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Day by Day Route Description
as at 1 August 2002
Having returned from final reconnaissance trips to Spain and Portugal, with Mark Appleton and Ken Owen, route co-ordinator Keith Baud can now give us more information on where we should be going on October’s trip to Lisbon.
Day 1: Bilbao to Santander
After a short run out from the ferry or Hotel Andrea Bilbao (San Sebastián starters) the rally will re-start from Torre Loizaga in the Basque countryside near Bilbao. Before the start competitors will have time to enjoy the many mouth-watering cars on display at this secret castle, deep in the heart of the Basque country.
A short run takes competitors to the first test of the event – on a nearby kart circuit before a welcome lunch halt in a beautiful 17th century nobleman’s house (complete with 17th century parking facilities!). A loop south into higher mountains after lunch precedes an easy run into the graceful seaside resort of Santander and a grand finish at the Palacio Real on the cliff tops.
Day 2: Santander to Gijon
An easy run out of Santander soon sees competitors on the Reliability Trial at the first test of the day whilst the Tourers will have time to visit the pretty village of Santillana del Mar or the prehistoric caves of Altimira.
However, both routes soon dive into the rugged peaks of the Picos de Europa for a great run to lunch in a small, but very welcoming, pension in the mountain village of Posada de Valdeon.
More mountain roads follow lunch, including sections from Spanish Championship rallies, before the route heads north to the coast and the overnight halt at Gijon. However, an unusual test at the cities Velodrome precedes the final control…
Day 3: Gijon to Ponferrada
Yet another test at a kart circuit kicks off the third day of the event over some very testing and narrow mountain roads towards Ponferrada. The Cantabrian mountains are some of the most remote areas of Spain, and although todays run is relatively long, the magnificent views and varied wildlife will pack the day with interest.
With three regularities planned, some of the roads we will use today are so remote that even the locals do not know they exist…
Day 4: Ponferrada to Ourense.
The Reliability Trial loops south from Ponferrada into the Montes de Leon and the highest part of the route in Spain at 1957m. West of here whole mountains are being torn away to provide roofing slate for the building industry, making for a very dramatic landscape.
This slate quarrying is a descendant of the gold mining that used to take place in these parts and competitors on the touring route will have time to visit the interesting Roman Gold Mines and World Heritage site at Las Medulas before their lunch halt.
After lunch, both routes cross a landscape of moorland and weathered rock not unlike Dartmoor before descending into the Gorge of the Sil for the final run to a city centre welcome in Ourense.
Day 5: Ourense to Vila Real
Portugal beckons to the south but not before a pleasant run along the lakes of the Rio Limia takes cars over the border near Lindoso. Participants on the Touring event drive straight to Braga for a leisurely lunch at one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks – Bom Jesus, whilst competitors on the Classic Reliability Trial join them a little later after a visit (to be confirmed) to Braga Circuit.
The green hills and vineyards of the Minho Verde are a delight, with long horned cattle wandering the streets of the pretty, stone built villages. Some good testing roads and Jogularity sections will provide a super afternoon’s entertainment for the Reliability Trial whilst the Tourers take a more direct route to the overnight halt in the hill top town of Vila Real.
Day 6: Vila Real to Coimbra
South of Coimbra, both routes descend the steeply terraced hills of the Douro valley for a visit to the Quinta do Ruesda – where they grow and process the grapes that go into Croft Port.
The little town of Tabuaco, high on the south side of the valley, gave the event such a welcome in 2000 that it would be a shame not to return before we head south for lunch on the edge of the Serra de Estrela - Portugal’s highest mountain range.
After lunch we do a clockwise loop of the mountains, taking in the beautiful glaciated valley of the Zezere before climbing to the very top of Torre – at 1933m Portugal’s highest mountain. Don’t worry – you do not have to get out of your car!
After this excitement, the Tourers take a more direct route to the overnight halt in the university town of Coimbra, whilst the Reliability Trial competitors enjoy a few more hours of fun on the narrow, twisting lanes of the Arganil area.
Day 7: Coimbra to Lisbon
Both routes leave to the south but soon split to allow the tourers time to visit the pretty little castle at Penalva before heading south through extensive eucalyptus forests towards lunch.
The Reliability Trial competitors head further east into the mountains of the Serra Lousa before an absolutely superb driving section through the wooded hills of the Serra de Alvelos.
After visiting Portugal’s highest point yesterday, there will be an opportunity to visit the geographical centre of the country before lunch is taken north of Abrantes.
With the end almost in sight, the afternoon’s run is a relaxed affair through the cork oak forests and gently rolling landscape of the Vale de Tejo before approaching Lisbon from the south, and the final control at what could be the “high point” of the event…
Day 8: Lisbon to Lisbon
An early rise sees the start of an action packed morning in the hills to the west of Lisbon.
First off is the famous Grand Prix circuit of Estoril, and when I say that we have to be clear of Estoril before the Formula One team who have booked it for testing turn up, you will understand the need for the early start…
You should get half and hour or so to wander the streets of the beautiful hilltop town of Sintra before heading west through the pine forests to Cabo da Roca – the westernmost point in Europe. Then it is north to the pretty fishing village of Ericeira for a welcome coffee break before a testing Jogularity around the lanes precedes lunch in the massive Royal Palace at Mafra.
All that remains is an easy run back into Lisbon – via a visit to the old Grand Prix road circuit at Monsanto Park – and a ceremonial finish in the city centre; then in the evening a Gala Dinner and prize giving ceremony at the Botanical Gardens, courtesy of the City of Lisbon.
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