The Way of St. James BikeTour

Reception at Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port

This amazing cycling trip starts in the little village of Saint-Jean-De-Port. This place is famous, because it is a starting point to the Camino Francés. This road crosses the Pyrenees with several medieval streets ending in Spain, in Roncesvalles. This village is known as the first resting point for all pilgrims.

Today's route passes through the interior of Spain. The destination is Puente la Reina. Prepare to see lots of nature and amazing views. During this path there is some little villages to stop. Puente la Reina lies between Pamplona and Estella on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It is the first town after the junction of the French Way and the Aragonese Way.

Continuing through the interior of Spain, the next stop is Logrono. This town is a centre of the trade in Rioja wine, for which the area is noted. It also produces wood, metal, and textile products. This village is also known for its Tapas, offering 50 taperías (tapas restaurants) located within a four-block area near the city center.

The next destination is Santo Domingo de la Calzada. In this day you will see several fishermen and diverse agricultural lands, with several vines, since this place is famous for the Rioja wine. The town of Santo Domingo is a municipality situated on the banks of the Oja River. Its name refers to its founder, Dominic de la Calzada, who built a bridge, hospital, and hotel for pilgrims on the Way of St. James.

The ride today has severeal rivers and streams and the destination is the city of Burgos. This city has many historical landmarks, of particular importance; the Cathedral of Burgos, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, seat of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Burgos. The city is known as a main crossroad of northern Spain along the Camino of Santiago, which runs parallel to the River Arlanzón.

Continuing the Camino, the next stop is Carrión de los Condes. Carrión de los Condes was taken from the Moors by Alonso Carreño, around 791–842. Don Carreño took the name Carrión at this time. This city was known for the strong presence of the Jews. Although they outnumbered the Christians both in numbers and in property, they submitted in 1126 to the victorious King Alfonso VI.

You will spend one day resting in the city of Sahugún or in the city of Leon. Leaving Carrión de los Condes and continuing the cycling trip, the destination is Sahugún. This town is located in the province of León. Sahagún contains some of the earliest examples of the mudéjar style of architecture. The city of Leon is located on the Camino de Santiago, which is ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the city's most prominent historical buildings are the Cathedral, the finest example of French gothic classical style architecture in Spain.

Discover Léon city

The road is to Astorga. This path is made on clay and with many viewpoints to admire the landscape. Arriving to the city center of Astorga, you can admire several monuments, such as the Cathedral the Episcopal Palace and the walls that surround the town built at the time of Ancient Rome.

Upon departing Astorga, the next town is Cacabelos. On this day the way presents us with diverse agricultural lands and forest areas. You can also admire the rails until reaching Cacabelos, which are from the time of the Medieval Era. Arriving to Cacabelos, you can taste its famous wines, while admiring the medieval bridge that passes over the Cua river.

Triacastela will be this day's destination. This route is one of the most beautiful of the caminho, where you can admire the vast mountains, covered with nature and small villages. The city of Triacastela is a famous stop point for the pilgrims, where they exchange experiences on the path they have traveled.

After Breakfast, the next destination is Portomarin. This route is famous for it's up's and down's, but once again you will be rewarded with beautiful landscapes. This camino offers you a lot of bridges and stone routes of the Medieval time, until you arrive to Portomarin.

Leaving Portomarin the next destination is Melide. This path is mainly treaded in the middle of forests, where you can contemplate all the nature that there is to offer. Arriving to Melide, you can taste the famous octopus and admire the several churchs and the town castle.

The final destination is Santiago de Compostela. In this day you start to see more and more pilgrims and everyone wishes “Buen Camino”. Reaching to Santiago you will find lots of pilgrims, happy for their achivement and, of course, you will find the magnificent cathedral of Santiago that, each year, continues to win more and more people to make this religious / spiritual route.

Departure