Cycling the Camino: 5 great routes

Did you know between 10 and 14% of all pilgrims reaching Santiago de Compostela are ‘bicigrinos’, bike-pilgrims? Over 25,000 bicigrinos received their Compostela certificate in 2014, for instance. If you are cycling the Camino de Santiago, you must at least cover the last 200 kilometres into Santiago de Compostela, if you’d like to receive your certificate. We have picked five great routes for those looking to experience the Camino on two wheels: Classic: Cycling the Camino Frances The Camino Frances is the classic Camino route, the most popular among both walkers and cyclists. While it is not the oldest (the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo is the oldest known Camino route), the French Way is the best known, most famous and also the route with the most comprehensive network of services en-route. The Camino Frances starts in St Jean Pied de Port, in France, but at CaminoWays.com we recommend cycling from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela (avoiding the Pyrenees), which covers 659kms and can be done in two weeks. However, cycling the Camino from Ponferrada, just over 200kms, will be enough to get you your Compostela certificate. For most part of the way, the Camino route is shared by walkers and bicigrinos; although at times you might have to dismount, if the trail gets too narrow and busy with walkers, for safety reasons. In stretches not suitable for cyclists (ie. steps, etc…) an alternative will be generally marked (see image). If you are travelling with children, we suggest you cycle from Sarria to Santiago following our adult walking itinerary (cycling an average of 20 to 28kms per day). It won’t suffice to get you a Compostela certificate, but it will be a manageable 100kms over the space of a week and an unforgettable family cycling trip. Camino from Portugal The Camino Portugues is the second most popular Camino route among pilgrims. From colourful Porto, in Northern Portugal, you can make it to Santiago de Compostela in just one week; cycling the 240kms that separate these two magnificent UNESCO-listed cities. This is a great route that will allow you to experience the culture of two countries, cycling across the North of Portugal and stopping at historic towns such as Barçelos, crossing the River Minho from Valença to Tui and then taking in the landscapes and towns of Southern Galicia. You can cycle the 590kms of the whole Camino from Lisbon in just two weeks. The Camino Portugues sections from Lisbon to Porto are currently better suited for cyclists than walkers, as they follow mainly country roads. Coastal: Camino del Norte following the Northern coast The Camino del Norte follows the coast of Northern Spain from the Basque Country into Cantabria, Asturias and finally Galicia; the regions of the Cantabric Sea also known as ‘Green Spain’. Once you reach the lovely historic town of Ribadeo in Galicia, the Camino del Norte leaves the coast and heads inland; which means of 680kms, the last 190kms approximately will be away from the sea. Cycling the Camino del Norte from Bilbao to Santiago will take 18 days in total. A slightly shorter option will be from the Asturian coastal city of Gijón to Santiago de Compostela will take just ten days. Easy: cycling to Cape Fisterra and Muxia Cycling the Camino to Fisterra and Muxia is great short option, as the whole route to Cape Fisterra and Muxia will only take you three cycling days. This Camino trail is the only one starting in Santiago de Compostela and takes bike pilgrims along the superb coast of the West of Galicia, in the Costa da Morte region with its fishing villages, pristine Atlantic beaches and stunning coastal scenery. Only the first cycling day is purely inland. Adventure: Via de la Plata from the South For those looking for an even greater Camino challenge and an authentic adventure, the Via de la Plata is the perfect Camino route. This route starts in fascinating Sevilla, in the South of Spain, and covers 1068kms across the regions of Andalucia, Extremadura and Castilla before reaching Galicia. The route can be cycled in 21 days. On your way you will discover: the delights of Sevilla, red earth tracks across ever-stretching open spaces, cities of impressive Roman heritage such as Mérida, and areas of lush natural beauty such as Sanabria and the remote mountain trails into Galicia. Bear in mind, the Camino de Santiago routes are long distance trails; we recommend you cycle the Camino only if you are familiar with basic bike maintenance (how to fix a puncture, change a tube, etc…) and are used to cycling. Talk to our Camino travel specialists if you need advice ahead of your trip. You might also like to read our blog posts: Cycling or walking the Camino? Cycling the Camino – How it works For more information about cycling the Camino de Santiago, the Camino routes or to book your trip, contact our travel specialists