Road · Portugal
Lourinha – Cadaval via Olho Marinho
A hilly 83 km road cycling loop from Lourinha, Lisbon through Seixal, Ribafria and Olho Marinho, with 830 m of climbing. Most of it (55.9 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 82.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 830 m
- Riding time
- 3½–4½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Lourinha
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 830 m
- 83 km
Route description
- Lourinha
- Seixal
- Ribafria
- Olho Marinho
- Roliça
- A-dos-Ruivos
- Vale de Canada
- Gamelas
- Papagovas
- Lourinha
Starting in Lourinha, this 83 km loop climbs steadily with eight distinct ascents, the longest being 4 km at 2.6% average gradient beginning near 4.6 km. The highest point reaches 162 m at 27.3 km. The route covers a mix of roads including 69% main roads, mostly without cycle lanes (56 km), 18% minor roads, 9% quiet streets, and minor sections of track and path. Most surfaces are paved with only 3% gravel or unpaved.
Along the route, riders pass through numerous villages such as Seixal (4.4 km), Carvalhal (43.5 km), and Cadaval (54.4 km). The profile shows nearly half flat terrain with 27% climbing and 24% descending. The steepest kilometer is moderate at 7.5% gradient, with very short sections over 8% and 10%. The longest descent is 3.2 km dropping 103 m starting about 31.7 km.
Refuelling options include cafés and shops at various points, notably in Lourinha, Cadaval, and Bombarral, with a longest stretch without café, shop, or water of 7.4 km between 34.9 and 42.3 km. Bailout stations are at São Mamede (36 km) and Bombarral (61 km). The ride remains at temperatures around 25 °C in July.
Highlights
- High point at 162 m around 27 km
- Passes near peaks Reguengo Grande (177 m) and Colombeira (160 m)
- Longest climb 4 km at 2.6% starting 4.6 km
- Longest descent of 3.2 km dropping 103 m from 31.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 4.6 km | 4 km · 103 m · 2.6 % · max 4.3 % | 111 m |
| Unnamed climb | 13.7 km | 2.9 km · 70 m · 2.5 % · max 4.7 % | 130 m |
| Unnamed climb | 21.6 km | 2.2 km · 88 m · 4 % · max 7.8 % | 137 m |
| Unnamed climb | 50 km | 1.9 km · 56 m · 3 % · max 5.5 % | 126 m |
| Unnamed climb | 53.1 km | 2.2 km · 48 m · 2.2 % · max 5.7 % | 116 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.3 km | 1.9 km · 42 m · 2.3 % · max 2.8 % | 73 m |
| Unnamed climb | 63.8 km | 1.9 km · 47 m · 2.5 % · max 2.9 % | 122 m |
| Unnamed climb | 78.4 km | 1.8 km · 85 m · 4.8 % · max 8.1 % | 94 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 67% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 69% main road · 18% minor road · 9% quiet street · 2% track · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 55.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- EN 361 (20 km), EN 247 (6 km), EM 569 (5 km), EN 114 (5 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 96% is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 27% climbing · 24% descending · 48% flat
- Steep sections
- 3 km over 5% · 0.3 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 7.5% at 23 km
- Longest descent
- 3.2 km from 31.7 km, dropping 103 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 58 cafés and restaurants, 20 shops, 14 water points, 12 petrol stations and 7 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 2.7 kmPingo Doce · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 2.7 kmDrinking water · 170 m off route
- 2.8 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 9.9 kmNellus · patisserie · 30 m off route
- 16.7 kmFarmácia Serra · pharmacy · 70 m off route
- 22.1 kmLoja da Sara · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 25.3 kmCafé da Associação · café · on the route
- 29.9 kmNatinhas do Céu · café · 140 m off route
- 29.9 kmDrinking water · 130 m off route
- 33.8 kmChafariz da Columbeira · drinking water · 50 m off route
- 43.1 kmDrinking water · 40 m off route
- 46.2 kmPão da Vermelha · bakery · 90 m off route
- 54.4 kmFarmácia da Misericórdia · pharmacy · 150 m off route
- 61.1 kmContinente Modelo · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 63.3 kmCafé Cruzeiro · café · 40 m off route
- 68.7 kmFarmácia Correia Mendes · pharmacy · on the route
- 77.8 kmMercado Municipal da Lourinhã · market · 90 m off route
- 78.1 kmVilla Park · café · 90 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 36 km — São Mamede (station), 230 m off route
- 61.1 km — Bombarral (station), 290 m off route
Worth a stop
- 32.9 km — Gruta das Pulgas (archaeological site)
- 56 km — Bacalhau (peak, 140 m)
- 78.1 km — Baloiço adaptado da Lourinhã (attraction)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 7.4 km between 34.9 and 42.3 km
- 56 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 3% gravel or unpaved surface