Ride Stats
Distance: 65km | Elevation: 1,500m | Ride time: 3-4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Surface: Tarmac
Quick Answer
The Wall and the Plateau is the Alte Circuit’s signature day at 65km and 1,500m of elevation. The Wall begins immediately above the village: 2km at 7.4%, followed by the longer Malhão climb to above 500m. The route loops through the limestone interior before returning to Alte and finishing at Germano BiciArte. If you are visiting in summer, start before 7am – Alte gets hot and the interior climbs are best done in the cool of the morning.
Quick Overview
- The Wall of Alte: 2km at an average of 7.4% from directly above the village – short, sharp, and the defining climb of the Alte Circuit. Starts immediately from the village
- The Malhão Plateau: The longer climb above the Wall – consistent gradient to above 500m with views across the central Algarve interior on a clear day
- The Loop: From the plateau the route descends and loops through the limestone interior before returning to Alte on a different road from the ascent
- Finish – Germano BiciArte (Alte): The route ends at Germano – coffee, food, and the right place to sit after both climbs are done. The finish every Alte Circuit route deserves
- Summer note: Alte is significantly hotter than the coast in July and August. Start before 7am or consider a coastal base for summer riding – the interior climbs are considerably harder in midday heat
- Difficulty: Moderate – 1,500m in 65km is concentrated but both climbs are sustained rather than extreme. A regularly active road cyclist will manage this day comfortably
The Alte Circuit’s Home Climb
The Wall and the Plateau is the route Alte was made for. The village sits directly below both climbs – the Wall starts immediately above the houses and the Malhão follows it. No flat approach, no coastal transfer, no kilometres spent getting to the terrain. Ride out of the village, climb the Wall, continue to the Malhão plateau, loop through the limestone interior, and finish at Germano BiciArte.
At 65km and 1,500m it is moderate rather than hard – the elevation density is high but both climbs are sustained rather than savage. The Wall’s 7.4% average is demanding but manageable on fresh legs, and the Malhão above it is more consistent and less steep. The combination in a single day is the natural version of this route and the one that most riders who base themselves in Alte do first. In summer, the only version that makes sense is an early start – Alte heats up quickly and the upper sections of both climbs are exposed.
Route Profile
Start from the village of Alte. The Wall begins immediately above the houses – there is no warm-up on flat road. The legs go directly into the climb from the first pedal stroke.
The Wall of Alte
From the village the road tilts up sharply – 2km at an average gradient of 7.4% with sections above that in the opening metres. It is short and it does not ease off. Commit to the pace in the first hundred metres and do not blow up before the gradient settles into the Malhão approach above.
The Malhão Plateau
Above the Wall the road continues to the Malhão plateau – a longer, more consistent climb that takes the route above 500m. The gradient is less severe than the Wall but the cumulative effort of the two climbs back to back is what makes this a 1,500m day in 65km. The views across the central Algarve interior from the plateau are extensive on a clear day.
The Limestone Interior Loop
From the plateau the route descends through the limestone interior on a loop that returns to Alte on different roads from the ascent. Quiet, well-surfaced, and varied – the loop adds the kilometres that complete the day without repeating the climb roads.
Finish – Germano BiciArte (Alte)
The route finishes at Germano BiciArte – the cycling café and bike shop at the heart of Alte. Both climbs are done. Sit down, order a coffee, eat something. This is the stop that the day has earned and the right way to close any Alte Circuit ride.
What You Will Need
- Five gels minimum – 1,500m from the village with no flat approach needs consistent fuelling from the first kilometre
- Two full bottles – carry from the start as there are no services between the village and the Malhão
- A very early start in summer – Alte is hot in July and August. Before 7am is not optional if you want to do both climbs in manageable conditions
Best Time to Ride
February through May and September through November are the best months for Alte. The limestone interior keeps the temperature more moderate than the coast in spring and autumn, but in summer the village and the interior climbs get genuinely hot. If you are visiting in July or August, either start before 7am or base yourself on the coast and drive to Alte for an early morning start. The Malhão plateau is exposed and the Wall offers no shade. Winter in Alte is cold and clear and the views from the plateau on a January morning are worth the effort.
Key Takeaways
- 65km with 1,500m of elevation across two climbs starting directly from the village
- The Wall of Alte averages 7.4% over 2km, with the Malhão plateau climb above it
- Best ridden February to May or September to November
- A moderate day relative to The Home Circuit – the right starting point for first-time visitors to Alte
- Finishes at Germano BiciArte in Alte for coffee and food after both climbs
Book the Bike. We Will Handle the Rest.
The Wall of Alte and the Malhão plateau – finishing at Germano BiciArte. Your Cervélo Soloist delivered to Alte – pre-fitted, pre-loaded with the route, and ready to ride. See Velo Algarve for the full picture of how delivery-only rental works across the region.
Book your bike with Velo Algarve →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wall of Alte?
The Wall of Alte is a 2km climb directly above the village, averaging 7.4% with steeper sections at the opening. It is one of the most recognisable short climbs in the central Algarve and the defining effort of the Alte Circuit. Short but uncompromising. See our FAQ page for more on route difficulty.
Is Alte suitable for summer riding?
Only with an early start. Alte sits in the limestone interior and gets significantly hotter than the coast in July and August. The Wall and the Malhão are both exposed climbs with no shade on the upper sections. If you are visiting in summer, start before 7am, or consider basing yourself on the coast and targeting Alte for a cooler month.
Why does the route finish at Germano rather than starting there?
Most cyclists want coffee and food after a hard effort, not before. Starting from the village and finishing at Germano means you arrive at the café having completed both climbs – the coffee and the food are earned, the legs are done, and there is no climb still to come.
Is this route easier than The Home Circuit?
Yes, The Wall and the Plateau is the moderate day in the Alte set. Both the Wall and the Malhão are here but the total distance of 65km and the loop through the limestone interior make it a more contained day than The Home Circuit at 100km and 1,900m. Start here if you are new to Alte.
What three routes make up the Alte Circuit set?
The Wall and the Plateau (Wall and Malhão from Alte, 65km, 1,500m), West to the Moorish Capital (Alte to Silves via the limestone interior, 65km, 650m), and The Home Circuit (Paderne, Querença, the serras, Salir, and back to Alte, 100km, 1,900m). Three completely different days from the same village base.
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