In the Algarve’s inland hills, Fóia towers over the Serra de Monchique as the highest point in the entire region, popular with both cyclotourists and pro teams on winter training camps.
A sustained climb from Monchique
From the spa town of Monchique, at around 300 m, it’s 8 km for 600 m of elevation gain up to the summit at 902 m. The average gradient sits around 7.5%, on a wide, generally well-graded road.
The roof of the Algarve, a winter training ground
Thanks to mild, dry winters, the Algarve has become a popular destination for professional cycling teams’ training camps, and Fóia, the region’s highest climb, regularly features among the classic rides on those stays.
How to approach the ride
The steady gradient allows a sustained rhythm across the whole route, with a few welcome flatter stretches in the final third before the last ramp to the summit.
When to climb it
October to May, the best time to ride in the Algarve: summers are too hot for a comfortable climb, while winter stays mild and sunny.
Good to know
The summit, fitted with telecommunications masts, offers views on a clear day that reach the Atlantic coast and sometimes the neighbouring Spanish mountains.