Activities
- Cycling
- Road Cycling
- E-Bike
- — Discover medieval monasteries and unspoiled rural scenery — Enjoy the fantastic food and wine produced along the way — Follow the pilgrimage route to Santiago — Collect stamps for your pilgrim's passport along the way — Receive your much sought-after Compostela certificate
Food
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1
Start León
The trip starts in León. We may have time to visit the beautiful gothic cathedral and stroll around winding narrow streets before a trip briefing and our first meal as a group. Accommodation: Apartahotel Exe Campus San Mamés
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2
Ride across the plains of Castille through countryside and quaint villages to Astorga
We head into the countryside, riding across the plains of Castilla through cultivated countryside and quaint villages with adobe houses and wine caves. We take lunch in Hospital del Orbigo and on entering the village we cross a medieval bridge, which is one of the longest pilgrimage bridges in Spain.). We then ride the final 9mi (15km) to the beautiful walled town of Astorga, with views of the León mountains in the distance. Accommodation: Hotel Gaudi
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3
Climb into the León mountains to the Monte de la Cruz de Ferro; descend to Molinaseca
Today's ride is the most beautiful of the trip as we leave the Castilian plains and climb gradually into the León mountains to the Monte de la Cruz de Ferro (4,938ft/1,505m). We pass through Castrillo de los Polvazares en route, known for its very special architecture created by strong orange-coloured stone. After riding through the mountain village of Acebo (the main street is a straight line of beautiful balconied houses) we enjoy the rest of our descent into Molinaseca with stunning views of the surrounding valley. Accommodation: Hostal El Palacio
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4
From Molinaseca to Vega de Valcarce
The highlight today is the ride to the beautiful town of Villafranca with views across the green valleys of Galicia and wooded mountains of León. After the first easy and mainly flat 15.5mi (25km), passing through vineyards as we are in the wine region of El Bierzo, then we have a short climb to Villafranca, which is worth a look for its many monuments and picturesque town square. Then, we cycle another 15 km to the village of Ambasmestas just in the middle of the picturesque valley of Vega de Valcarce, on the foothills of Monte de O'Cebreiro. Accommodation: Hotel Ambasmestas
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5
O'Cebreiro to Portomarin. Enter Galicia's landscape of traditional agricultural villages; cycle past Samos Monastery and Sarria
In the morning will take a transfer up to the mountaintop and the small village of O'Cebreiro. This fairytale village is the first population of Galicia where we can appreciate wonderful views of the valleys that surround this peak and admire the slate-roofed black houses From O’Cebreiro, as we enter Galicia, the landscape changes dramatically and the area is populated by traditional agricultural villages. Each family has small plots of land, which they cultivate for their own vegetables, and we pass many local people working the land and tending to their cattle. As well as a change in culture, landscape and language, Galicia has a gastronomy that uses high-quality products prepared in simple but very delicious ways. We enjoy lunch in Samos, which is home to one of the oldest monasteries in Spain and afterwards we will cycle through chestnut forests passing Sarria, and then along tree-lined paths to arrive to our destination for the evening, Portomarin. Accommodation: Hotel Villajardin
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6
Cycle through beautiful rural Galician countryside to Palas de Rei; continue to Arzua
Today we will start with a 13km climb to arrive at the best preserved Celtic settlement in northern Spain. Then afterwards we have a downhill section from Ventas de Naron to Palas de Rei, a small town full of the pilgrim spirit. Then we cycle along a picturesque stretch of the Camino, as we cross several Roman bridges and cycle past Medieval churches to get the town of Melide, which is renowned for its octopus with potatoes dish, and end our day in Arzua, well-known for its cheeses. Accommodation: Hotel Arzua
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7
Short ascents and descents to Monte de Gozo; follow the pilgrims' route to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Our final day involves several short ascents and descents towards Monte de Gozo. From here, as pilgrims have done for centuries, we wind through the city streets and crowds to Plaza del Obradoiro, which is dominated by the impressive cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We then move onto the Pilgrim's Office for those who wish to obtain the compostela (certificate of accomplishment). Accommodation: Hotel Loop INN Santiago
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8
End Santiago de Compostela
The trip ends after breakfast. Say goodbye to the group and start your return journey home.