19.7
PDI
23.5 mi
DISTANCE
4,746 ft
GAINED
3.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Heiko Linnert, Germany
INTRO
Marão West is a 37.9 km (23.5 mi) ride from Amarante, on the Tâmega river at 82 m (269 ft), to 1,394 m (4,573 ft) near the top of the Serra do Marão. The net gain is 1,312 m (4,304 ft), or 1,447 m (4,746 ft) of climbing once the short dips are counted, at a 3.5% average.
It is a very long climb with a very patient profile, and a different test from our Marao East climb, which reaches the same summit area steeply from Fontes. The first 13 km (8.1 mi) are a gentle 2.2% run-in, the road then settles at 4-5% for another 17 km (10.6 mi), and the real work comes late: 2 km at 8.0% around the 33 km mark, with a steepest kilometer of 10.4%. Riders report a quiet road with water fountains over the last 10 km, though the surface is rough in places.
The Serra do Marão is the sixth-highest range in mainland Portugal, with its high point at 1,415 m (4,642 ft). The climb follows the old EN 15 rather than the A4 motorway, which passes beneath the mountain in the Marão Tunnel.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Marão West is 37.9 km (23.5 mi) long, climbing from 82 m (269 ft) to 1,394 m (4,573 ft) at a 3.5% average. Its character is a long, steady build with one short steep section.
Km 0-13 (0-8.1 mi): 2.2%, with a brief 7.6% pitch just after Amarante and a couple of short dips.
Km 13-30 (8.1-18.6 mi): 4.2%, mostly steady at 4-5% and reaching about 6% near km 28.
Km 30-32 (18.6-19.9 mi): a flat stretch, 0.6% on average.
Km 32-34 (19.9-21.1 mi): 8.0%, including the steepest kilometer at about 10.5%.
Km 34-37.9 (21.1-23.5 mi): 3.6% to the summit area.
Km 13-30 (8.1-18.6 mi): 4.2%, mostly steady at 4-5% and reaching about 6% near km 28.
Km 30-32 (18.6-19.9 mi): a flat stretch, 0.6% on average.
Km 32-34 (19.9-21.1 mi): 8.0%, including the steepest kilometer at about 10.5%.
Km 34-37.9 (21.1-23.5 mi): 3.6% to the summit area.
The steepest 500 m average 12.3%, the steepest 1 km 10.4%, the steepest 2 km 8.0%, the steepest 5 km 5.6% and the steepest 10 km 5.1%. Pacing matters more than gearing on a climb this long.
Roadway: The road is paved all the way, but it isn't smooth: expect rough, patched asphalt in places, especially higher up, though a road bike copes. The Marão is exposed, with changeable weather, fog and wind at the top, and snow and ice are possible in winter, so choose your day.
Traffic: Light for a road of this length. The A4 tunnel carries the through traffic, and a rider described the climb as having no traffic at all. Expect more cars in and around Amarante at the start.
Parking: Amarante's historic centre is largely closed to cars and public car parks are limited, so arrive early and leave the car on the edge of town. The start is on the outskirts, a short ride from the bridge over the Tâmega.
Gear: A compact crankset with a 28-30 tooth rear cog is plenty for this climb; the length, not the gradient, is the challenge. Bring a windproof layer for the top at nearly 1,400 m and for the long descent.
Provisions: Stock up in Amarante's cafes and pastry shops before you start, and carry food for the better part of three hours of riding. Riders report water fountains over the last 10 km (6.2 mi), but fill both bottles anyway.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Amarante is worth a day of its own. The landmark is the São Gonçalo bridge over the Tâmega, beside the convent church begun in 1540, and the convent houses the Museu Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, devoted to the modernist painter born in the town. The local sweets are convent-inspired - foguetes, lérias, papos de anjo and brisas do Tâmega - and the Confeitaria da Ponte has been selling them since 1930. The market runs on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and the flat Tâmega Ecopista, a 39 km (24.2 mi) path to Arco de Baúlhe, makes an easy recovery ride. Porto is about 45 minutes away on the A4.
At the top, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Serra stands beside the summit, with views toward Vila Real and the Alvão range. For the eastern approach, the Douro vineyards and Vila Real as a base, see our Marao East page, and for another climb nearby, our Senhora da Graca climb starts at Mondim de Basto. To plan a multi-climb trip in northern Portugal, see other climbs nearby with our Routes in the Area tool.
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