The Camino Santiago – Saint James Way

The Camino Santiago route itinerary by bike

Day 1: Burgos

Our clients will be greeted at the airport Madrid Barajas or at your hotel in Madrid at 10 am. From there we travel by minibus to Burgos – transit time approximately 3 1/2 hours with a short coffe break. Excellent lunch in Burgos. Upon arrival there will be time for a stroll around the city, visiting the cathedral and collect our Pilgrim’s Passports by bike. Opcional supper in town at the well-known restaurant “Pancho” – serving tapas and typical Castillian cuisine, accompanied by a glass of good regional wine. Dating back to 884, Burgos rises from the banks of the Rio Arlanzón, and is one of the most outstanding examples of Spain’s gothic architecture. The cathedral is the third largest in Spain after Toledo and Seville. This is one of the most important cities along the Camino and is the point of departure for our tour. Located in front of the main gate to the city, the Arch of Santa Maria, our hotel, NH Palacio de la Merced, was formerly a convent dating back to the 16th century.

Day 2: Carrión de los Condes 86 km (53 miles) flat and rolling terrain

Following a solid buffet breakfast, we leave Burgos cycling towards the villages of Hontanas, Castrojeriz and Boadilla del Camino. We pass the famous 12th century bridge of Fitero crossing the river Pisuerga. After lunch in Hontanas we continue cycling to Frómista with its church dedicated to San Martin and one of the finest examples of the Spanish Romanesque style. We pass through more charming villages before arriving in Carrión. Here, we spend the night and have supper in the Hotel Real Monasterio de San Zoilo, associated with the order of Cluny. This town is home to three national monuments, including the Iglesia de Santiago, with one of the best examples of Romanesque sculpture. The monastery’s cloister is a jewel of the Renaissance style.

Day 3: León 48 km (30 miles) flat and rolling terrain

Bicycling start after breakfast, we head for Sahagún, pausing at some small villages along the way. After lunching there, we take the minibus to arrive at the mediaeval city of Leon – founded in the year 68 a.d. – staying at the magnificent Hotel Parador Hostal San Marcos, with its splendid Renaissance facade, a convent and pilgrims’ hospital dating back to the 16th century. We will have ample time to stroll around this ancient city and visit its impressive gothic cathedral boasting 125 unique stained glass windows. We will dine at the Parador which offers an excellent choice of the regional cuisine, after visiting the “Barrio Húmedo” in the old part of the city.

Day 4: Villafranca del Bierzo 65-85 km (40-53 miles) uphill and descent

Morning departure by minibus towards Astorga, the point of confluence of two original Pilgrim routes, the French way, and the Vía de la Plata (the Roman route). Here, we visit the cathedral, the pilgrim´s hospital and A. Gaudi´s Episcopal Palace which is a pilgrims museum. From Astorga, we drive on to Rabanal where we remount our cycles and begin an uphill climb, to reach the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) followed by a long descent towards the territory known as El Bierzo, stopping for a hearty farmhouse lunch at El Acebo, a charming mountain village. El Bierzo is a fertile basin surrounded by mountains and abundant in fruit orchards, one of the most important fruticultural centres of Spain. After visiting the main city of Ponferrada and its dominating Templar Castle, we proceed to Villafranca where we spend the night at the Hotel Parador Villafranca del Bierzo. The whole town is considered a historic and artistic monument. It was created to give refuge and sanctuary to the pilgrims before initiating the most difficult part of their pilgrimage. The Parador offers us luxurious accommodation and an excellent dinner.

Day 5: Portomarín 60-80 km (38-50 miles) a long descent and rolling terrain

From our hotel we will cycle approx. 18 miles to “La Herrería” where we decide whether we want to tackle the steepest climb on the “Camino” to O’Cebreiro. This is a real challenge, but for those who prefer, our minibus is there to take care of you. At the summit, we will enjoy exceptional views into Galicia accompanied by a a hearty lunch of regional specialities. Our cycling route will start some miles further on at Monte de Poio, taking us through Atlantic forests, scattered with small villages, finally stopping in the village of Sarría. From there, we will take the minibus along the Miño valley and arrive at the day’s end at Portomarín. This village once belonged to the Templar Knights’ order of San Juan de Jerusalem but now lies covered by the waters of the dam. We will be lodged at the Posada de Portomarin in the new village overlooking the reservoir and the green valley of the Miño river.

Day 6: Santiago de Compostela 40 km (28 miles) rolling terrain

The minibus will provide our transportation as far as Arzúa, where we will be bicycling the last 28 miles. These are the hardest, as we are faced with repeated, but modest uphill climbs. but they are also the miles we bicycle in the spirit of completion of a journey that so many pilgrims have followed in the past, and will continue follwing in the future. The “Façade of Glory” – Pórtico de la Gloria- awaits us. Crossing the Plaza de Obradoiro we dismount our bicycles, and shake hands and embrace each other to celebrate our journey`s completion and adventures. It’s time to pay homage to Saint James and get our final passport stamps at the pilgrimage office to obtain the “La Compostelana” certificate. Our accommodation is at the 5 star hotel Palacio del Carmen or at the Parador Hostal Reyes Católicos, and we dine later at the Parador restaurant. Santiago de Compostela, in the middle ages, the third most important city of Pilgrimage after Jersualem and Rome, attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Thousands of travelers come to visit its treasures each year. The now luxurious Parador, once a pilgrim´s hospital, was built by the Catholic Kings in 1501. It is adjacent to the Cathedral, in the Obradoiro Square which is the final meeting point for all roads that lead to Santiago.

Day 7: Madrid

After breakfast, we returm to Madrid by minibus, pausing for lunch around mid-day. The approximate transit time is 7 hours. Our Evening on arrival at Madrid is free.

Day 8: Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for groups.

Trek 4300*Cuadro y componentes estructurales de aluminio ALPHA*Desviador y accionados de cambio SHIMANO ACERA 9V*Frenos de disco SHIMANO*Suspensión delantera SR SUNTOUR XCN V3*Llantas de 26¨ de aluminio*Neumáticos KENDA/SCHWALBE*Sillin VELO Plush*Manguitos BONTRAGER

Merida TFS 500*Cuadro y componentes estructurales de aluminio MTB XC SERIES*Desviador y accionados de cambio SHIMANO Deore XT 9V*Frenos de disco SHIMANO/AVID*Suspensión delantera SR SUNTOUR XCM*Llantas de 26¨ de aluminio*Neumáticos KENDA/MERIDA*Sillin VELO Plush*Manguitos BONTRAGER

Trek 7200*Cuadro y componentes estructurales de aluminio ALPHA*Desviador y accionados de cambio SHIMANO ALIVIO 8V *Frenos V-Brake TEKTRO*Suspensión delantera SR SUNTOUR NEX4610 TK*Llantas de 26¨ de aluminio*Neumáticos MICHELIN/SCHWALBE*Sillin VELO Plush *Manguitos BONTRAGER