opinion these routes are more suitable for walking than biking. Distances varieing between 10 and 12 km turn these tours a little short for more experienced bikers. On the other hand for novices the tracks may be too technical or too steep. Besides this, we should be careful not to spoil a lot of fun by mixing walkers and bikers on precious single tracks like for example along the Quarteira River. GR23 in the Tavira council and GR13, the Via Algarviana, are examples of signposted routes where, due to the vastness of the area and relatively wide trails, walkers and bikers can share the same itinery without any problems.
Fortunately Paderne and surroundings are blessed with an infinate series of great tracks to ride in all directions. However, coming there from Albufeira bikers have to deal with several obstacles such as motorways A22 and A1, the busy national roads 395, 125 and IC1 and let's not forget about the rail road.
Albufeira bikers have been finding solutions for most of these problems. This route here is aiming to take you to Paderne and back in a pleasant and surprising way.

Distance: 36,11 km.

Accumulated ascent: 440 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 3/5

Points of interest:

• 13th century Moorish castle, Castelo de Paderne
• Medieval bridge across the Quarteira river
• Springs and washing facilities at the Quarteira river, Fonte de Paderne
• Water mill at the Quarteira river, Azenha do castelo
• Paderne's 16th century church
• Quarteira river, Ribeira de Quarteira, Natura 2000 PTCON0038, http://www.icnb.pt/

Track author: Fred van der Meer

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=fnxkzsmvwunbdpah

loulé btt h, 19 km

BTT H Monte Seco
Monte Seco is the small village to start Loulé's mountain bike route h. Another little jewel put together by Prof. Arménio. Two cafés and a mini market make the village centre from where we leave uphill. Soon there's less and less houses along the road and we take a left to dive down. Just before the Boa Hora chapel we join a stretch already visited doing the btt l ride coming from Parragil. The 2 circuits run together for a few kilometers. Where the Parragil ride follows an easier route lower in the valley, this time we continue to climb the rocky path and it takes us back to Caminho de Monte Seco. This high running track provides us with great views of the Algibre valley to the north and a wonderful descent touching again the btt l circuit at the bottom of Picota's São Faustino area. The rough trails in the Algibre valley make superb mountainbiking and slowly we turn north heading for the river herself, mainly downhill. To add to all the fun we find single track following the river east. It is possible to follow these tracks along the river until Ribeira de Algibre village. However when the river allows, do cross to the northern bank following Prof. Arménio's original route. On these less explored single tracks we find an otter jumping away from our from front wheels disappearing into the river bed canes. After crossing to the south side again we get to Ribeira de Algibre village. Quickly we go off road again onto a small old rural track for the last climb to Monte Seco. Not an easy climb, but we are sorry to end this very complete bike ride that includes all the goodies an Algarvian ride can have.

Distance: 18,93 km

Accumulated ascent: 302 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 3/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hoikqwyhlkzjhbll

loule btt l, 15 km

BTT L Parragil
The mountain bike route at Parragil in the council of Loulé takes off from the village's main cross roads heading south west. At first slowly down hill on a tarmac road. Soon we turn left to remain high on the hill side being offered new views on the coast and the Atlantic Ocean after every corner. We pass through the village of Soalheira and go around it towards Varejota. Only here we turn off road, inland and uphill. Not very high though. The descent on the other side of the hill top goes a lot deeper then where we came from. Very pleasant, this usually seems the other way around. At good pace we get back to the main road at the Monte Seco junction. The second half of the circuit remains on the western side of this road. no more tarmac, great country tracks. After passing through the Boa Hora valley the easy part is done and we strart climbing the dry rocky trails. A beautiful old connection track takes us along vegetable fields at the foot of Picota in direction of Alfontes. Long before we get there we have to negotiate some violent sections and suddenly take a sharp turn up to the left and start dealing with the climb to Picota itself. The climb soon becomes more gentle and when we get as high as São Faustino we start cruising relaxed along Picota's northern side overseeing the mighty Algibre valley. Finishing requires some attention, be sure to break enough and stop before flying onto the Parragil cross roads.

Distance: 15,09 km.

Accumulated ascent: 358 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 3/5

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loulé.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open:
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gnflqkktcvliohle

loulé btt g, 19 km

BTT G Boliqueime

The mountain bike route at Boliqueime in the council of Loulé is a ride full of surprises. Boliqueime may find itself tucked away in between national road 125 and the A22 motorway but riders doing this circuit would hardly notice. We touch the 125 shortly after leaving the centre of town from the church square. At the Fonte de Boliqueime roundabout we turn off road in eastern direction. First along some easy going tracks and it is not until after crossing the roads to Loulé and Alfontes that we start climbing one of the hills just north of Boliqueime, an urbanized area where the old rural tracks are more and more being tarmaced. This definately changes after climbing up to the Paderne road entering the Quarteira river valley. This valley is a precious present for bikers. Some technical turns and climbs, then a great descent, but try descending it as slow as possible not to miss out on views of the coast not far away and the curves and original vegetation of the valley itself. A very interesting area, protected from agriculture by it's steep hill sides and from summer mountain fires by it's location south of the barrocal and the A22 motorway. The Quarteira river allows a rocky crossing most of the year. Riding the single tracks on the southern bank feels like floating through a garden of pine and pleasure taking us back to Boliqueime far too soon.

Distance: 19,03 km.

Accumulated ascent: 357 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 3/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Boliqueime's 18th century church
• Quarteira River, Ribeira de Quarteira, Natura 2000 PTCON0038, http://www.icnb.pt/

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=jpnwnwykuahjmgwp

loulé btt m, 26 km

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BTT M Cortelha
Some of the original mountain bike circuits in the council of Loulé have been recently decorated with a formal information panel at the starting point. So is this one at Cortelha's football pitch promising a beautiful tour through the heart of the Serra de Caldeirão. The tour is beautiful indeed, but a pity that the marks and signposting along the route have not received an update. At least not until the day we recorded this track. Hopefully the people from the municipality of Loulé will execute this necessary job. Not everybody is using a gps and Prof. Arménio's routes deserve so. Certainly this one because it is showing a lot of what Serra de Caldeirão has to offer to visitors. Great views from hill tops, abandoned hamlets like Pêro de Elvas or Vale Luis Neto and typical villages such as Montes Novos, Cumeada or Vale Maria Dias. We hardly take any tarmac roads. The old rural tracks are excellent for mountain biking. Technically the route is not very complicated, but almost constantly going up or down and although not very long, a few serious hills can not be avoided.

Distance: 25,56 km.

Accumulated ascent: 456 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Caldeirão, Natura 2000 PTCON0057, http://www.icnb.pt/

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=uvvusxyujrsichfy

aljezur btt 2, 19 km

BTT 2 Trail of aromas
Mtb route in the middle of the Vicentina Natural Park (PNSACV) at the village of Bordeira, Aljezur council. This 100% dirt road circuit starts at the entrance of Bordeira, but away from the village in northwestern direction. Following rocky, open, windswept trails until Monte Novo. Here the route turns south via much similar tracks parallel to the ones coming up, but closer to the west coast. In Monte Novo however, one should not turn south immediately. Although it logically means having to climb back, it is recommended to ride all the bumpy way down to the beach of Vale Figueiras. Not only for the joy of descending, but also to visit this lovely place, well hidden and little frequented, may be just by some surfers attracted by the hot spots of famous west coast waves. It will be worth the climb back up to Monte Novo to join there the original route. Eventually the rough and rocky tracks come to a peaceful end at the Bordeira river valley, which after crossing takes us gently back to Bordeira.

Distance: 18,79 km.

Accumulated ascent: 358 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 3/5

Points of interest:

• Vicentina Natural Park (PNSACV), http://www.vicentina.org/
• Costa Sudoeste, Natura 2000 PTZPE0015, PTCON0012, www.icnb.pt
• Bordeira's 18th century church
• Museum of Sea and Land in Carrapateira (Museu do Mar e da Terra)

Track author: Bordeira parish from the municipality of Aljezur, www.cm-aljezur.pt/jfbordeira

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qzzysyyeazmaaahm

loulé btt j, 16 km

BTT J Salir

One of the classic mountain bike circuits by Prof. Arménio at Salir in the council of Loulé.
Not very difficult, only a few more demanding stretches on the rocky paths through typical Barrocal area with it's fertile red sticky clay and innumerous springs and noras. Especially along the first part in south western direction many of these ingenious water pumps of Arab design can be seen. The route turns east to go around Salir, down through the Moinhos river and up to the pretty hamlet of Palmeiros after following a rocky single track. Great views of the Serra do Caldeirão north of us and more lovely descending passing the Moreno spring. After crossing the main road 124 we head west again along the foot of the hill range in the direction of the Classified Site of Rocha da Pena. This ride won't take us there since we finish in Salir before, but the impressive limestone formation with it's caves and stone walls dating back to the Iron Age is well worth a visit.

Distance: 15,98 km.

Accumulated ascent: 262 m.

Our rating:

• Technical difficulty: 2/5
• Physical difficulty: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5

Points of interest:

• Ruins of the 12th or 13th century Mourish castle in Salir and archaeological site
• Classified Site of Rocha da Pena
• Barrocal, Natura 2000 PTCON0049, www.icnb.pt
  

Track author: Prof. Arménio, http://www.cm-loule.pt/

To view, compare, rate or download this track, open:

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=laxrvpgeyudmvizl