Bike Tour: Way of Saint James: From León to Santiago - 10 days

Travel to León by public transport from the airport in Valladolid, Oviedo or Madrid. Take time to see the spectacular cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, and sample the delicacies in El Humedo, the city's tasty tapas district. 

After arriving in León, we recommend spending time exploring this historic city. Situated in the heart of the Spain Meseta (high plateau), León was once the centre of Christian Spain, at a time when two thirds of the peninsula were under Muslim rule. The city´s great Gothic cathedral and the equally superb Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro ar among the finest examples of their architectural style to be found in Spain.

Challenge: 48km / 30mill, 360 m ascent / 332m descent

Villages along the way: S. Martín del Camino, Hospital de Órbigo

As you leave Astorga, the scenery takes a dramatic change, from the expansive high plateau of la Meseta, towards the rolling landscapes of the Bierzo Mountains. Your route will take you through Castrillo de los Polvazares, one of the finest Medieval villages in Castille, before ascending higher into hills to reach the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross). This is the highest point of the Camino at an altitude of 1482 metres. As one of the most significant points on the route, pilgrims have been leaving stone offerings here for centuries, in the hope that they would offer protection fot the rest of the pilgrimage. In good weather, you are likely to be able to see the mountains of Galicia for the first time in the distance. From here, it is mainly downhill to the small village of Molinaseca, where you will spend the night.

Challenge: 47km / 29mill, 642m ascent / 929m descent

Villages along the way: Cruz de Fierro

Today´s more leisurely ride heads for the city of Vilafranca del Bierzo, an importante gateway to Galicia. En route , you will pass through Ponferrada, another town founded by the Roman gold mining industry and home to an impressive 12th Century Templar castle wich occupies an area no less than 8000 square metres. Tonight´s hotel acommodation is ideally located in Villafranca del Bierzo´s pretty and historic town square. On the ground floor, you will find the oldest pharmacy in Spain, wich has been converted into a museum. 

Challenge: 32km / 20mill, 340m ascent / 412descent

Villlages along the way: Ponferrada, Cacabelos

Today´s ride into Galicia is small on distance but big on gradients as you face a six-kilometre climb up a dirt road to your night stop in O Cebreiro. If you prefer, this steep climb can be avoided by following the old national road to the Pass Pedrafita and then taking the tamarc road to O Cebreiro. Sitting high above a patchwork quilt of green valleys, O Cebreiro is a remarkable and emblematic village, full of legends and stories related to the Camino. The Village is famous for its 'pallozas' ( traditional circular thatch), roofed houses. It´s impressive Romanesque church dates from the 11th Century. Your hotel is just next door.

Challenge: 29km / 18mill, 779m ascent / 0m descent

Villages along the way: Vega de Valcárcel, Las Herrerías

After an initial short ascent, today´s ride is mostly downhill. Deep in the rural heart of Galicia, the scenery takes on a mantle of lush vegetation, ancient forests and small rural hamlets. Cycling through the village of Samos, you may choose to stop and visit the delightful Benedictine monastery (one of the most important in Galicia) Although founded in the 6th Century, it was continuously reformed until the 18th Century. From here, you will pedal on you nightstop in Sarria ( Galicia´s principal town). Situated on a hilltop with a river on either side, the town commands great views of the region.

Challenge: 47km / 29mill, 220m ascent / 1059m ascent

Villages along the way: Fonfría, Triacastela

On today´s ride, you will accomplish a total ascent of 1135 metres, but this will be spread out over several climbs of no more than 200 metres at a time. The rural landscape that you cycle through is an ever-changing scenery dotted with tiny villages that makes for a wonderful day of cycling. Accommodation tonight in Palais de Rei or at a farmhouse 8km away.

Challenge: 47-55 km/ 29-34mill, 1135-794m ascent/ 1025-747m descent.

Villages along the way: Portomarín, Hospital da Cruz

Today´s ride is gentle and undulating day as you cycle from one village to another. Diary production is the main industry in this area, althought the pilgrimage trade is also important. At our night stop in Arzúa, we can loog forward to more characterful acommodation. Here, our hotel is a converted traditional Galician manor house, known as a Pazo.

Challenge: 29km / 18mill, 399m ascent / 565m descent

Villages along the way: Melide, Ribadixo da Baixo

Your final day´s cycling sees the landscape flatten for your last push to Santiago. You will peddle through the outskirts of Santiago and via the famous Monte del Gozo. This hill translates as the 'Hill of Joy' as it is the place where pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral.

Cycling into the heart of Santiago, you journey ends at the gates of the 12th Century Baroque cathedral that towers over the surrounding city streets and is one of Christendom´s holiest shrines. Indeed, after Jerusalem and Rome, this city was once the most important place of pilgrimage anywhere in the Christian world. The tomb of St. James is believed to lie in the crypt beneath the cathedral altar, part of the original 9th Century foundations of  an earlier basilica. After checking into your hotel, you may choose to explore more of Santiago on foot. Alternatively, you may prefer to relax with a well-earned glass of something, reflecting on the incredible journey you have undertaken in the footsteps of so many before you.

Challenge: 39 km / 24mill, 603m ascent / 734m descent

Villages along the way: A Rua, Lavacolla

Your cycling tour comes to an end today after breakfast. Travel home from Galicia or, if you have booked extra nights, continue exploring Santiago.