Bike Tour in the Camino de Santiago - Cycling the French Way from León

by Biketours Spain
Region
Galicia,Castile and León
Duration
8 days
Guided Status
Guided
Difficulty
N/A
D-Score™
N/A - Unknown

Overview

Follow the ancient pilgrimage trail, across the rolling plains of Castile-Leon, over the mountains and into the more isolated and culturally independent Galicia. This trip is for couples, friends and solos. Start location: León. Price from: 1890€. All, CAMINO DE SANTIAGO. Embark on an immersive cycling journey along the French Camino, commencing in the historic city of León. Begin your pilgrimage with a visit to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Santa Maria de León, setting the tone for an enchanting adventure. Cycle through picturesque landscapes, from Astorga's medieval charm to Villafranca del Bierzo's rustic allure. Conquer the famed climb to O Cebreiro, a gateway to Galicia's mystical landscapes, and continue through the Galician countryside to the ancient town of Portomarín. Explore the 6th-century Benedictine Monastery of San Julián in Samos and pedal through the rolling hills of Arzúa, reveling in lush greenery. Culminate your journey in Santiago de Compostela, where the iconic towers of the cathedral greet you. Each day unfolds a tapestry of historic landmarks, charming villages, and the serene beauty of the Camino. Conclude your pilgrimage with a transfer to Santiago or Vigo airport, carrying the spirit of the French Camino's timeless legacy. Day 1: Pick up from the airport/train station of León and transfer to your hotel. Tour briefing and bike setup at your hotel. Free afternoon to visit the spectacular monuments of the city like the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria de León, the Guzmanes Palace or the Casa Botines, among others. Hotel: Hospedaria Monastica Pax or Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro // Parador de León (“premium” option) Day 2: Ride from León to Astorga's outskirts – 58 to 62km and 561mts of total climbing. Breakfast at your hotel. To mark the start of your Camino, visit the city’s Cathedral if you haven’t done so yet. Start by riding towards the San Marco roman bridge and leaving León. Soon after Virgen del Camino the route will take you southwest, mostly on flat agricultural gravel roads, past Hospital de Orbigo and Cruz de Santo Toribio. Soon you’ll arrive in Astorga, known for its medieval, walled Old Town. Ride eastwards for more 4 to 9km, and arrive at your hotel. Hotel: Casa Rural Las Águedas or Hotel Rural Via Avis (“premium” option) Day 3: Ride from Astorga’s outskirts to Villafranca del Bierzo – 71km and 937mts of total climbing. Breakfast at your hotel. Pedalling along the well-worn path, a gentle ascent will take you to Cruz de Ferro, where for centuries pilgrims have left stones, brought from their hometowns, symbolizing their burdens. Keep riding through the charming town of Ponferrada, until arriving in Villa Franca del Bierzo, welcoming you with its cobbled streets and rustic charm, a resting haven for pilgrims and travellers alike. Hotel: Parador Villafranca or Plaza Mayor // Las Doñas del Portazgo (“premium” option) Day 4: Ride from Villafranca del Bierzo to Samos – 59 to 65km and 1285mts of total climbing. Breakfast at your hotel. On this day you will face the famous climb of the French Way – the long and asphalted uphill to the mystical village of O Cebreiro, the gateway to Galicia. Perched atop a mountain, O Cebreiro boasts traditional stone houses with thatched roofs and unique paloozas, offering a glimpse into the region's rustic past. It was a parish priest of o Cebreiro in the 80s who first created the "famous" yellow arrows on the Camino, pointing the way to Santiago. Your journey brings you to Samos, where the 6th century Benedictine Monastery of San Julián awaits. Hotel: A Casa da Botica or Hotel Rural Casa de Díaz / Casas de Outeiro ("premium” option) Day 5: Ride from Samos to Portomarin – 37 to 52km and 642 to 998mts of total climbing. Breakfast at your hotel. Begin the day on rolling hills, riding past quaint Galician villages while surrounded by lush greenery. Soon enough you’ll arrive to Sarria, with its historic streets and charming cafes, and the starting point for many walking the Camino. Continuing on, the path takes you through picturesque woodlands, through the tranquil Galician countryside. Then, across the Miño river, you'll arrive in Portomarín, a town steeped in history and adorned with Romanesque architecture. Hotel: Vistalegre Hotel Spa or As Torres da Hermida (“premium” option) Day 6: Ride from Portomarín to Arzúa – 42 to 55km and 692 to 1034mts of total climbing. Breakfast at your hotel. Riding out of Portomarín, you’ll be immersed in the region's stunning landscapes, adorned with lush greenery and rolling hills. Passing by historical towns as Palas de Rei, the route will lead you to the bustling town of Melide, renowned for its delectable Galician cuisine. Reaching Arzúa, the end of this stage, take some time to explore the town's landmarks, such as the Chapel of La Magdalena or the Church of Santiago, each bearing tales of centuries-old devotion. Hotel: Rectoral de Boente or 1930 Boutique Hotel (“premium” option) Day 7: Ride from Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela – 39km and 729m of total climbing. This stage begins by running along long stretches of forest tracks between trees, with stops in small villages. The N-547 will be always close, crossing occasionally, and more often from Salceda onwards. After passing O Amenal and Lavacolla, we take the last ramp of the French Way: the ascent to O Monte do Gozo , the first place from which we will see the towers of the cathedral. Another 3 Km and you’ll arrive to Santiago’s Cathedral. Hotel: San Francisco Hotel Monumento // Parador Santiago or Quinta da Auga (“premium” option) Day 8: Transfer to Santiago/Vigo airport. Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. At the scheduled time, transfer from your hotel to Santiago de Compostela or Vigo's airport. Terrain type: This tour takes you through a mix of agricultural gravel roads , asphalted backroads , and historic cobblestone paths , offering a quintessential Camino experience. The terrain begins with mostly flat stretches through León’s countryside, transitioning to gentle climbs as you approach the Cruz de Ferro. In Galicia, expect long ascents , such as the climb to O Cebreiro, along winding, paved mountain roads. The lush landscapes of Galicia bring rolling hills and forest tracks , with occasional technical sections on rural paths. The journey balances physical challenge with scenic beauty, culminating in the climb to Monte do Gozo before reaching Santiago’s iconic cathedral. Self-guided: Starts at any date; private tour, minimum of 2 guests. Not available during the months of July and August. From 1890€ per guest. Guided: Starts at any date; private tour, minimum of 4 guests. From 2690€ per guest. Premium: Starts at any date; private tour, minimum of 4 guests. From 3500€ per guest. Join a group – ride together, make new friends, and enjoy great savings! Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. We craft extraordinary experiences, tailor made to meet your every need, with every stitch of every day crafted just the way you want it. If you want to know more about Spain, here are similar bike tours around the country Why choose Live Love Ride for your next Spain Bike Tour? What makes us different and why you'll love riding with us Private rides: If you are looking for a different, exclusive experience, you can make this ride private for your group. Just choose any open trip date, get your group together and contact us to know the private trip listing. Customized rides: If you represent a group and want to schedule a different date than the ones listed, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us for more information. AT YOUR SERVICE Our team is composed of spanish tourist guides and bike riders, in love with our country and proud to present the best landscapes, gastronomy, history, culture and experiences to anyone who chooses to ride in Spain. For the last five years, our team has been involved in the making of over 200 bike-related events in Portugal, from Granfondos to casual mountain bike rides, throughout the country. We are seasoned travelers and riders, able to tap into our local knowledge to provide great experiences to our guests. Our team is composed of dedicated guides and riders. We make sure our guests’ cycling holidays run smoothly and exceed their expectations. We work with Specialized to equip our tours with high-performance bicycles designed for comfort, reliability and exceptional riding experiences on Portugal’s most beautiful cycling routes. Professionally Maintained and Fitted to Every Rider All bikes are carefully prepared and adjusted for each guest before the start of the tour. Our team ensures every rider enjoys the correct bike fit for maximum comfort and efficiency during the trip. The exact bike model used on your tour may vary depending on availability. All bicycles in our fleet are carefully maintained and prepared by our mechanics to ensure reliability and performance. At the start of your tour, each bike is individually fitted to every rider for optimal comfort and efficiency. If you have a specific bike preference or special request, please feel free to contact us. RIDE SUPPORT AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES In our cycling holidays, you’ll be accompanied by our always present staff and vehicles. They will provide for all the services you need for the best biking experience in Spain. At your service, you’ll have a fleet of premium equipped vehicles with several amenities for your comfort. /Mechanical assistance during the bike tours; /Luggage and bike transfer between hotels; /Transfer to and from hotels/airports; /Premium passenger transport and assistance during the rides, at your disposal; Bike touring at it's best! AFTER A GREAT DAY IN THE SADDLE, IT'S TIME TO RELAX. We work with the best hotels and SPA's, to guarantee you full-access to great relaxing experiences and a good night's sleep after your bike tour. / Acess to the best SPAs; / Free time for sightseeing; / Experience adapted to your own pace and holiday style; We strive to provide our guests with time to relax and immerse into the atmosphere, providing a balance between great activities and well deserved “me time” on your cycling holidays Spain! CYCLING HOLIDAYS FOR EVERY TYPE OF RIDER While planning your cycling holidays, our staff may contact you to ask for further details to better design a bike tour more suited to you. However, all our tours are built to adapt to groups with different riding experience, having shorter and longer options. For "expert" riders, we provide additional cycling challenges. On the other hand we invite all our guests to simply hop into our premium equipped vans if they feel so or just enjoy a recovery day without using their bike. RIDER TYPES: 1 BEGINNER / I ride my bike on a regular basis, for fitness, commuting or out with friends. I prefer rolling terrain but enjoy reaching my goals and enjoy an active lifestyle. I like to overcome some challenges on my bike, but mostly enjoy the landscapes and atmosphere during group rides. You will get to ride at your own pace, in moderate distances and hop on our premium van if you so desire or, you can challenge yourself when you feel comfortable! You’ll get to ride in a peloton with like-minded people and always accompanied by our guides. If you want an extra "help" on your rides, you can also request an e-bike. 2 INTERMEDIATE / Riding is a great part of my life, and I ride my bike regularly with my friends. I am comfortable with rides of 2 to 3 hours, or even more at a relatively strong pace. I like to be challenged and to surpass obstacles or just ride smoothly in a peloton. You will get to feel different riding experiences, from tougher climbs to rolling along in great company. You’ll have time to enjoy the great landscapes, gain speed in the descents and also push yourself and climb those tough hills. You’ll enjoy the variety of terrain, riding in a peloton and pushing a little harder just before the stop at the café. 3 EXPERT / I ride my bike an average of 100 kilometres or more per week and enjoy a fast paced ride for an extended period of time. I love to train, improve and be challenged by other riders. I enjoy all riding experiences, from big climbs to long, technical descents, especially the ones that allow me to push my limits and make long lasting memories. You’ll get to ride in a peloton along with your peers but also challenge them on the long climbs. Lead the pack and take on the special extra-challenges we have in store for you – try to keep up with our guides as you go for the extra mile just before your well deserved rest and massage at the hotel! Cycling holidays Spain for all. Have more questions? See our FAQs page for answers to common questions. Join our free 5-part cycling travel series and discover wine regions, coastal adventures, cycling paradises and extraordinary journeys designed for curious travellers. ✓ Guest stories ✓ Tour videos ✓ Destination inspiration ✓ Cycling travel ideas Privacy Preferences This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. 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Daily Ride Schedule

Day 1: Pick up from the airport/train station of León and transfer to your hotel

Pick up from the airport/train station of León and transfer to your hotel

Day 2: Ride from León to Astorga's outskirts

58 km 561 m

N/A

Ride from León to Astorga's outskirts

Day 3: Ride from Astorga’s outskirts to Villafranca del Bierzo

71 km 937 m

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Ride from Astorga’s outskirts to Villafranca del Bierzo

Day 4: Ride from Villafranca del Bierzo to Samos

59 km 1285 m

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Ride from Villafranca del Bierzo to Samos

Day 5: Ride from Samos to Portomarin

37 km 642 m

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Ride from Samos to Portomarin

Day 6: Ride from Portomarín to Arzúa

42 km 692 m

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Ride from Portomarín to Arzúa

Day 7: Ride from Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela

39 km 729 m

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Ride from Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela

Day 8: Transfer to Santiago/Vigo airport

Transfer to Santiago/Vigo airport

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Airport transfers
Catering services
Accommodation arrangements
Bike rental
Mechanical support
Support vehicle following all rides

About the Galicia,Castile and León

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.