West Coast Spain Portugue
- Thread starter zealand
- Start date
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robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
I had a week cycling through northern Portugal 5 years ago, with a stretch along the coast then heading inland - see my report at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=4837&v=9X
By 'West Coast Spain' I guess you mean Galicia, the bit above Portugal? I've been there by car and reckon it would make for great cycling, with some long winding routes around all the inlets, and quite wild country. It's also one of the wettest parts of Spain so be warned. Santiago de Compostela is a must-see destination if you are up there.
In Portugal it depends how close to the coast you want to stay. There are some pretty nice beaches and scenery along the coast, along with some historic towns, but it can get quite busy in summer. For me the best bits of Portugal are inland, but it's a pretty hilly country, in its northern half at least.
Back to your general question though - yes it could be a great ride.
By 'West Coast Spain' I guess you mean Galicia, the bit above Portugal? I've been there by car and reckon it would make for great cycling, with some long winding routes around all the inlets, and quite wild country. It's also one of the wettest parts of Spain so be warned. Santiago de Compostela is a must-see destination if you are up there.
In Portugal it depends how close to the coast you want to stay. There are some pretty nice beaches and scenery along the coast, along with some historic towns, but it can get quite busy in summer. For me the best bits of Portugal are inland, but it's a pretty hilly country, in its northern half at least.
Back to your general question though - yes it could be a great ride.
As advertised by Mr P - yup Ive done it - I cycled from Santander to Malaga ao longo da costa one May
The north coast of Spain was a good ride in sometimes wild weather, interesting little towns, some spectacular pieces of coast, lots of places that I had only read about in history lessons at school.
I enjoyed the Portuguese section - not least because crossing into Portugal on the ferry to Carminha the weather got better - It was early so it was relatively quiet until I turned left along the Algarve through the golf courses and marinas - Porto and Lisbon were interesting places to visit although care is required in navigating through them.
The north coast of Spain was a good ride in sometimes wild weather, interesting little towns, some spectacular pieces of coast, lots of places that I had only read about in history lessons at school.
I enjoyed the Portuguese section - not least because crossing into Portugal on the ferry to Carminha the weather got better - It was early so it was relatively quiet until I turned left along the Algarve through the golf courses and marinas - Porto and Lisbon were interesting places to visit although care is required in navigating through them.
Thanks guys , have inspired me even more to do this trip, last year went though ,Austria , Slovakia, Ukranine, Romainia , Serbia, a little Bosnia, and Croatia found the coast the best of trip swim , fish , surf if any, this is why i would like to stick to coast , thinking to start trip just after summer ,once again cheers
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
I have done much of Spain ....see here http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/julian
Includes north west, Andalucia, south east, plus a trip all the way from the uk to Gibraltar
Enjoy
Includes north west, Andalucia, south east, plus a trip all the way from the uk to Gibraltar
Enjoy
Nice Jay , you done some miles
andy_spacey
Veteran
- Location
- coventry
I cycled the whole length of the west coast of Portugal last year and its easy. lost of places to wild camping and some camp sites. Its a easy route. A lot of the route you cant get to ride alone the coast only turn right and go see the coastline the turn back to the main road. They are puting cycle lanes in some parts of the route alone the cost.
