Foia-Runde ab Mexilhoeira Grande

Scenic round tour from Mexilhoeira Grande up to Foia (the highest point in the Algarve) and back via Alferce.

All the roads are good for cycling on a road bike, with very little car traffic. There are long, steady climbs as well as short, steep ascents. The last part of the climb and the start of the descent from Foia are on smaller, somewhat steep and bumpy but very picturesque and still quite rideable roads.

At the beginning, you need to pay a little attention to the path, but on most of the route it’s hard to get lost.

Water fountains:

• behind Marmelete (about 1 km?) on the left side of the road
• behind Monchique, a few hundred meters after the turnoff to Alferce on the right side of the road.

Variants:

• Skip Foia (15 km/500 hm less): instead of turning right on the EN501 towards Foia, just stay on the EN501, then follow the signs towards Portimão in Monchique, and later towards Alferce to get back on the route.
• Faster (less scenic) descent from Foia: instead of the small road going east, take the main road west. You will automatically return to the route just before Monchique.
• Flatter ascent: from Monchique, you can also take the EN-266, which is good for cycling but also used by cars for the ascent. For the way to Monchique, see variant 1, then follow the signs towards Foia.
• Alferce: the village center is very nice and worth a short stop!