8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

Cycling Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago

Cycle the final stage of the Camino from Leon to Santiago
Explore the medieval quarter of León
Visit Gaudi’s Museo de los Caminos
Ride to the steps of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela
Relax with a chilled glass of Galacian Albariňo

Cycle the classic and UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage trail from León to Santiago de Compostela. Starting out in León, the capital of the Spanish Kingdom in the Middle Ages, cycle across the Castilian plains to the spectacular Montes de León and the high point of Cruz de Ferro. Journey through the ancient wine valley of EL Bierzo and through the lush landscapes of Galicia. Spend each evening indulging in the local produce such as chilled Albarino wines and delicious seafood tapas. Your show-stopping end to this iconic trip is a sweeping descent into the imposing grand square of Plaza del Obradoiro, home to the imposing Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where celebrations of your ride can commence!

From £825.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in León

Your cycling adventure begins in the medieval city of León which is easily accessed by bus from Oviedo or by train from Madrid. Capital of the Spanish Kingdom in the Middle Ages, León is undoubtedly one of the most charming and significant cities on the Camino.

Your welcome briefing and bike fitting will be at your hotel at 20h00 leaving you free to explore the delights of León this evening.

Overnight León

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Silken Luis de Leon | Hotel

The Silken Luis de León perfectly combines its privileged central location with the comfort of its rooms and facilities, in an environment full of details, ideal for enjoying the city of León to the full. The Silken Luis de León has its own restaurant specialising in traditional León cuisine. The hotel is located opposite the El Corte Ingles shopping centre.

Day 2 Cycle to Astorga 34 miles / 54 km

Bid farewell to León as you begin your cycling journey to Astorga. Cross the impressive medieval bridge over the River Órbigo (one of the longest pilgrimage bridges in Spain) towards the charming town of Hospital de Órbigo and onto the walled town of Astorga. Situated at the crossroads of Via de la Plata and the pilgrims’ road to Santiago, Astorga is rich in architecture and home to the Episcopal Palace, built by the Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudi.

Overnight Astorga

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Ciudad de Astorga | Hotel

A boutique hotel in the town of Astorga, in the heart of the province of León, where the passion for art, architecture and design can be felt in every room of this modernised Art Nouveau villa from the early years of the 20th century. Present and past come together in this modernist city palace to create a stylish and comfortable retreat. The hotel also has a spa and relaxation area.

Day 3 Cycle to Ponferrada 33 miles / 53 km

Leave the Castilian plains and ascend through Montes de Leon to Cruz de Ferro on a mixture of asphalt and dirt tracks. Soon you will reach an iron cross that sits 1505m above sea level. Tradition is for pilgrims to throw a stone brought from home towards the cross. Continue your cycle towards Ponferrada before the delightful descent into Molinaseca and finally Ponferrada, where no visit is complete without a traditional hearty stew such as ‘cocido’ (chickpea and pork stew).

Overnight Ponferrada

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Aroi Bierzo Plaza | Hotel

Occupying three aristocratic houses, the first of which dates back to the 17th century, it has been carefully restored to provide a warm and enchanting place to stay within the historical surroundings of the city.

Day 4 Cycle to O’Cebreiro 33 miles / 53 km

Sheltered by the mountains of the Castilla y León, cycle the undulating landscape of the Bierzo valley, until you reach Villafranca del Bierzo. From here ascend to OCebreiro over a steady climb of 9km. This magical village is home to enchanting stone house with straw roofs and a wealth of locally hand made cheeses.

Overnight O Cebreiro

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Casa Carolo | Guest House

This rural stone house is located next to the Camino. It offers 10 comfortable rooms and there is a restaurant with panoramic views and a menu with all traditional Galician ingredients.

Day 5 Cycle to Portomarín 40 miles / 63 km

Enter the lush green countryside of Galicia. Make a stop at the village of Triacastela for a mid-morning tapas before continuing onto the historical town of Sarria where we recommend a visit to the Convento da Magdalena and the Tower of Batallón. Your cycle today finishes in Portomarin, famed for its tarts and liqueurs.

Overnight Portomarin

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Casa Rural Santa Mariña | Bed and breakfast

Located in a beautiful spot, this rural house offers a relaxing spot to stay. The house runs entirely on renewable energy. They cultivate a small vegetable garden that supplies their own restaurant. They have vines and a small wild fruit orchard which are used to make wine and homemade liqueurs.

Day 6 Cycle to Arzúa 33 miles / 53 km

Cycle through rural rolling Galician farmlands towards the lively market town of Arzúa. Soak up the atmosphere in the quaint, rustic villages along the way, watching fellow pilgrims as they come and go. Later in the day continue to Arzua, best known for its smooth, velvety handmade cheese, Arzua-Ulloa.

Overnight Arzua

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pensión Restaurante Casa Teodora | Bed and breakfast

The Casa Teodora Guesthouse has twenty-eight fully equipped and recently remodeled rooms with careful decoration. Its privileged location on the Camino de Santiago and in the heart of the town allows guests to have the main services and attractions of Arzua. Its family character, warm atmosphere, and welcoming treatment have made Casa Teodora recommended by specialized travel guides from different countries and especially by regular clients for many years.

Day 7 Cycle to Santiago de Compostela 25 miles / 39 km

The last of your cycling pilgrimage leads to Santiago de Compostela. As you approach the holy city you can stop at Monte do Gozo, an ideal place to stop and reflect as the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela come into view. A steep descent into Santiago leads to your finishing point of the cathedral and an evening in this thriving city to celebrate your achievements.

Overnight Santiago

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Herradura | Hotel

In the heart of Santiago de Compostela, this hotel combines modernity with tradition, offering a cozy and comfortable stay. located next to La Alameda Gardens, hotel rooms are equipped with every comfort, the hotel also offers a 24-hour coffee shop.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in small family-run hotels and B&Bs
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfer
Information pack and route notes with maps
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Leon / from Santiago de Compostela
Bike hire (standard Mountain Bike, Mountain E-bike or Drop Bar Gravel bike)
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Entrance fees to museums and attractions
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire (standard Mountain Bike, Mountain E-bike or Drop Bar Gravel bike)

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

By Air: Oviedo is often the most convenient airport and is serviced by easyJet from London. There are 8 buses a day from Oviedo to Leon which takes 1hr30. Timetables and fares can be viewed at Alsa.

Alternatively, Madrid airport is serviced by the majority of major airlines which may be a more suitable option for international passengers. Or you can fly into Leon Airport itself, which is 6km by taxi from the city.

By Train: León can easily be reached by train from Madrid which takes 2hr45. Timetables and fares can be viewed at RENFE.

Getting from the End

By Air: Direct flights are available from Santiago de Compostela AirporTt to London Stansted and Gatwick airports. Alternatively connecting flights via Central European hubs such as Madrid and Barcelona is also a good option.

By Train: It is also possible to take the train from Santiago to Madrid (approx. 7-8hrs). Timetables and fares can be viewed at Renfe.

Baggage Transfer

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. The maximum weight of a piece of luggage is 20kg.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sun screen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good cycling shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months, lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Compostela/Pilgrims Passport

The pilgrim’s passport is issued by the church of St James, you can obtain one at the start of your cycle in the pilgrim’s office or the local church in town. You need to get the passport stamped in churches, restaurants and hotels along the way. At the end of the walk in Santiago you can obtain your Compostela Certificate (only if you have cycled the last 200km). For the other sections of the trail, the passport is used as a souvenir with all the colourful stamps you will receive.

Equipment

Please never ride without a helmet. It is compulsory to wear a helmet while doing our Cycling Camino tour.

Please note: Due to recent changes on the back of Covid19, our local supplier no longer includes helmet hire in the cost of the bike hire - for hygiene and health & safety reasons, we do suggest that you bring your own helmet.

If you are unable to bring your own, then our local supplier has new helmets you can purchase for 40 EUR's - however they must be purchased/ordered well in advance of your arrival date (please arrange this with your Adventure Specialist). Important - you cannot purchase one from our local supplier on the day you are due to start cycling.

Alternatively, You could also buy one from one of the local shops as you arrive in Spain.

Bike Hire options:

Standard Hard tail mountain bike: Megamo Natural 30

Premium Hard tail mountain bike: Lapierre Zesty

Standard Hard tail mountain E-Bike: Lapierre Overvolt 7.6

Premium Hard tail mountain E-Bike: Haibike Alltrail 9

Drop bar gravel bike: Lapierre Crosshill 3.0

Included in your hire is a pannier rack and rear bags, handle bar bag, water bottle and holder, lock, pump and a repair kit (E-Bikes also include the necessary charger).

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.