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Atouguia da Baleia – Alcoentre via Torres Vedras

148 km road cycling loop1,671 m climbing6–8 hoursGPX

Atouguia da Baleia, Leiria, Portugal · Road

A hilly 148 km road cycling loop from Atouguia da Baleia, Leiria through Casais do Moinho da Praia, Caldas da Rainha and Mosteiros, with 1,671 m of climbing over the Pragança climb. Most of it (108.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 8.1 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.

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At a glance

Best for
Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
Distance
148 km
Loop
Elevation gain
1,671 m
11 m per km
Riding time
6–8 hours
moving time, estimated
Difficulty
Hard
Bike
Road bike
from the mapped surface
Surface
Mostly paved
93% paved · 5% unpaved · 2% no data
Traffic
Mostly main roads
108.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane · 8.1 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more · 2 km on cycle paths or lanes
Food & water
Regular
130 cafés and restaurants · 36 shops · 16 water points · 17 petrol stations · 7 public toilets · 4 bike shops
Best months
May to Sep
Atouguia da Baleia climate, 10 years
Navigation
GPX download
free, no sign-in
Start and finish
Atouguia da Baleia

Map and elevation profile

On the road: Atouguia da Baleia – Alcoentre via Torres Vedras, Atouguia da Baleia

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,671 m
Distance
148 km
0200400600800m0 km50100148 km647 m · highest, at 77.2 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route description

  1. Atouguia da Baleia
  2. Casais do Moinho da Praiakm 3
  3. Caldas da Rainhakm 20
  4. Mosteiroskm 27
  5. Freiriakm 39
  6. Pragança climbkm 67
  7. Arieirokm 75
  8. Ramalhalkm 95
  9. Seixalkm 120
  10. Atouguia da Baleiakm 148

This 148 km loop starts and finishes at Atouguia da Baleia, passing through places such as Casais do Moinho da Praia at 3 km, Caldas da Rainha at 20 km, Rio Maior at 40.1 km, and Torres Vedras at 100.3 km. The route traverses mainly main roads (108 km) including sections of EN 114 and EN 8-2, with additional quiet streets, minor roads, tracks, and cycle paths making up the remainder.

Climbing totals 1671 m with notable climbs including a 5.9 km ascent from 67.2 km rising 450 m at an average 7.6% grade, reaching a maximum elevation of 647 m at 73.1 km. Other shorter climbs have average gradients around 2-4% and several peaks rise beside the route, such as Cabeço da Serra nearby at 6.4 km. The route also features a longest descent of 10.2 km starting near 79.2 km.

The surface is mostly paved (93%) with some gravel or unpaved sections (5%). Facilities to refuel or restock include cafés and shops distributed along the ride, with a longest stretch without café, shop, or water of 11.7 km between 95.7 and 107.4 km. Bailouts are possible at Caldas da Rainha around 19.3 km and Ramalhal at 93.3 km, both with stations nearby.

Why ride this route?

  • The most climbing per kilometre of the 14 rides from Atouguia da Baleia: 11 m per km.
  • Climbs the Pragança climb (5.9 km at 7.6 %).
  • Tops out at 647 m, 73.1 km in.
  • A 10.2 km descent dropping 437 m.

Highlights

  • Five main climbs including 5.9 km at 7.6%
  • Highest point at 647 m near 73 km
  • Longest descent of 10.2 km starting at 79.2 km
  • Passes Caldas da Rainha and Torres Vedras

Along the route

Measured from the route line, the Copernicus elevation model and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Casais do Moinho da Praia 3 km
  2. Santa Rufina 14.2 km
  3. Carregal 14.7 km
  4. Trás do Outeiro 15.9 km
  5. Bairro Nossa Senhora da Luz 17 km
  6. Salgueirinha 17.9 km
  7. Caldas da Rainha 20 km
  8. Crocha 21.1 km
  9. Nossa Senhora do Pópulo 21.1 km
  10. Imaginário 22.7 km
  11. Matoeira 24.9 km
  12. Casal do Frade 25.2 km
  13. Trabalhia 25.8 km
  14. Mosteiros 27 km
  15. Vidais 29.2 km
  16. Ribeira de Castros 31 km
  17. Crastos 31 km
  18. Casal do Rei 33.1 km
  19. Casal do Brejo 34.3 km
  20. Senhora da Luz 35.3 km
  21. Freiria 38.8 km
  22. Rio Maior 40.1 km
  23. Asseiceira 44.9 km
  24. Alcoentre 55.5 km
  25. Cercal 60.6 km
  26. Pragança 68.3 km
  27. Arieiro 74.7 km
  28. Casais do Chorão 78.4 km
  29. Vila Verde dos Francos 80.9 km
  30. Aldeia Grande 87 km
  31. Maxial 89.4 km
  32. Ermegeira 91.2 km
  33. Abrunheira 92.3 km
  34. Ramalhal 94.8 km
  35. Ameal 95.7 km
  36. Torres Vedras 100.3 km
  37. Vale de Azenha 101.6 km
  38. Casais do Araújo 113.2 km
  39. Marteleira 113.6 km
  40. Lourinhã 117.6 km
  41. Seixal 120.1 km
  42. Casal da Murta 121.8 km
  43. Alto Foz 124.4 km
  44. Alto Veríssimo 125 km
  45. Geraldes 126.5 km
  46. Atouguia da Baleia 129.4 km
  47. Coimbrã 130.5 km
  48. Serra d'El-Rei 134.4 km

Climbs

Climbs in ride order: where each starts, what this ride climbs, and the full named ascent
ClimbStarts atOn this rideFull ascentTop on this ride
Unnamed climb2.5 km2.2 km · 66 m · 3 % · max 4.6 %—79 m
Unnamed climb18.2 km2.4 km · 87 m · 3.7 % · max 6.6 %—122 m
Unnamed climb30.7 km1.9 km · 53 m · 2.8 % · max 5.9 %—147 m
Unnamed climb59.7 km3.1 km · 102 m · 3.3 % · max 5.9 %—193 m
Unnamed climb64.9 km1.6 km · 40 m · 2.5 % · max 3.9 %—201 m
Pragança climb67.2 km5.9 km · 450 m · 7.6 % · max 13.7 %5.9 km · 450 m · 7.6 %647 m
Unnamed climb98.6 km1.9 km · 48 m · 2.5 % · max 4.3 %—82 m
Unnamed climb108 km1.8 km · 46 m · 2.6 % · max 3.9 %—107 m
Unnamed climb119.9 km3.6 km · 91 m · 2.5 % · max 4.6 %—102 m
Unnamed climb129.4 km2 km · 43 m · 2.2 % · max 4.8 %—71 m

High point 647 m at 73.1 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Cabeço da Serra.

On this ride: the part this route climbs, cut from its own elevation profile. Full ascent: the whole named climb, measured the same way on every ride that uses it (its climb page).

Pragança climb · full ascent, starts at 67.1 km

5.9 km at 7.6% · 450 m
200250300350400450500550600m12%6.9%11%2.8%0 km123455.9 km645 msteepest 11.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Traffic, surface and gradient

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

This is not a cycle-track route: 73% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 8.1 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.

Roads
77% main road · 7% quiet street · 6% minor road · 4% track · 6% other roads and tracks
Main roads
108.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
8.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
EN 114 (17 km), EN 8-2 (14 km), EN 1 (10 km), EN 247 (9 km)
Surface
Predominantly paved: 93% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
Gradient
24% climbing · 24% descending · 52% flat
Steep sections
6.1 km over 5% · 2.8 km over 8% · 1.8 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.5% at 75.9 km
Longest descent
10.2 km from 79.2 km, dropping 437 m

Food, water and services

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 130 cafés and restaurants, 36 shops, 16 water points, 17 petrol stations, 7 public toilets and 4 bike shops.

Food, water and shops in ride order

  1. 8.9 kmO Covão dos Musaranhos · café · 130 m off route
  2. 20 kmCafé Cinco Bicas · café · 50 m off route
  3. 20 kmDrinking water · 120 m off route
  4. 29.2 kmDoce Rainha · café · 50 m off route
  5. 29.8 kmGestroil · petrol station · 50 m off route
  6. 41 km24 Horas · café · 30 m off route
  7. 44.9 kmBicicletas RM Bikes - Asseiceira · bike rental · 50 m off route
  8. 65.1 kmA Nossa Loja · convenience store · 80 m off route
  9. 80.9 kmDrinking water · 230 m off route
  10. 94.8 kmEsplanada do Rossio · café · 130 m off route
  11. 95.7 kmSupermercado Castanha Pintada · convenience store · 200 m off route
  12. 100.6 kmBicicletas Agostinhas Estação 12 · bike rental · 490 m off route
  13. 113.6 kmCafé Rés-Vés · café · 40 m off route
  14. 117.9 kmVilla Park · café · 70 m off route
  15. 118.4 kmDrinking water · 180 m off route
  16. 119 kmRepsol · petrol station · 40 m off route
  17. 129.4 kmEntre Amigos · café · 130 m off route
  18. 134.4 kmA Serrana · café · 140 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 19.3 km — Caldas da Rainha (station), 520 m off route
  • 93.3 km — Ramalhal (station), 40 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 6.4 km — Cabeço da Serra (peak, 108 m)
  • 19.6 km — Rainha Dona Leonor (attraction)
  • 35.6 km — Capelinha da Senhora da Luz (attraction)
  • 43.4 km — Parque do Peregrino (picnic site)
  • 90.6 km — Gruta da Ermejeira (archaeological site)
  • 117.9 km — Baloiço adaptado da Lourinhã (attraction)

Know before you go

  • 108.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 8.1 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • 5% gravel or unpaved roads
  • Longest 11.7 km without café, shop or water from km 95.7

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

11 photographs from the road

About this route

Date ridden
Route line
Built from a GPS recording of the ride.
Elevation
Recalculated from the Copernicus GLO-90 terrain model every 50 m, not the device’s barometer.
Roads, surface, services
Measured along the line from OpenStreetMap extracts.
Best months
Ten years of ERA5 weather for Atouguia da Baleia (Open-Meteo).
GPX
Generated from the route line: track points only, no timestamps or personal data.
Page added
Page last updated

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