Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago

Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago

Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago

Prices

From $2,175USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels

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Highlights

Discover northern Spain's meseta and Galician countryside as you cycle the Camino Frances

Complete the Camino Frances pilgrimage on you bike.

Snap pictures of the centuries-old monuments significant to the Camino and its pilgrims, like the Cross of Santo Toribio.

Challenge yourself with a steep ascent up Cruz do Ferro followed by making a wish with the traditional pilgrim’s stone toss.

Celebrate the end of your cycling adventure with like-minded pilgrims in historic and lively Santiago de Compostela.

Looking for an epic bike ride? Check out this self-guided bike ride along the Camino Frances, where you follow the camino for 17 days from Roncevalles to Santiago de Compostela.

Starting from Roncesvalles, you’ll clip in your shoes to commence the pilgrimage along the Camino Francés (French Way)—the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago—to arrive in historic Santiago de Compostela.

En route, you’ll ride across picturesque Spanish countryside including the expansive plains of the “meseta” and the beautiful region of Galicia. You’ll see centuries-old monuments that hold important significance to the French Way, dine on mouth-watering local fare, and make friends with fellow pilgrims sharing the road.

Discover northern Spain from the vantage of your bike and book your Cycling the Full French Camino tour today.

This is an incredible bike ride, though it is not recommended for the inexperienced.

Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Roncesvalles

Welcome to Roncesvalles! Upon your arrival into this small Spanish village close to the French border, you’ll have a chance to settle into your accommodation followed by an evening of preparing for tomorrow’s ride.
Note that although the complete Camino Francés, or French Way, starts in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this section to Roncesvalles is not ideal for cyclists. Therefore, your cycling pilgrimage begins from Roncesvalles.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Roncesvalles
Distance
None
Meals
Dinner

Day 2 Cycle to Pamplona

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll saddle up and head out to start the day’s ride to Pamplona. The route leads you through beech and oak woods, and over medieval stone bridges like the picturesque, Los Bandidos. Make a point to stop in pastoral villages like the small Zubiri to check out the local colour and then carry on to complete the first stretch with your stay in Pamplona, made famous for its running of the bulls festival, San Fermín.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Pamplona
Distance
42 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 3 Cycle to Estella

As you make your way to Estella, you’ll challenge yourself up the slope to Alto del Perdón. At the summit, take pause to see the remains of what was once a Pilgrim’s hospital, as well as to enjoy the all-encompassing vistas.

As you descend to Puente de la Reina, you’ll cross the popular bridge over the Arga River, built specifically for pilgrims making their journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Estella
Distance
42 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Cycle to Logroño

Today’s ride proves less tiresome than the previous days where you can indulge in cups of wine from a wine-pouring fountain along the way!

Nearing Logroño, the capital of La Rioja province, you’ll be able to see the twin baroque towers of the Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Logroño
Distance
46 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 5 Cycle to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

As you work your way from Logroño, you’ll have every opportunity to take pictures of a number of postcard-perfect churches and monuments. Be sure to capture an image of one such monument in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Distance
47 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Cycle to Burgos

Get an early start to the day as today’s ride is the longest of the tour, though there is always the option to split the day into two and overnight in an alternate town at the halfway point.

If you do decide to complete the full 68 km, before you retire for the evening, you’ll want to visit the impressive 13th-century Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Burgos
Distance
68 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 7 Cycle to Frómista

After yesterday’s arduous ride, relish a lighter cycling day and pull over to visit the ruins of the Convent of San Antón en route to Frómista.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Frómista
Distance
63 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Cycle to Sahagún

Today you’ll ride across the meseta, the expansive flat plains of central Spain, of which the French Way crosses its northern reaches. You might notice an influx of cyclists as many walking pilgrims choose to ride this portion of the Camino de Santiago – the conditions are perfect for biking!

Overnight Location
Hotel in Sahagún
Distance
58 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Cycle to León

The cycling pilgrimage continues through the meseta, amid crops and vast fields as far as the eye can see, until you reach León.

Once the capital of Spain during the Middle Ages, León today remains an iconic stop for pilgrims of the French Way. Dedicate some time to wandering the historic old quarter of the city, stopping to visit the Gothic 13th-century Catedral of León and the Romanesque Basilica of San Isidor.

Overnight Location
Hotel in León
Distance
53 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 10 Cycle to Astorga

Nearing the medieval walled town of Astorga, snap an obligatory pic of the Cross of Santo Toribio, an important monument to Camino pilgrims. Then, once in Astorga, visit the Cathedral and the Palacio Gaudí, two attractions made popular by the thousands of pilgrims who visit monthly.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Astorga
Distance
52 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 11 Cycle to Ponferrada

You’ll have your work cut out for you with a steep climb to Cruz do Ferro. Here you can take part in the tradition of tossing a stone to the base of the cross to make a wish before enjoying the descent to Ponferrada, though you’ll want to ride through the charming village of Molinaseca and perhaps even go for a dip in the dammed up river Maruelo.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ponferrada
Distance
51 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 12 Cycle to O Cebreiro

Leaving Ponferrada, you’ll work your way to O Cebreiro in Galicia, a beautiful region of Spain’s northwest.

O Cebreiro is one of the most popular stops of the entire French Way and it is here you’ll be able to take advantage of the stunning mountain views of Lugo and León.

Overnight Location
Hotel in O Cebreiro
Distance
51 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Cycle to Sarria

From here, all the way to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll have the pleasure of riding past stone hamlets and through pastoral Galician countryside, noticing an uptick of pilgrims once in Sarria. This is due to the popularity of this segment of the French Way, as Sarria marks the starting point of the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago (the minimum distance required to receive the Pilgrim Certificate if you are walking).

Overnight Location
Hotel in Sarria
Distance
42 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 Cycle to Portomarín

Enjoy a shorter ride today as you share the path with walking pilgrims, taking in the rural landscape of woods interspersed with villages.

Finally, you will arrive in Portomarín, one of the most popular spots of the French Way for its underwater ruins of a medieval town it overlooks.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Portomarín
Distance
23 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15 Cycle to Melide

Most walking pilgrims will complete the section from Portomarín to Palas de Rei, but if you’re on a bike, you’ll have the pleasure of riding to Melide! This portion of the route will lead you through the Sierra de Ligonde, where you’ll get a chance to climb a series of hills and mountains.
Once in Melide, be sure to try the traditional dish: pulpo a feira (octopus).

Overnight Location
Hotel in Melide
Distance
38 km
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 Cycle to Santiago de Compostela

Leaving Melide behind, you’ll pedal alongside quiet wooded areas and quaint pastoral villages to Arzúa. Spend a little time here to taste the local cheese before completing the last leg of the French Way to arrive at your final destination of Santiago de Compostela.

Celebrate with strangers and friends alike in Praza do Obradoiro—where pilgrims commemorate the end of their expedition—and pick up your Compostelana (certificate of completing the pilgrimage). Depending on your travel plans, other notable stops worth your time include the 18th-century chapel in Santa Irena (near the Atlantic coast), as well as the hamlets of A Rúa (south of O Cebreiro) and O Amenal (just east of Santiago de Compostela)

Overnight Location
Hotel in Santiago
Distance
55 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 17 Depart Santiago de Compostela

Take a few hours to enjoy your last morning in Santiago de Compostela before it’s time to check out and continue your journey home, bringing with you your much-deserved Compostelana.

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour Price and Dates

This self-guided biking tour to Santiago de Compostela is always run as a private tour for your group only. The price always depends on the number of people sharing a room.

Prices below are per person, though prices increase for arriving in Santiago before St. James Day (July 25th) or for arriving in Pamplona during St. Fermin Festivals (6th-14th of July):

  • Price per person staying in double room: from $2,175USD*

* Pricing for this tour depends on your travelling dates. Please click the Book Now button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.

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Accommodation on Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour

This tour is based in hotels and booked in advance for the entirety of the trip (not on a day-by-day basis). The hotels on this tour are 2 and 3-star hotels and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.

In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $375USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.

Night 1-16

Hotels along the trail

Relax and enjoy basic, but comfortable lodgings with easy access to the French Way, where most hotels offer a Pilgrims’ Menu.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s included in the Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour?

Meals

16 breakfasts and 9 dinners are included.

Accommodations

The accommodation for 16 nights along the tour is included.

Transportation during the Tour

This tour includes luggage transfers only.

Also Included

  • Bike rental
  • Saddlebags and helmet rental
  • Luggage transfer
  • 24/7 phone assistance
  • Pilgrim Passport
  • Walking notes and maps

Not included

  • Anything not listed as included
  • Guide services
  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Transport

Optional Extras

  • Extra accommodation charge for arriving in Santiago before St. James Day (July 25th)
  • Extra accommodation charge for arriving in Pamplona during St. Fermin Festivals (6th-14th of July)
  • Airport transfers
  • Extra night before or after the tour
  • Pilgrim massage in Santiago de Compostela

Frequenty Asked Questions about Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago

How hard is the Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour?

We rate this tour as 4/5. You will be cycling up to 68 km daily without rest days. In summer heat these stages can be more difficult.

Do I need a Visa to travel to France and Spain?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour?

16 breakfasts and 9 dinners are included.

What if I get tired during the tour?

f you feel that the itinerary is too strenuous for you, you can always add an additional resting day when booking your tour. Make sure to do that in advance, as changing the booking days for the accommodations that are already booked might not always be possible.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Roncesvalles to start this tour?

You can get to Roncesvalles via train, car or bus from all major cities in Spain.

Where does the Cycling the Camino Frances to Santiago Tour end?

The tour ends in Santiago de Compostela.

Can I rent a bike?

The bike is included in the tour package so there’s no need to.

What type of bike is included?

The bike model used for this tour is Expert 30v Disc 27.5.

What happens if my bike has a mechanical issue on the Camino?

You are provided a 24-hour technical support number.

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. Please make sure that the bike is suitable to ride on rough terrain.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to France and Spain?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for France and Spain?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Spain for this tour?

The best time to travel to Northern Spain for this biking adventure is between April and October, though this tour can be completed year-round.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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73 total ratings, 0 with reviews

Prices

From $2,175USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels

Start Your Booking

What travellers say

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as 4/5. You will be cycling up to 68 km daily without rest days. In summer heat these stages can be more difficult.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

Local guide

Margot

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Get in touch

+1 (587) 327-9828

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