Cycling the Camino de Santiago is the ultimate off-road biking experience.  We make our way along the legendary 1,100 year old trail, tracing the footsteps of ancient travelers like St. Francis of Assisi and Louis VII.  Our destination is Santiago de Compostela, the city of the Apostle St. James.

Join us on Europe’s most fascinating pilgrimage as we follow the scallop shell posts pointing the way to Santiago, past celtic huts, romanesque bridges and the “mesetas of Leon”. Uphill climbs, winding downhill rides, the Camino de Santiago is a tour that gives you Spain in all its glory.

2010 see Tour calendar
Camino de Santiago
Short Tour, Moderate Ride
8 days/7 nights

Tour Details
Includes:
8 days/7 nights
Accommodations
Supoort Van
Snacks for ride duration
Bottled Water
All breakfasts
2 dinners with wine
Bike and Helmets (no rental fee)

12 days/11 nights
Accommodations
Support Van
Snacks for ride duration
Bottled Water
All breakfasts
2 dinners with wine
Bike and Helmets (no rental fee)

Use of Quality Customized Trek Hybrids

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Lodging:
- 15th Century Palaces
- 14th Century Monastery - B & B’s

Itinerary
12 Day Camino de Santiago -
Begins in Burgos
8 Day Camino de Santiago -
Begins in Leon
This shorter version of the Camino is designed for those who are curious about this legendary route but don’t have the time to cover it in its entirety.

Day 1 Burgos to Santiago (12 days/11 nights) We meet at our hotel in Burgos where you will be greeted by your Spain Adventures tour leaders. A brief bike fitting and we’re off to visit the Cathedral of Burgos with our local art historian. This evening our welcome dinner will introduce you to the local delicacies.

Day 2 Our first ride takes us through picturesque oak and beech wood forrests where pilgrims once worreid about bandits and wolfs, and through the birthplace of the legendary El Cid.

Day 3 Carrion de los Condes- Sahagun Ride through the heart of the northern meseta, past ruins of castles, hermits’ caves and the crosses that once guided pilgrims on their way to Santiago.

Day 4 Sahagun to Leon Today we continue riding on the Meseta and reach one of the most important stops along the Camino because of its history connected with the Templar Knights. After Sahagún, which was a town founded by the Romans in the first century, we will arrive in Leon, once the capital of the ancient Kingdom. Visit San Isidoro and the magnificent Gothic Cathedral. Our hotel is centrally located so that you can wonder around at your leisure.
Today’s ride: 109 kms 68 miles

Day 5 Rest Day in Leon Take a walking tour, shop in the local boutiques, people watch from the many sidewalk cafes, the day is yours to relax or explore!
This is Day 1 of the short trip which starts in Leon (8 days/7 nights)

Day 6 Leon to Rabanal del Camino Our ride takes us to Astorga, where we’ll find Antonio Gaudi’s neo-Gothic palace and the 15th century cathedral. We continue toward the hills that separate the provinces of Leon and Galicia. We pass by tiny hamlets and imagine what life was like for the pilgrims before us. We continue to the the small town of Rabanal where we arrive in time to gather with the pilgrims who have come to hear the monks chant at the afternoon mass. Today’s ride: 67.3kms 41 miles

Day 7 Rabanal to Villafranca The landscape becomes greener as we approach Galicia which is also known as “Green Spain”. Our destination today is Villa Franca del Bierzo which was founded by French pilgrims as a place of absolution for those to weak or sick to continue their journey. Tonight we rest in the Parador de Villafranca. Today’s ride: 55.3 kms

Day 8 Villafranca-O’Cebreiro The first part of the journey, we will be riding on the last rolling hills of the Bierzo wine region. Later on we will ascend to the mountain pass of “El Cebreiro”, the divide between Castilla- Leon and Galicia. This beautiful hamlet of Celtic houses has a charming 9th century church, which houses what is said to be the Holy Grail. Tonight we stay in this amazing place filled with “Pallozas” and little bars where locals and pilgrims will meet to recount their stories of the climb to Cebreiro. Tomorrow you’ll awaken in seems to be the clouds.
Today’s ride: 27.8 kms 17.27 miles

Day 9 O Cebreiro to Portomarin Today’s route will give us the opportunity to experience an untamed stretch of the Camino, which remains the same as it was so many centuries ago. We will be riding on parts of the original Roman road to the town of Portomarín on the banks of the Miño River. Tonight we dine in a rustic restaurant which sits on the Minho and our friend Mario will make a fiery “Quiemada”. This particular Queimada was photographed recently by National Geographic photographer, Jim Richardson and will appear in an upcoming article about Galicia. Today’s ride: 69kms 43 miles

Day 10 Portomarin to Touro Our guests have commented that this is probably one of the prettiest rides. Rolling hills that take you into very green forrests and at the end of the ride you arrive at a sycamore tree lined entrance into a three hundred year old manor house!
Today’s ride: 75 kms 47 miles

Day 11 Touro to Santiago Truly a special day, as today, you will be riding through eucalyptus forests, farmlands and crossing ancient bridges and towns to our final destination. We experience the feelings of accomplishment and friendship shared by millions of other pilgrims that have traveled this road before us. We enter the town Santiago de Compostela and arrive in front of the impressive cathedral of Santiago. Today’s ride 40 kms 25 miles

Day 12 Departure