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Get in the saddle every morning, become familiar with the fresh air of the mountains, and see your energy take you to new places. Ride quiet back roads and meet like-minded pilgrims in small towns where centuries of history and tradition are uncovered.
Make it to your hotel at the end of the day to sample the authentic flavors from the region and sip white or red wine made from the vineyards at your doorstep.
Arrive in Santiago having treasured every moment of the journey. Support from your experienced Bike Spain guides and the Bike Spain van equips you for a carefree Camino de Santiago by bike.
Day 1: Leon
Accommodation: Parador de León
Today you make your own way to the lovely city of León, once an important religious center along the Camino de Santiago and now a bustling university town. There are numerous trains that leave from Madrid daily. The trip by train takes approximately 3 hours or take our private transfer from Madrid or a plane from Barcelona.
Once in Leon, be sure to make time to visit the city’s famous Santa Maria de Regla Cathedral, renowned for its 125 awesome stained-glass windows, and admire the equally impressive Romanesque Basilica of San Isidro with its gorgeously frescoed pillars and ceilings. This evening, you’ll meet up with your local guides and head out for a drink and an enlightening overview of the object of your week’s discovery: the legendary 800-km trail leading to Saint James the Apostle’s tomb. In the Middle Ages, the Camino de Santiago was the third most important Christian pilgrimage destination, after Jerusalem and Rome. The grueling journey was meant to mimic the ordeals of Christian martyrs and today some 200,000 pilgrims still complete variations of the historic journey each year, inspired not only by their religious beliefs but also by curiosity and adventure.
Day 2: Leon – Villafranca el Bierzo
Route: 55.3km
Elevation: +476m
Accommodation: Palacio de Canedo
We begin the morning with a van transfer (approx. 40 min) to the town of Astorga, famous for the Archbishops’ Palace (designed by Antoní Gaudí, creator of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia) and the Cathedral, and their flavorful chocolate.
Our ride will begin in Rabanal del Camino where we’ll ride to the highest point on the Camino, el Cruz de Ferro, or Iron Cross. There are several theories about how Cruz de Ferro came to be on the Camino. There are several theories regarding the origin and symbolism of the cross. Among the more practical reasons, it has been claimed that the cross was erected to guide pilgrims on the Camino Frances – particularly in the winter months when the route can be obscured by snow.
Other historians have suggested that the cross originates from Roman times. Since the 11th century, however, the cross has been a key feature on the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims traditionally carry a rock with them from the start of their journey, before leaving the rock at the foot of the cross. The stones left are to symbolize you leaving all your burdens behind.
From the cross there is a stunning twelve-kilometer descent to Molinaseca and through to Ponferrada. After visiting the Templar Castle in Ponferrada, we’ll travel by van to the town of Villafranca del Bierzo, where we’ll stay at the renovated mansion of Palacio de Canedo. In the evening you will visit a Winery (name to be advised).
Day 3: Villafranca – Monforte de Lemos
Route: 38.1km
Elevation: +277m
Accommodation: Parador Monforte de Lemos
This stage of the Camino is considered to be the most difficult by Camino riders, who regularly share survival stories of how they managed to climb up to the peak of O Cebreiro. You don’t have to ride that section – the minivan is there for the sections just like this. Plus, it’s worth saving your energy for the brake-burning 25 km descent that follows. After visiting the restored village and mountaintop chapel at O Cebreiro, we’ll get on the bikes and enjoy the downhill ride to the town of Triacastela. We’ll ride through (and visit) the Monastery of Saint Julian in Samos, then trace our way along back country roads through pine and eucalyptus forests, away from the main Camino route and pedal through to Sarria, where we’ll have our lunch break at a restaurant in Sil Canyon.
From Sarria we will transfer by van to our historically converted luxury Parador (hotel) in Monforte de Lemos which is well-known for its regional red wine.
Day 4: Monforte de Lemos – Baiona
Route: 48 km
Elevation: +690m
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
Today will begin with a van transfer to the Galicia coastal town of Baoina (approx 2 hrs). From Baiona we will begin the Portugese Way of the Camino. Baiona’s most attractive streets are set around the bay, which open up next to the mouth of Miñor River. It was here that the La Pinta moored in 1493, the first caravel to reach port after the voyage of discovery to the New World.
Once in Baiona we ride through the Santa Tecla mountains and take in the beautiful views. In the evening the group can enjoy an exciting paella cooking class. Our hotel for the night, Parador of Baiona, is part of a fantastic, traditional Galician mansion and boasts impressive views of the sea. We will have dinner at the hotel overlooking the ocean.
Day 5: Baiona
Accommodation: Parador de Baiona
Daytrip to Cies Islands National Park
The fifth day of the tour includes a trip to Cies Islands. In the morning we bike around Baiona to visit the main tourist attractions and afterwards we jump on a ferry to the Cies Islands, well known for its crystal clear waters and panoramic views. These islands, a refuge for pirates back in the day, are currently an uninhabited paradise. There are no cars, no hotels, and they restrict the number of visitors per day. A boat is booked for you, please see here all details about Elan Impression 45: https://www.elan-yachts.com/en/yacht-lines/impression-line/elan-impression-45
After having enjoyed the islands, we will have time to rest back in our hotel Parador de Baiona. We’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Baiona – Santiago de Compostela
Route: 36 km
Elevation: +523 m
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago
To finish from the Portuguese Camino, we will have a transfer out of Baiona to Portonovo (a small town in Pontevedra province). Portonovo is a small coastal town located in the Rías Baixas wine region of Galicia. From Portonovo, we begin the route passing by Cambados, a fishermen village inhabited by Celts settlements in 5 and 6 AD. We will keep cycling through various wineries and eventually stop for a visit of one of the well-known wineries to try Galician wine. We booked for you Granbazan Winery, please check more details here: https://www.bodegasgranbazan.com/en/. After lunch, we will be transferred to the Parador de Santiago, where we will share our experiences and joy with fellow pilgrims in Plaza Obradoiro.
Day 7: Finesterre
Route: 36 km
Elevation: +523 m
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago
We’ll head to the Galician coast. Finesterre was thought to be where the world ended when the sun set on the horizon over the Atlantic. It has remained significant over the centuries for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Surrounded by brilliant blue waters and an authentic fishing village, Finesterre and its lighthouse is the km 0 of the Camino. It is a valuable reward to end your trip here. We’ll take a coastal bike ride and have lunch overlooking the water.
Day 8: Departure
Whether your plan is to return home or continue your travels in Europe, Santiago is a great departure point. Its small international airport is very well connected to Spanish destinations and to nearby European cities like London and Paris. After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to our Camino adventure.
Parador de León GL San Marcos
Located in Leon’s historical center, directly in the heart of one of the most impressive Roman complexes of the Peninsula.
The convent of San Marcos is one of the greatest architectural gems of the Spanish town of Leon, together with the Cathedral, the San Isidoro Basilica or the Casa Botines. It has now become a Parador and is one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
Palacio de Canedo
A place to rest and disconnect with rustic decoration.
This 14-room guesthouse is a breath of fresh air just off the Camino. The onsite winery and canning facilities are well worth the visit. Each rooms is uniquely decorated and themed making for a cozy stay amongst pilgrims and travelers alike.
Parador de Monforte de Lemos
The historic site of San Vicente do Pino is located in the uppermost part of the town of Monforte de Lemos.
San Vicente do Pino Monastery and the palace of the counts of Lemos houses the Parador de Monforte. The monastery dates back to the 9th century, although the current structure was built in the 17th century in the neoclassical style.
Parador de Baiona
Al sur de las Rías Baixas, se alza la península de Monterreal, donde aguarda el Parador de Baiona.
La elegancia es una característica clave de cada habitación del Parador. Ofrece amplias habitaciones con vistas al mar y una espectacular escalera de piedra en la entrada. Un ambiente íntimo, una decoración exquisita y unos cuidados jardines hacen de éste un lugar verdaderamente único.
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
The Parador de Santiago is a blend of history, art and tradition. It is the emblem of the city and the prefect nights rest for pilgrims.
The hotel is located in Obradoiro Square near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals of the world. A stay at this Parador means a visit to a truly unique and exclusive location.
