Iberia C2C – full route

Arrive at the hotel in Alicante, which is served by both air and rail. The city is definitely worth exploring if you arrive early in the day. Alternatively, if you'd like to arrive a day or two early and spend some more time exploring the city (and its beaches), just let us know and we can arrange extra nights at the hotel.

This evening we'll meet for a briefing before having dinner together at the hotel.

Alicante sightseeing / highlights

• Santa Bárbara Castle – Climb or take the lift up to this huge hilltop fortress for fantastic views across Alicante, the harbour and coastline.

• The old town – Wander the narrow streets of the Casco Antiguo, with colourful houses, little squares, tapas bars and plenty of opportunities to stop for a drink.

• Explanada de España – Take a stroll along Alicante's famous palm-lined promenade, paved with its distinctive red, cream and black marble mosaic.

• Alicante's waterfront and marina – Explore the harbour, watch the boats coming and going and stop for a drink or something to eat overlooking the Mediterranean.

• Mercado Central – A great place to get a feel for the city and browse the stalls piled with fruit, vegetables, seafood, cured meats and other local produce.

Please note, the below elevation graphs are shared courtesy of Maplibre | © komoot | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

56 miles / 90km & 3,175 feet / 968m ascent

We start the tour with a quick ride down to Alicante’s port and the slightly surreal sight of the famous Icarus statue striding into the Mediterranean with a surfboard. Then it’s back inland, where we won’t need wings to make our way across the landscape towards Jumilla. The route leaves Alicante on the EV8 cycle path before joining quieter roads, heading between the rugged Sierras of Alicante and Murcia.

There are no big climbs today, but the road rises almost imperceptibly for much of the ride, so the accumulated ascent will make itself known by the time we reach Jumilla. We pass through the lesser-known towns and villages of inland Alicante, where traditional pottery, vineyards and small-scale local industries offer a glimpse of a side of the region that most visitors never see. The craggy Sierras del Maigmó and del Carche provide a backdrop as we gradually leave the Mediterranean behind and enter Spain’s wine country.

We finish in Jumilla, one of Spain’s best-known wine regions and home to the Monastrell grape. After a steady first day in the saddle, there’s plenty of incentive to explore the town and sample some of the local wine. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Agost pottery – a town with a long pottery tradition, including distinctive local ceramics and a museum housed in a former pottery factory.
• Monóvar – a small hill town surrounded by vineyards, known for its wine and the distinctive blue-domed Hermitage of Santa Bárbara overlooking the town.
• Novelda – home to the striking Santuario de Santa María Magdalena, an unusual Modernist church built from stone and marble.
• Jumilla wine country – vineyards stretch across the surrounding landscape, with Monastrell at the heart of the region’s distinctive red wines.

69 miles / 111km & 4,450 feet / 1,356m ascent

The riding gets better and better as we head deeper into the Spanish interior. We leave Jumilla behind on fast, open roads, crossing the high country towards Elche de la Sierra, where the landscape begins to change dramatically. This is a day for enjoying the road itself: long, quiet stretches, big skies and increasingly impressive mountain scenery as we make our way towards the Sierra del Segura and some really fast miles.

Elche de la Sierra marks the gateway to the mountains, and from here the route becomes more sinuous as we gradually gain height. The final section follows the Río Mundo through a beautiful wooded valley towards Riópar, surrounded by the mountains. Riópar itself is a lovely place to arrive after a long day in the saddle. The town sits in a mountain valley on the edge of the Calares del Mundo y de la Sima natural park, one of the most spectacular areas of the region. The famous Nacimiento del Río Mundo, where the river bursts from the mountainside in a dramatic waterfall, is just a few kilometres beyond the town - we will visit that and the old town first thing tomorrow. (B, L)

Highlights

• The road to Elche de la Sierra – Fast, open riding through the high country, with very little traffic and huge views as we make our way towards the mountains.

• Elche de la Sierra – A small mountain town and a natural gateway into the Sierra del Segura, marking the point where the character of the ride really starts to change.

• Sierra del Segura – The final part of the day brings increasingly dramatic scenery, with pine-covered slopes, rocky mountains and the Río Mundo valley.

• Río Mundo – Follow the river towards its source, riding through the wooded valley as the mountains close in around you.

40 miles / 64km & 4,500 feet / 1,372m ascent
Optional extra loop: 25 miles / 40km & 2,575 feet / 785m ascent (not included in route stats)

Today is a shorter day, but the climbing definitely ramps up a bit - especially if you do the extra loop! Our riding today takes us deeper into the mountains. We begin with an optional short ride up to Riópar Viejo, the atmospheric old village perched above the valley, before heading on through quiet, wooded roads towards the mountains of the Sierra de Segura.

There’s also a detour to the spectacular Nacimiento del Río Mundo, where the river emerges from the limestone cliffs in a dramatic waterfall. It’s a short walk of around 800m to reach the viewpoint, and the van will be on hand with walking shoes for anyone who needs them.

We then continue through the beautiful mountain scenery towards Segura de la Sierra, a wonderfully preserved hilltop village with narrow lanes, whitewashed houses and far-reaching views across the surrounding sierras. There’s plenty of time to explore on foot, find somewhere for a coffee or simply enjoy the mountain air.

And for anyone who still has plenty of enthusiasm – or has somehow forgotten that we’ve already been cycling uphill – the cycle guide will lead an optional extra loop through the mountain villages of Orcera, Benatae and Puerta de la Sierra. (B, L)

Highlights

• Riópar Viejo – Wander around the old village, with its medieval castle, church and superb views over the surrounding mountains.

• Nacimiento del Río Mundo – Walk through the woods to see the Río Mundo bursting dramatically from the limestone cliffs. A genuine natural highlight of the trip.

• The Sierra de Segura – Quiet mountain roads wind through pine forests and rugged scenery as we cross into one of the most beautiful parts of inland Andalucía.

• Segura de la Sierra – A spectacular whitewashed village perched high on the mountainside, with a castle at its summit and extraordinary views across the surrounding countryside.

• Optional mountain loop – For those who want more, add 25 miles and 2,575 feet of climbing through Orcera, Benatae and Puerta de la Sierra – a chance to explore some of the smaller mountain villages that most visitors would never reach.

55 miles / 89km & 4,700 feet / 1,433m ascent

We leave Segura de la Sierra with a long, well-earned descent into the valleys before joining quiet mountain roads through the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, one of the lesser-known of Andalucía's protected natural areas – far quieter as a result, but no less beautiful. It is the largest protected natural area in Spain, covering an enormous area of mountains, forests, rivers and deep valleys, and is particularly rich in wildlife.

The route then follows the shores of the Tranco de Beas reservoir for much of the day. At this time of year the water should be at its fullest, and the road climbs and descends repeatedly along the shoreline. Just when the mileage suggests we must be nearing Cazorla, we have one final treat – or sting in the tail, depending on your perspective – as we climb up and over the 4,000-foot Puerto de las Palomas. Fear not: we start the climb from a good height, and from the summit it’s downhill into town. (B, L)

Highlights

• Tranco de Beas – The reservoir was created in the 1940s by damming the Guadalquivir and is now an important habitat for wildlife, including golden eagles, griffon vultures and otters.

• Mountain wildlife – Keep an eye out as we ride through the park: wild boar, ibex and deer are all found here, while the skies are home to some impressive birds of prey.

• Cazorla’s old town – Take time to explore the maze of steep lanes, small squares and old stone buildings. The town's castle and church are built dramatically into the hillside above it.

• Olive oil – This is prime olive-growing country, and Cazorla is at the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla PDO, so it’s a good place to try some of the region’s excellent extra-virgin olive oil.

60 miles / 97km & 3,600 feet / 1,097m ascent

Today is a ride of changing landscapes, as we gradually leave the mountains of Cazorla behind and enter the vast olive-growing country of Jaén province. The most direct route from Cazorla to Guadix is mountainous in the extreme (definitely one to come back for another time, but beyond the grade of this tour) and involves some sections where it’s tricky to avoid very busy roads, so instead we have chosen to take a dog-leg, which honestly just increases the variety anyway.

The early miles are predominantly downhill before settling into rolling roads through an almost endless sea of olive trees, with big skies and the mountains gradually receding behind us. It’s a very different landscape from the rugged country of the previous days, but there’s something impressive about the sheer scale of the olive groves that cover the hills in every direction, peppered with the odd grove of fruit trees. And just when you’ve settled into the rhythm of the day, there’s one final sting in the tail. We climb over the shoulder of the Sierra Mágina before a long final descent towards Jaén, the self-styled World Capital of Olive Oil. Jaén is often overlooked in favour of Andalucía’s better-known cities, but that’s part of its appeal. It has a fascinating history shaped by Iberian, Roman, Moorish and Christian cultures, and a compact historic centre packed with impressive architecture. With the bikes parked, there’s plenty to explore – and, naturally, plenty of food to consume cooked with the best and freshest olive oil around! (B, L)

Highlights:

• Castillo de Santa Catalina – the 13th-century fortress dominates Jaén from its hilltop and has superb views across the Guadalquivir valley and the surrounding olive groves.
• Jaén Cathedral – a magnificent Renaissance building by architect Andrés de Vandelvira and one of the great architectural sights of the city.
• Arab Baths – hidden beneath the Villardompardo Palace, these are among the largest and best-preserved historic Arab baths in Spain.
• Olive groves – Jaén province is at the heart of Spain’s olive-oil production, so this is the place to try the local extra-virgin oil properly – ideally liberally applied to something edible. And did you know that a black olive is just a ripe green one? You do now.

67 miles / 108km & 5,625 feet / 1,715m ascent

If the first leg of the dog-leg was varied, then today’s ride is even more so. We leave behind the rolling hills of Jaén’s olive groves, skirt the greener mountain ranges south of Cazorla and gradually enter the extraordinary badlands of the Granada Geopark. The road south of Jaén runs parallel to the motorway for some miles, therefore with little traffic, making for easy riding before we climb into the hills towards Montejícar. The lower slopes here are still covered in olive trees, but the landscape becomes increasingly open and dry as we continue through Guadahortuna and Pedro Martínez towards Fonelas.

Here we enter the Granada Geopark, where water and wind have carved the soft earth into steep-sided gullies, eroded valleys and colourful badlands. We finish the day descending through this unusual landscape into the Guadix basin, with the Sierra Nevada providing a backdrop. Guadix itself is one of the most distinctive towns on the route, famous for its cave houses, many of them still inhabited, with white chimneys poking out from the hillsides. It’s a suitably unusual place to finish the day. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Montejícar – a small hill town with the remains of a medieval castle and a Roman bridge over the River Guadahortuna.
• Granada Geopark – a vast geological landscape of badlands and eroded valleys, surrounded by mountain ranges including the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Baza.
• Fonelas – home to an important palaeontological site containing evidence of animals that lived here during the Quaternary period.
• Guadix’s cave quarter – explore the Barrio de las Cuevas, where homes have been dug directly into the soft clay hillsides and are still lived in today.

39 miles, 3,100 feet

With the detour up and down the climb to Veleta this increases to 85 miles and 11,475 feet ascent, or 70 miles and 8,775 feet ascent to Pradallano and the Hoya Del Mora snow barrier. Neither of these are included in overall route distance or ascent.

With Granada ahead, today gives us a choice: a relatively short ride followed by an afternoon exploring one of Andalucía’s great cities, or a seriously epic detour up the Sierra Nevada. The standard ride is 39 miles, while those tackling Veleta can add considerably to the day: 70 miles / 8,775 feet to Pradollano and the Hoya del Mora snow barrier, or 85 miles / 11,475 feet if conditions allow us to continue towards the Veleta ski station.

We’ll leave early so both options are possible. The Aguas Blancas road from Guadix into the Genil valley is champagne riding: quiet, flowing and wonderfully scenic, with a great surface and gentle ups and downs. We’ll detour to the Canales reservoir for an early sandwich before continuing towards Granada.

After lunch, the sightseeing group will follow the van into Granada for an afternoon of independent exploration. We can’t guarantee rooms will be ready before mid-afternoon, but your belongings will be delivered so you can change. Those taking on Veleta will head upwards on the quieter road and return via the busier one. As this is an early-season ride, the Hoya del Mora snow barrier may be as far as we can safely go. We’ll go as high as conditions allow, with the cycle guide accompanying the climb and the van returning to support the group.

There should still be time to explore Granada afterwards and, for those who have booked ahead, perhaps visit the Alhambra. (B, L)

Highlights:

• The shorter ride – 39 miles and 3,100 feet makes this a relatively gentle day by Coast to Coast standards, with beautiful riding and plenty of time to enjoy Granada.
• Alhambra & Albaicín – Granada’s great double act: the extraordinary palace and fortress and the atmospheric old Moorish quarter opposite. Timed tickets are essential for the Alhambra.
• Granada tapas – in many traditional bars, ordering a drink still comes with a small plate of food, making an evening of tapas a very good way to explore the city.
• Veleta – at 3,396m, one of Europe’s highest paved road climbs and a serious cycling challenge, even if the snow barrier stops us short of the summit.

48 miles / 77km & 4,625 feet / 1,410m ascent

Leaving Granada behind, we head west with the rugged Sierra Tejeda providing a dramatic backdrop as the route gradually moves from open plateau into more mountainous terrain. For the first part of the day the riding is through dry countryside, with olive groves stretching across the landscape as far as the eyes can see and surprisingly little sign of habitation.

After around 20 miles the character of the ride begins to change. The road becomes increasingly sinuous as we gain height, eventually bringing us to Alhama de Granada, spectacularly perched above a deep gorge. From here we continue into the Axarquía, one of Málaga province’s most mountainous and distinctive regions, before finishing in the pretty village of Alcaucín on the edge of the natural park. (B, L)

Highlights

• Alhama de Granada – A wonderfully atmospheric old town dramatically positioned above the Río Alhama gorge, with narrow streets, historic buildings and remnants of its Moorish past. Alhama takes its name from the Arabic word for baths, and its hot springs have been used since Roman times. The town’s historic spa remains a reminder of this long tradition.

• Sierra Tejeda – The mountains become an increasingly impressive presence as we head west, with the distinctive peaks of the Sierra Tejeda forming part of the largest protected natural area in Málaga province.

• Axarquía – This mountainous corner of Málaga is very different from the Costa del Sol stereotype, with white villages scattered among steep valleys, olive groves, vineyards and subtropical crops.

• Alcaucín – A small whitewashed mountain village at the foot of the Sierra Tejeda, with the Parque Natural Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama on its doorstep – a peaceful place to finish another substantial day in the saddle.

52 miles / 84km & 3,275 feet / 998m ascent

Today we arrive in Málaga on a bit of a high. We climb through the Axarquía towards Cómpeta and beyond, with some of the best riding of the tour so far. Our Cycling Development Manager has ridden extensively in Spain, and Andalucía in particular, and this is probably her favourite stretch she has ever ridden: quiet, well-surfaced roads, spectacular views and a succession of beautifully maintained villages.

There’s a remarkable 5,250 feet of descending today, so eventually the Mediterranean comes back into view. After a coffee stop in Cómpeta’s square, we wind down to Torre del Mar and then follow the coast towards Málaga. The final section uses the state road, but with the motorway taking most of the fast traffic, it makes for enjoyable seaside riding all the way into the city. (B, L)

Highlights

• Cómpeta – Famous locally for its sweet Moscatel wine and annual Noche del Vino festival. Its hillside setting also makes the main square an excellent coffee stop.

• Spring in the Axarquía – March is a particularly good time to ride here, with almond blossom adding colour to the dry mountain landscape.

• 5,250 feet of descent – One of those days where the elevation profile tells much of the story. Once the climbing is done, there’s a very satisfying amount of downhill to come.

• Málaga – If you have time after arriving, explore the historic centre, visit the Roman theatre and Alcazaba, or simply settle into one of the city's many tapas bars.

• Stage 1 of the Iberia C2C complete – After mountains, reservoirs, white villages, olive groves and the Sierra Nevada, we finish our journey at the Mediterranean once more.

After 9 days of riding you definitely deserve a rest day, although if you do want to head out riding self guided then we will happily help suggest routes.

Malaga itself is a lively, relaxed city with a great mix of history, culture, beaches and food, and is easy to explore on foot. The old centre is full of narrow streets, sunny squares, tapas bars and cafés, while the waterfront and long sandy beaches are perfect for a slower day after all that cycling. (B)

Highlights:

• Alcazaba and Roman Theatre – a Moorish fortress overlooking the old city, with the remains of Málaga’s Roman theatre at its foot.
• Picasso Museum – Málaga was Picasso’s birthplace, and the museum has a substantial collection of his work.
• Málaga Cathedral – an impressive Renaissance cathedral in the heart of the old town.
• Atarazanas Market – a lively food market housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, ideal for a wander and a bite to eat.
• Beaches and waterfront – head to La Malagueta or stroll along Muelle Uno for sea views, restaurants and a final taste of the Mediterranean.

59.5 miles / 96km & 6,175 feet / 1,882m ascent

We’re straight out of the blocks on Day 1 of Stage 2 with a big ride – and, at over 6,000 feet of climbing, the toughest day of the tour. We head inland from Málaga up the fertile Guadahorce valley towards Pizarra and Casarabonela. The riding here is relatively gentle as we leave the built-up coast behind, with citrus and olive groves gradually giving way to the hills around the Sierra de las Nieves.

From Casarabonela we continue towards El Burgo, where the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and the real climbing begins. We then head towards the Puerto del Viento, crossing the dry, rugged limestone hills of the Serranía de Ronda before a rewarding descent onto the high plateau and into Ronda, dramatically perched above its famous gorge. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Pizarra – a small inland town in the fertile Guadalhorce valley, surrounded by citrus groves and overlooked by the mountains beyond.
• Casarabonela – a characterful whitewashed village on the lower slopes of the Sierra de las Nieves, with narrow streets and far-reaching views across the valley.
• Sierra de las Nieves – a protected mountain landscape of limestone peaks, deep valleys, caves and the rare Spanish fir.
• Ronda – spectacularly positioned above the Tajo gorge, with an atmospheric old town and plenty to explore once the bikes are parked.

84 miles / 135km & 4,000 feet / 1,219m ascent

Today’s distance means we only get a taste of the wonderful riding in the Sierra de Grazalema – definitely an area to return to with more time! From Ronda we climb up and over the Puerto de Montejaque before descending to follow the quieter western side of the Embalse de Zahara. The scenery here is classic Grazalema: limestone mountains, rugged valleys and whitewashed villages clinging to the hillsides. Zahara de la Sierra is perhaps the perfect example, tumbling down the mountainside towards the turquoise reservoir below, and it makes an excellent spot for a well-deserved coffee.

From Zahara, the mountains gradually give way to the broad plains of western Andalucía. The riding becomes much flatter and faster, through open farmland and olive groves beneath enormous skies. It’s not the most exciting cycling of the tour, but after the climbing of the previous days it gives us a chance to settle into a rhythm and cover some serious miles. And there’s a pretty good reward at the end: we roll into the heart of Seville, where we’ll stay centrally so that the bikes can be parked and the city explored easily on foot. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Sierra de Grazalema – one of Andalucía’s most beautiful mountain landscapes, with limestone peaks, deep gorges and winding roads.
• Puerto de Montejaque – a satisfying climb out of Ronda and our final proper taste of the Grazalema mountains.
• Zahara de la Sierra – a picture-perfect white village cascading down the hillside above the reservoir, with its ruined Moorish castle high above.
• Seville – one of Spain’s great cities, with the cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar, Plaza de España, tapas bars and lively streets all within easy reach of our central hotel.

62.5 miles, 4,575 feet ascent

The area north of Seville is one of the least visited parts of Spain, but it makes for wonderfully peaceful cycling. We climb steadily into the Sierra Morena, leaving the plains behind for rolling hills, woodland and open dehesa – the traditional landscape of scattered oak trees and grazing land that characterises this part of Andalucía. The Sierra de Aracena lies away to the west, while the quiet roads take us deeper into the hills. It isn’t dramatic mountain scenery, but there’s something very appealing about the combination of open space, almost no traffic and a feeling of being well away from the tourist trail. It is a favourite haunt of Sevillanos on day or weekend trips.

There is around 7 miles of gravel track today, but the surface is firm and smooth enough for road bikes. We finish in Monesterio, a small town with a rather serious reputation when it comes to ham. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Sierra Morena – an extensive range of wooded hills running across southern Spain, with quiet roads and far-reaching views.
• Wildlife – keep watch for black vultures, griffon vultures, eagles, storks, deer and wild boar; the open dehesa is particularly good habitat for wildlife.
• Dehesa – ancient holm and cork oaks scattered across grazing land, a traditional landscape hereabouts.
• Monesterio – one of Spain’s best-known places for Jamón Ibérico, with its own annual Día del Jamón and a Museo del Jamón dedicated to the history and craft of curing the local ham.

85 miles / 137km & 4,450 feet / 1,356m ascent

Today really does take us into the back of beyond, but with the support van never far away. We continue through the quiet hills and open countryside of Extremadura before crossing the border from Spain into Portugal at around mile 46. Our first main settlement is Fregenal de la Sierra, a characterful medieval town where we’ll stop for coffee before continuing towards the border.

Once into Portugal, the landscape gradually opens out as we enter the Alentejo. The second half of the ride is dominated by the enormous Alqueva reservoir, with long views across the water and quiet roads through the surrounding countryside. We cross the Guadiana on a fun swing bridge before the final run to Monsaraz, perched high above the reservoir. It’s a suitably memorable end to a long day: a tiny, beautifully preserved medieval village of whitewashed houses, narrow lanes and ancient walls, with the castle at its highest point. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Fregenal de la Sierra – medieval old town and Templar castle, unusually incorporating an 18th-century bullring within its walls.
• Crossing the border – a satisfying halfway landmark as we leave Spain behind and enter Portugal’s Alentejo region.
• Alqueva reservoir – one of Europe’s largest artificial lakes, created by damming the Guadiana and now a defining feature of this part of Portugal.
• Monsaraz – explore the castle and village lanes, then look out across the Alentejo from the ramparts. The region is also famous for its wine and exceptionally dark skies.

57 miles / 92km & 2,325 feet / 709m ascent

Compared with Spain, Portugal is surprisingly flat, and today we leave the mountains behind for the rolling countryside of the northern Alentejo. The riding is gentle rather than dramatic, through open farmland and scattered cork and holm oaks, with quiet roads and big skies. After several days of serious climbing, it’s a welcome change of pace and gives us plenty of opportunity to settle into a rhythm and enjoy the scenery.

We pass through Reguengos de Monsaraz, an important centre for Alentejo wine, before continuing towards Évora. This is the cultural highlight of the day: a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose historic centre is packed with layers of Portuguese history, and we’ll stop here for lunch with time to explore. From Évora, the final miles are slightly more demanding, with one last climb before descending into Montemor-o-Novo, a hilltop town dominated by the remains of its medieval castle. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Alentejo – Portugal’s great agricultural heartland, with cork and holm oak trees, vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields spread across a gently undulating landscape.
• Reguengos de Monsaraz – one of the region’s major wine centres, with a long tradition of producing distinctive Alentejo wines.
• Évora – explore the Roman Temple, medieval lanes, Praça do Giraldo and the striking Chapel of Bones before lunch.
• Montemor-o-Novo – wander up to the castle ruins for sweeping views across the countryside and a reminder of the town’s strategic medieval past.

57 miles / 92km & 1,500 feet / 457m ascent

Today we almost reach Lisbon – but not quite. Instead, we ride as far as Montijo, on the southern bank of the Tagus, leaving ourselves with one final and rather lovely way into the city tomorrow morning: the ferry across the river in the morning sun.

The riding is relatively straightforward, heading west towards Setúbal and the Sado estuary. We pass the eerie abandoned village of Safira, where the remains of houses and its ruined church are gradually disappearing back into the surrounding countryside. As we approach Setúbal, the landscape opens out towards the estuary and the wooded hills of the Arrábida beyond. Setúbal itself is a lively fishing city, famous for its seafood and for the small population of bottlenose dolphins that lives in the estuary.

From Setúbal we turn north across the flatter landscape towards Montijo, a former fishing and salt-producing town on the edge of the Tagus. Today it’s part of the Lisbon metropolitan area, but it retains plenty of its own character and makes a convenient final stop before the capital. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Safira – a genuinely abandoned Alentejo village, with ruined houses and a roofless church giving it a slightly spooky sense of a place left behind.
• Setúbal & the Sado estuary – a lively Portuguese city with a strong fishing tradition, excellent seafood and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins.
• Arrábida – the wooded hills of the Serra da Arrábida rise beyond Setúbal, providing a striking backdrop to the city and estuary.

60 miles / 97km & 3,425 feet / 1,044m ascent

The trip ends with one of the best rides of the whole journey, making sure you go home feeling suitably pumped for the next adventure. The ferry across the Tagus is the perfect way to arrive in Lisbon, especially with a bike: it avoids the busy roads and bridges, and the view of the city from the river is a pretty spectacular way to start our final day.

Think you’ve made it? Well, think again. Lisbon might be our final destination and where we’ll spend our last night, but it isn’t the furthest west we plan to travel. From the city we follow the coast west, largely on cycle paths, towards Cascais. Once a fishing village and royal summer retreat, Cascais is now a lively seaside town with sandy beaches, an attractive old centre and plenty of cafés and restaurants. From here we follow the road around the headland to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, with the Atlantic stretching away in front of us.

And that’s still not quite the end. We turn inland and climb through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with the option to stop in Sintra to explore its extraordinary palaces and gardens. Then it’s back down towards Lisbon for our final night: a chance to celebrate crossing the Iberian Peninsula with good food, a few drinks and the lively streets of one of Europe’s most colourful cities. (B, L)

Highlights:

• Lisbon – explore the atmospheric Alfama, ride or walk along the waterfront, visit the Jerónimos Monastery or simply settle into one of the city’s many excellent restaurants and bars.
• Cascais – look out for the Boca do Inferno, a dramatic sea cave and blowhole just west of the town, where the Atlantic crashes into the cliffs.
• Sintra’s palaces – the colourful Palácio da Pena, the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira and the Castelo dos Mouros make this one of Portugal’s most intriguing cultural landscapes.
• Portuguese food & wine – finish the trip properly with fresh seafood, petiscos, grilled fish, excellent local wines and, if there’s room, a pastel de nata or two.

You are free to check out of the hotel in your own time, and make your way for your onward travel. Alternatively, Lisbon makes a fantastic destination should you choose to extend your stay. Just let us know and we will book extra nights in our hotel.

Highlights / sightseeing:

• Alfama – Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, a maze of steep lanes, tiled houses, tiny squares and traditional fado bars.
• Belém – home to the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, all set beside the Tagus.
• São Jorge Castle – perched above the city with superb views across the red rooftops and the river.
• Praça do Comércio & Baixa – the grand riverside square and elegant streets of central Lisbon, ideal for wandering, people-watching and finding somewhere for a final drink.