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Nazaré town loop: seafront, Sítio, Praia do Norte and Pederneira (30 km)
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.

Route elevation profile: from 0 m to 129 m, total ascent 329 m.
Tour Difficulty
Easy

About this ride

A 30 km loop around Nazaré itself. Seafront promenade, the climb up to Sítio (110 m, the only real effort), flat pine-forest path to the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo above Praia do Norte, then across to the old hill town of Pederneira and down. About two hours at an easy pace. This is the ride to do on your first afternoon, before anything else.

Before you go

The ride

Start on the Praia da Nazaré promenade. The fish-drying racks are at the north end. Ride to the foot of the funicular and take the road up to Sítio: 110 m of climbing, steady, use assist level three on an e-bike. On the Sítio square is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré; the viewpoint behind it looks straight down onto the beach. From Sítio a flat path runs through the pines past the Cercado dos Veados deer reserve to the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, the lighthouse and surf museum on the point above Praia do Norte. Come back through the forest and cross to Pederneira, the original hilltop town, for the belvedere over the lagoon. Then downhill home.

Surfaces and bike

Paved promenade, paved climb, packed forest path. Any bike. E-bike makes the Sítio climb a non-event.

Wind

The cliff plateau at Sítio and the fort are exposed. Bring a layer even in summer.

Water and food

Cafés everywhere in town and on the Sítio square. Nothing at the fort.

When

Any day of the year. From October to March the fort is the place to watch the big waves; the swell is smallest in May.

Prefer company?

This is the Nazaré e-bike tour in two hours. A shorter version that skips Pederneira is the Praia do Norte lighthouse loop.

Along the way

  1. Nazaré

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

  2. Nazaré North Beach

    The world-famous big wave surfing spot where record-breaking waves are surfed during winter months, located beneath the iconic Nazaré lighthouse.

  3. Sítio

    The historic clifftop district of Nazaré, offering spectacular panoramic views and home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré.

  4. Cercado dos Veados

    A small deer reserve set in the pinewoods of Sítio above Nazaré on the way to Praia do Norte, run jointly by the municipality and the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Nazaré. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xegbcu2UTz8esYUL9

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Nazaré to Praia do Norte lighthouse loop (20 km).
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Nazaré to Praia do Norte lighthouse loop (20 km)

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São Gião church and Monte de São Bartolomeu loop from Nazaré (25 km).
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São Gião church and Monte de São Bartolomeu loop from Nazaré (25 km)

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Salgado hills night loop from Nazaré (30 km).
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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.

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