👀 Book early during season 📣 Bike availability becomes limited during the season.
Starts in Nazaré
Salgado hills night loop from Nazaré (30 km)
Sunset start, the boardwalk above Praia do Salgado, a climb through the pines to a ridge clearing with almost no light pollution, and a road descent home through Famalicão.
Route elevation profile: from 0 m to 180 m, total ascent 750 m.
- Tour Difficulty
- Challenging
About this ride
A 30 km loop south of Nazaré meant to be ridden after dark. Back roads down to the Salgado boardwalk, then a climb on packed sand and pine needles through the forest above Salgado to a clearing on the ridge. 600 m of ascent. Lights off at the top. Back by road through Famalicão da Nazaré. April to October, clear nights only.
Before you go
The ride
Leave Nazaré as the sun goes down and take the back roads south to the boardwalk above Praia do Salgado. On a summer Friday after dusk the Salgado road is empty. From the dunes the track climbs into the pine forest: packed sand and pine needle over compacted earth, no rocks, but you need a good light. The clearing on the ridgeline is the point of the ride. Stay half an hour. Descend by road through Famalicão da Nazaré back to town.
Surfaces and bike
Back roads, forest gravel, road descent. MTB, gravel or e-bike. Two lights: one on the bar, one on the helmet.
When
April to October, and only when the forecast is clear. Atlantic fog rolls in fast and ends the view. New moon for stars, full moon for the beach.
Safety
Ride the climb on the GPX line; there are side tracks in the forest that dead-end. Tell someone your plan. Phone signal is fine on the ridge.
Prefer company?
The Nazaré night e-bike tour runs this with a guide, lights provided, and a flask of port at the boardwalk.
Along the way
-
Nazaré
A picturesque fishing village famous for its giant waves, rich maritime culture, and beautiful beaches.
-
Praia do Salgado
A long, wild Atlantic beach south of Nazaré framed by dunes and golden cliffs, popular with surfers and walkers seeking open shore away from the crowds.
-
Famalicão
A quiet village just outside Nazaré, a practical base for relaxed rides along the calmer back roads of the Silver Coast.
More routes nearby
All routes →
Starts in Nazaré
Nazaré to Praia do Norte lighthouse loop (20 km)
Seafront, the Sítio climb, the deer reserve and the fort above the big-wave beach. 20 km, one climb, mostly downhill home.
20 km
200 m
2 h
·
Paved / Gravel
Starts in Nazaré
São Gião church and Monte de São Bartolomeu loop from Nazaré (25 km)
The oldest things around Nazaré in one short ride: a 7th-century church on a farm track, a 156 m volcanic hill with a chapel on top, and the medieval ridge town of Pederneira.
25 km
200 m
3 h
·
Paved / Gravel / Trail
Starts in Nazaré
Nazaré town loop: seafront, Sítio, Praia do Norte and Pederneira (30 km)
The whole of Nazaré in one easy ride: the promenade, the 110 m climb to Sítio, the deer reserve, the lighthouse above Praia do Norte and the Pederneira belvedere.
30 km
200 m
2 h
·
Paved / Gravel