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Pilgrim cycling in Way of Saint James
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Cycling days
Way of Saint James: From León to Santiago
Way of Saint James: From León to Santiago
hybrid :
Duration :
10 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
ESSB025
Way of Saint James Nature History Green Spain Cultura
Price in double room from: € 1.020
Way of Saint James: From León to Santiago
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Pedalling on the pilgrimage route

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

Embark on a cycling pilgrimage and follow St James’ Way from León to Santiago’s Gothic cathedral, doing a total of eight stages with an average of 41 km per day. Strike out across the vast plains of central Spain, where Castilla envelops you in wheat and sunflowers. Then move into greener territory, as Galicia swirls round you in rolling hills and colourful vineyards. All the while, the Camino stretches west in an endless chain of monasteries, chapels and tiny hamlets, all seemingly lost in time. Replenish both body and soul along the way with richly diverse cuisine and join fellow pilgrims for a joyful arrival at your final destination: Santiago de Compostela

E-bikes are available on this tour!

The Way of Saint James
Route
Day 1: Arrival in León
Day 2: From León to Astorga (48km / 29,8mill)
Day 3: From Astorga to Molinaseca (47km / 29,2mill)
Day 4: From Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo ( 32km / 19,8mill)
Day 5: From Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro (29km / 18mill)
Day 6: From O Cebreiro to Sarria (47km / 29,2mill)
Day 7: From Sarria to Palas de Rei (47-55km / 29,2-34,1mill)
Day 8: From Palas de Rei to Arzúa (29km / 18mill)
Day 9: From Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela (39km / 24,2mill)
Day 10: End of arrangement

Day 1:    Arrival in León

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. 

Day 2:    From León to Astorga (48km / 29,8mill)
48 km

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 / 29,8mill, 465 m ascent / 430m descent

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

Day 3:    From Astorga to Molinaseca (47km / 29,2mill)
47 km

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 / 29,2mill, 840m ascent / 1125m descent

Villages along the way: Cruz de Fierro

Day 4:    From Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo ( 32km / 19,8mill)
32 km

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 / 19,8mill, 455m ascent / 530 descent

Villlages along the way: Ponferrada, Cacabelos

Day 5:    From Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro (29km / 18mill)
29 km

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, 1215m ascent/ 445descent

Villages along the way: Vega de Valcárcel, Las Herrerías

Day 6:    From O Cebreiro to Sarria (47km / 29,2mill)
47 km

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 / 29,2mill, 775m ascent / 1610m ascent

Villages along the way: Fonfría, Triacastela

Day 7:    From Sarria to Palas de Rei (47-55km / 29,2-34,1mill)
55 km

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/ 29,2-34,1mill, 1135-1240m ascent/ 1025-1195m descent.

Villages along the way: Portomarín, Hospital da Cruz

Day 8:    From Palas de Rei to Arzúa (29km / 18mill)
29 km

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, 605m ascent / 770m descent

Villages along the way: Melide, Ribadixo da Baixo

Day 9:    From Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela (39km / 24,2mill)
39 km

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 / 24,2mill, 790m ascent / 920m descent

Villages along the way: A Rua, Lavacolla

Day 10:    End of arrangement

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

Accommodation

The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked. 

Extra nights: Extra nights can be booked at any accommodation along the way.

Hotel Real Colegiata
Hotel Real Colegiata (León)

Located in the old town of León, in the very heart of one of the most outstanding Romanesque complexes in the whole peninsula. The Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro: a perfect place to start the St. James Way, offering its guests an experience difficult to forget.

www.hotelrealcolegiata.com

Hotel Alda Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)
Hotel Alda Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)

Modern and elegant hotel overlooking the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and next to the Bonaval park. It is located in a very quiet area and a step away from the historic center and the area with atmosphere and a wide range of restaurants.

Hotel Alda Bonaval

Hotel Alda Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)

 

 
Posada Real Casa de Tepa
Posada Real Casa de Tepa (Astorga)

 A Hotel located strategically in the heart of Astorga, in front of the cathedral. This monumental building was transformed into a hotel trying to maintain its unique and historical architecture, adding all the services and comfort of a modern accommodation. It has a large 19th century style garden, a library, a playoom and several lounges.

www.casadetepa.com

Hostal El Palacio (Molinaseca)
Hostal El Palacio (Molinaseca)

This Hostel located in Molinaseca was recently renovated. The building used to be called “La Casona de Don Pelegrín”, and the legend says that the Queen Urraca slept in the building when she travelled to Galicia. 

www.casaelpalacio.com

Hotel Posada Villafranca Plaza
Hotel Posada Villafranca Plaza (Villafranca del Bierzo)

Located in the main square in Villafranca del Bierzo, this hotel has been renovated taking care of every detail, using noble materials such as marble and fine woods. History and avant-garde blend perfectly in this hotel. 

www.villafrancaplaza.com

Hotel O Cebreiro (Piedrafita do Cebreiro)
Hotel O Cebreiro (Piedrafita do Cebreiro)

O Cebreiro hotel is located in a building rehabilitated in 2002 that previously had served as a jail and town hall. It has cafeteria and restaurant and a craft shop where clinets can get a souvenir of their stay.

https://www.hotelcebreiro.com

Hotel Restaurante Roma (Sarriá)
Hotel Restaurante Roma (Sarriá)

This hotel founded in 1930 is located in a quiet area in the town of Sarria, offering relax to the pilgrim in its comfortable rooms and a nice restaurant.

www.hotelroma1930.es

A Parada Das Bestas (Pidre)
A Parada Das Bestas (Pidre)

A charming rural hotel that offers its guests a good rest and comfort as well as the best local gastronomy in a beautiful natural environment. Tradition and new cuisine blend in the kitchens of  “A Parada das Bestas” to show the visitor the best Galician dishes using local seasonal products.

www.aparadadasbestas.com

Pazo de Santa María (Arzúa)
Pazo de Santa María (Arzúa)

A historical hotel created in the mid-18th century (founded in 1742). An oasis of tranquility and a welcoming place, ideal to enjoy some relax with family or friends. From here, charged with energy, we can step out to walk the last stages of the Camino de Santiago.

www.pazosantamaria.com

Bikes
  • Bike model:Bergamont vitos/ GT Avalanche/ Orbea Dakar/Peougeut CM22/61/ Stevens tonga/WeedHEAP 2.0
  • Bike Type: MTB//Trekking bikes
  • Gears: 24-27gears
  • Suspension:Suntour locking, recovery, 100mm
  • Frame sizes: Adults; 15" (XS), 17"(S), 19"(M), 22"(L) and 23"(XL)//Kid's bikes

                          Stevens tonga

  • e-bike model: Moustache Samedi/ Univega Vision ELTD
  • Motor: Bosch 250 w
  • Battery: 300-400 wh
  • Autonomy: 60-100 km
  • Components: High-end components

Practical info

9 nights accommodation

Hotels: 3 nights standard, 6 nights comfort

9 breakfasts

4 dinners

Detailed route description and maps

24-hour telephone assistance

Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel

Acces to the trip on our navigation app

  • Single Room Supplement
  • Solo Traveller Supplement
  • Private taxi transfers can be booked from/to any of the recommended airports

Not Included

  • transfer from/to airport
  • bike
  • solo traveller supplement for bike rental (if booked through S-Cape), to be applied separately

Extras

  • Additional nights before, during or after the walk
  • Single Room Supplement(s)
  • Solo Traveller Supplement
  • A private taxi transfer can be booked through S-cape, from/to any of he suggested airports, prices will depend on arrival time and day of the week
  • Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
prices & dates
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Arrival airports: the nearest airport is Oviedo/Asturias airport (OVD) but you can also fly to Madrid-Barajas airport (MAD)

Departure airports: the airports nearest to Santiago are La Coruña airport (LCG) and 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 every 30 minutes 

By public transport to A Coruña airport (Alvedro); Bus from Santiago bus station to A Coruña, with departures every hour. Travel time 1 to 1,5 hours. Service provided by Castromil / Monbus. From A Coruña bus station, you take a city bus to the airport (Line 443). Service provided by Autos Calpita. 

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