Every route comes with a GPX file, elevation data, coffee stops and an honest note on what to expect.
What's inside
10 routes – from beginner to epic, 43 to 175 km, all starting in Torres Vedras.
GPX files – for every route. Load them onto your bike computer or phone and just ride.
Local knowledge – the best time of year and day to ride, where to stop for coffee and what to watch out for on the descents.
All 10 routes at a glance
Every route starts and finishes in Torres Vedras. GPX files for each one are in the guide.
| # | Route | Distance | Climbing | Time | Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Santa Cruz | 43.7 km | 358 m | ~2 h | Beginner | Wine roads, clifftop promenade at Porto Novo |
| 02 | Mafra | 66 km | 900 m | ~2 h 45 | Intermediate | Ericeira coast, Mafra Palace, Serra da Vila – the La Vuelta 2024 climb |
| 03 | Alenquer | 76 km | 859 m | ~3 h 15 | Intermediate | Vila Verde dos Francos castle, Alenquer old town, Oeste Geopark |
| 04 | Montejunto | 75.8 km | 1,100 m | ~3 h 30 | Advanced | The club's rite of passage: 7 km climb to 666 m, the highest point of the Oeste |
| 05 | Ericeira | 85.8 km | 1,503 m | ~4 h | Advanced | Atlantic cliffs above Europe's first World Surfing Reserve |
| 06 | Caldas da Rainha | 112.3 km | 1,208 m | ~5 h | Advanced | Caldas da Rainha, the walled town of Óbidos |
| 07 | Flat Loop Around | 96 km | 980 m | ~4 h 30 | Intermediate | "The name lies." Rolling roads, Roliça battlefield, the dinosaur coast of Lourinhã |
| 08 | TVD 175 | 175 km | 2,000 m | ~8 h | Epic | The whole Oeste north to south: Óbidos, Peniche, Lourinhã, Arruda dos Vinhos |
| 09 | Montejunto – Arruda | 116 km | 1,961 m | ~5 h 20 | Epic | The Montejunto climb we use for FTP tests, Lines of Torres Vedras |
| 10 | TVD – Sintra | 135 km | 2,266 m | ~6 h 10 | Epic | Serra de Sintra (UNESCO), Peninha at 487 m, Colares wine country |
In total: 10 routes, 43–175 km, more than 13,000 m of climbing.
Three routes to start with
Santa Cruz · 43.7 km · Beginner Out past the Parque do Choupal and into the vineyards: for the first fifteen kilometres you won't see a traffic light. At km 25 the road delivers you to the clifftops above Porto Novo, with nothing between you and the Atlantic but air. Best ridden 07:00–09:30 or after 17:00, when traffic is quiet.
Montejunto · 75.8 km · Advanced The club's rite of passage. A steady 7 km climb through eucalyptus and pine forest to the radar station plateau at 666 m, with 360° views from the Atlantic to the Tagus valley. Beautiful at any time of year.
TVD – Sintra · 135 km · Epic The great southern expedition: into the Serra de Sintra, up to the chapel of Peninha at 487 m above the ocean, down into the Colares vineyards. Narrow, technical climbs – start early, especially from June to September, when tourist traffic is heavy.
Why we made it
Portcycling started in Torres Vedras. We have ridden these roads every week for years, and new riders ask us the same questions every time: Where do people actually ride around here? Which routes are good for beginners? Where can I get a GPX file?
This guide is our answer. It took us years of riding to know this region this well. It takes you 30 seconds to download.
Who it's for
- Riders who are new to the Oeste or new to cycling in Portugal
- Visitors staying in Lisbon, Ericeira or the coast who want a proper day out on the bike
- Local riders looking for new loops
Cycling in the Oeste: quick facts
- Where: the Oeste region, between the Atlantic and the Serra de Montejunto. Torres Vedras is about 45 minutes north of Lisbon by car.
- Terrain: rolling hills, coastal roads, vineyards, short punchy climbs; longer climbs towards Sintra.
- When to ride: the best months are March to November. In summer, ride early in the morning – the coast (Ericeira, Sintra) gets busy with tourists from June to September.
- Roads: quiet country roads, surprisingly good tarmac, and a landscape that changes every ten kilometres – vineyards, river plains, forest climbs and cliff roads.
- Cycling heritage: this is the home of Joaquim Agostinho, Portugal's greatest cycling legend, born in Torres Vedras. In 2024 La Vuelta raced through the town and over Serra da Vila.
Get the free route guide
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10 routes from Torres Vedras, with GPX links, coffee stops and local tips. PDF, 6 MB.
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Ride it with us
Prefer company? Join one of our free coffee rides – many of them start right here in Torres Vedras.
Camps on these roads. We are preparing coached camps in Portugal for 2027: a gravel camp in Torres Vedras in August and a camp in Serra da Estrela in June. Announcement coming soon – tick the updates box in the form above and you will hear first.
Want a full coached week right now? Our Calpe camps in January and October bring the same approach to the roads of the Costa Blanca.
FAQ
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