Cycling on the Camino de Santiago

Your cycling on the Camino de Santiago begins in Roncesvalles. The small town not far from the Spanish-French border has a history dating back to pre-Roman times. With the creation of the Way of St. James, the town in the Navarre region became an important stop along the way. Roncesvalles is dominated by the collegiate church of Santa María, which was built in the 13th century.

There we go! You will receive your bikes and a transfer will take you to the small French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From here, you cycle the first few kilometers on the Camino Francés, the classic Way of St. James. The path dates back to the first half of the 11th century. You will spend the night again in Roncesvalles.

Today you are cycling on the Camino de Santiago to Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre region. The city is best known for the Sanfermines, which take place every year in July. The Encierro, the world-famous running of the bulls, is at the heart of the celebrations. The bulls are driven through the old town to the bullring, where they meet the matadors in the evening. Worth seeing is the Gothic-style cathedral and the town hall with its baroque façade.

First you cycle relaxed to Puente la Reina. The bridge there over the Río Arga is one of the most beautiful arched bridges along the Way of St. James and served as the only crossing in the region during the Middle Ages. After crossing the bridge, the route continues to Estella. The town lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. The Palace of the Kings of Navarre is particularly worth seeing. It is the only surviving Romanesque-style residential building in the province of the same name.

Today, your cycling on the Camino de Santiago takes you to the Rioja wine region. Make a stopover in Irache and visit the former Benedictine monastery and its wine fountain. It is a reminder of the traditional hospitality of the Benedictines and the fact that there was once a winery here. The route continues to Logroño, the capital of the Spanish province of La Rioja. Located in the fertile Ebro Valley, the city is known for its numerous wine bars, where you can sample the pinchos, small snacks on skewers that are famous for the region.

Your cycling on the Camino de Santiago takes you first to Nájera today. The local monastery church Santa María la Real is well worth a visit. According to legend, a chapel was originally built on this site, which was impressively converted into a monastery in the 15th century. You cycle on to Santo Domingo de la Calzada through a landscape characterized by vineyards, fields and hills. The patron saint of today's stage destination is considered the founder of the town.

In the morning, you set off on one of the longest stages of your cycling on the Camino de Santiago. You will get to know Burgos, which is famous throughout the country for its Catedral de Burgos. The church is one of the most extraordinary church buildings in Spain. In the middle of the cathedral is the tomb of El Cid, Spain's national hero. Discover the ruins of the Castillo de Burgos, a castle complex built in the 9th century, on an evening stroll.

Take another spin through Burgos, which is well worth seeing, before cycling to the small town of Frómista on today's mainly flat route. On the way, the castle hill of Castrojeriz will catch your eye. Finds suggest that the Celts already built a fortification here. Frómista is home to the important church of San Mártin, one of the most important churches on the Way of St. James – a real gem.

On today's stage of your cycling on the Camino de Santiago, there are almost no climbs and only a few undulating sections. Cycling along wide fields and through small villages, you reach the small town of Carrión de los Condes halfway along the route. The Benedictine monastery of San Zoilo there tells of the town's former prosperity. The buildings in your stage destination of Sahagún will surprise you with their Mudejar brick architecture, which is mainly found in other Spanish regions.

Your cycling on the Camino de Santiago takes you to León. The city's history began as a Roman garrison. The city developed into the capital of the Kingdom of León and the most important Christian city in Spain. Its status as the capital was lost, but historic buildings remained. Be it the Basilica of San Isidoro, the Convento de San Marcos or the Palacio de Los Guzmanes - numerous sights are waiting to be discovered by you.

Biking past fields and through small villages, you reach the Hospital de Órbigo bridge. It is considered the longest bridge on the Way of St. James and dates back to the 13th century. According to a heroic legend, knightly battles took place there in 1434, the Paso Honroso, which preceded a spurned love. In Astorga, you can follow in the footsteps of the Romans. Numerous remains of Roman buildings still bear witness to its former settlement.

Your cycling on the Camino de Santiago takes you over the hills of the Montes de Léon mountain range to the vicinity of the Cruz de Ferro. The iron cross is mounted on a tree trunk and is located at the highest point of the Spanish Way of St. James. According to custom, laying down a stone brought from home symbolizes the sins you have left behind. You have reached your destination for the day at Molinaseca.

Just a stone's throw from the start of today's stage, you will reach Ponferrada. The 12th century Templar castle is well worth a visit here. Originally built as a small fortification, the castle's current appearance is the result of many structural extensions. After a few kilometers you reach Villafranca del Bierzo. Thanks to the favorable climate, the region around the town is ideal for growing wine. You reach your stage destination at Las Herrerias.

Just a stone's throw from Las Herrerias, you will reach Galicia, Spain's westernmost province. Cycle along the Way of St. James to Samos. Founded in the 6th century, the village impresses with its medieval monastery, one of the oldest in Spain. However, the current appearance of the complex is more recent and dates back to a remodeling in the 16th century. Enjoy Galician cuisine specialties in Sarria. Seafood is on the menu here, as are empanadas and the Queso Tetilla.

On your cycling on the Camino de Santiago, you cycle through the hilly landscape of Galicia, which will have you pedaling hard a few times. Stop off in Portomarín on the way. The construction of a nearby dam began in the 1950s. Before the Río Miño was dammed and the old Portomarín was flooded, the historic buildings of the village were moved stone by stone a few meters in height. You will spend the night in Palas de Rei.

Before continuing on, it is worth making a detour to the Castillo de Pambre not far from Palas de Rei. The medieval castle dates back to the 14th century and is a good example of Galician military architecture. Try the Queso Arzúa-Ulloa in Arzúa. The cow's milk cheese is one of the most produced cheeses in Spain and can only be made in certain places in Galicia. Freshly fortified, you cycle to your stage destinations of O'Pino or O'Pedrouzo.

Today you will cycle to another highlight of your cycling on the Camino de Santiago – the important city of Santiago de Compostela. Alongside Rome and Jerusalem, the city is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world. Many legends surround the city's namesake, the apostle St. James. The impressive cathedral was built on his grave in the 11th century. The destination of the Way of St. James combines different architectural styles and impresses with its ornate façade and artistic sculptures.

After leaving the capital of Galicia behind you, you head towards the Atlantic coast on the Camino Finisterre. The Camino Finisterre is an extension of the original Way of St. James. You will pass Ponte Maceira on the way. The bridge of the same name in the village dates back to the Middle Ages, but has its origins in Roman times – a wonderful postcard motif.

The last stage of your cycle tour on the Way of St. James takes you to the Atlantic. Many hundreds of years ago, Finisterre was considered the end of the world, as it was mistakenly believed to be the most westerly point in Europe. On the way, you will notice the so-called Hórreos again and again. They are typical of Galicia, stand on stone pillars and were once used to store the harvest. In Finisterre, take a detour to the cape with its lighthouse. Enjoy the sunset and think back to your exciting cycling on the Camino de Santiago.

After breakfast, your cycling on the Camino de Santiago ends. We are happy to extend your stay with an extra night on request.