Strike at the Heart of Our Routes
Early in the morning of January 28, central Portugal was hit by the most powerful storm in the country's recorded history. Wind gusts reached catastrophic speeds of 208 km/h — comparable in strength to a category three hurricane. Meteorologists call this phenomenon a "weather bomb" with a rare feature known as a "sting jet" — a powerful descending wind current that literally swept away everything in its path.
How You Can Help
We are raising funds to purchase equipment for clearing forests and restoring bike trails in our region. Every euro will go toward purchasing chainsaws, protective gear, trail restoration tools, and necessary materials.
Your support will help us:
Restore mountain routes in Serras de Aire e Candeeiros
Clear the coastal Atlantic Road between Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto
Restore access to Alcobaça's cultural routes
Help the local community recover from tragedy
Donation details: PayPal - info@irondeer.pt
Our region was at the epicenter of the disaster. The coastal towns of Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto were devastated by a combination of hurricane-force winds and powerful Atlantic storm surges. The historic city of Alcobaça, where we took guests to admire the famous monastery, suffered severe damage from wind and flooding.
But the most catastrophic destruction the hurricane brought to our forest routes in the Serras de Aire mountains.
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Serras de Aire: A Lost Paradise
The Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park has always been the jewel of our bike tours. Limestone mountains covered with Mediterranean forest, caves, rocky trails with ocean views — this was the heart of our gravel routes.
Now this paradise has turned into a disaster zone:
Thousands of trees felled by hurricane winds
70% of forest cover destroyed in some areas
Trails we've led groups on for years are blocked by fallen trunks
Historic routes through rocky landscapes have become impassable
According to the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal, the forestry sector suffered losses of €775 million across the country. Serras de Aire received its share of this destruction.
Atlantic Road: Destroyed Beauty
The scenic road along the coast between Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto — one of our most popular routes for beginner cyclists and families. Ocean views, cozy beaches, coastal villages — all this made this route unforgettable.
Hurricane Kristin struck the coast with unprecedented fury:
Coastal infrastructure severely damaged by storm surges
Road sections washed out and blocked
Signage and rest points destroyed
Trees along the route toppled, creating dangerous blockages
We in Nazaré know the power of the ocean — we've seen the giant waves that attract surfers from around the world. But what Kristin brought exceeded all our ideas about the destructive power of nature.
Alcobaça and Surroundings: Cultural Heritage Under Threat
Routes to the historic city of Alcobaça — with its magnificent monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site — have always been the highlight of our cultural bike tours. The path through orchards and traditional villages gave guests a feel for the real Portugal.
The Alcobaça region was severely affected by the hurricane. Thousands of fruit trees felled, historic structures damaged, roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. Recovery will take months.
São Martinho do Porto: The Perfect Bay Under Siege
The sheltered bay of São Martinho do Porto, where we took families with children on calm coastal tours, also did not escape nature's wrath. Despite the bay's natural protection, hurricane winds and storm surges caused serious damage to the coastal zone and surrounding routes.
Economic Consequences for the Region
The total economic damage to Portugal is estimated at more than €4 billion — more than 1% of the country's GDP. For our region and small businesses in cycle tourism, the consequences could be catastrophic:
Tourist infrastructure destroyed
Hundreds of thousands of people left without electricity
Roads blocked indefinitely
Natural routes require complete restoration
For us, as a bike rental and bike tour company in Nazaré, this means not only temporary loss of routes, but also the need to recreate the entire network of trails we've been developing for years.
Human Tragedy
Behind the numbers are real people. Our neighbors, our friends, members of our community. According to official data, the hurricane claimed the lives of at least 12 people in Portugal, and more than 1,100 people were injured.
Thousands of families were left without roofs over their heads. People who worked with us, who greeted our guests in local Alcobaça cafes and São Martinho restaurants — are now fighting for survival.
Chain of Disasters
Portugal faced not only the consequences of Kristin. Immediately after it came storms Leonardo and Marta, turning recovery into a battle against continuous elements. Flooding exacerbated the situation throughout the region. This is already the sixth hurricane in Portugal since the beginning of 2026.
Climatologists warn: such extreme weather events will occur more frequently. We must recover stronger than we were.
We Will Restore Our Trails
The Nazaré cycling community does not give up. We are not just a business — we are part of this place, these Serras de Aire forests, this Atlantic coast. We will restore the beauty of the ocean route. We will clear the mountain trails. We will show the world again why our region is a paradise for cyclists.
But this requires serious work. We need professional equipment for:
Clearing thousands of fallen trees on trails in Serras de Aire
Restoring coastal Atlantic Road routes
Repairing infrastructure between Nazaré, São Martinho and Alcobaça
Creating safe conditions for cyclists on all our routes
Restoring trail markings and signage
Together we will restore Portuguese cycling routes. Together we will bring our forests and trails back to life. Together we will show that community is stronger than any disaster.
With respect and hope,
Irondeer Team, Nazaré
