Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga and Alto Douro Wine Region

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga

   There are 577 steps up to Bom Jesus do Monte, and a good many pilgrims still climb them on their knees. The sanctuary hangs on a wooded hillside above Braga, in the green Minho of northern Portugal, and what makes it extraordinary is the staircase. It zigzags up the slope in a series of baroque landings, each with its own fountain, chapel or statues, and each telling a different part of the story, from the five senses to the three virtues. Work began in the early eighteenth century and went on for decades, and the white church at the top, with its twin towers, was finished later, in neoclassical style. UNESCO listed the whole ensemble in 2019.

   Read the complete Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is where the day begins. Next is Historic Centre of Oporto.

2. 2. Historic Centre of Oporto

   Porto is a city built on a granite slope above the Douro, and for a rider that means two things immediately: the views are wonderful, and the streets are steep, narrow and paved with stone that turns slippery as soap in the rain. Tram rails cross the old centre, cobbles are everywhere, and traffic is dense, so the best plan is to park the bike once and walk. The historic centre, from the riverside quarter of Ribeira up to the cathedral and the Clérigos Tower, was listed by UNESCO in 1996.

   Read the complete Historic Centre of Oporto write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Historic Centre of Oporto comes up about 62 km into the recorded legs. Next is Alto Douro Wine Region.

3. 3. Alto Douro Wine Region

   The Douro river has been carving a gorge through the north of Portugal for millions of years, and for about two thousand years people have been planting vines on its slopes. The terraces, held up by stone walls, climb steeply from the water and rise through schist and slate in rows, and the effect, in the right season, is of a vast green staircase. The Alto Douro was the first wine region in the world to be officially demarcated, by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756, and UNESCO listed it in 2001. Port wine, the sweet fortified red that made the region famous, is still made here.

   Read the complete Alto Douro Wine Region write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 168 km into the recorded legs you reach Alto Douro Wine Region. Next is back through Historic Centre of Oporto.

4. 4. back through Historic Centre of Oporto

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Historic Centre of Oporto write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Historic Centre of Oporto, late in the day. Next is Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga.

5. 5. Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga. That is the ride.