Monção e Melgaço Granfondo

The Monção e Melgaço Granfondo, an amateur cycling event held in September in Alto Minho, Portugal's far north, draws its identity from Monção and Melgaço. Participants can select from three routes: a 57 km minifondo, a 93 km mediofondo, and a 123 km granfondo. This event takes place in the homeland of Alvarinho wine. Its border location offers a cross-border excursion into Spain, complementing the typical granfondo elements of distance, elevation gain, and local roads. The routes traverse the River Minho landscape and the villages surrounding Monção. The minifondo route is largely flat, with the exception of the 7 km climb to Pomares, averaging 4.3%. Mediofondo and granfondo participants face the more challenging ascent to Fiães, a village predating Portugal, before proceeding through Tangil, Merufe, and Longos Vales. Beyond Longos Vales, the longest route heads towards Sago, Anhões, Luzio, Abedim, Barroças, and Taias. It then encounters the Senhor do Bonfim climb, an 8.5 km ascent at a 4% gradient in the final section. The finish line is situated in the old Monção railway station square, adjacent to defensive walls linked to historical conflicts with Castile.