Monchique Mountains Cycle

[algarve123]

Good afternoon all,

I was wondering has anyone ever taken the trip to the Monchique mountains from Carvoeiro. We were thinking of cycling there when we are staying in Carvoeiro next year and we were wondering if anyone had any experience of this e.g. difficulty level, recommended routes etc.

Also if anyone had any advice on hiring bikes in Carvoeiro e.g. hire location, rough price etc.

Any information or suggestions for other good cycling/walking routes starting from Carvoeiro would be much appreciated.

[pato]

My recommendation is, don't do it, It tires me doing it by car, now if you could introduce a scheme where you go to the summit by ski lift and hire a bike at the top and free wheel down I might be tempted to give it a go.

[KenC]

I did this journey on 4th April this year on my heavy mountain bike. I didn't intend to as I set off but stage by stage I found myself at the summit, which is just over 2,921 feet high. Total miles from Monte Santo, at the edge of CVO, and back was 52.9 with a journey time of 3 hours 48 minutes so an average of just under14 mph. Total elevation gain for the journey was 4,064 feet. I went over the old bridge to Portimao and headed north.

From the roundabout north of Portimao, Monchique town is 2/3 of the distance but only 1/3 of the climb so the final section is the tough one. I climbed up one road and came back down the same way. I expected an easy descent but a head wind meant I had to pedal much more than expected on many sections.

According to Strava there are numerous category 3 and 4 climbs, a few 2s, a few 1s and three HC sections.

I ride most days and was 50 at the time and this is probably the most challenging run I've done. But I did set off with one bottle of water and no food so was not really prepared for it.

[algarve123]

My recommendation is, don't do it, It tires me doing it by car, now if you could introduce a scheme where you go to the summit by ski lift and hire a bike at the top and free wheel down I might be tempted to give it a go.

Ha Ha, thanks for the advice pato I'll bear that in mind!

[algarve123]

I did this journey on 4th April this year on my heavy mountain bike. I didn't intend to as I set off but stage by stage I found myself at the summit, which is just over 2,921 feet high. Total miles from Monte Santo, at the edge of CVO, and back was 52.9 with a journey time of 3 hours 48 minutes so an average of just under14 mph. Total elevation gain for the journey was 4,064 feet. I went over the old bridge to Portimao and headed north.

From the roundabout north of Portimao, Monchique town is 2/3 of the distance but only 1/3 of the climb so the final section is the tough one. I climbed up one road and came back down the same way. I expected an easy descent but a head wind meant I had to pedal much more than expected on many sections.

According to Strava there are numerous category 3 and 4 climbs, a few 2s, a few 1s and three HC sections.

I ride most days and was 50 at the time and this is probably the most challenging run I've done. But I did set off with one bottle of water and no food so was not really prepared for it.

KenC, thank you for your detailed reply, thats really useful information and much appreciated. If you had any other suggestions for other cycle routes starting from Carvoeiro I would be really interested in hearing them, thanks again.

[KenC]

There are many options but it all depends upon how far you would like to go. Is it road, off road or a mixture you are looking for?

Coming back to your origonal post, there is a shop on the out road where you can hire bikes. I've also had a friend cone to stay and he arramged for an out of town bike hire shop to bring and collect a bike from my place. Sorry, I can't remember the name but I'm sure Google will cone up with it.

[algarve123]

There are many options but it all depends upon how far you would like to go. Is it road, off road or a mixture you are looking for?

Coming back to your origonal post, there is a shop on the out road where you can hire bikes. I've also had a friend cone to stay and he arramged for an out of town bike hire shop to bring and collect a bike from my place. Sorry, I can't remember the name but I'm sure Google will cone up with it.

Thanks KenC, I think I know the shop that you are talking about on the out road, is it the one that hires motorbikes and scooters down the steps from the secondhand book shop near where the in and out road meet?

It would probably mostly road and within 0-30k from Carvoeiro we would be interested in. We have traveled to a few places on previous visits like Ferragudo, Portimao, Benagil, Marinha etc. so we were looking for places we may not have been before like Monchique Mountains for example.

Thanks again for all your useful info.

[Farol]

Have a look here http://www.visitalgarve.pt/visitalgarve ... ds/?tema=4

You might find something suitable. It includes trails and routes (on page 2) but not sure if they would be any good for cyclists. Might be worth asking in the turismo in CVO (if they are open )

[algarve123]

Have a look here http://www.visitalgarve.pt/visitalgarve ... ds/?tema=4

You might find something suitable. It includes trails and routes (on page 2) but not sure if they would be any good for cyclists. Might be worth asking in the turismo in CVO (if they are open )

Thanks for that advice and useful link Farol, some really interesting routes in it.

[Sheila]

My recommendation is, don't do it, It tires me doing it by car, now if you could introduce a scheme where you go to the summit by ski lift and hire a bike at the top and free wheel down I might be tempted to give it a go.

http://www.outdoor-tours.com/activities ... cling-trip