STAGE 1STAGE 2STAGE 3STAGE 4STAGE 5STAGE 6STAGE 7STAGE 8STAGE 9

MADRID TO RASCAFRÍA

Start at the center of Madrid, in Plaza del Sol, aside the km 0 landmark where all the roads leave from Madrid. Following some pedestrian streets and some parks (as the known Parque del Retiro), the route goes north circling the Anillo Verde, and only after a few km and an hour ride begin the road heading to the mountains of Guadarrama. Going up these hills it’s going to be the challenge of the day, finishing the ride at your next accommodation.

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 87,3 km

Ascent Height
1.487 m ascent | 995 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,5%
Average descent grade: 4,6%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 39,9 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 26,6 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 19,4 km
(> +10% grade) -> 2,8 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 28 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 18,2 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 4,7 km
(< -10% grade) -> 2,3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 19,4 km

Altitude
Max. 1.779 m | Min. 581 m

RASCAFRÍA TO ÁVILA

We start our day continuing to go up the hills of Guadarrama. This is a challenge with 700 m ascent, but later it will present you with an amazing descent. Cycling through beautiful golden fields away from the stress from the big city, the goal is to reach the beautiful city of Ávila, one of the most interesting cultural cities along the route, but always riding through mountain roads of the Central Iberian System leaving behind the mountain of Guadarrama.

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 122,7 km

Ascent Height
1.926 m ascent | 1.900 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,5%
Average descent grade: 4,7%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 52,3 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 35 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 14,1 km
(> +10% grade) -> 3,2 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 50,2 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 32,6 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 13,7 km
(< -10% grade) -> 3,8 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 20,1 km

Altitude
Max. 1.860 m | Min. 986 m

ÁVILA TO BARCO D’ÁVILA

Leaving from the medieval city of Ávila, descending by the streets along the wall,the direction is west, it’s time to hit the road. This is another day cycling on high mountain roads. The beauty of the landscapes and the innumerous kilometers are done alongside the Tormes River. With its Roman bridges and typical villages alongside the Zapatero Massif, helps forget that this is a long day with well over 100 km. After this long stage, the route reaches Barco d’Ávila, a historical villa within this mountain range

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 123,9 km

Ascent Height
1.926 m ascent | 2.034 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,4%
Average descent grade: 4,3%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 4,5 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 29,5 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 14,5 km
(> +10% grade) -> 1,5 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 48,6 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 32,9 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 13,8 km
(< -10% grade) -> 1,9 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 29,6 km

Altitude
Max. 1.679 m | Min. 1.002 m

BARCO D’ÁVILA TO ALBERCA

For the fourth stage of this adventure there is a difficulty, the Béjar Mountain with a passage high at 1.600 m. This is a day with difficult climbs, sinuous and deserted roads that result in a slow progress through the mountains but always full of emotions. There are also the oak forests and the picturesque Candelário Villa. After the passage through the valley before the Hurdes region, a long climb of over an hour reaching Alberca, and entering the Sierra de Francia Natural Park . It is finally time to rest!

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 112,5 km

Ascent Height
2.343 m ascent | 2.306 m descent
Average ascent grade: 5,2%
Average descent grade: 4,8%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 44,6 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 22,0 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 20,6 km
(> +10% grade) -> 1,7 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 47,4 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 27 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 18,1 km
(< -10% grade) -> 2,3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 15,4 km

Altitude
Max. 1.618 m | Min. 434 m

ALBERCA TO SABUGAL

This is one of the longest days but after this, half of the route will be done. It is going to be the continuation of the last final climb of the previous day. You will need to climb over 800m to reach the epic climb from the Spanish Vuelta–Peña de Francia(1750m). After this epic climb, just deserted roads, in one of the most remote regions of the Peninsula–Sierra da Gata. Finally, the crossing over to Portugal, quickly reaching the city of Sabugal.

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 145,9 km

Ascent Height
2.480 m ascent | 2.784 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,5%
Average descent grade: 4,6%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 60,2 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 37 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 22,4 km
(> +10% grade) -> 0,8 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 64,5 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 39,5 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 21,9 km
(< -10% grade) -> 3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 21,2 km

Altitude
Max. 1.661 m | Min. 709 m

SABUGAL TO PIÓDÃO

Beautiful day through a region, full of Portugal most Historical Villages. Discover Sortelha, an amazing medieval village of granite with an impressive castle! Entry the highest mountain of Portugal through beautiful forests and passing by the picturesque village of Manteigas lying on a glacial valley. This day is also the highest in Portugal passing the 2.000 m just to have the longest descent of the entire crossing till you pass at 300 m on Vide Village. The stage ends at the most beautiful schist village of Portugal after the last climb of this day-Piodão! Unbelievable valley with small houses stuck in its hill side.

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 123,4 km

Ascent Height
2.696 m ascent | 2.709 m descent
Average ascent grade: 5,3%
Average descent grade: 5,7%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 55,3 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 29,7 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 22,2 km
(> +10% grade) -> 3,4 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 52 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 20,9 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 20,9 km
(< -10% grade) -> 5,6 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 16,38 km

Altitude
Max. 1.995 m | Min. 324 m

PIÓDÃO TO PENELA

This is a great stage! This day goes through the central schist mountains system of Portugal. The route follows through rounded ridges near to 1.000 m. It is a day of great scenery and long windmill park crossings. This is the last day above 1.000 mand a great variety of landscapes! This is all about mountain scenery and typical villages. Then, the scenery changes radically as you enter in a hilly region of karst landscape that will dominate the next stages with its olive groves and holm oak! You are in the limestone kingdom!

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 106,5 km

Ascent Height
1.598 m ascent | 2.185 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,8%
Average descent grade: 4,5%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 36,2 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 22,3 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 11,2 km
(> +10% grade) -> 2,6 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 51,3 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 32,6 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 16,4 km
(< -10% grade) -> 2,3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 19 km

Altitude
Max. 1.079 m | Min. 118 m

PENELA TO ÓBIDOS

Starting at the small town of Penela (with its beautiful castle), and quickly leaving the limestone hills we finally reach the Ocean. After descending from the last ridge of these mountainous terrains we have a glimpse for the first time of the Atlantic coast! Now it is time to head south, with our coastline guiding you, and cycle through the Atlantic Road amongst the vast pine tree forest. Here you’ll be visiting the typical coastal villages of São Pedro de Moel, Nazaré (now famous for its giantwaves), Foz do Arelho, and the goal will be the picturesque medieval village of Óbidos with all its history.

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 157,8 km

Ascent Height
2.038 m ascent | 2.177 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,2%
Average descent grade: 4,1%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 47,7 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 32,2 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 12,8 km
(> +10% grade) -> 2,6 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 51,4 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 35,8 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 12,5 km
(< -10% grade) -> 3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 58,6 km

Altitude
Max. 379 m | Min. 3 m

ÓBIDOS TO CASCAIS

Finally, we reach the final stage. In the beginning of this day, the main scenario is the crossing through the lake of Óbidos heading again to the coast. For those who were able to ride for 9 days through the mountains of Iberian Peninsula this is a great day! Quiet roads over the sea, cliffs and beaches, local typical fishing villages make this a unique and different day on this long journey. Finally the arrival to Roca Cape, the western point of Europe! Celebration and transfer or ride to Hotel in Cascais

Technical Data

Distance and terrain 121,0 km

Ascent Height
1.648 m ascent | 1.544 m descent
Average ascent grade: 4,4%
Average descent grade: 4%

Ascent Grades
Total distance ascent: 41,8 km
(+1 to +5% grade) -> 27,8 km
(+5% to +10% grade) -> 11,3 km
(> +10% grade) -> 2,7 km

Descent Grades
Total distance descent: 42,8 km
(-1% to -5% grade) -> 30,5 km
(-5% to -10% grade) -> 9,9 km
(< -10% grade) -> 2,3 km

Plain Route (grade -1% to +1%)
Total distance plain: 36,2 km

Altitude
Max. 236 m | Min. 1 m

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