Meet in León
Meet us in Leon this afternoon and we’ll get you started. First a bike fitting and then some time to settle in before we take you for your Pilgrim’s Passport.
León
León, a former capital of Spain, is well-known for its cathedral and the Basílica de San Isidoro. Our Hotel is just a short distance from the cathedral and walking distance to everything in town. It also has a wonderful little Spa that offers massages and a Spa Circuit. Today’s ride is a short warm-up to get you ready for the days to come. Today’s ride: (9 miles)
León – Santa Colomba
Our ride takes us to Astorga, where we’ll find Antonio Gaudi’s neo-Gothic palace and the 15th century cathedral and we make time to visit a chocolate factory. We continue our ride passing by tiny hamlets and imagine what life was like for the pilgrims before us. Today’s ride: 67.3 kms / 42 miles
Santa Colomba – Herrerias
The landscape becomes greener as we approach Galicia, which is also known as “Green Spain”. We continue toward the hills that separate the provinces of Castilla y Leon and Galicia. Our destination today is Herrerias a small town on the fringe of Villafranca which was founded by French pilgrims as a place of absolution for those too weak or sick to continue their journey. Today’s ride: 74.9 km / 46 mi
Herrerias – Portomarín
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. Galicia is a region with a culture that will remind you of Ireland – the Celtic music, it’s rolling hills and never ending green pastures. We ride downhill into Portomarin where our hotel overlooks the Minho River. Dinner together and a special treat from our host who will charm us with his traditional “queimada” to ensure we keep the bad spirits away. It’s all in fun, we’re in Galicia! Today’s ride: 68.2 km / 42.6 mi
Portomarin – Arzua
Our guests have commented that this is probably one of the prettiest rides. Rolling hills that take you into very green forests 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: 52.5 km / 32.8 mi
Arzua- Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Our last ride together and as we follow the last yellow arrows into Santiago we have a few more pastures and meadows to enjoy. We arrive in Santiago and gather with all the other pilgrims, some of whom you’ve chatted with along the way. We have arrived! We lead you to the incomparable Cathedral of St. James. If you would like to be present for the Pilgrim’s mass, remember that it is celebrated at noon and so you should plan your ride to arrive in time. Tonight, we’ll celebrate you and our journey’s together with a great farewell dinner in our beautiful hotel. It has indeed been a “buen camino”. Today’s Ride: 38.4 km / 24.0 mi
Tour ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain – Departures after Breakfast
Your guides will depart today after breakfast, but you have the entire day to explore Santiago de Compostela. We wish you a great journey home and wherever the road may lead you. Buen camino!
