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Starts in Nazaré
Nazaré to Santa Rita de Cós MTB climb through the olive groves (50 km)
1,100 m of climbing on terrain that never gets above 140 m: short, repeated, relentless. Old olive groves, the monastery at Cós, the hilltop hermitage of Santa Rita, and the Aljubarrota limestone ridges.
Route elevation profile: from 0 m to 137 m, total ascent 332 m.
- Tour Difficulty
- Expert
About this ride
A 50 km mountain-bike loop east from Nazaré that climbs 1,100 m without ever going higher than 137 m. The gain comes from short, repeated ramps through olive groves, farm tracks and packed limestone, up to the Ermida de Santa Rita above Cós and along the Aljubarrota ridges. Several descents are steep and loose enough to need line choice. Then the flat Vale Vazão and the climb to Pederneira to finish.
Before you go
The ride
From Fanhais the track drops through the pines to the Alcoa valley floor and heads east toward Alcobaça on the flat. At Cós you pass the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Cós at the bottom of the valley, then start climbing through olive groves toward the Ermida de Santa Rita on its hilltop. From the hermitage the route continues east into the Aljubarrota hills, limestone ridges with short sharp ramps and loose descents. It turns back west across the Vale Vazão, the old estuary floor at sea level, and finishes with the climb up to Pederneira, the original Nazaré.
Surfaces and bike
Singletrack, farm tracks, packed limestone, some exposed lines. Hardtail or e-MTB. A gravel bike will not enjoy the descents.
Water and food
Cós has a café. Otherwise carry what you need; the ridges have nothing.
When
Spring and autumn. Summer is hot on the exposed limestone.
Skill level
Rated expert for the descents, not the climbs. If you are unsure, do the Alcobaça monastery ride first and see how the terrain feels.
Prefer company?
Guided as the Ancient Olive Groves MTB climb.
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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Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Coz
Here, in the 13th century, a community of Cistercian nuns took shape. In the 16th century, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Coz became one of the richest female monasteries of this order in Portugal. With its Baroque artistic splendor, the church bears witness to the wealth of this community.
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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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