Magyar Természetjáró Szövetség weboldalai MTSZ MTSZ térképportál Turista Magazin TuristaShop Kéktúra Gerecse50 A kéktúrázás napja
Try Pro for free
Choose a language
Plan a route here Plan similar route
Mountainbike Transalp recommended route Multi-day route Mountainbike Transalp  · Portugal Open

GR22 – GT Historical Villages

Responsible for this content
Responsible Trails Verified partner 
  • Photo: Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Selected alternatives for you

    Nature in its wild state. Medieval castles. Places full of legends, flavors, and traditions. On foot or by bike, follow the Great Route of the Historical Villages of Portugal and discover this magnificent path that, with about 600km, connects all 12 villages.

    Open
    difficult
    Distance 583 km
    78:45 h
    11,866 m
    11,866 m
    1,590 m
    260 m

    For two-wheel adventurers, the GR22 is the route they have always dreamed of. An immensely varied route, unparalleled in the world, with paths crossing mountains, plains, agricultural landscapes, riverside areas, natural parks, and protected reserves. Venturing through the territory of the Historical Villages of Portugal by bike could not be more exciting. Much of the route coincides with the walking trail, however, there are cycling alternatives offering new perspectives to discover the history, heritage, and nature of the territory. Certified and classified as a Great National Crossing, the GR22 has along its length a network of MTB Centers and bikotels that provide support services demanded by cycling enthusiasts. Experience an unparalleled adventure in the Historical Villages of Portugal!

    The connection between Vale do Rossim and Belmonte, through the GT22.1 Historical Villages, allows you to shorten the route and choose between the North Loop (approximately 330 km) or the South Loop (about 326 km), adapting your adventure according to your preference.

    Learn more on the official site of this route.

    Maintenance Responsible: Historical Villages of Portugal

    Membership to the Responsible Trails system is promoted by the entity itself.

    Author’s recommendation

    The Responsible Trails ® ensures the completion of an annual technical audit where the main points of the code of ethics are evaluated. Here you can find the result of the latest audit.

    Before starting your adventure, do not forget to check the "Warnings" tab.

    Responsible Trails Evaluation: 

    (last audit performed on 16/04/2025) 

    Signage: 3 - Missing signage at at least one intersection compromising orientation without a map or GPS

    Path maintenance: 4 - In good overall condition, but with occasional sections requiring more attention

    Surroundings maintenance: 3 - Occasional degradation, but without negative impacts on the experience

    Information structures: 4 - Well maintained and interesting

    Interpretative structures: 4 - Well maintained and interesting

    Support and safety structures: 4 - Essential structures well maintained

    Community interaction: 4 - Encourages integration/contacts with the community

    Landscape integration: 4 - Well integrated in the landscape and with points of interest

    Overall safety: 4 - Presents occasional low-risk situations

    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    1,590 m
    Lowest point
    260 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Length
    583 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    We warn of a sudden rise in water levels in river and stream crossings in the area, in addition to landslides during periods of intense precipitation. Furthermore, the risk of fire is high during the summer months. Be alert and take the necessary precautions when crossing these areas.

    Follow the official recommendations of the promoter and Turismo de Portugal.

    Check them HERE

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Get Timetable to destination

    to
    GR22 – GT Historical Villages

    Coordinates

    DD
    40.359050, -7.348764
    DMS
    40°21'32.6"N 7°20'55.6"W
    UTM
    29T 640211 4468918
    w3w 
    ///fluorine.trailer.nibbling
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Related Offers

    from €1,045.00

    8 Days
    No ratings (yet)

    The North Loop of the Grand Route of Historical Villages (GR22) is circular and nearly 350 km long. It is split up into 7 stages that will take you to ...

    Provider:  Portugal A2Z Walking & Biking | Source:  A2Z Outdoor Experts

    User Questions


    January 18, 2024
    Rafael Romano
    Hello Megan! The GR22 poses some technical difficulties only in certain locations, but the vast majority is straightforward. The way to divide the 600 km into stages may vary in difficulty, taking into account the altimetric profile for each one. Regarding the type of bicycle, a hardtail is sufficient to traverse the GR22, although a full suspension MTB will provide more comfort. Have a great adventures! Responsible Trails Team
    January 20, 2024
    Megan Cea
    Questioner
    Thank you!

    July 25, 2023
    Rafael Romano
    Hi Hubert, thank you for your question! It is possible to do the GR22 on a touring bike, although it is quite challenging and with technical parts. There is also this route option (https://out.ac/3ukONH) that connects in the same way the 12 magnificent Historical Villages of Portugal, but by road, which for touring bike may be the best solution. Have a great adventures, The Outdooractive Portugal Team
    July 26, 2023
    Hubert Remaury
    Questioner
    Thank you Rafael for your answer. I will take inspiration from it. Furthermore. I would also like to discover all, or part, of the coast between Sagres and Sines. Would you possibly have a trace above, either linearly or by making a loop? Have a good day. Hubert and Sylvie Remaury
    July 26, 2023
    Rafael Romano
    Hi Hubert, for Touring Bike between Sagres and Sines, we recommend part of this route, which was designed by Rota Vicentina specifically for this type of cycling (https://out.ac/3vBg7k). Have a great adventures, The Outdooractive Portugal Team

    5 of 5
    3 ratings · 2 reviews
    very good
    5
    good
    4
    satisfactory
    3
    fair
    2
    poor
    1
    Leave a rating
     of 

    Rating submitted
    Status
    Open
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    583 km
    Duration
    78:45 h
    Ascent
    11,866 m
    Descent
    11,866 m
    Highest point
    1,590 m
    Lowest point
    260 m
    Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Round trip

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

    • My Map
    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Belmonte – Sortelha
    Difficulty moderate Stage 1
    Distance 18 km
    Duration 2:25 h
    Ascent 384 m
    Descent 239 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Sortelha – Castelo Mendo
    Difficulty difficult Stage 2
    Distance 80.6 km
    Duration 8:28 h
    Ascent 1,076 m
    Descent 1,092 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Castelo Mendo – Almeida
    Difficulty moderate Stage 3
    Distance 18.9 km
    Duration 2:11 h
    Ascent 265 m
    Descent 264 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Almeida – Castelo Rodrigo
    Difficulty moderate Stage 4
    Distance 35.5 km
    Duration 3:39 h
    Ascent 342 m
    Descent 277 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Castelo Rodrigo – Marialva
    Difficulty moderate Stage 5
    Distance 39.1 km
    Duration 4:24 h
    Ascent 632 m
    Descent 843 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Marialva – Trancoso
    Difficulty moderate Stage 6
    Distance 29.2 km
    Duration 3:32 h
    Ascent 706 m
    Descent 439 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Trancoso – Linhares da Beira
    Difficulty moderate Stage 7
    Distance 42.6 km
    Duration 4:55 h
    Ascent 619 m
    Descent 706 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Linhares da Beira – Piódão
    Difficulty difficult Stage 8
    Distance 82.9 km
    Duration 12:46 h
    Ascent 2,164 m
    Descent 2,251 m

    Esta é uma das etapas mais exigentes de toda a Grande Rota (GR22). Inicia-se em conjunto com uma das Pequenas Rotas aqui existentes e sobe em ...

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Piódão – Castelo Novo
    Difficulty difficult Stage 9
    Distance 82 km
    Duration 13:45 h
    Ascent 2,993 m
    Descent 3,054 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Castelo Novo – Idanha-a-Velha
    Difficulty moderate Stage 10
    Distance 44.8 km
    Duration 4:16 h
    Ascent 279 m
    Descent 620 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Idanha-a-Velha – Monsanto
    Difficulty moderate Stage 11
    Distance 11.6 km
    Duration 1:48 h
    Ascent 409 m
    Descent 52 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Monsanto – Sortelha
    Difficulty difficult Stage 12
    Distance 77 km
    Duration 9:08 h
    Ascent 1,345 m
    Descent 1,233 m

    No ratings (yet)
    Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Map / GR22 – GT Aldeias Históricas: Sortelha - Belmonte
    Difficulty moderate Stage 13
    Distance 18 km
    Duration 1:55 h
    Ascent 239 m
    Descent 384 m

    No ratings (yet)
    from Rafael Romano,   Turismo Centro de Portugal
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile
    Logo agrar Logo aofk Logo mol Logo otp