The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, is a journey that has been undertaken since almost 12 centuries ago by pilgrims that came then from every corner of Europe. It is a route with so many attractions that it should undoubtedly be included in every bike rider’s wish list. In the present day, the itinerary goes far beyond its religious original meaning.
In its almost 800 kilometers, or 497 miles through the country, the route will change constantly, going through different regions and diverse Spanish provinces. Following the “yellow arrow” that indicates the right way, the road will take you to amazing places, discovering old and fascinating churches and breathtaking landscapes.
It will also give you the chance to try the tasty and diverse gastronomy and wines of all the regions the route goes through. Those reasons will make it an exciting trip. The great feeling of arriving at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral will be a memory to take with you forever. It will certainly be a moment to appreciate and understand the deep spiritual sense you have probably heard about.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day
On day one, you will have free time to enjoy Pamplona, the city of the San Fermin Festival and world-famous bull runs. You will be picked up at the train station or airport and be taken to your hotel. Later, you should obtain your pilgrim card with time enough to discover the ancient city that serves as host of the renowned San Fermín Bull Runs and Festival.
Day 2: Pamplona to Puente la Reina (43 miles / 69 kilometers – 728 meters / 2,388 feet)
The route will begin, so will the emotions. The moment of departure will arrive with the transfer to Roncesvalles. On the ancient collegiate church, you will start pedaling. The first part of the route will take you by emblematic Basque villages and houses in the middle of the woods.
After that, Pamplona, and then a short climb with a monument to pilgrims at the top. The day will end in Puente la Reina. The fortified town with an impressive Romanic bridge will host you to end the first and exciting day.
Day 3: Puente la Reina to Viana (37 miles / 59 kilometers – 1,045 meters / 3,428 feet)
On day three, you will travel to the historical Estella and more ancient cities by a rolling and beautiful landscape to enjoy. Even though you still are in Navarra, the landscape will change. The route will definitely be more challenging, so you will have to pace yourself.
The historical village of Estella and a wine fountain a little bit further down the path will delight you. In Los Arcos, you will be amazed by the magnificence of its church. The stage ends in Viana, at a palace from the 17th Century turned into a comfortable hotel where you will get your well-deserved rest.
Day 4: Viana to Santo Domingo de la Calzada (37 miles / 59 kilometers – 657 meters / 2,156 feet)
The way will enter into the renowned wine region of La Rioja with lots of historical sites to enjoy. Your “pilgrimage” will continue and you will change regions for the first time. La Rioja, the world-famous region renowned for its exceptional wine, will welcome you with its lovely countryside full of vineyards and colors.
You will go across its capital, Logroño, later during the day, and you will take a break at the beautiful town of Nájera. The trail will take you up to the old town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada where you will spend the night in a former pilgrims’ hospital of the 13th Century.
Day 5: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Burgos (43 miles / 69 kilometers – 751 meters / 2,464 miles)
Castile will welcome you with much to discover and will be eager to amaze you. On day five, you will enter the largest region of the Camino de Santiago, the historic Castilla-León, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Spain and its main language, Castilian or Spanish.
It is the third region of the route. It is a quiet and rather uninhabited area but the ratio of historical places is unrivaled. Castilla-León is the region of the world with more UNESCO World Heritage Sites that says it all!
You will go past the inspiring Monastery of San Juan de Ortega after traversing the magnificent Montes de Oca woods. The day’s journey and the trip will end in Burgos. The monumental city boasts one of the most important gothic cathedrals in Europe and so much more!
Day 6: Burgos to Palencia (50 miles / 81 kilometers - 457 meters / 1,499 feet)
On day six, the route will get more flat so you can concentrate on the peace and beauty around you. For the next two days, the route will be much easier to cycle. You will find just a few towns and a few people, a perfect situation to concentrate on the inspiring Castilian landscape and take it all in.
Castrojeriz, the short but intense climb to the Alto de Mostelares with its endless views, and the stunning Romanic church of San Martín de Tours de Frómista will be some of the highlights of the stage. Your hotel for the day is placed in a historical monastery from 10th Century where many royal events took place.
Day 7: Palencia to the city of Leon (56 miles / 90 kilometers - 377 kilometers / 1,237 feet)
From the Castillian province, you will travel onward but the peaceful landscape will remain until you arrive in the historical city of Leon. Castilla is an enchanting region because of the abundant amount of history that awaits you in every corner. It will probably be there where you will feel the magic of the Camino more intensely.
At the ancient Sahugún, you will leave the Province of Palencia to enter into the last of the Castilian provinces, León. The name was originally given to its capital where you will finish the day’s journey. In the city, you will enjoy countless historic and picturesque places such as its world famous gothic cathedral and the Plaza Mayor or the main square.
Day 8: León to Astorga (31 miles / 50 kilometers - 270 meters / 886 feet)
After leaving León, the route will take you to Hospital de Órbigo which you will enter through its awesome ancient bridge. You will then head to Astorga to reach the end of the short ride.
Given the fact that you should arrive early in the day, if you wish, Iberrides Tours recommends you to have a special lunch to try the most typical dish of the area, an ancient and delicious recipe that has been welcoming pilgrims for ages, the Cocido Maragato. After lunch, you will have time to leisurely enjoy all the impressive historical town has to offer.
Day 9: Astorga to Villafranca del Bierzo (47 miles / 76 kilometers - 837 meters / 2,746 feet)
The landscape will get greener and more rolling with two remarkable stops on your way. After some relaxed days, on day five, you will challenge yourself, climbing to the highest point of the Camino, La Cruz de Ferro. Then, the path will lead you to El Bierzo, another fantastic winemaking area.
The old town of Ponferrada, with its imposing castle, will amaze you for sure. At the end of the day, the quaint town of Villafranca del Bierzo will welcome you for your overnight stay. The day will be demanding but definitely rewarding!
Day 10: Villafranca del Bierzo to Sarria (40 miles / 65 kilometers - 1,213 meters / 3,980 feet)
On day 10, you will leave Castile and enter the last region of the Camino. You will enter into the fascinating Galicia where almost everything becomes different. The segment will welcome you with the toughest climb of the entire trip. Iberrides Tours can get a taxi for you if you feel that you need a little lift!
Though challenging, the place really is worth the effort. After that segment, some lush woods will show you all their charm and beauty. The day will end in Sarria, at a cozy hotel located by the Sarria River. The relaxing summer swimming pool will help you rest and recover from the day’s activities.
Day 11: Sarria to Galicia (45 miles / 73 kilometers - 1,171 meters / 3,842 feet)
On day 11, you will encounter lush woods, the amazing monastery of Samos, and the magical Galician hilly landscape. During the stretch of the trip, you will probably encounter the famous fog that nestles between the Galician hills almost every morning. The inspiring views will make for magical, and perhaps even mystical, moments. The appearance of the monastery in Samos will be another great moment of the trip.
You are recommended to stop in Melide to have lunch at a typical restaurant and enjoy one of Galicia’s favorite dishes, the octopus. A manor house of 18th Century located in the middle of the countryside will be the perfect place to relax and get ready for the final day!
Day 12: Galicia to Santiago (28 miles / 45 kilometers - 587 meters / 1,926 feet)
Santiago finally appears in front of you so you can finally enjoy the end of the tour and the arrival moment. The experience has taken you to a successful end! The route will be shorter, though very similar to that of the last days. Santiago is so close that your thoughts might wonder ahead.
The arrival to the Cathedral of Santiago will be an unforgettable moment that will remind you why you decided to make the journey in the first place. If there were any hard moments throughout the journey, that one will definitely make up for it. Later in the day, you should pick up your “Compostela,” the certificate that proves that the pilgrimage along the Camino has been completed.
Day 13: Departure day
You will enjoy breakfast and end of the trip. Good luck forever, peregrino!
Intermediate
- can cycle for 3-4 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents
Advanced
- can cycle for 5-6 hours
- extensive riding experience
- assistance on demand (if required)
- experienced with riding a variety of bicycles
- comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions
