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

From Valladolid, Oviedo or Madrid airport, you travel by public transport to Léon. Hopefully, you might have time to visit the cathedral, a masterpiece of the Gothic style. 

After the rental bikes have been delivered, tested and adjusted, you start with a gentle ride of 48km through the plains of Castille to Astorga, a town of Roman origin, where the Camino crosses the Via de la Plata. In this fortified town, Gaudi built the archbishop’s palace in modernist style.

Challenge: 48 km, 250 m ascent

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

Testing of bikes and legs as you cycle from Astorga (at 880m altitude) through the hills of the Bierzo area to the Cruz de Fierro (at almost 1507m altitude) and then down to the village of Molinaseca. Most desolated rural area of the entire Camino, but there are small villages with some café’s. 

Challenge: 49 km, 850 m ascent 

Villages along the way: Cruz de Fierro

A relaxing day of only 30 km to the city of Vilafranca del Bierzo. On your way you pass Ponferrada, which was also founded by the Romans because they exploited coal mines in the nearby hills. The most impressive historic monument is, without any doubt, the Templar Castle of 8000 square meters, built in the 12th century. After Ponferrada you cycle through an ondulated area to Villafranca del Bierzo, an important gate way to Galicia. 

Challenge: 30 km, 260 m ascent

Villlages along the way: Ponferrada, Cacabelos

Today the toughest climb of the entire Camino awaits as you cycle into Galicia; first along the old national road and then 6km steeply up along a dirt road to O Cebreiro (this section can be avoided by following the old national road to the pass Pedrafita and then follow a tarmac road to Cebreiro). O Cebreiro is a remarkable and emblematic village, full of legends and stories related to the Camino. It has a Romanesque church from the 11th century. Your hotel is just next door.

Challenge: 29 km, 800 m ascent

Villages along the way: Vega de Valcárcel, Las Herrerías

Today you start with a short ascent, but then you will have the next 35km mostly downhill through dense woods and the lush green Galician countryside. On your way today, the Monastery of Samos, which was founded in the 6th century but was continuously renovated (in the 18th century for the last time). 

Challenge: 47 km, 200 m ascent

Villages along the way: Fonfría, Triacastela

During this long day, you will accomplish a total ascent of 600 m, but never more then 200m on one climb; often less. The landscape is rural and entertaining; continuously changing and with plenty of villages, café’s and restaurants where you can share experiences with fellow pilgrims. To reach the charming rural hotel for tonight you’ll have to make a small detour near Palas de Rei. 

Challenge: 52 km, 600 m ascent

Villages along the way: Portomarín, Hospital da Cruz

A gentle and ‘ondulating’ day as you cycle from one village to the next, all focussed on diary production and services for pilgrims. Again, you will stay at a very charming rural hotel, in a typical Galician manor house; a so called Pazo.

Challenge: 31 km, 400 m ascent

Villages along the way: Melide, Ribadixo da Baixo

A ‘glorious’ day as you will finally reach the “Puerta del Perdón” of Santiago’s cathedral. The standard route goes via the airport and the Monte del Gozo through the outskirts of town. If you prefer a more scenic route, you cycle via Touro (50km). 

Challenge: 40 km, 310 m ascent

Villages along the way: A Rua, Lavacolla

After breakfast your cycling tour ends.