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7 Days / 6 Nights
CLICK HERE FOR
ITINERARY MAP
Total bicycling distance of the tour
298 kms (186 miles)
DAY 1:
MADRID - LEON
- Meeting point at bike store in central
location of Madrid (The exact map location
will be sent to you)
- There, we give the bikes and provide
transfer to the bus station in Madrid
- All the necessary documents and
information to do this memorable trip will
be also given: a complete package including
hotel vouchers, your touring bike with all
accessories, detailed documentation with
maps and a road book
- Leon is 327km (207 miles) northwest of
Madrid. The bus ride takes 4 hours and a
half
- Leon has abundant gastronomic and
architectural richness, dinner is best
enjoyed by having tapas in the bars located
along the narrow streets of the Barrio
Humedo. The cathedral is a gem from the
Gothic period with the 125 awesome
stained-glass windows dating from the 13th
century. Leon today is the gateway to the
north-western routes of Galicia
- Upon arrival there will be time for a
stroll around the city, visiting the
cathedral and collect our Pilgrim's
Passports by bike accompanied by a glass of
good regional wine
- Overnight in Leon
DAY 2:
LEON - ASTORGA
49kms (31 miles) flat & rolling terrain.
- Breakfast
- Following a solid buffet breakfast, we
leave today´s 49-km route takes us through
classic Castilian landscapes, abundant in
helm oaks, golden wheat fields and gentle
ups and downs
- It is hard to get lost: the route never
strays far from the N120 highway.
- The landscape in the first half of the
route is relatively dry, but gets greener
the further west you get; you will cross
fields full of diverse crops, such as wheat,
corn, hops and wine grapes
- Wildlife is not a big feature of this
first part of the trip, though you will see
geckoes, birds of prey and lot of dairy
cows!
- Astorga was an important Roman centre,
capital of the Maragateria region had as
many hospitals as the much bigger city of
Burgos. It hosts the Episcopal palace
designed by Gaudi and today the pilgrim´s
museum. It is also worthwhile to visit the
cathedral.
- Overnight in Astorga
B
DAY 3:
ASTORGA - VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO
75 kms(47miles) first big climb, rolling
terrain.
- Breakfast
- Bicycling start after breakfast, we head
from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino. There,
the Camino starts to climb gently until it
meets the first mountain on the way
- Once you've reached the top leaving behind
Foncebadon and Cruz de Ferro, you will enjoy
a memorable downhill ride enjoying fantastic
landscapes first to the mountain village of
Acebo, then Molinaseca and finally
Ponferrada
- From there you will ride through the wine
country of El Bierzo to Villafranca del
Bierzo, where you will stop for the night
- The town is a historical and artistic
monument, it was created to give refuge and
sanctuary to the pilgrims before initiating
the most difficult part of their pilgrimage.
The monastery cloister is a jewel of the
Renaissance.
Overnight in Villafranca del Bierzo
B
DAY 4:
VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO - PORTOMARIN
85 kms(53 miles) strenuous uphill, descent
and rolling terrain.
- Breakfast
- This is the most challenging day. From
Villafranca you ride slowly towards the
mythical O'Cebreiro pass, the most demanding
peak along the western section of the
Camino. With a little patience it's more
than possible to reach the top, but in any
case, a taxi, for those on the self-guided
trip can be an idea
- From the top it's downhill all the way to
Sarria, and on a rolling route you will
reach Portomarin
- The older neighbourhoods once belonged to
the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, but
now lie submerged, covered by the waters of
the Miño River dam.
Overnight in Portomarin
B
DAY 5:
PORTOMARIN - ARZUA
51 kms(32 miles) Rolling terrain.
- Breakfast
- This day provides a lovely change to
the previous day's hard work. Several easy
and long up hills and down hills go through
rolling terrain, giving cyclists a view of
Galicia's rural landscape.
Overnight in Arzua
B
DAY 6:
ARZUA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
40kms (25 miles) rolling terrain
- Breakfast
- Don't let the short length fool you; the
final stage is short, but rather demanding!
After approximately four hours of riding,
cyclists become pilgrims upon arriving at
the Portico de la Gloria (The Façade of
Glory) at the Cathedral of Santiago
- After taking a breath (and celebrating
with others arriving by foot and on
horseback!), you can visit the Pilgrims'
Office where you can obtain the La
Compostela Certificate which certifies you
as an official pilgrim
Accommodation is centrally located, giving
you the opportunity to explore the streets
and bars of the historic centre after dark
- This city, without any doubt, is the most
important of the Christian Middle Ages. It
is world-wide renowned and each year,
thousands of travelers come to visit its
treasures. Santiago de Compostela, in the
middle ages, the third most important city
of Pilgrimage after Jerusalem 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.
- Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
B
DAY 7:
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - MADRID
- Breakfast
- Return to Madrid by bus or night train.
Approximate transit time is 9 to 10 hours by
bus
- !Hasta pronto y Buen Camino!
- Return tour bike rental where you pick it
up either today or tomorrow morning.
B
END OF TOUR SERVICES
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This
is the best of self-guided bike tours for any bicyclist wanting a taste
of the traditions and history of the Camino de Santiago.
For centuries, it has been used by pilgrims. One needs no religious beliefs,
just curiosity and the wish to learn. On the route, the pilgrims are united by
their course.
Your
accommodations are charming 2 and 3-star hotels, you may also choose some of the
the highest quality: of three state-run Paradores on the bicycle route,
two are very luxurious and the other hotels are of superior quality with
a special charm. Savor the best of Spanish cuisine, traditional to the
regions and accompanied by excellent wines from La Rioja and
Ribera del Duero regions. Your luggage will be transported from hotel to
hotel.
We had a fabulous time on the Camino de Santiago! Everything worked as
it should have and all contact we had with anyone associated with
EATours was very friendly, very helpful and totally professional. You
can be sure that we will be passing the word. A real pleasure... 
