Camino de Santiago by handbike • From León to Santiago

Travel to León and check in at your hotel, then check out the city! Start with stunning stained-glass windows at the 12th-13th century gothic Catedral de Santa María. Admire Romanesque reliefs at Basilica de San Isidoro. Ambling across Plaza de San Martín, you’ll be drawn to the humming lanes of Calle Ancha, de la Rúa, Badillo and Las Cercas. Art lovers can meander to the MUSAC Museum of Contemporary Art, while foodies hit the bars in Barrio Húmedo for tasty tapas served with regional reds.

NOTE: This tour can be booked to start in Astorga instead of León

Your Camino adventure begins in Astorga, population 12.000, a strategic town built by the Romans to exploit nearby gold mines. Gawk at the neo-gothic Palace of Gaudí and ‘tryptic’ façade of Santa María Cathedral. Walk ancient walls and sample specialties such as ice cream, puff pastries and chocolate. Next, roll into the mysterious region of La Maragatería with its distinct ethnicity, language and customs. Once a major crossroads on trading routes, the area’s historic past combines well with the curious local dish: a three-course stew where the soup is served last!

Challenge: 17.5 km / 17 mi, 300 m ascent, 100 m descent

Trekking toward Galicia you meet mountainous terrain and one of the main challenges of your pilgrimage. Some segments follow a comfortable path parallel to the road, others wind along country lanes. This stage is perfectly do-able, but you may require the help of your companion at times. It all begins in Villafranca del Bierzo (population 3300), a classic Camino town so linked to the pilgrimage that its nickname is ‘Little Compostela’. Roll alongside the River Valcarce and marvel at oak, holm oak and walnut forests. See why an estimated one third of El Bierzo’s chestnut harvest is said to originate here. And thrill to green scenes in spring or spectacular colours in autumn.

Challenge: 20 km / 12,5 mi, 570 m ascent, 390 m descent

Pilgrims start their countdown to Santiago on this stage as encouraging kilometre markers begin to sprout up. Traversing mixed forests, oak groves and fragrant eucalyptus woods, you’ll encounter a variety of surfaces today: tarmac lanes, surfaced sections and fine gravel tracks which are suitable for handbikes. Melide marks the halfway point, at the crossroads where the historic Original Route (Camino Primitivo) and popular French Route (Camino Frances) come together. Stop at Casa Ezequiel for a steaming cup of Galician-style broth and perfectly prepared octopus (‘pulpo a feira’).

Challenge: 12.7 km / 8 mi, 250 m ascent, 315 m descent

Today’s stage takes wide tracks to pleasant woodlands and typical Galician farmhouses. Stop at Casa Dolores in Outeiro and snap a selfie with thousands of bottles of ‘El Peregrino’ beer. Then enjoy a 7 km / 4,5 mi traverse on up-and-down terrain, as the Camino winds its way on either side of the road. Just before Santa Irene you begin a 4-km descent to O Pedrouzo, where you can rest, relax and replenish your energy with local tapas.

Challenge: 14.6 km / 9 mi, 265 m ascent, 380 m descent

Today is a grand day, your long-awaited arrival on the immense square at Plaza de Obradoiro. The initial section follows a surfaced road in gradual ascent to the famous hilltop at Monte do Gozo, a ‘sacred spot’ which seems to be mismatched with your inward journey. Yet one can still imagine the joy ancient pilgrims must have felt as they caught their first glimpse of cathedral spires way off in the distance. The next section becomes increasingly urban and truly exciting, as you join fellow pilgrims on a gentle, well-marked descent along the ancient Camino route.

Challenge: 8.7 km / 5,5 mi, 150 m ascent, 255 m descent 

Your unique pilgrimage comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Departure from Santiago de Compostela. Option of booking extra nights to explore this fascinating city.