In an exciting official start of the 26th Portugal de Lés-a-Lés, the hundreds of motorcyclists who traveled to Figueira da Foz discovered novelties that reinforced the expectation of an adventure in the old-fashioned style. A very tough route, through the most deserted border roads, including a border crossing into Spanish territory. And with the guarantee of the most intense landscapes, in a kaleidoscope of strong emotions between Portimão and Penafiel, with stops in Évora and Covilhã.
At the Official Presentation, at the Malibu Foz Hotel, whispers of astonishment followed as the route was unveiled, starting naturally with the Adventure Ride, on June 6. Which will take participants to discover (or revisit) the beauties of the municipality of Portimão, including the beaches of Rocha, Vau, and Alvor. A peaceful start, on a day that will include the essential Document and Technical Checks, before the early morning departure towards Évora. It will be the first stage, in unique beauty scenarios through the Algarve mountains, crossed from West to East and with a promising return to the Vascão valley. Repository of so many adventurous memories over a quarter of a century of Europe’s largest motorcycle marathon.
Between bucolism and a return to History
Designed through the most remote areas of Continental Portugal, the large and heterogeneous caravan of the event organized by the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation will experience a highlight in Mértola, with a grand reception. A more bucolic moment at the Pomarão dock, where the former loading point for ore from the São Domingos Mines on its way to the steel mills will serve as the stage for a unique and surprising Oasis. Sites of historical significance in this 2024 edition of Portugal de Lés-a-Lés will also include returns to Pulo do Lobo and Barrancos.
A time to reminisce with a lively stop in a land with its own dialect and very specific traditions due to historical isolation. After recalling the village where the caravan celebrated Portugal’s victory by two goals, scored by Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo, against Iran in a group stage match of the 2006 World Cup, the ‘road-book’ will offer the opportunity to visit Noudar Castle. An option for the more adventurous, with an off-road connection to visit the National Monument that dominates the banks of the Ardila River, a watercourse that will accompany the motorcyclists to Moura, then heading to the banks of the Alqueva and from there to the historic center of Évora, passing through Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Internationalization with music and spit-roasted pig
Right in the heart of the city recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the second stage will start, the less tough and more rolling one along 460 kilometers, through Alto Alentejo, passing through Crato to Vila Velha de Rodão. Where the renewed surrounding space of the King Vamba Tower will allow you to enjoy spectacular and unique views over the Gates of Rodão. From this overhanging cliff to the Tejo and of great strategic importance since the 12th century, there is a need to retrace your steps to Tinalhas, in the municipality of Castelo Branco, where the local Moto Club makes a point of showcasing the bust honoring Father José Fernando. And that will be next to other stone pieces, related to motorcycling, including the Archangel Saint Raphael, protector and patron saint of all motorcyclists, or the tribute to the Moto Club de Faro.
Which should protect the colorful peloton in the incursion into Spanish lands through the Monfortinho border over the Erges river, for a new visit to the Motoval facilities in Valverde del Fresno. After greeting the Dunlop representative who has been supporting the Lés-a-Lés for several years and where there is always music and spit-roasted pork, the return to Portugal will be made through Penamacor. And with a reception in the renewed space of the historic center and in the castle.
Stop to catch your breath and gain strength before attacking the last kilometers to Covilhã, a motorcycle-friendly city that is a privileged gateway to Serra da Estrela. In the Capital of Wool, the proposal is to take advantage of the late afternoon and early evening to appreciate urban art in the city with the most murals per square meter.
More toughness to close
But no distractions with the time because the third and final stage of the 26th Portugal de Lés-a-Lés, even though the shortest with about 370 kilometers, will be the most demanding, requiring more hours of driving.
From leaving Covilhã to Penafiel there is practically no straight road, starting with the curves that will lead to the 1500 meters of altitude of Nave de Santo António before descending to Manteigas, entering one of the municipalities with the best-preserved forest in Portugal. With the North on the horizon, return to a road used 20 years ago, in the 5th Lés-a-Lés, to Gouveia, enjoying the beauties of Serra da Estrela before entering the Beira plateau via Fornos de Algodres.
With the great adventure approaching its end, time for new mountain ranges, passing through the Távora river valley, descending to Pinhão – which holds the record for the highest maximum temperature in national territory – climbing to Sabrosa, passing through Vila Real, Alvão mountain range, Lamas de Olo, and Vale do Poio towards Cabeceiras de Basto. From this land that always welcomes motorcyclists so well, we climb on the map to the northernmost point of Lés-a-Lés, visiting the fabulous DiverLanhoso extreme sports park. And from there to Vizela, where the traditional “bolinhol” can be enjoyed in the garden of the Thermal Park, created between 1884 and 1886 and which has a number of giant trees like no other Portuguese park or garden. A true lung of Vizela where the balance of another presence in Portugal de Lés-a-Lés begins, thinking about arriving in Penafiel after driving as many hours as it would take us to reach the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. And, with the blessing of Our Lady of Sameiro, crossing the finish line in an edition that promises to be tough, for adventurous and tough motorcyclists, regardless of the machine used. Lés-a-Lés is once again an adventure for all motorcycles, but not for all motorcyclists…
And if the first brave ones took advantage of their presence in Figueira da Foz to register and secure a spot at the front of the caravan, the others can do so from March 26th until May 19th, on the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation website.
