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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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) -
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) -
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) -
After breakfast, your Camino Frances cycling tour will have come to an end. If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you take your time and visit the magnificent historic center or explore some other nearby locations.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 32 miles (52 km) -
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).
Also 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!
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Included:
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- 7-day or 17-day cycling tour with 5/15 days of cycling along a section of Camino Frances or full Camino Frances, depending on the chosen itinerary
- Carefully chosen 2-3* hotels or equivalent*
- Breakfasts
- Trip notes
- Mountain bike BH Over-X 27V (e-bike rental available at an additional cost)
- 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:
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- Transportation to the starting point
- E-bike rental
- Luggage transfers
- 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.
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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.
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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!
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Here’s what you’ll need:
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- 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 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.
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By going on a self-guided 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 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. -
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!
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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:
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- The luggage transfer is usually limited to 1 bag per person with a maximum weight of 15 kg per bag.
- Boots or smaller bags attached to the main bag count as an extra bag and will be charged accordingly.
- Always write your trip reference and your mobile phone number on your bag.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- 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:
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- 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.
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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.
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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!
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