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Nazaré to the Óbidos lagoon gravel route via São Martinho (80 km)
Starts in Nazaré

Nazaré to the Óbidos lagoon gravel route via São Martinho (80 km)

Coast road, limestone farm track, dune track and lagoon path from Nazaré to Foz do Arelho. 780 m of climbing, lunch at São Martinho, birds at the lagoon. The Silver Coast in one day.

Route elevation profile: from -2 m to 175 m, total ascent 1185 m.
Tour Difficulty
Expert

About this ride

An 80 km gravel ride south from Nazaré to Foz do Arelho, where the Óbidos lagoon meets the Atlantic. Quiet coastal road over the Serra da Pescaria, gravel and old farm track through the limestone country inland, the hill above Salir do Porto to the Capela de Santa Ana, then dune track, forest path and lagoon-side bike path to the end. 780 m of climbing. A long day where the stops are the point.

Before you go

The ride

Nazaré south over the Serra da Pescaria on the coast road, down to Praia do Salgado, then inland on gravel and old farm track through the limestone. São Martinho do Porto at roughly km 30 is the lunch stop: seafood on the promenade. The climb above Salir do Porto goes up to the Capela de Santa Ana. After that it is dune track and forest path down to Foz do Arelho and the bike path along the lagoon. The Foz do Arelho wetland has grey herons and ospreys most of the year and flamingos in winter.

Surfaces and bike

Coastal tarmac, gravel, farm track, dune and forest path, lagoon bike path. Gravel bike or MTB. E-bike with 2-inch tyres is fine. Road bike is not.

Water and food

Salgado (summer café), São Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto, Foz do Arelho. Fill up at São Martinho for the inland section.

When

Spring and autumn are best. In summer earlier is much better; the sea breeze builds from midday. Winter for the flamingos.

Getting back

This is a point-to-point route. Options: ride back the same way (160 km day), take a bus from Caldas da Rainha (8 km from Foz) to Nazaré, or book our transfer with the bike. If you rent from us we can collect you at Foz do Arelho.

Add-on

Once at Foz, the flat Óbidos lagoon loop adds 40 km around the water.

Prefer company?

This is the Silver Coast Gravel Epic guided tour, with the transfer home included.

Along the way

  1. Nazaré

    A picturesque fishing village famous for its giant waves, rich maritime culture, and beautiful beaches.

  2. 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.

  3. São Martinho do Porto

    A coastal town wrapped around a near-perfect shell-shaped bay, where calm, shallow waters and a sheltered shoreline make it one of the safest swimming spots on the Silver Coast.

  4. Salir do Porto

    The quieter southern side of the São Martinho do Porto bay, a relaxed starting point for gentle rides around the lagoon and its open dune landscape.

  5. Foz do Arelho

    A picturesque coastal area where the Óbidos Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean, known for its diverse ecosystems, birdwatching opportunities, and beautiful beaches.

  6. Óbidos Lagoon

    The largest saltwater lagoon in Portugal and an important ecological site, hosting diverse bird species and aquatic life in its wetland habitats.

  7. Pegadas de Dinossauro

    A clifftop plateau where fossilised dinosaur tracks, left some 145 million years ago in what was then a shallow lagoon, run beside sweeping views of the Atlantic.

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