Algarve - Serra da Estrela T/R 2025

[ErikGustav2]

This is a short report from the tour that I mentioned.

After 4 rather long one-day tours, it was time to go on a travel trip. The first one since June 2024. I had planned to wait some more time. But the weather forecast looked excellent. And soon comes the autumn with more rainy days. So I decided to give it a try. But where to go? Spain or north in Portugal ? Southern Spain will be warm for still quite some time. But northern Portugal will soon get colder. So I decided for Portugal. To take the chance before it gets to late.

Serra da Estrela (The mountains of the stars) was my choice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Estrela
It is not too far away. There are nice roads to get there. And I have never ridden in those mountains. The plan was to use 2 days on back roads to get there. Spend 2 days riding in the mountains. And 2 days getting home.

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The complete tour

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The part in Serra da Estrela area

[ErikGustav2]

Albufeira – Montargil
Via Ameixial : N2

Distance; 293 km
Time; 4:45 h
Average speed: 62 km/h

Hotel: Hospedaria Da Barragem

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Actual Route as blue line

It started with a lovely ride over the hills in Algarve. From Albufeira to Ameixial. Fantastic road. Twisty, hilly, great views and very smooth tarmac. In Ameixial, I got to the iconic Route N2. Portugal's version of Route 66. It is more a “route” than a road. N stands for National. Some times you can even see it called EN2 (Estrada National 2). National Road 2.
https://myportugalholiday.com/portugal- ... tugal.html

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The N2 is easy to follow in this area. Clear signs.

The southern and northern parts of N2 are rather twisty. But the middle section is less so.

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N2 after some riding north

The south part and the area around it, I have travelled many times. And visited many places.
It was a smooth ride on N2 to Montargil.

[ErikGustav2]

Montargil – Covilha
Via Abrantes – Serta – Torre Serra da Estrela

Distance; 315 km
Time; 5:25 h
Average speed: 58 km/h

Hotel: Sport Hotel Gym + SPA

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Actual route as blue line in this picture

This day was mainly N2. I met many bikers. That shows that N2 is a popular route for motorcycle touring.
I made a short detour to Centro Geodésico de Portugal.
https://vilreinatur.pt/en/centro-geodes ... ortugal-en

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View of the city that was today's goal.

[ErikGustav2]

I arrived in Covilha.

The original plan was to ride directly to the hotel. But there was still time and energy left. The weather was perfect. And it was only a 30 min ride from Covilha to the top of Serra da Estrela. So I decided to end the day with a round trip to the top, before going to the hotel. And what I nice end of the day it was.

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The first part of the road was really twisty. But a bit more up it looked like this

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The Tower

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The Monument

[ErikGustav2]

Just to add some pictures from the short road to/from the top

[ErikGustav2]

Day 3
Tour in Serra da Estrela
Covilha
Serra de Estrela
Miradouro da Rocha, Loriga
Sabugueiro
Seia
Loriga
Tortosendo
Covilha

Distance; 150 km
Time; 3:35 h
Average speed: 42 km/h

Hotel: Same

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Actual route is the blue line

This day I rode again to the top of Serra da Estrela. But I continued down on the other side. (NW) It was a very nice ride. I followed the mountain south. I had great views of the mountains.

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Dam at high altitude

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The road after the top. It was rather "flat" for some time. Before in went down.

[ErikGustav2]

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On the way south, I did a mistake in navigation. I entered a very steep single line road. Shown on this picture. With a lot of 180 degrees hairpins. I rode down. But it was a dead end. So I had to take the same route up again. That is all part of travelling. Nice surprises.

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I stopped at a nice place , shown on the photos. Before heading back to Covilha.

[ErikGustav2]

Tour in Serra da Estrela
Covilha
Ma Velha
Santa Ovaia
Gouveia
Manteigas
Vale Formoso
Covilha

Distance; 190 km
Time; 4:10 h
Average speed: 45 km/h
Hotel: Same

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Blue line

This was a longer/wider tour. First I was going more west.

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You can see the damage done by the fires.

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Roads going west.

Than I was riding north east with the mountains on my right side. Beautiful views.
I crossed the mountains farther north this time. Up high.

[ErikGustav2]

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There I came to some really twist part going down to Manteigas

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It is good to have a donkey like the Himalayan, for this.

Later, I was coming out on the east side of the mountains. And a soft ride back to Covilha.

[ErikGustav2]

Civilha - Montargil

Distance; 212 km
Time; 3:45 h
Average speed: 57 km/h

Hotel: Hospedaria Da Barragem

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More or less the same route as day 2. In the other direction.

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Fantastic lunch at Intermache. Tostas Mistas. Less than 5 Euro and a meal for the whole day.
No need for dinner.


The place in Montargil was simple but very good. It had a kitchen where I could prepare coffee. I could buy some bread and cheese in a mini market. So that I could prepare my own coffee and sandwiches for breakfast.

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The bike was parked behind locked gates.
Bed, shower, small kitchen and safe parking.
What more do you need? => Petrol. But no issue