Bikepacking in Portugal
Time to read 3 min
Hi! We’re Katia and Lera — two close friends, cyclists, and adventurers separated by 3,500 kilometres. Lera lives in Moscow, Katia in Barcelona — but when we ride, we meet in the middle of freedom, fresh air, and friendship.
Why we chose bikepacking in Portugal
We’ve both been passionate about cycling for years — but what really brought us together was more than just the love of bikes. It was our shared outlook on life, a deep friendship, and the kind of humour that gets you through long climbs and unexpected detours.
Lera is a psychiatrist and the organiser of a gravel bike race in Russia. Katia is a psychologist with a love for spontaneous adventure. Cycling is more than a sport for us — it’s a way to reconnect with nature, ourselves, and each other.
After five years of friendship (and many messages back and forth), we finally went on our first long ride together — not just a ride, but a week-long bikepacking trip along the Portuguese coast.
And it was magic.
Our bikepacking route: Lisbon to Seville
We pedalled over 546 km, riding from Lisbon to the Spanish border and on to Seville, hugging Portugal’s rugged Atlantic coastline. We stayed in a new town every night, travelling light with everything packed into frame bags: one set of non-cycling clothes, a toothbrush, and a deep sense of curiosity.
- Day 1: Lisbon → Carvalhal – 86 km
Day 2: Carvalhal → Sines – 64 km
Day 3: Sines → Zambujeira do Mar – 67 km
Day 4: Zambujeira do Mar → Sagres – 86 km
Day 5: Sagres → Lagos – 34 km
Day 6: Lagos → Faro – 94 km
Day 7: Faro → Huelva (Spain) – 115 km
We started each day with a pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) and ended it watching the sun dip into the ocean. The ride was smooth — no punctures, no mechanicals, just one fall (blame the dog!) and a perfect balance of effort, rest, and laughter.
The joy of travelling light
What makes bikepacking so special is the freedom. When you carry everything on your bike — no panniers, no excess — you’re free to go anywhere. We packed ultra-light: just the essentials, basic tools, and a lot of trust in each other.
There’s a kind of beauty in letting go. You don’t need much when your days are filled with cliffs, wild beaches, storks, mimosas, rice paddies, and fields of poppies. You sleep deeply, wake up sore and happy, and ride into the unknown with the wind at your back.
Highlights from the ride
Lera: One day stands out — descending a sandy slope to a hidden beach. That’s when it hit me: the adventure had truly begun. That’s also where we took my favourite photo of the trip. I handled the route planning, while Katia kept us moving, meeting people, solving problems, and keeping the vibe joyful when energy dipped.
Katia: Cycling is the perfect pace. Fast enough to keep moving, slow enough to absorb everything. We lived a whole little lifetime in that week — sunburnt noses, deep sleep, salty air, and the kind of happiness that doesn’t need explanation.
Why bikepacking Portugal should be on your list
Portugal is a dream for bikepackers: smooth roads, coastal views, welcoming towns, fresh seafood, and a pace of life that matches the rhythm of your pedals. Whether you’re a gravel rider, a light bike tourer, or a cycling traveller looking for your next destination, Portugal offers a unique blend of adventure and calm.
This was more than a trip — it was a memory, a celebration, and a reminder of why we ride.
Final thoughts: adventure, friendship & freedom on two wheels
We believe the best thing you can do for someone you love is to create memories with them. And bikepacking — especially through a place as breathtaking as Portugal — is a perfect way to do it.
Whether you’re planning your first bikepacking trip or dreaming of your next ride, we hope our story inspires you to pack light, ride far, and share the journey with someone who makes the ride even better.
Bikepacking Portugal gave us more than a route — it gave us a story we’ll tell forever.
