Road · Portugal
Lourinha – Sao Pedro da Cadeira via Lourinhã
A hilly 57 km road cycling loop from Atalaia, Lisbon through Santa Bárbara, Casais de Fonte Lima and Palhagueiras, with 708 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 57.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 708 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Atalaia
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 708 m
- 57 km
Route description
- Atalaia
- Santa Bárbara
- Casais de Fonte Lima
- Palhagueiras
- Casal Moinho de Frade
- Moçafaneira
- Figueiras
- Varatojo
- Barrocas
- Atalaia
Starting near Atalaia, the route passes through Santa Bárbara, Marquiteira, Ventosa, and several other small localities before reaching Ponte do Rol at 19.5 km. The climbing is mostly gentle with several short ascents: a 2 km climb starts at 12.3 km gaining 69 m, and from 25.9 km a 1.4 km climb gains 56 m. The steepest climb is 1.8 km from 28.9 km with an average gradient of 5.5% and a maximum of 9.8%.
The road surface is predominantly paved (98%), with a very small section of gravel or unpaved (1%). The route mainly uses minor roads (31.7 km, 56%) and includes 14.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes, including a 10.8 km stretch on the EN 8-2. There is a 1 km section on fast roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more. Fuel stations and shops are available at various intervals, such as a petrol station at 3.8 km and supermarkets at 8.8 km and 33 km. The longest stretch without refreshment or water is 7.8 km between 11.7 and 19.5 km.
Highlights
- Ponte do Rol at 19.5 km
- Climb from 28.9 to 30.7 km with gradients up to 9.8%
- Passing near Castelo de Torres Vedras
- Longest descent from 50.5 km dropping 132 m
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.3 km | 2 km · 69 m · 3.5 % · max 5.1 % | 113 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.9 km | 1.4 km · 56 m · 4 % · max 6.4 % | 88 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.9 km | 1.8 km · 99 m · 5.5 % · max 9.8 % | 125 m |
| Unnamed climb | 34.5 km | 1.9 km · 52 m · 2.8 % · max 4.7 % | 82 m |
| Unnamed climb | 44 km | 2 km · 54 m · 2.7 % · max 4.1 % | 114 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47.4 km | 1.5 km · 54 m · 3.6 % · max 4.9 % | 149 m |
| Unnamed climb | 54.2 km | 1.6 km · 85 m · 5.4 % · max 8.2 % | 94 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (14.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 56% minor road · 25% main road · 14% quiet street · 1% track · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 14.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- EN 8-2 (11 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 26% descending · 45% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.2 km over 5% · 0.8 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.4% at 30 km
- Longest descent
- 3.7 km from 50.5 km, dropping 132 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 71 cafés and restaurants, 20 shops, 7 water points, 11 petrol stations, 3 public toilets and 15 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.1 kmConvenience store · on the route
- 3.8 kmPrio · petrol station · on the route
- 8.8 kmCovirán · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 19.5 kmGaltorres · petrol station · on the route
- 20.9 kmRestaurante A Casa do Bitoque · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 25.2 kmRestaurante O Coelho · restaurant · on the route
- 25.3 kmSaloios BTT · bike shop · 450 m off route
- 26.8 kmFarmácia Januário · pharmacy · 50 m off route
- 33 kmMercadona · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 34 kmXeirinho · café · 110 m off route
- 34 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 34.5 kmBicicletas Agostinhas Estação 19 · bike rental · on the route
- 42.3 kmConvenience store · 50 m off route
- 42.3 kmPrio · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 44 kmWater tap · 50 m off route
- 53.1 kmFarmácia Quintans · pharmacy · 130 m off route
- 53.5 kmMercado Municipal da Lourinhã · market · 60 m off route
- 53.7 kmVilla Park · café · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 34.1 km — Torres Vedras (station), 700 m off route
Worth a stop
- 6.9 km — Fonte Lima (picnic site)
- 18.6 km — Baloiço do Seixinho (attraction)
- 29.5 km — Reduto de Pedrulhos (archaeological site, 77 m)
- 33.8 km — Castelo de Torres Vedras (castle)
- 53.7 km — Baloiço adaptado da Lourinhã (attraction)
Know before you go
- 14.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1 km on fast roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- 7.8 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 0.8 km gravel or unpaved surface
