Cycling the Camino Frances: Slower-Paced

León, set on the Bernesga River, is the starting point for your cycling holiday on the Camino de Santiago. The beautiful Spanish city is the perfect place to acquaint yourself with traditional architecture and local gastronomy.

Get settled into your accommodations before heading out to explore. Catedral de León is an excellent place to start.

After your bike fitting this morning, you’ll enjoy a pleasant warm-up ride through the sprawling plains of Castile, making your way to the Roman fortified town of Astorga.

Once in Astorga, explore the walled Old Town—a fascinating area frozen in time.

Sail through the scenic hills of Bierzo, to the Crus de Fierro (1507 metres/4944 feet), admiring the green oasis and inhaling the fresh country air.

Your ride to Molinaseca will lead you through the most rural area of the entire Camino, where stillness and tranquillity abound.

Enjoy a short relaxing ride today to the city of Villafranca del Bierzo, passing the Roman town of Ponferrada on the way. Ponferrada is home to a colossal 12th-century castle called The Templar, an impressive historic monument well-worth a stop to explore.

Pressing on through gently undulating terrain, you’ll make your way to Villafranca del Bierzo, known as the gateway to Galicia.

Today’s route is perhaps the most challenging but jam-packed with rewards as you climb to the beautiful Galician countryside.

Following the national road, you’ll ascend to O Cebreiro, an emblematic village steeped in legends of the Camino and a fascinating place to explore.

Settle into your accommodations before exploring on foot. Check the 11th-century Romanesque church, located next door to your accommodations.

This morning, a short ascent will get the adrenaline flowing before you continue on a pleasant route, mostly downhill through charming woods and gorgeous green Galician countryside.

Along the way, you’ll pass the 6th-century Monastery of Samos, yet another fascinating encounter with history along the trail.

Today’s challenge will have you accomplishing a total climb of 600 metres, but no more than 200 metres at a time. Your backdrop for the ride is rural and scenic, with plenty of welcoming villages peppering the trail.

Cycling through the village of Portomarín, you’re sure to brush shoulders with fellow pilgrims. Enjoy a few moments in town, recharging your batteries as you swap stories and experiences over lunch before continuing the trail to Pala de Rei.

Enjoy gentle rolling hills today as you make your way through scenic villages in the Galician countryside.

Keep your eyes peeled for the seemingly out-of-place Pambre Castle along the way. The 14th-century structure pops up out of nowhere on the route and was once an important site in the early days of the Camino.

Reaching Arzúa, you’ll settle into a typical Galician manor, or pazo, enjoying a traditional experience in the countryside.

Your highly anticipated arrival at Santiago de Compostela is finally here. Cruise triumphantly into the city and make your way to the famous cathedral as the feelings of pride and accomplishment set in.

Be sure to grab your Compostela from the pilgrims office before you go!

This morning after breakfast, your adventure on the Camino comes to an end. Check-out of your hotel, and spend some time exploring Santiago, if you have time.