Since the 9th century, the French Way has led thousands of pilgrims on an 800km journey across northern Spain, winding from the Pyrenees across the wheat fields of old Castile to pass through to Leon and onwards to Santiago.
Your eight-night self-guided cycling holiday begins in Leon with the route taking in the last 225km of the pilgrimage trail. Leon is the seat of the Spanish Kings and is full of soaring cathedrals and hushed convents. Your cycling route then builds through the Galician countryside to a spectacular finale at Santiago de Compostela's majestic Baroque cathedral, the last resting place of St James the apostle.
Activity Areas
Cycling
E-Bike
Self-Guided Cycling
Region & Country & City
Europe: Camino de Santiago, Spain
Included in the Price
- All buffet breakfasts and 4 dinners - GPS route directions and maps - High Quality Bikes - Luggage transfers between hotels - Transfers on day 2 and day 5 as per the standard itinerary - Pilgrims passport
Not Included In The Price
- Leon guided tour (available for a supplement) - Travel insurance - Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) - Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) - Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation Information
- 8 nights hotel to hotel accommodation in a mix of 3 start and 4 star hotels - Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent - E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival into Leon
Arrive at the Posada Regia hotel, perfectly located in the centre of Leon. Explore the picturesque old quarter, the Barrio Humedo, which boasts narrow alleyways, traditional Spanish tavernas and breath-taking plazas.
Day 2 Leon and transfer Leon to Astorga
After your morning briefing, discover the highlights of Leon, including the Panteon Real, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo and the 13th-century Catedral de Leon, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in Spain. You can choose to take a guided tour of Leon (available for a supplement.) A late afternoon transfer takes you to to Hotel Via de la Plata in Astorga where the Episcopal Palace was designed by Gaudi.
Day 3 Astorga to Molinaseca
Cycle into the Maragateria area, a wooded mountainous region where beautiful villages dot the landscape. Climb to the highest point of the tour, passing the stone cross at 1,510m, where traditionally each pilgrim leaves a stone they have brought from their homeland. Later descend into the rich valley of the Bierzo before arriving at the Hotel El Palacio in medieval Molinaseca
Day 4 Molinaseca to Ferrerias
Cycle through the Bierzo valley, which produces excellent wines, fruit and vegetables before reaching the historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo. On to the foothills of the O'Cebreiro, a pastoral village between the mountain ranges of O Courel and Os Ancares where you have a traditional tapas dinner at the Hotel Paraiso del Bierzo.
Day 5 O'Cebreiro to Goian (nr Sarria)
A transfer takes you to the top of the steep O'Cebreiro mountain with breath taking views. Descend into outer lying woods and mountains, cycling through the small town of Samos where you can visit its ancient Middle Age monastery and is still inhabited by monks to this day. Cycle alongside streams and rivers arriving at the restored parsonage Hotel Rectoral de Goian in time for your included dinner.
Day 6 Goian (nr Sarria) to Palas de Rei
Today cycle on narrow secondary roads through one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino. Pass through peaceful woodland and green pastures before arriving at Hotel A Parada das Bestas for your included dinner.
Day 7 Palas de Rei to O Pino
Time stands still in many of the pretty villages you cycle through today, each one a hidden gem with stone-built houses and quaint narrow streets. Dinner awaits at Hotel O Muiño de Pena
Day 8 O Pino to Santiago de Compostela
The final few miles of your epic pilgrimmage takes you into the heart Santiago de Compostela, the capital of northwest Spain's Galicia region. We cycle into this unique city of pilgrims and onto the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honour of Saint James before arriving at the Virxe da Cerca on the edge of its legendary historic centre.
Day 9 Leave Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy Santiago and the cathedral before taking a taxi to the airport (pay locally approx 15 euro). Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore this beautiful historic city. Walking through the old streets of Santiago is a fantastic way to spend your time here, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the old town's streets and plazas.
