Start: León Finish: Santiago de Compostela
From Valladolid, Oviedo or Madrid airport, you travel by public transport to Léon. Hopefully you have time to visit the cathedral, a masterpiece of the Gothic style.
After the rental bikes have been delivered, tested and adjusted, you start with a gentle ride of 48km through the plains of Castille to Astorga, a town of Roman origin, where the Camino crosses the Via de la Plata. In this fortified town Gaudi built the archbishop’s palace in modernist style.
Challenge: 48 km, 250 m ascent
Villages along the way: S. Martín del Camino, Hospital de Órbigo
Testing of bikes and legs as you cycle from Astorga (at 880m altitude) through the hills of the Bierzo area to the Cruz de Fierro (at almost 1507m altitude) and then down to the village of Molinaseca. Most desolated rural area of the entire Camino, but there are small villages with some café’s.
Challenge: 49 km, 850 m ascent
Villages along the way: Cruz de Fierro
A relaxing day of only 30 km to the city of Vilafranca del Bierzo. On your way you pass Ponferrada, which was also founded by the Romans because they exploited coal mines in the nearby hills. The most impressive historic monument is without any doubt The Templar castle of 8000 square meters, built in the 12th century. After Ponferrada you cycle through an ondulated area to Villafranca del Bierzo, an important gate way to Galicia.
Challenge: 30 km, 260 m ascent
Villlages along the way: Ponferrada, Cacabelos
Today the toughest climb of the entire Camino awaits as you cycle into Galicia; first along the old national road and then 6km steeply up along a dirt road to O Cebreiro (this section can be avoided by following the old national road to the pass Pedrafita and then follow a tarmac road to Cebreiro). O Cebreiro is a remarkable and emblematic village, full of legends and stories related to the Camino. It has a Romanesque church from the 11th century. Your hotel is just next door.
Challenge: 29 km, 800 m ascent
Villages along the way: Vega de Valcárcel, Las Herrerías
Today you start with a short ascent, but the next 35km will be mostly downhill through dense woods and the lush green Galician countryside. On your way today you encounter the Monastery of Samos, which was founded in the 6th century and was continuously renovated (in the 18th century for the last time).
Challenge: 47 km, 200 m ascent
Villages along the way: Fonfría, Triacastela
During this long day you will accomplish a total ascent of 600 m, but never more then 200m on one climb; often less. The landscape is rural and entertaining; continuously changing and with plenty of villages, café’s and restaurants where you can share experiences with fellow pilgrims. To reach the charming rural hotel for tonight you’ll have to make a small detour near Palas de Rei.
Challenge: 52 km, 600 m ascent
Villages along the way: Portomarín, Hospital da Cruz
A gentle and ‘ondulating’ day as you cycle from one village to the next, all focussed on diary production and services for pilgrims. Surprising: the Pambre Castle from the 14th century in the middle of -what now seems - nowhere, which was an important hite in the early days of the Camino. Again the day ends at a very charming rural hotel, in a typical Galician manor house; a so called Pazo.
Challenge: 31 km, 400 m ascent
Villages along the way: Melide, Ribadixo da Baixo
A ‘glorious’ day as you will finally reach the “Puerta del Perdón” of Santiago’s cathedral. The standard route goes via the airport and the Monte del Gozo through the outskirts of town. If you prefer a more scenic route, you cycle via Touro (50km).
Challenge: 40 km, 310 m ascent
Villages along the way: A Rua, Lavacolla
After breakfast your cycling tour ends.
All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra overnight:
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.
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.
Hostel and traditional restaurant located in Piedrafita do Cebreiro
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, several lounges and two living rooms that preserve all the refined and aristocratic atmosphere from the time it was built.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A hotel in which every detail has been thought of. Located only about 25m from the traditional Food Market of Santiago, the Belvís park and the "Puerta del Camino": one of the entries to the old quarters of Santiago and the entry of the French Way.
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April 1st and October 25th.
Arrival nearest airport is Oviedo/Asturias airport(OVD) but you can also fly to Madrid-Barajas airport (MAD)
Departure nearest airport from Santiago de Compostela are La Coruña airport (LCG) or Santiago de Compostela airport (SCQ)
Arrival in León
Departure from Santiago de Compostela
HYBRID BIKES RENTAL
Accessories included:
Helmet, panniers, waterproof cover, tools, air pump, gel seat, front handlebar bag ,map holder and odometer
ELECTRIC BIKES RENTAL
GPS tracks are available on request.
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