Portugal Journey - Valencia to Faro

This north-south aerial adventure takes you along Portugal’s stunning Atlantic coastline.

 

Beginning at the tiny Aeródromo de Cerval, located in the countryside just inland of the sea at the far northern end of Portugal, you’ll ply the coastline all the way to the country’s southern extremity.

You’ll explore all that this part of the Iberian Peninsula offers, including modern cities, tiny hamlets, and a full range of natural creations.

 

Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a 'Back on Track' button on the VFR Map -- however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.

See trip in Skyvector

Total Legs: 6     Total Distance: 487     Total Time(125kts): 3 hours 53 minutes

 

Leg 1

Aerodromo Do Cerval to Francisco Sa Carneiro

Leg Distance: 49.3     Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

Aerodromo Do Cerval(LPVA) to Rio Mino(POI1)

Distance: 3.79NM     Bearing: 242°     2 minutes

 

After lifting off from Aeródromo do Cerval, head to the southwest, to Rio Miño, which forms the northern border of Portugal with Spain.

 

Rio Mino(POI1) to Vila Praia de Ancora(POI2)

Distance: 8.96NM     Bearing: 214°     4 minutes

 

Continue to the southwest, to Vila Praia de Âncora, which lies on the Atlantic coast.

 

Vila Praia de Ancora(POI2) to Rio Lima Estuary(POI3)

Distance: 7.65NM     Bearing: 169°     4 minutes

 

Just south of Vila Praia de Âncora is the Rio Lima Estuary, where the Rio Lima, which crosses northern Portugal, meets the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Rio Lima Estuary(POI3) to Parque Natural do Litoral Norte(POI4)

Distance: 7.08NM     Bearing: 184°     3 minutes

 

Continue southward along the Atlantic coast to Parque Natural do Litoral Norte, which protects the dunes, dune grasses, and wildlife of the coastline.

 

Parque Natural do Litoral Norte(POI4) to Esposende(POI5)

Distance: 3.37NM     Bearing: 143°     2 minutes

 

Follow the coast to the southeast to visit the small city of Esposende.

 

Esposende(POI5) to Povoa de Varzim(POI6)

Distance: 9.29NM     Bearing: 174°     4 minutes

 

Póvoa de Varzim, a coastal city, lies nearly due south of Esposende.

 

Povoa de Varzim(POI6) to Francisco Sa Carneiro(LPPR)

Distance: 9.16NM     Bearing: 159°     4 minutes

 

Land at Porto Airport, which lies to the south-southeast of Póvoa de Varzim.

 

Leg 2

Francisco Sa Carneiro to Coimbra

Leg Distance: 73.59     Approximate time at 125kts: 35 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

Francisco Sa Carneiro(LPPR) to Rio Douro(POI7)

Distance: 5.56NM     Bearing: 163°     3 minutes

 

Once in the air again, head to the south-southeast to Rio Douro, the most powerful river (by flow rate) in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Rio Douro(POI7) to Valborn(POI8)

Distance: 3.44NM     Bearing: 107°     2 minutes

 

From Rio Douro, head east-southeast to Valbom, a small community located on the Rio Douro that is known for its fishing and crafts.

 

Valborn(POI8) to Crestuma(POI9)

Distance: 4.91NM     Bearing: 144°     2 minutes

 

From Valbom, fly southeast to Crestuma, a city on the southern bank of the Rio Douro.

 

Crestuma(POI9) to Santa Maria de Feira(POI10)

Distance: 8.57NM     Bearing: 194°     4 minutes

 

Head south-southwest to Santa Maria de Feira, an ancient crossroads that is home to the Castle of Santa Maria de Feira, a notable landmark.

 

Santa Maria de Feira(POI10) to Estarreja(POI11)

Distance: 10.37NM     Bearing: 188°     5 minutes

 

South of Santa Maria de Feira lies Estarreja, a small city just inland a number of estuaries.

 

Estarreja(POI11) to Aveiro(POI12)

Distance: 7.77NM     Bearing: 210°     4 minutes

 

Continue to the southwest to the city of Aveiro, known as the "Portuguese Venice" due to the large network of canals in the city.

 

Aveiro(POI12) to Mealhada(POI13)

Distance: 18.18NM     Bearing: 151°     9 minutes

 

Turn to the southeast once past Aveiro, heading inland, to reach the city of Mealhada.

 

Mealhada(POI13) to Coimbra(POI14)

Distance: 10.82NM     Bearing: 169°     5 minutes

 

South-southeast of Mealhada lies Coimbra, the fourth largest population center in Portugal, and a region known for its stunning architecture.

 

Coimbra(POI14) to Coimbra(LPCO)

Distance: 3.97NM     Bearing: 227°     2 minutes

 

Turn to the southwest at Coimbra and land at Coimbra Airport, a small airfield.

 

Leg 3

Coimbra to Santa Cruz

Leg Distance: 107.98     Approximate time at 125kts: 52 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

Coimbra(LPCO) to Figueira da Foz(POI15)

Distance: 17.78NM     Bearing: 270°     9 minutes

 

Once back in the air, head due west, to Figueira da Foz, a city that lies at the midpoint of the Iberian Peninsula's Atlantic coast.

 

Figueira da Foz(POI15) to Pombal(POI16)

Distance: 17.48NM     Bearing: 145°     8 minutes

 

At the coast, turn to the southeast, heading inland to the city of Pombal.

 

Pombal(POI16) to Fatima(POI17)

Distance: 17.33NM     Bearing: 187°     8 minutes

 

South of Pombal lies the city of Fátima.

 

Fatima(POI17) to Nazare(POI18)

Distance: 18.48NM     Bearing: 266°     9 minutes

 

Once past Fátima, head west to the coast again, to visit the city of Nazaré, a famous tourist destintion and heart of the "Silver Coast" of Portugal.

 

Nazare(POI18) to Alcobaca(POI19)

Distance: 5.33NM     Bearing: 129°     3 minutes

 

From the cost, turn to the southeast, heading inland, to visit the historic city of Alcobaça.

 

Alcobaca(POI19) to Obidos(POI20)

Distance: 13.93NM     Bearing: 218°     7 minutes

 

From Alcobaça, set a course to the southwest, and fly over the town of Óbidos, which lies just inland of the Atlantic coast.

 

Obidos(POI20) to Santa Cruz(LPSC)

Distance: 17.65NM     Bearing: 217°     8 minutes

 

Continue flying to the southwest and land at Santa Cruz Airfield, a small single-runway facility just inland of the Atlantic shoreline.