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Cycling the Camino ➤ Astorga to Santiago

-The pilgrimage route from Astorga to Santiago de Compostela-

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate

Welcome to the ultimate cycling holiday that will take you from the charming town of Astorga to the sacred destination of Santiago de Compostela. This journey is a true pilgrimage experience where you will not only explore beautiful landscapes but also discover your inner strength and spirituality. From the moment you saddle up your bikes in Astorga, you will be drawn in by the magical atmosphere. Each pedal stroke brings you closer to the legendary destination, and the final 285 km of the Camino Francés (the French Way) are filled with experiences waiting for you.

Molinaseca, with its cobbled streets and medieval charm, invites you to immerse yourself in history. O'Cebreiro transports you back to a time when pilgrims sought shelter from the elements in ancient stone huts. Sarria and Palas de Rei offer beautiful vistas and friendly encounters with locals and fellow travelers.
And then there is O Pino, the last step before Santiago de Compostela. Here, you will  feel a growing excitement as you approach the end of your journey. The church bells of Santiago can be heard in the distance, signaling your imminent arrival.

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Cycle through northern Spain from Astorga to Santiago de Compostela on a 285-kilometer journey. Explore the impressive cathedral and Gaudí's episcopal palace in Astorga, wander through the picturesque Molinaseca, savor breathtaking views from O'Cebreiro, and experience the joy of arriving at Santiago de Compostela's stunning cathedral. We provide quality accommodation, luggage transport, and a 24-hour hotline, allowing you to focus on the experiences of this pilgrimage.

About the route

You will cycle on small country roads as well as gravel paths. The route criss/crosses between walking and cycling, ensuring that cyclists stay on suitable terrain. This means the route occasionally merges with the Camino, offering a delightful blend of pilgrim experiences and moments away from the crowds. With six cycling days, you'll cover an average of 45-50 km per day.

Itinerary

Here you can see the programme for the tour.

You arrive at Astorga, where you check in at your first hotel. After check-in, you have time to prepare for the hike that starts tomorrow.

Today you'll cycle into the Maragatería area, a forested mountain region where beautiful villages with large red stone houses characterise the landscape. Here you'll ascend to the highest point of the tour. When you reach an altitude of 1,510 metres, each pilgrim traditionally leaves behind a stone that they have carried all the way from their home country, so you may want to bring your own small stone! Later, you'll descend into the rich Bierzo valley.

On day three you'll cycle through the flat, cultivated landscapes of the Bierzo Valley, where excellent wines, fruit and vegetables are produced. Around midday you'll reach the mountains as you pass through the historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Depending on the hotel you stay at, you'll climb the famous steep O'Cebreiro mountain pass that separates the regions of Castile and Galicia, or you can stay at the foot of the mountains and climb it the next morning.

Today you are in a new region with a very different climate, vegetation and people. Galicia is green Spain, forested and mountainous. Today you'll head down to the small town of Samos, where you'll find an old monastery from the Middle Ages that is still inhabited by monks. Don't miss the opportunity to visit it! The route then meanders along streams that lead to the town of Sarria.

Today you can enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the Camino in Galicia. On narrow side roads through forests and green pastures, you'll discover a true oasis of peace and tranquillity as you pass small villages where people live off the land as they have done for generations.

Today you'll be tempted to stop and savour every village you encounter, each one a hidden gem of stone-built houses, narrow streets and seemingly trapped in a time warp! Breathe in the history along the way and imagine how thousands of people have shaped this legendary route over the centuries.

It's time to enjoy the final kilometres of your adventure. Today the Camino takes you into the heart of the unique pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela to the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the cathedral built in honour of Saint James. With a buzz of satisfaction and a smile on your face, you'll arrive with enough time to get your ‘Compostelana’ or pilgrim passport. This unique city has many important landmarks to savour and every corner is steeped in history and atmosphere. You won't want to say goodbye!

The journey is now over and you will leave the last hotel during the morning. If you would like an extra night in Santiago after the tour, this can be selected on the booking form.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Price includes

Optional

  • Upgrade to Ebike (selected when booking the tour)
Not included
  • Transport to and from Spain
  • Administration fee 20,- Euro
  • Cancellation insurance and travel insurance
  • Possible tourist taxes at the hotels

Bikes

You can choose from these bikes on the tour.

Bicycle (Male)

Disse cykler er designet til at kunne modstå tunge belastninger og give høj sikkerhed og komfort selv efter mange timers kørsel i sadlen. Alle cykler leveres med cykeltaske, kortholder på styret, vandflaske, lås, pumpe, reparations-kit og værktøj.

Bicycle (Female)

Disse cykler er designet til at kunne modstå tunge belastninger og give høj sikkerhed og komfort selv efter mange timers kørsel i sadlen. Alle cykler leveres med cykeltaske, kortholder på styret, vandflaske, lås, pumpe, reparations-kit og værktøj.

E-bike
Option to book an e-bike on the tour
  • These bikes are perfect for long-distance routes
  • All bikes come with a bike bag
  • Map holder on the handlebars, water bottle, and lock
  • Pump, repair kit, and tools

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:

  1. Choose your desired start date
  2. Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
  3. Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).

Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.

The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.

Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form.

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

Please note that transportation to and from Spain is NOT included in the package, and that you have to make sure to book your own flight. This is easily done online. It is your responsibility to ensure that the flight schedule fits the start and end dates of your trip. We recommend that you book the trip with us before you buy your plane tickets.

Santiago de Compostela is the nearest airport.

Local transport
From Santiago airport to Lugo bus station.

From Lugo bus station to Sarria bus station you can take a local bus (30min). Total cost for travel around € 10 pp.

Taxi from Santiago Airport to Sarria (about € 120). Or a taxi from Lugo to Sarria, which costs about 20 €

Direct bus between Santiago de Compostela Bus Station and Sarria. See www.monbus.es.

As the fastest and easiest solution you can also pre-book a private transfer from the airport in Santiago de Compostela to Sarria.

You will stays in family-run hotels and guest houses handpicked for their character and warm hospitality. They are 2-3 star tourist class. The hotels are centrally located in the towns and close to the Pilgrims' Route. In rare cases it may be necessary to book accommodation further from the route, but in those cases transfers will be included so as not to affect the walking programme.

 

It is possible to upgrade to "Casas Rurales" which are beautifully restored country houses in the heart of peaceful rural communities. They are known for their outstanding food, unique location and cozy atmosphere.

 

Extra night in Santiago de Compostela in double room with breakfast: 95 euro per person. 

The standard package includes half board except dinner the first and last evening.

The breakfast offered will depend on the hotel. Continental breakfast is the norm. A common solution will be a breakfast buffet that includes fruit, bread, pastries, cheeses, meats, coffee, tea and juice. If there is a special breakfast product that you are used to, we recommend that you bring it or buy it at the local supermarket.

 

Dinner will usually be a "Pilgrim Menu" where you can choose from three appetizers, three main dishes and dessert. Appetizers usually includes soup, salad or fish. Main dishes are usually meat or fish with french fries, potatoes and bread. Usually, there is the possibility of a vegetarian dish. Dessert may eg. be cheesecake, crème caramel or icecream.

The food will vary depending on the area, as each area has its own seasonal and local dishes and specialties. For example, the fish will be more common in Galicia, the northern coast and the Portuguese coastal regions than in other areas inside the country.

 

Regarding lunch, we recommend that you either buy it at a local store. You can also eat at small cafes along the way. Your route notes will contain guidelines for where you can get food and water.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags, specific local vouchers and if you have rented a bike, they will also be handed out at the first hotel. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This tour has difficulty grade 3.

Grade 3
Longer distances in hilly terrain, often with steep climbs. The distance is usually 65 – 80 km or 40 – 50 miles per day. Requires good shape and health. We highly recommend that you practice on some longer rides before you leave home.

Read more about our Grading System

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

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