Level
Our self-guided Camino de Santiago bike tour from León combines some of Spain’s most striking scenery and breathtaking architecture to create an unforgettable cultural and historical cycling trip. This “do it yourself” cycling tour is the perfect way to get back to the essence of the authentic Camino de Santiago.
Discover the most ancient tourist trail in Europe! On our self-guided Camino de Santiago cycling tour from León, you’ll follow the ancient pilgrimage route at your own pace. Starting from the Gothic Cathedral of León, you’ll cycle across the rolling plains of Castile-Leon, the ancient seat of the Kingdom of Castile, before crossing the mountains into the more isolated and culturally independent region of Galicia and finishing in front of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
This 250km bike trail along the French Way from León to Santiago takes you on a journey through medieval Spain. Explore authentic Spanish villages lost in time, and discover historic castles built by the Knights Templar. You’ll soak up local history, relax in exclusive accommodations and enjoy authentic cuisine and wine from the culturally distict regions of Castile and Galicia.
At the end of your journey in Santiago de Compostela, you’ll be able to obtain the Compostela pilgrim certificate as a beautiful souvenir of your self-guided Camino de Santiago bike tour.
Day 1: Leon
Arrival day
Accommodation: Parador de León
Arrival at leisure in León. León is easily accessible from Madrid by train or private transfer; ask your Bike Spain Tours travel consultant for assistance if required.
Founded in 68 BC, the ancient city of León will take your breath away. Wander through the narrow streets of the city’s old quarter and admire the spectacular Gothic cathedral, and visit the Museo Casa Botines de Gaudí, a magnificent example of 20th-century Modernist architecture.
No visit to León is complete without a tapas crawl around the Barrio Húmedo, or “wet district”, so called because it’s where you’ll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs! You will receive a tapa with each drink order, so we suggest that you order cortos (small beers!)
Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, you will need to obtain your credencial (pilgrim passport). You can receive stamps in hotels, restaurants, churches, bars, cafés and many other places that you might visit along the way; we recommend that you try to get as many stamps as possible to turn your credencial into a unique souvenir of your trip!
Day 2: Leon – Astorga
Route: 55km/34.6 mi
Elevation: +484m/+1,588 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Vía de la Plata
Meals included: Breakfast
This first stage of your self-guided Camino de Santiago bike tour begins in León, traversing classic Castilian landscapes, complete with holm oaks, golden wheat fields and moderate rolling hills. The scenery along the first half of the route is relatively dry, but gets greener the further west you go as the cornfields give way to endless vineyards. Keep your eyes peeled for geckos, birds of prey and dairy cows!
We recommend that you stop for lunch in the charming town of Hóspital de Órbigo, named after the pilgrim hospital founded by the Knights Hospitaller in the 16th century next to the Órbigo river.
The route finishes in the historic town of Astorga. Located at the convergence of the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata, Astorga offers a rich cultural legacy stretching from Roman times through to 20th century Modernism. Don’t miss the majestic Palacio de Gaudí, which houses a museum dedicated to the Camino de Santiago.
Day 3: Astorga – Villafranca
Route: 80.2 km/49.8 miles
Elevation: +1121 m/+3678 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo
Meals included: Breakfast
From Astorga, the Camino climbs gently up to the foothills of your first mountain pass. Once you’ve reached the top of Foncebadón, relax and enjoy the sweeping downhill ride to Villafranca, with gorgeous views of vineyards stretching out endlessly on both sides.
Just outside of Foncebadón, you’ll come across the famous Cruz del Ferro, the highest point of today’s ride and also the highest point of the Camino Francés, where pilgrims traditionally leave a small stone as a symbol of leaving behind their burdens before arriving in Santiago.
Continuing on the Camino, you’ll pass through the medieval town of Molinaseca and the historic city of Ponferrada, historically a stronghold of the Knights Templar and still dominated by their imposing 12th century castle.
After Ponferrada, you’ll enter the region of El Bierzo, whose wines have their own Protected Denomination of Origin, and finish in Villafranca del Bierzo.
Villafranca del Bierzo was originally founded to provide pilgrims with refuge and sanctuary before beginning the most difficult part of their pilgrimage. The town boasts a long and storied history, and is replete with churches and monuments, testament to its importance as a stop on the ancient Camino de Santiago route.
Day 4: Villafranca – Portomarín
Route: 68.7 km OR 98.7 km/42.7 miles OR 61.5 miles
Elevation: +739 m OR +1814 m/+2425 ft OR +5,976 ft
Accommodation: Vistalegre Hotel Spa
Meals included: Breakfast
Get ready for the most challenging day of the Camino! From Villafranca the Camino climbs up to the mountain village of O’Cebreiro, the most demanding ascent of the western Camino Francés.
In order to optimise your experience on this stage, we will arrange for a taxi to collect you from your hotel and take you up to O’Cebreiro, so that you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the more beautiful (and flatter!) part of the ride. However, if you would prefer to cycle the whole way up, it’s completly possible with a little patience!
The tiny mountain village of O’Cebreiro is your first stop in Galicia! The village holds huge cultural significance for the Camino de Santiago, and is well worth taking the time to explore. The 9th century church of Santa María do Cebreiro is one of the oldest and best-preserved along the whole Camino. It is said to house the Holy Grail, and its bells once rang through the mists to guide pilgrims to safety.
From O’Cebreiro, it’s downhill all the way to Sarria, which holds legendary status on the Camino as the final town before the all-important 100km point, and therefore the starting point for many pilgrims. From Sarria, you’ll enjoy a rolling route to today’s destination, Portomarín. The older neighborhoods of the town once belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, but now lie submerged, covered by the waters of the Miño River dam.
Day 5: Portomarín – Arzúa
Route: 58.3 km/36.2 miles
Elevation: +1052 m/3453 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Pazo Santa Maria
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s stage marks a pleasant contrast with the exertions of yesterday! You’ll enjoy a relaxed ride across the rolling Galician countryside, gradually losing altitude.
Your ride today takes you into the Celtic heart of Galicia. As you leave Castromaior, you can take a short diversion to visit the Celtic castro (fortified town) which gave the town its name. Dating back to the 4th century BC, this castro is one of the largest Iron Age sites in the Iberian peninsula.
Further long the route, you will pass through the small town of Melide, famous for its speciality: pulpo a feira (Galician octopus!) Don’t leave Galicia without sampling its most celebrated dish.
You’ll spend tonight in Arzúa, which is famous for its local Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, which has Protected Denomination of Origin status.
Day 6: Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela
Route: 44 km/27.4 miles
Elevation: +692 m/+2262 ft
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s stage takes you along forest paths, through the beautiful Galician countryside to your final destination: the Pórtico de la Gloria (“The Façade of Glory”) of Santiago Cathedral!
The official end-point of the Camino in Santiago de Compostela is the Cathedral, located in Plaza del Obradoiro. We recommend taking a break in the plaza to celebrate your achievement and soak up the amazing atmosphere. There is something indescribably human about the sight of hundreds of daily pilgrims arriving into the plaza, just as countless others have done over the centuries.
Inside the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally embrace the statue of St James and visit his tomb. Your next stop is the Pilgrims’ Office where you can obtain your Compostela pilgrim certificate.
Congratulations on the completion of your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela!
Day 7: Santiago de Compostela
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our services come to an end. If you require any assistance with your onward travels, please contact our Bike Spain Tours team.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: As the most important city in Christian medieval Spain, Santiago de Compostela is well worth taking an extra day to explore. Alternatively, we recommend a trip to the “end of the world”: the spectacular Finisterre peninsula. The western-most point in Spain, Finisterre is the traditional end of the Camino de Santiago, where pilgrims would traditionally burn old clothes and cast the ashes into the ocean as a symbol of their purification after their journey.
Parador de León GL San Marcos
Located in Leon’s historical center, directly in the heart of one of the most impressive Roman complexes of the Peninsula.
The convent of San Marcos is one of the greatest architectural gems of the Spanish town of Leon, together with the Cathedral, the San Isidoro Basilica or the Casa Botines. It has now become a Parador and is one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
Hotel Via de la Plata
This modern hotel was built in 2011, over the stones of the convent of San Francisco.
The hotels design gave priority to the space in the rooms, the furniture and the welcoming contemporary decoration. If offers the rest you deserve while enjoying the best location in the historic district.
Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo is a town full of churches, monasteries and convents. Right at the town entrance stands this converted historical building, known as a Parador in Spain.
The leading tourist accommodation in the fascinating El Bierzo district. It is surrounded by mountains covered with cherry and fig trees, slopes dotted with chestnuts, poplars and small farms.
Vistalegre Hotel Spa
Recently renovated, Vistalegre Portomarín opened its doors in June 2018 to host guests who look for rest and relaxation.
This hotel offers free WiFi and views to the garden. Every room is equiped with flat TV screen, en-suite bathroom, A/C and a desk. They serve buffet breakfast.
Hotel Pazo Santa María
This elegant hotel dates back to the first half of the eighteenth century.
The Pazo Santa Maria complex comprises of various historical buildings which in themselves amount to a small village. Pazo Santa María has 16 lovely bedrooms located either in the main building or in the small individual annex cottages.
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Reis Catolicos
The Parador de Santiago is a blend of history, art and tradition. It is the emblem of the city and the prefect nights rest for pilgrims
The hotel is located in Obradoiro Square near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals of the world. A stay at this Parador means a visit to a truly unique and exclusive location.
Original price was: 1.490,00€.1.440,00€Current price is: 1.440,00€.
Our self-guided Camino de Santiago bike tour from León combines stunning scenery and breathtaking architecture to create an unforgettable journey rich in culture and history.
| Dates | Any date up to Oct 31 2025 |
|---|
