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Starts in Nazaré
Alcobaça hills and Vale Vazão MTB singletrack loop (56 km)
52 km off tarmac: pine and eucalyptus singletrack above Alcobaça, the Chiqueda descent, seven flat kilometres on the old estuary floor and a cobbled climb into Pederneira. Experienced riders only.
Route elevation profile: from 3 m to 213 m, total ascent 713 m.
- Tour Difficulty
- Expert
About this ride
A 56 km mountain-bike loop from Nazaré into the hills above Alcobaça. Only 4 km of it are on tarmac. A sustained loose-limestone climb that steepens midway, singletrack with roots and short drops, then the Chiqueda descent, which is steep, fast and loose. The Vale Vazão flat and the cobbled climb into Pederneira finish it. You need recent trail experience. This is not an e-bike tourist ride.
Before you go
The ride
From Fanhais the track drops into the Pinhal de Leiria and runs east along the Alcoa valley floor. The main climb starts as the valley narrows: loose limestone, sustained, and it steepens midway. The high point is above Alcobaça with the monastery visible below. Drop into Alcobaça for coffee. Then Chiqueda: a short, steep climb followed straight away by the most committed descent of the route, steep, fast and loose in places. After that the Vale Vazão, the old estuary floor, gives you seven kilometres at sea level, almost perfectly flat. The final climb is on cobbles into Pederneira, then back to Fanhais.
Surfaces and bike
Pine and eucalyptus singletrack, loose limestone, roots, short technical drops, cobbles. Hardtail or full-suspension MTB, or an e-MTB if you can handle it on the descents. Not a gravel-bike route.
Water and food
Alcobaça, roughly halfway. Nothing else on the route. Carry food.
When
October to June. Summer is possible with an early start but the limestone climb has no shade.
Skill level
Several descents need line choice and controlled braking. Ride within yourself on Chiqueda; there is no phone signal in parts of the valley.
Prefer company?
We only run this with a guide: the Alcobaça river valley MTB tour.
Along the way
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Nazaré
A picturesque fishing village famous for its giant waves, rich maritime culture, and beautiful beaches.
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Alcobaça
A historic town known for its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Monastery, traditional Portuguese cuisine, and local wine production.
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Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça
Founded by Portugal's first King, D. Afonso Henriques, in 1153, through a donation to Bernard of Clairvaux (France), the Monastery of Alcobaça is one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in all of Europe, and was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1989.
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Castelo de Alcobaça
Hilltop ruins of a medieval castle of Moorish origin, reconquered in 1148 by D. Afonso Henriques and watching over the town and monastery of Alcobaça with sweeping views across the valley.
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Restaurante Maria José
Traditional Portuguese dishes made with local ingredients - The restaurant's famous steaks cooked to perfection
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