Immerse yourself in an iconic experience along the compelling Camino

The Camino de Santiago offers an incredible cycling experience surrounded by the beauty of Spain. You'll find this tour packed with history - pilgrims have walked this route for over 1,000 years, and the way is lined by blissful cathedrals, churches, and quaint old villages. It's a varied tour, offering a change of scenery every day of the trip; the area of Castilla is very different to Galicia from a cultural and scenic point of view. Every day, you'll cast your eyes over the kind of landscapes that linger in the memory for years to come.

This tour begins in the charming city of Leon, 206 miles/332km away from Santiago. You'll cross the impressive open spaces of the Castilian plains, gradually climbing to the highest point of the trip, the 'Iron Cross' (on a 1,505 m peak), that has become one of the abiding symbols of the pilgrim way of St. James. You'll then descend into the fertile valleys of the Bierzo region and, finally, into the green countryside of rural Galicia before Santiago de Compostela appears on the horizon.

As you travel, sample the outstanding food and wines of these splendid regions. The Galicians are especially known for the excellent quality of their sumptuous seafood and tender meat delicacies. When riding and when eating, you may encounter other travelers drawn to the beauty and adventure of the Camino de Santiago, and, so, you can revel in the experience together. Millions of people walk or bike the Camino each year, many on solo adventures, thus the trail has kept much of the feel of community venture that existed for the pilgrims who first encountered these glorious landscapes.

This is an unmissable cycling adventure for those who love to bike and travel. With its unique blend of wonderful experiences, it goes beyond the usual biking vacation!

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Highlights

• León's Gothic Cathedral
• The plains of Castilla
• Roman town of Astorga with its cathedral and Bishop's residence
• Cruz de Ferro, famous pilgrimage landmark
• Ponferrada with its templar's castle
• Samos, home to one of the oldest monasteries in Spain
• Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral

Learn More

Learn more about guided tours or see more Spain bike tours.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Spain.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in León
Arrive at your first hotel in León and join the group. You'll explore the town, get your first stamps on your Pilgrim's Passport, and dine together at a local restaurant. There's time to visit the outstanding Gothic cathedral and enjoy tapas in the lively center of León.

The group will meet the guide at the hotel reception at 7:00 p.m. on the first day of the tour and go together for dinner.

Day 2: León – Astorga (35 miles/56 km)
You'll start cycling through the blissful plains of Castilla, riding through the quaint town of Hospital de Orbigo with its long medieval bridge to reach the Roman town of Astorga. Here, cast your eyes over the grand cathedral and the beautiful Bishop's residence, designed by the world-famous architect Antonio Gaudí.

Day 3: Astorga – Molinaseca (31 miles/50 km)
Today you'll cross your first magnificent mountains and enjoy cycling along quiet backroads replete with stunning scenery. You'll pass the Cruz de Ferro ('Iron Cross'), a site where pilgrims traditionally left a stone brought from their homeland. Feel free to bring your own rock, stone, or pebble and share stories of your homeland with your fellow travelers! You'll then descend into the blissful village of Molinaseca where you'll enjoy a lovely rest and hearty meal in your hotel next to the river.

Day 4: Molinaseca – O'Cebreiro (37 miles/60 km)
Today's ride takes you through the sensational valley of Bierzo. You'll enjoy a visit to the city of Ponferrada, with its picture-perfect Templar's Castle. You'll then cross verdant vineyards where sumptuous local wine is produced on your way to the beautiful town of Villafranca del Bierzo. From here, you'll bike to the border with Galicia, reaching the bottom of the valley via the foothills of Monte de O'Cebreiro. Take a little rest here before the final push to the top of the mountain and the small village of O'Cebreiro. Here, you'll be rewarded with a sensational view of this stunning Spanish valley.

Day 5: O'Cebreiro – Sarria (30 miles/48 km)
Today you'll cycle into the region of Galicia, watching as the landscape changes dramatically around you as you explore an area populated by many traditional agricultural villages. As well as the change in landscape, language and culture, the gastronomy of Galicia is famous for its high-quality ingredients and dishes prepared in simple but delicious ways. Descend into the village of Samos and admire one of the oldest monasteries in Spain, still inhabited by monks! You'll then start cycling through oak, walnut, and chestnut forests to reach Sarria.

Day 6: Sarria – Melide (38 miles/61 km)
From Sarria, ride the lovely cycling miles to Portomarín through rural Galicia, journeying along off-road paths and very secondary roads. Portomarín is a relatively new town by the River Miño that was completely rebuilt after the original town had to make way for a reservoir in the 1960s. The Roman church was even moved, stone by stone! After lunch, you'll start climbing up to a high point before cycling on through the undulating, lush landscapes. Pass through gorgeous rural areas dotted with hamlets as you ride to Melide.

Day 7: Melide – Santiago de Compostela (34 miles/55 km)
Today's itinerary makes the most of your last day of cycling. You'll make your way through the forest and little villages to reach the famous Monte do Gozo. Here, you'll be able to see the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for the first time! From here, it's just 3 more miles (5 km) to the Plaza do O Bradoiro, where the pilgrims celebrated their longed-for arrival in the shadow of the remarkable cathedral.

When you arrive in Santiago, you'll receive your Compostelana - your pilgrimage certificate! During the evening, the group will celebrate its arrival and enjoy the jovial, exciting atmosphere of the city. The hotel you'll spend the night in is very close to the city center, offering a modern and comfortable room for the final night of your tour.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, it's time for individual departures. If you need help with public transport or finding prices for private transfers, let your guides know - they'll be happy to assist you.

Photos

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation in 2- and 3-star hotels
• Daily breakfasts
• Luggage transfers
• English and Spanish speaking guide
• Support vehicle (from 5 clients, For less than 4 clients the service will be provided with taxis)
• Pilgrims Passport

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

The first three days follow quiet secondary roads. The last three days will take place on dirt tracks (50%) and paved roads (50%). You'll have some short technical stretches, which can easily be covered by pushing your bike if you'd prefer.

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Madrid Airport
Nearest train station: León

The easiest way to get to the starting point in León is to fly to Madrid and take a high-speed train to Leon that only takes a little over 2 hours.

Tour end
Nearest airport: Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña Airport

Tips on getting to and from your tour.