Distance:   110 km     Total Ascent:   1,600 metres

Marvão was undoubtedly the best castle yet!  Naturally it was perched at the top of a very high hill – just in time for coffee. 

The 9th century Islamic knight, Ibn Maruán started construction of the castle around 875 and it was continually developed and modified over the next 1000 years.  It was an important military fort, initially for the Muslims, and then for the new Kingdom of Portugal as an essential stronghold for border control and protection against the constant threat of invasion from Spain.

Lovely sweeping descent and then more rural scenes.