This Cycling Holiday explores the final section of the Camino Frances / French Way by Bike, the most traditional of all the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela and the best known internationally. The route, which was established in the late 11th century reaching the tomb of St James the Great, crosses the North of the Iberian Peninsula, through the Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y Leon and Galicia regions of Spain. Nowadays, cycling on the Camino has become an incredibly popular way of enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime journey to Santiago de Compostela.
Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, this section covers both the Castilla y Leon and Galicia regions. Leaving the medieval city of Ponferrada behind us, this Camino crosses the magnificent O’Cebreiro Mountains before heading towards the heart of Galicia and its lush green hills. This section can be physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness, but it is also a highly rewarding leg of the Camino, offering beautiful landscapes and numerous cultural sights. |
|
 Day 1 - Ponferrada
our guide will pick you up at the airport. trasfer to your hotel is included. Ponferrada is a lively city with a pretty, medieval town centre, guarded by the Templars' Castle. The old part of the city is a nice pedestrian quarter where tourists and local people like to chill out on the terraces of Plaza del Ayutamiento and Plaza de la Encina.
 |
Town: Shops, all facilities
Meals: Full-Board |
Day 2 – Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo (24km, +150m -120m)
The first cycling day of this section is also the only full day that you will spend in the provence of Castilla y Leon, cycling through the valley of Bierzo, surrounded by mountains. You then spend the last few kilometres passing through red earth vineyards until you reach the charming Villafranca del Bierzo. This first day is of short length and with no particular difficulty, so it enables you to warm up before the more difficult day tomorrow. Beacuse of this, you can take it easy with the cycling and enjoy the lively buzz of Villafranca del Bierzo later on!
 |
Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Accommodation: 2* family-run hotel, en-suite.
Meals: Full-Board |
Day 3 - Villafranca del Bierzo to O'Cebreiro (32km, +1000m -300m)
Prepare for a challenging day with an ascent of 1000m. 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. Take your time, we have designed this cycling day to be short, taking its difficulty into consideration. So, enjoy the magnificent scenery as you ascend higher and higher throughout the day, and say hello to Galicia as you arrive in O'Cebreiro!
 |
Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Accommodation: 1* family-run hotel, in the centre of the village, en-suite.
Meals: Full-Board |
|
Day 4 – O'Cebreiro to Sarria (46km, +400m -950m)
As we continue up and down on our way out of the Galician mountains, the route offers more spectacular sights and historical buildings. Finally, we reach Sarria, where all pilgrims travelling by any means seem to know each other!
 |
Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Accommodation: 3* hotel 100m from the historical centre, en-suite
Meals: Full-Board |
Day 5 – Sarria to Melide (75km, +800m -750m)
This stage starts with a climb up through oak woods, passing by the Romanesque Church of Barbedelo, before crossing over the Belesar Dam in Portomarin. Then, the Camino route to Melide is not too difficult - despite its typical Galician ups and downs!
 |
Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Accommodation: charming 2* hotel in front of the "Refugio de Peligrino", in the centre of the town.
Meals: Full-Board |
Day 6 – Melide to Santiago (54km, +400m -450m)This is probably the most exciting day of the whole Camino, as today we finally reach Santiago de Compostela! Before that, we will have to go through the now-usual highs and lows, the nicest of which is probably on reaching El Monte de Gozo (Mount of Joy). From here, you can see the cathedral in the distance for the first time, before even entering Santiago de Compostela!
 |
Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities
Accommodation: 3* hotel in the historic centre. Renovated 18th-century family house, en-suite Meals: Full-Board |
Day 7 – Santiago
Free day in Santiago
 |
Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities
Meal:Full-Board |
Day 8 – Santiago
After breakfast we our guide will bring you to the airport. Transfer is included.
|
We provide you with a mountain bike, and can also provide accessories or other cycling gear - so all you need to do is cycle and enjoy your holiday, hassle-free! The bicycles provided are standard mountain bikes. We deliver your bike to the hotel on Day 1, which means you are ready to go the next morning! At the end of the trip, simply return your bike to our drop off point in the city centre. See our table of Options below for further details.
Bikes are are subject to availability. If the bicycle described is not available, we provide an alternative of the same standard of performance & price.
Bike: BH 18 speed Mountain Bike
Bike frame: Steel; Gears: 18 speed; Suspension: TITAN; Brakes: V-Brake; Gear-changes: Grip-Shift on handlebar.
|
