This has to be one of Portugal's best areas for touring on two wheels. It has everything, great twisty roads, spectacular scenery and of course, the lovely Portuguese hospitality. The route is a round trip that starts just inside the border with Spain at the thermal spa town of Gerês. This route is ideal for anyone wanting a taste of what Portugal has to offer and can easily be reached in 1 day from the popular motorcycle area of Los Picos de Europa in Spain. You will probably arrive in Gerês after crossing the border on the N308-1, this in itself is a spectacular road and will give you a good idea of what this route has to offer.
The route travels through and around Portugal's only national park, the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the views and scenery are spectacular. You'll visit 3 beautiful reservoitrs and two magnificent dams and travel on some rural roads, passing vineyards, farms and villages, keep a lookout for the ancient grain stores built on stilts. Tree lined roads and mountain roads with giant boulders, this really is a great route.
It is only 83 miles (134 km) and MRA planner suggests a little over 4 hours without stops. With the amount of great viewpoints and things to see, plus one hour for lunch I would allow double that. Make sure your camera batteries are full charged!
I have suggested a lunch stop next to the Cávado River reservoir, here you can park your bikes in view and have a nice meal on the terrace with views across the reservoir, Restaurante tipico O Sobreiro is renowned for its authentic Portuguese cuisine and warm ambiance. You can even have a swim in the healing waters of the reservoir if it is hot.
After lunch, the route heads back into the national park on narrow twisty roads, there are several spectacular viewpoints that require a short walk to take full advantage of the magnificent scenery.
Enjoy