This cycling tour follows the St. James Way starting in León, at the entrance of the Gothic Cathedral. The cycling routes have an average distance of 41 km (minimum distance is 29 km and maximum 52 km). The itinerary will take you through the Castillian plains, surrounded by wheat and sunflower fields, until you head into "green" Galicia, where the landscape changes into rolling hills and colourful vineyards. The Camino offers many historical monuments and churches on the way, as well as small hamlets and villages that still seem lost in time. You cannot miss the experience of tasting the rich and traditional local cuisine and lastly enjoying the excitement of arriving with many other pilgrims at your final destination; Santiago de Compostela!
E-bikes are available in this tour!
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.
All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra overnight: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.
Hostel and traditional restaurant located in Piedrafita do Cebreiro
Stevens tonga
9 nights accommodation
3 nights at standard accommodation and 6 nights at comfort accommodation
9 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Luggage transfers from one hotel to the next
Detailed route description and maps package
24/7 hotline (bilingual staff)
GPS tracks are available
Not Included
Extras
Arrival airports: nearest airport is Oviedo/Asturias airport(OVD) but you can also fly to Madrid-Barajas airport (MAD)
Departure airports: nearest airport from Santiago de Compostela are La Coruña airport (LCG) or Santiago de Compostela airport (SCQ)
Arrival in León
By public transport from Asturias airport; Bus from Oviedo (Asturias) airport to León with five or six services daily. Travel time is 3 to 4 hours, and you may have to changes buses in Oviedo or Gijón. See www.alsa.es for further details.
By public transport from Madrid airport; Bus from Madrid-Barajas Airport T4 to León with 4 or 5 services daily. Travel time is 3.5 to 4.5 hours. See www.alsa.es for further details.
Departure from Santiago de Compostela
By public transport to Santiago airport (Lavacolla); Bus from Santiago city centre to Santiago airport, with departures daily every 30 minutes
By public transport to A Coruña airport (Alvedro); Bus from Santiago bus station to A Coruña, with departures every hour. 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. This service is provided by Castromil / Monbus. From A Coruña bus station you take a city bus (Line 443) to the airport. Service provided by Autos Calpita.