South of Lisbon
Setubal & Serra da Arrabida
Setubal
To the north of the Setubal Peninsula lies Costa da Caparica, an expansive stretch of white sand beach framed by red sandstone cliffs. Known for its relatively stable weather, warmer waters, and beginner-friendly surf waves, this beach is a favored weekend getaway for Lisbon residents, often bustling with visitors.
Heading southwest, Cabo Espichel stands out with its historical pilgrimage site, a grand lighthouse, and stunning cliffs overlooking the serene Praia do Meco. Cabo Espichel shines as a hidden gem, often underestimated despite being a remarkable natural and cultural highlight within Lisbon’s outskirts.
Between Sesimbra, Palmela, and Setubal lies the Serra da Arrabida Natural Park. On the north side of this mountainous range, vast vineyards and shaded cork forests dominate the landscape between Palmela and Sesimbra. On the south side, the area boasts remarkable panoramic vistas and pristine white beaches with crystal-clear waters.
Between Praia da Telha (Costa da Caparica) and Lagoa de Albufeira lies a military restricted area that prohibits continued travel along the coast. Navigating around this area requires taking a detour, often resulting in increased traffic congestion
Alternatively commencing your ride in Palmela is a viable option easily accessible by public transportation from Lisbon. The route comprises a mix of asphalt and gravel, passing through renowned vineyards en route to Sesimbra, located on the north side of the Serra de Arrabida Natural Park. Expect some challenging uphills, particularly around Azeitao.
Exploring around Cabo de Espichel and Serra da Arrabida offers choices between dusty dirt roads, hidden bike trails, or well-paved asphalt roads.
When navigating Serra da Arrabida, cyclists often choose between two main routes: the panoramic road involving a climb of up to 500m or the alternative route leading down to the beaches. Both roads are in good condition and offer splendid views. Please be aware that the panoramic route may have significant traffic. Currently (as of January 2024), the road along the Arrabida beaches remains closed due to rockfalls in 2022. Hence, we advise against using this route, despite the possibility of crossing fences and continuing the journey easily.
For the coastal route, we recommend our
Travel MTB, E-Travel MTB or Gravel Bikes
Serra da Arrabida offers options for both mountain biking enthusiasts and road or gravel bike riders.
In combination with the more southern Costa Vicentina, we recommend our Travel MTBs to explore all of the diverse terrain, where many of the highlights are best accessed with MTBs. Some of the roads at the Peninsula of Setubal contend with heavy traffic, making Travel MTBs our preferred choice to escape from traffic.
Gravel bikes serve as a great option for experienced riders who are looking for a little offroad adventure. Their adaptability makes them suitable for navigating on the moderate off-road paths north of Serra da Arrabida and at Cabo De Espichel while still maintaining speed and comfort on smoother terrains as the beach or panorama route at Serra da Arrabida.
Enduro and AM trails are best around Sesimbra. The trails are short, but exhilarating, perfect for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping ride amidst stunning surroundings and unique ocean views.
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Palmela - Sesimbra
We skip the urban rush of Lisbon and start our journey about 30km further south in the is a charming historic town of Palmela. Crowned by a massive castle we already receive the first amazing views to Peninsula de Troia and into the green Serra da Arrabida. We start on paved and unpaved side roads through the shady cork forests and green wine yards. Through the famous wine yards of Setubal and Palmela on the northside of the National Park Serra da Arrabida and reach Sesimbra and a little later Cabo Espichel. The outstanding light house, the historic pilgrimage spot and the steep cliffs of the windy cape offer the first stunning sunset of this journey!
Cabo Espichel - Setubal
Southside of Serra da Arrabida we return in direction to Setubal. We cross Sesimbra again and shortly later we leave the asphalt. After a relaxed but dusty ride through the fields, the road starts to climb steadily. Vegetation changes for the dense green bushes of the Natural Park until the view suddenly opens for the endless Atlantic and the white sand beaches of Troia.
Here we got two different options: Left you climb up almost to the peak of the hill, which comes with some extra effort, but recompense with breathtaking views from this panorama road. Right we roll down to the beaches and hop from beach to beach at Praias da Arrabida. At the entrance of Setubal both ways meet each other again.
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