Cycling Along Camino Portugues: Self-Guided Adventure

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 7-day cycling tour with 5 days of cycling along the last 170-mile section of Camino Portugués
    • Carefully chosen 2- to 3-star hotels or equivalent
    • Breakfasts
    • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
    • Trip notes
    • Mountain bike BH Over-X 27V
    • Bike insurance
    • Repair kit
    • 24/7 Customer service
    • Holiday pack — pilgrim passport, luggage tag, route notes or guidebook if you have requested a hard copy (this will be waiting for you at your first accommodation)
    • Pre-departure meeting (a week or two before the departure, online meeting)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to the starting point
    • Lunches, dinners, and drinks
    • Travel and medical insurance — recommended

  *Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).

  *Please note that refrigerators are not guaranteed in the accommodations

• How fit do I need to be?

  Cycling the Camino Portugués requires great fitness and stamina. You’ll be cycling between 23 and 40 miles (37-65 km) per day, sometimes on long and steep climbs. Keep in mind that the adventure includes 5 consecutive cycling days. Expect varying terrain, with some sections being uneven, unpaved, or on loose ground. This trip is ideal for those who cycle regularly, and it’s even better if you have experience of riding on uneven/unpaved terrain. If you’re joining this cycling tour, we expect you to be fit and healthy, ready to take on an achievable challenge!

• What about the terrain?

  The terrain for the last 170 miles (270 km) of the Camino Portugués varies, offering a mix of flat sections, gentle slopes, and occasional challenging climbs. As you approach Santiago de Compostela, you’ll encounter a diverse landscape, including rural paths, paved roads, forest trails, and cobblestone streets through quaint villages and historic towns. While some parts may be relatively easy to cycle, others might require more effort, especially if there are steep ascents or rough terrain. Overall, you can expect a rewarding but occasionally demanding journey as you pedal their way to the final destination.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • • Comfortable, season-appropriate riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
    • Padded shorts
    • Peaked helmet
    • Sneakers or sport shoes
    • Breathable outside layer or jacket
    • Sunglasses
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Daypack
    • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)

  Mountain bikes are included in the price of the tour, but you can bring your own if you prefer. Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season and for different weather conditions. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• What does a self-guided tour entail?

  By going on a self-guided Camino Portugues bike tour, you’re able to cycle at your own pace and enjoy the journey without worrying about the logistics of it all. The guiding company who put this all together is Follow the Camino. They’ve been leading pilgrims along their journey since 2007 and they were the first ever operator to organize tours along Camino de Santiago.

  There are many perks of choosing a self-guided tour. Apart from not having to adjust to the group, you’ll have the accommodation, breakfasts, luggage transfer, and route instructions sorted. You’ll be staying in carefully-selected 2-3* hotels and guesthouses and there’s no need to print out anything upon checking-in—your guides booked and arranged everything for you, all you have to do is show your I.D.

  This is a hassle-free trip so if you want to focus on enjoying your cycling pilgrimage in the Spanish bucolic countryside, these self-guided tours are the perfect match.

• When will I receive information about my accommodation and route?

  Your guides will send you a pre-departure pack by post. The pack contains your pilgrim passport, luggage tag, route notes or guidebook if you’ve requested a hard copy. In case there are certain complications with receiving the pre-departure pack, it will wait for you at your first accommodation.

  You’ll have to download the route notes and vouchers yourself. The cycling route notes are here to assist you. We recommend that you always familiarize yourself with the daily journey ahead. You’ll also download the vouchers yourself. These vouchers contain all the information about your confirmed accommodation—there will be an address, their phone number, any special instructions on how to get there, and a small map.

  You will find a 24/7 support phone number on the bottom of each voucher. Keep in mind that there’s no need to print out the vouchers, as your reservations will be confirmed.

  Pricing is based on double occupancy. Still, a solo traveler can certainly sign up, but please note there will be an additional single supplement fee.

• What about my luggage?

  The luggage transfer is limited to 1 bag per person with a maximum weight of 15 kg per bag. The size of the bag doesn’t matter. Additional bags can be transferred for an extra €10 per bag per transfer. Please note that boots or smaller bags attached to the main bag count as an extra bag and will be charged accordingly.

  If you’re moving onto different accommodation, we ask you to have the luggage ready by 8am at the reception. Make sure to use your luggage tags—ideally, write your trip reference and your mobile phone number if you wish. Your luggage should be at the next hotel by 6pm at the latest.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • It’s possible to arrange self-guided tours for both solo travelers as well as large groups.
    • Pricing is based on double occupancy. Still, a solo traveler can certainly sign up, but please note there will be an additional single supplement fee.
    • Please note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting to the starting point

  Your adventure starts in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. To get there, most people fly into Porto Airport. Alternatively, you can fly into Lisbon Airport and take a train or a bus ride to Poto. Once there, get to your accommodation, do a check in, and collect your bike.

• Safety measures along Camino Portugues, Portugal and Spain

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus the deposit.
    • For cancellations fifteen (15) to fifty-nine (59) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total trip price.
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

  Client can transfer their booking to a person who satisfies all the requirements, having first given the Guide reasonable notice in writing to do so before the departure date (such notice must be given more than 21 days prior to the date of departure). Client who transfers the Booking shall be jointly and severally liable with the transferee to the Guide for the payment of any balance due in respect of the holiday and for a substitution fee of €30.00 per person substituted, subject to a maximum of €120.00 per booking (or such other greater sum as may be authorized).

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.