Experience a 7-day cycling adventure through the final section of the Camino Frances, from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela. Explore picturesque landscapes and historic landmarks of northern Spain. Pedal through charming towns like Villafranca del Bierzo and Sarria, immersing yourself in the rich culture of Galicia. Challenge yourself with steep ascents and rolling hills on your way to Santiago de Compostela. Conclude your journey with a visit to the magnificent historic center before bidding farewell to this unforgettable pilgrimage experience.
Arrive in the town of Ponferrada, check into your accommodation, and collect your mountain bike. You will be pre-booked into a traditional hotel in the heart of the town. Explore the town before going back to your accommodation and taking some rest for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
After breakfast, get ready for cycling! Today, you will cross the region of Bierzo, a sunken plain nestled within a ring of mountains. It is a fertile land, whose mild climate allows the cultivation of many types of fruit and vegetables. In Villafranca, don’t miss the garden of the “Iglesia de Santiago.”
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 16 miles (25 km)
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
Prepare for a challenging day with a big ascent. You will pass through the narrow valley of the river Valcace before tackling the ascent of O Cebreiro. Situated between the ranges of “Los Ancares” and “La Sierra do Courel,” this stage involves a steep climb in the course of only a few kilometers.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 17 miles (28 km)
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
As you continue across the undulating terrain of the Galician mountains, the route offers more stunning sights and historical buildings. Finally, reach Sarria, where all pilgrims traveling by any means seem to know each other!
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 24 miles (39 km)
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
This penultimate day of the third section and of the entire Camino Frances starts with an ascent up through oak woods, passing by the Romanesque Church of Barbedelo, before cycling over the Belesar Dam in Portomarin. Continuing on the Camino Way to Melide is not too difficult—despite the typical Galician ups and downs!
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 38 miles (61 km)
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
This is probably the most exciting cycling day of the whole Camino, as today you’ll finally reach Santiago de Compostela! Before that, you will have to cycle the rolling hills of Galicia. The most exhilarating part of today will probably be on reaching El Monte de Gozo (Mount of Joy), where you can see the cathedral in the distance for the first time, before arriving into Santiago de Compostela!
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 33 miles (53 km)
Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel or guesthouse
After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes. But if you feel the road still calling, consider continuing on to Fisterra, where the Camino meets the sea—a wild, beautiful, and meaningful extension of your journey. If you’d like help planning those next steps, just let us know. Wherever your path leads from here, may the spirit of the Camino stay with you. Buen Camino, always.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Not included:
*Please note that refrigerators are not guaranteed in the accommodations.
Cycling the Camino de Santiago requires great fitness and stamina. You’ll be cycling between 15 and 45 miles (25-70 km) per day, sometimes on long and steep climbs. Keep in mind that 7-day options include 5 consecutive cycling days, while the 17-day option involves 15, making it much more strenuous. 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!
Mountain bikes are included in the price of the tour, e-bikes are available at an additional cost upon checkout.
The route follows the Camino Frances as closely as possible. You’ll be riding on different surfaces including back roads, forest tracks, and footpaths. There are occasional sections along the Camino that are loose and rocky, which you can either ride or hop onto the road for some faster riding.
The trail can get narrow and once in Galicia, you’ll encounter corredoiras, beautiful ancient cobbled lanes that can get a bit rough at times. Although most of the Camino is leisurely, there are still a few substantial climbs with frequent ups and downs along the way. There is an option of renting electric bikes, which is what we recommend to anyone who’d like a little boost up some of those hills!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Mountain bike is 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.
Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided Camino Frances bike tour, we take care of…
Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!
As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.
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.
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!
Luggage transfers are not included in the price of this tour. Your guide can help you find the best solution and organize transfers. Here is some general advice:
Group sizes and prices:
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Your adventure starts in either in Roncevalles, Burgos or Ponferrada, depending on the itinerary.
To get to Roncevalles, most people fly to Paris, take a train to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and then take a 30-minute taxi ride.
To get to Burgos, most people fly to Madrid and then take a direct train or bus ride to get there. Alternatively, you can fly to Bilbao.
To get to Ponferrada, most people fly to Saintiago de Campostela and then take a train or a bus ride to Ponferrada. Alternatively, you can fly to Madrid and take a train ride to Ponferrada.
Once you get to the starting point, find your accommodation. Your bike will wait you there.
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!