From the luxury and glamour that is Quinta do Lago to the salt flats and the local charm of the Praia de Faro. You will be transported to the exclusive residential estate of Quinta do Lago, together with your bikes, from where we set off for a morning of gentle cycling. Skirting the edge of the award-winning golf course, with views across the lagoon to the dunes and Atlantic ocean beyond, it is not long before we enter the famous Ria Formosa National Park. Cycling through pine woodland, surrounded by freshwater lakes and salt marshes, we come across some fish salting tanks, which date back to Roman times. Then we continue along the salt marshes, admiring the vegetation and hopefully spotting the odd turtle basking in the sun, before reaching the salt pans which are a thriving local industry.

From here we cross over to the Praia de Faro (Faro Beach). This is a large strip of land which is joined by a single lane bridge and is host to a plethora of authentic Portuguese cafes and fish restaurants. On the far side is a long sweep of beautiful sand, whilst on the nearside is a more sheltered lagoon. This is where the locals from Faro come to sunbathe and is bustling throughout the summer months. It is also home to many traditional fishermen’s cottages which are accessed by a boardwalk. We stop for a coffee here and you can treat yourself to a homemade Pastel de Nata (local cake) or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from locally grown fruit.

This tour is appropriate for novice/intermediate riders. It is also ideal for families as it is mostly on traffic-calmed roads and dirt tracks. It lasts for approximately 3 to 4 hours.