Cyclists.com

Vilamoura – Guia

Vilamoura, Faro, PortugalRoad

56 km
Distance
332 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Vilamoura – Guia
AI image

Elevation profile

Total ascent
332 m
Distance
56 km
020406080100m0 km204056 km92 m · highest, at 34.1 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders who can handle a moderate 56% climbing in the first half over a 56 km distance.

55.9 km loop in Faro, Portugal from Vilamoura through Albufeira and Boliqueime with 332 m climbing.

Starting in Vilamoura at 6 m elevation, the route heads northwest passing Roja-Pé and Patã de Baixo at 10.5 km, then reaches Albufeira at 19.1 km. It continues through Montes Juntos, Guia, and Valverde before arriving at Boliqueime at 44.9 km and returning to Vilamoura at 53.9 km. The highest point is 92 m at 33.1 km near Malhada Velha. The route surface is 96% paved with no gravel sections. It uses a variety of roads: 43% main road, 30% minor road, 14% quiet street, 6% roads with cycle lanes, plus 4% path and 3% cycle path. The main road sections total 23.4 km with none having cycle lanes, and 3.1 km of roads have posted speeds over 80 km/h. The longest named roads are EN 125 (9.4 km) and EM 526 (7.8 km). Climbing is gentle with only 0.5 km above 5% gradient and no steep long climbs. The first half contains 56% of the total climbing. The longest descent is 1.5 km dropping 34 m starting around 17.6 km. Water points and cafés appear regularly, with the longest stretch without a café, shop or water being 4.3 km from 37.4 to 41.7 km. Bailout stations at Albufeira-Ferreiras (37.3 km) and Boliqueime (45.8 km) provide options to shorten the ride.

Highlights

  • Passes through Albufeira at 19.1 km
  • Highest point 92 m near Malhada Velha at 33.1 km
  • Bailout stations at 37.3 km and 45.8 km
  • Route follows main roads EN 125 and EM 526

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Roja-Pé 10.5 km
  2. Patã de Baixo 10.5 km
  3. Albufeira 19.1 km
  4. Montes Juntos 26.2 km
  5. Guia 29.8 km
  6. Valverde 31.7 km
  7. Malhada Velha 34.8 km
  8. Ferreiras 36.5 km
  9. Patã de Cima 41.8 km
  10. Boliqueime 44.9 km
  11. Fonte de Boliqueime 45.3 km
  12. Benfarras 48.2 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
43% main road · 30% minor road · 14% quiet street · 6% road with cycle lane
Main roads
23.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
3.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
EN 125 (9 km), EM 526 (8 km), EN 269 (4 km), Avenida Engenheiro João Meireles (3 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
17% climbing · 15% descending · 68% flat
Steep sections
0.5 km over 5%

Along the way

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

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.2 kmSpar · supermarket · on the route
  2. 1.3 kmHospital dos Lusíadas Vilamoura · clinic · 190 m off route
  3. 6.8 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  4. 7.5 kmGuilty · restaurant · 50 m off route
  5. 17.4 kmCafé · 50 m off route
  6. 18.3 kmAldi · supermarket · 60 m off route
  7. 19 kmFarmácia Alves de Sousa · pharmacy · 140 m off route
  8. 22.6 kmO Luís · café · 60 m off route
  9. 25 kmAliSuper · supermarket · on the route
  10. 29.8 kmT Cáffe · café · on the route
  11. 36.4 kmTaberna da Olivia · café · 60 m off route
  12. 37 kmCamper Verzorging · water point · 70 m off route
  13. 41.7 kmAntiquários Dos Leitões · restaurant · 40 m off route
  14. 47 kmAlho · café · on the route
  15. 48.5 kmFunbike Algarve · bike shop · 60 m off route
  16. 50.6 kmDrinking water · on the route
  17. 53 kmIntermarché · supermarket · on the route
  18. 53.7 kmToilets · 210 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 37.3 km — Albufeira - Ferreiras (station), 370 m off route
  • 45.8 km — Boliqueime (station), 490 m off route

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

Worth a stop

  • 12.5 km — Parque de Merendas de Vale de Navio (picnic site)
  • 29.7 km — Ponte Romana (ruins)
  • 47.3 km — Parque de Merendas da Maritenda (picnic site)

At the start and finish

  • Spar · supermarket · 200 m
  • The Punter · café · 520 m
  • Cervejeira Marisqueira Vilamoura · restaurant · 270 m
  • Grogan's Irish Bar · bar · 270 m
  • Caddyshack · bar · 260 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
2–3 hours riding
Season
August with temperatures around 19°C.

Know before you go

  • 23.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 3.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
  • Longest no café, shop or water stretch 4.3 km from 37.4 to 41.7 km

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