8-day trip along the French Way between León and Santiago de Compostela.
7 nights' accommodation according to the chosen category. Configure it.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes
Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.
Breakfasts, half-board
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from the airports and stations of León and Santiago de Compostela.
Complementary activities
Cancellation insurance
Every year thousands of pilgrims seeking to cycle the Camino de Santiago choose León as their starting point, and it is not by chance. It is worth touring the city in search of its most emblematic elements, from the Cathedral of Santa María, the best example of classical Gothic in Spain, to the Basilica of San Isidoro, one of the most important Romanesque temples in Europe, passing through the monastery of San Marcos, the palace of the Guzmanes or the Casa Botines, by the renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudí - all of them declared Sites of Cultural Interest. Not to mention the impressive gastronomy of León, the magnificent wines of the region and the numerous cultural and festive events throughout the year.
Hostel: Hostel Quartier Leon Jabalquinto or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Neru or similar
Charming accommodation: Posada Regia León or similar
Distance: 50 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Astorga
To do this new stage you will first have to leave León, which can be quite long considering that the first two towns of the day (Trobajo del Camino and La Virgen del Camino) are so close to the city that they seem like an extension of it. After leaving them, you have two options: the traditional route, which follows the N-120, or an alternative route that is a little longer but takes you off on tracks and secondary roads that are much quieter. The destination is the same: Hospital de Órbigo, half of the stage that awaits you with its fantastic long medieval bridge.
After leaving Hospital de Órbigo behind, another fork in the road where you will have to decide your route: along the road or along tracks and fields until you reach the Cruz de Toribio pass, which offers magnificent panoramic views of Astorga. The only difficulty on this stretch will be overcoming the change in altitude. The reward: the small and pleasant city of Astorga, with its Gothic cathedral, its modernist Episcopal palace and its historic area whose roots go back to the times of Roman Asturica Augusta.
Hostel: San Javier Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Imprenta Musical or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Gaudí Astorga or similar
Distance: 53 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Ponferrada
From Astorga to Ponferrada there are just over 53 km which, unlike the previous days, will begin to show more pronounced slopes. The plains of Tierra de Campos are left behind, and the Maragatería gives way to the Bierzo region, the gateway to Galicia. The section presents a long and staggered ascent to another of those mythical heights of the Camino de Santiago: the Cruz de Ferro, at 1502 metres above sea level. From there it is just under half a stage to the industrial city of Ponferrada. Although the pedestrian path is accessible for cyclists from Astorga to Manjarín, from there to Molinaseca the steep descent makes it advisable to ride on the road. Particular caution should be exercised on the steep descents (between 3.5% and 14%) before the Acebo de San Miguel and Molinaseca. In the latter town, we recommend you stop and take a stroll. Its town centre has a special charm.
From Molinaseca it is just over 7 km to Ponferrada. On your arrival in Ponferrada we recommend you visit the Templar Castle, the church of Santo Tomás de las Ollas, from the 10th century and one of the best examples of Mozarabic style, or the basilica of La Encina, in Renaissance style and which houses the patron saint of El Bierzo.
Hostel: Guiana Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Aroi Bierzo Plaza or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Temple Ponferrada or similar
Distance: 44 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Las Herrerías / Vega de Valcarce
Last stage of this Camino de Santiago by bike before entering Galicia: 44 km that will leave you at the foot of the Ancares mountain range. In this section, much easier technically than the previous day, the pedestrian path is easily cyclable. The Camino runs here through the placid valley of El Bierzo and passes through places of interest such as Cacabelos or Villafranca (in Galician, Vilafranca), capital of this historic region. At the entrance you will pass by the Romanesque church of Santiago, where you will find the famous Puerta del Perdón (Forgiveness Gate). Here, disabled pilgrims could gain the Jubilee thanks to a privilege granted by Pope Calixtus III in the 15th century without having to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Some people prefer to continue the stage to O Cebreiro, the small village that marks the end of one of the hardest and most famous climbs of the French Way. However, in Proguías we recommend you to spend the night in Las Herrerías or in Vega de Valcarce to face the hard climb to O Cebreiro the next day, having rested completely.
Hostel: Casa Lixa Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Rural La Pandela or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Rural Paraíso del Bierzo or similar
Distance: 46 km (via San Xil) / 52 km (via Samos)
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Sarria
Here is the great challenge of this Camino de Santiago by bike. Whoever has not climbed the Cize passes between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Roncesvalles will face today the hardest stage of this route. The day is divided into two parts: the first is to reach the village of O Cebreiro, with a steep climb with gradients of between 7% and 25%. When you reach the top, we recommend you stop at this magical place: a charming mountain village with an interesting Romanesque temple and some legends that you can enjoy while you recover your strength.
The next part is much more relaxed, with a stretch of 8.5 km that continues in gentle ascent towards Alto do Poio (1339 m) and, from there, a progressive and long descent towards Sarria. At the height of Triacastela, you will have to decide between taking the Camino through San Xil, with a new slope of up to 8%, or through Samos, 6 km longer but much smoother and which, in addition, offers you the possibility of visiting this small and interesting town and one of the most important monasteries in Galicia: the one of San Julián (in Galician, san Xián).
The day ends, in any case, in Sarria, one of the towns most linked to the Camino de Santiago in Galicia. Not surprisingly, it is just over 100 km from Santiago and is therefore one of the main starting points for those pilgrims on foot who have fewer days and want to reach Santiago in 1 week. Those who do it by bike will arrive in 2 days more.
Hostel: HR Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Pension DP Cristal or similar
Charming accommodation: La Casona de Sarria Inn or similar
Distance: 60 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Melide
Penultimate day of this Camino de Santiago by bicycle. The stage is divided into two sections: from Sarria to Portomarín it presents some technical complexities, not so much because of the slopes, which are minor, but because of the road surface: an important part of this route runs along paths and corredoiras that, in the rainy season, can be muddy and make progress difficult. From Portomarín to Palas de Rei, the dynamic changes completely, as you will be on a tarmac track with practically no traffic and very quiet.
From Palas de Rei to Melide, the proposed end of the stage, there are complications again, again due to the road surface. In general, this is a stage with constant changes, but with a good reward: the landscapes of inland Galicia and, on reaching Melide, a good portion of octopus - probably one of the most emblematic dishes of the famous Galician gastronomy.
Hostel: San Antón Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Carlos 96 or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Lux Melide or similar
Distance: 51 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
AccommodationSantiago de Compostela
Day 16 of the route, in which you will face your last stage of the Camino de Santiago by bike and arrive in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The day will again be marked by beautiful rural and wooded landscapes. However, as you approach the capital of Galicia you will notice a logical increase in traffic on the road sections, and you will see a more humanised landscape. The route will take you through Arzúa and O Pedrouzo, two towns where many pilgrims gather every day on foot.
You will feel the first stirring of the heart on your arrival at Monte do Gozo, from where you can see the towers of the cathedral just 5 km away. It doesn't matter where you're from, how far you've walked or cycled, or how many times you've done the route: it continues to impress and create a mood of jubilation that will accompany you until you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, at the foot of the magnificent cathedral of Compostela. Congratulations: you've made it!
Hostel: The Last Stamp or similar
Standard accommodation: Hospedería San Martín Pinario or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Costa Vella or similar
The last day of your cycling trip along the French Camino de Santiago is a tribute to your efforts. After a well-deserved and refreshing rest, you will have the whole day free to explore the Holy City: its Cathedral and the rest of its monuments.
If you want, we can also help you with this. And, if you have time, we have some complementary activities that may be of interest. Be sure to contact us at.
Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control.
By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website.
All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage).
If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.
Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation.
In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.
