This is a new itinerary for 2025 to include Picos, Portugal & Andalucia. Itinerary & details to follow.
This is an authentic multi-day adventure ride which is suitable for big adventure bikes, for all levels of rider, and combines incredible natural scenery with a thoroughly enjoyable riding experience. It’s never been easier to take that first step into real motorcycle adventure trails that take you away from the population into empty valleys, up windswept hills and mountains, through beautiful nature along empty sinuous country roads and tracks.
ACT Portugal offers a five-day 1250km adventure route that travels from Bragança on the northern border to Tavira on the south coast. Travel through verdant green valleys, over treelined mountains, pass between fields of gold, ride along centuries-old trails, bumping over the cobbles of the narrow village streets, discovering Portugal’s rich history, rural culture and rarely seen back country.
Although relatively small in size, Portugal is a very diverse country from a landscape perspective. By defining a track from north to south, we are able to cross all sorts of different regions that will for sure call the attention of travellers and ask for a photograph. There are breath-taking sceneries that will demand for a stop and for some contemplation. The track starts in the more mountain populated north, crossing valleys, mountain tops, famous vineyard area of the Douro valley and then going to the south, where the plains take over the landscape.
The ACT Portugal was prepared in order to specifically cross remote areas of the country. It avoids the busy sea coast and more touristic areas. Nevertheless, the track is constantly crossing small villages, old castles, historically relevant areas and, places where you can have all sorts of local experiences. It ranges from great landscapes, remote populations, food, roads and, something that Portugal is the top producer of: wine. Simply enjoy the ride and the track during the day, and then in the evening enjoy the diverse and rich food of Portugal, the culture and the huge variety of of winerys and wines. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in the world with the oldest defined frontiers and it is the oldest state-nation in Europe. Portugal has a long history that dates back to the XII century.
The chosen track is perfectly suitable for beginners and the stretches where better skills may be required, the rider can take an alternative route if they do not feel ready or in the mood to try it. These cases are nevertheless, rare. The track diversity is rich and it presents up and down tracks crossing the mountains, river crossings, old ancient roman bridges crossings, mountain top riding, rock bed tracks, faster gravel roads and twisty old tarmac roads. A unique riding experience for the adventure motorcyclist. Portugal is an off-road paradise and the track is defined only using authorized roads.
Background Info – Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) takes the classic Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) concept of a border-to-border route and so follows a north-south path down the east side of Portugal – only it doesn’t run arrow straight, instead curving east and west as it picks out places of interest or tags onto trails of exceptional interest or beauty. It is inspired in the Backcountry Discovery Routes successfully implemented by Touratech USA in the past. The goal of ACT is to guide adventure motorcyclists to routes that are legal to ride and are environmentally and socially compatible and to create a mutually beneficial relationship between adventure motorcyclists and the rural communities and businesses of Europe. This is what adventure motorcycles were created for.
Included in this trip:
(Please note we endeavour to provide as many inclusions as possible in an effort to make the trip easier and more transparent for the customer.)
- Return transport to/from Spain
- Experienced tour guides
- All bed & breakfast accommodation in quality hotels and guest houses.
Not Included:
- Flights to Bilbao and back from Malaga
- Lunch and evening meals
- Fuel
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Anything not listed above
FAQ:
- What riding gear: We suggest bringing full summer type/ventilated protective motorcycle riding gear with removal inner/outer waterproof layer. Average temp SHOULD be mid teens to mid twenties. However, in the mountains temperatures can drop to single figures. Off road type body protection is highly recommended including good torso, back, hip, knee and ankle protection.We would also suggest hydration backpacks. Travel Light!
- Bike Preparation: As the route involves off road sections we highly recommend the following. Please call us for further info:
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- suitable adventure style motorcycle
- off road biased tyres
- sufficient engine, radiator, fairing and sump protection
- Travel Insurance: ESSENTIAL-Travel Insurance including medical repatriation (make sure and check that you’re covered for a motorbike trip – a lot of policies have fine print stating you’re not covered over a certain cc)
- Navigation: There will be a .gpx file available to upload to your Sat Nav
Checklist of more important things:
- Travel Insurance (with large cc motorbike cover)
- Any medication plus pain killers, headache tablets, anti-histamine, motillium, Imodium, rehydration salts, sun cream etc.
- Passport valid for over six months
- Drivers Licence
We will be providing a more detailed itinerary on arrival to include hotel info and GPS co-ordinates. Please note that this is an outline route and maybe subject to change.
