8 Days of Portuguese Adventure - Training & Tour

Portugal is one of the most off-road friendly countries in the world. Blue skies, sunny days and thousands of dirt roads crisscrossing this peaceful country in all directions: a true enduro paradise. And the food? The food is more than good! Join our resident trainer and guide Diogo Guerra (of Offroad Offcourse YouTube channel) for an 8-day adventure designed for those who want to improve their off-road skills and apply them on Portugal's many trails.

The first day of training and testing is followed by six exciting days of enduro adventure. The total distance you will cover during this 8-day tour is about 1,100 km with about 80% off-road with low difficulty. Therefore, this combination of training & tour is perfect for riders who want to get their first taste of off-road riding.

We are happy to customize the entire tour as well as the level of difficulty to your individual needs. Just contact us and we will do our best to make your perfect combination of enduro tour & enduro training possible.

Day 1: Training and getting to know each other (approx. 60 km)
We will meet in Santarém in the morning (transfer from local hotels/train stations is available if needed) and get ready for our full day training. After everyone is briefed and equipped, we will ride over very easy off-road trails to a nearby forest, where we will spend the rest of the day practicing basic off-road techniques you will need for the adventure ahead:

• Tricks for maneuvering the motorcycle in tricky situations
• Body positioning and traction theory
• Slow turns and techniques for avoiding obstacles
• Clutch and balance exercises
• Emergency braking
• Powerslides and elephant turns
• etc.

At the end of the day, you will be taken to the hotel and we will have dinner together.

Day 2: Around Santarém (about 150 to 200 km)
Our adventure begins! In order to test the skills of the group and to get to know each other better, we will spend the first days within a radius of 150 km around our starting point Santarém. We will set off on our motorcycles towards the northeast in the North Alentejo region, where a mixture of fast trails and forest paths awaits us. There, we are surrounded by pastures and small villages in the countryside.

Staying true to the training theme of this tour, we will stop from time to time to learn new techniques and try out how best to overcome certain obstacles. The highlights of the day will be the breathtaking views of the Tagus River and a brief stop at Almourol Castle, located on an island in the middle of the river. We'll return to Santarém on our dual-sport motorcycles, where you can spend the night and relax with dinner together.

Day 3: Towards the sea (about 150 to 200 km)
No trip to Portugal would be complete without a visit to the sea! We'll head northwest on our motorcycles, have a coffee at the salt mines of Rio Maior, one of our favorite places in the region, ride the beautiful trails of the "Serra de Aire" National Park and come out the other side. From here we'll head towards Nazaré (famous for its record breaking waves). There, we will probably have lunch before returning in the afternoon on our motorbikes via an alternative route.

Day 4: Rest day
Today you can rest and do as you please. You'll have full access to your rented motorcycle and we'll suggest some nearby places to visit, as well as some off-road routes if resting isn't your thing.

Day 5: A brisk ride to the vicinity of the Spanish border (approx. 180 km).
On this leg of the tour we head east on our dual-sport motorcycles, again into the Alentejo region with its golden pastures and fields. It will be a long but fast day of riding and at the end of the afternoon we will go up to Castelo de Vide, a village near the Spanish border. Depending on the season, we may make a swim stop along the way at one of the many riverbanks we will pass. As usual, we will go to dinner together and enjoy the local delicacies.

Day 6: Off to the mountains (approx. 180 km)
Today we head north and approach the highest mountain range in Portugal, the Serra da Estrela (1993 m). The landscape will change dramatically as we travel from the arid plains of the Alentejo region (south of the Tagus River) to the greener forests of the north. The day's destination is hidden in the valleys of the mountains: Piodão, a World Heritage Site ancient village built entirely of slate.

Day 7: Back to the sea (about 160 km)
We turn southwest and ride our motorcycles towards the sea. Again, the landscape will change noticeably as we leave the mountains and meet the more populated coastal region. We will end the day near Fátima, a pilgrimage site known worldwide for the Virgin Mary.

Day 8: Along the Atlantic Ocean (approx. 180 km)
This last day will seem a bit more familiar as we will be near Nazaré again. However, this time Nazaré is not our destination, instead we will continue south to visit S. Martinho (one of the most famous bays in Portugal) and finally reach Peniche (the most sought after surf destination). For lunch we will have grilled fish from local catch.

On the way back to Santarém we will pay a short visit to the famous castle of Obidos and again have a coffee in the salt mines and sit by the Rio Maior. Around 5pm we will return to Santarém, bring the motorcycles back to the parking lot and organize the necessary transfers to take everyone to their next destinations.

This is our basic package for a compact training and riding week. For those who want to expand their experience in Portugal, we suggest a few extra days with us. There are so many routes leading to so many great places that we just want to share them with you! You can simply add extra days during the booking process or contact us in advance with your individual requests.