Itinerary
- Day 1
Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles
You'll tackle the most challenging day right from the start: a 25km trek from Saint Jean Pied de Port climbing steeply through the Pyrenees up to Roncesvalles. The elevation gain takes you from 200m to 1,400m, so you're looking at serious altitude work. Morning light breaks across the mountains as you climb, and the scenery from up there rewards all that effort. Two different route options exist depending on what the weather looks like, so you'll have some flexibility here.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles via Napoleon Route or Valcarlos Route
Optional Activities
- Luggage courier service (pack forwarding available if packed over 10% of body weight)
Landmarks/POIs Pyrenees Saint Jean Pied de Port Roncesvalles - Day 2
Roncesvalles to Pamplona
Starting from Roncesvalles, you'll cycle about 47.9km toward Pamplona. Before you leave, take time to visit the Chapel of St James or the Royal Collegiate Church right there in Roncesvalles. From there, you'll pass through mountain passes including Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro, then drop down through Zubiri. The finish comes when you cross the La Magdalena bridge into Pamplona itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Chapel of St James or Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary in Roncesvalles
- Cycle from Roncesvalles to Pamplona via Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro
Optional Activities
- Stop in Zubiri as overnight alternative
- Follow original Jacobean route away from Arga River
- Explore Pamplona Cathedral
- Enjoy Tapas and Wine in Pamplona
Landmarks/POIs Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary Alto de Mezquiriz Alto de Erro La Magdalena Bridge Pamplona Cathedral - Day 3
Pamplona to Logroño
This is a longer cycling day covering about 94.9km from Pamplona heading through the countryside toward Logroño. You'll pass Cizur Menor and then climb Alto del Perdon, which marks when you leave the Atlantic Basin behind. After that climb, vineyards start appearing everywhere, telling you that you're entering La Rioja wine country. Stop in Estella for coffee and cake partway through, then you'll see Torres del Río with its 12th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre before rolling into Logroño Cathedral as your endpoint.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Pamplona to Logroño via Puente La Reina, Estella, and Torres del Río
Optional Activities
- Visit Church of San Miguel in Cizur Menor
- Coffee and cake stop in Estella
- Visit Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Torres del Río
Landmarks/POIs Church of San Miguel Alto del Perdon Puente La Reina Estella Church of the Holy Sepulchre Torres del Río Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda - Day 4
Logroño to Belorado
You'll cycle approximately 79.1km from Logroño through La Rioja, cycling past vineyards and fruit trees all the way to Belorado. Navarrete comes up early in the route, famous for its pottery tradition, and you'll get nice views from San Antón peak. After that, you pass through Santo Domingo before arriving in Belorado, a town with roots going back to Roman times.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Logroño to Belorado via Navarrete and Santo Domingo
Optional Activities
- Explore Navarrete's pottery tradition
- Visit San Antón peak for views
Landmarks/POIs La Granjera Dam San Antón Peak Navarrete Puente del Santo Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Calle - Day 5
Belorado to Burgos
A 47km cycling day brings you from Belorado into Burgos, the Gothic capital of Spain and El Cid's birthplace. Starting early gives you the afternoon and evening to explore this city properly since it's your second rest day on the tour. The cathedral dominates the skyline, but you've also got the historic center, Plaza Mayor, and several museums to check out during your downtime.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Belorado to Burgos
- Rest and relaxation day in Burgos
Optional Activities
- Visit Catedral De Burgos
- Explore Historic Center of Burgos
- Visit Plaza Mayor
- Visit Plaza del Mio Cid
- Visit Museo de Burgos
- Visit Eremitorio de Presillas de Bricia
- Visit Puente De San Pablo
- Visit Hospital del Rey
Landmarks/POIs Catedral De Burgos Historic Center of Burgos Plaza Mayor Plaza del Mio Cid Museo de Burgos Eremitorio de Presillas de Bricia Puente De San Pablo Hospital del Rey - Day 6
Burgos to Carrión de los Condes
From Burgos, you'll cycle about 84km toward Carrión de los Condes. Before you leave, stock up on supplies in Burgos because options get pretty limited over the next few days. You'll pass through Villalbilla de Burgos, Tandajos, Rabe de las Calzadas, and Hornillos del Camino. After that come those long, straight stretches across La Meseta that seem to go on forever.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Burgos to Carrión de los Condes via La Meseta
Optional Activities
- Explore Tandajos with 13th-century church
- Café and refill stop in Hornillos del Camino
Landmarks/POIs Villalbilla de Burgos Tandajos Rabe de las Calzadas Hornillos del Camino - Day 7
Carrión de los Condes to León
This is your shortest cycling day at about 22km from Carrión de los Condes, and it's relatively easy going. You'll pass Terradillos de los Templarios and then Puente Villarente with its impressive 17-arch medieval bridge. Mansilla de las Mulas comes next, and you'll stop in Sahagún at the halfway point to get your Compostella certificate. There's plenty of time for frequent stops to see points of interest along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Carrión de los Condes to León via Sahagún
- Visit Church of Santiago in Carrión with Romanesque frieze sculptures
- Cross medieval bridge at Puente Villarente
- Receive Compostella halfway certificate in Sahagún
- Rest and relaxation day in León
Optional Activities
- Swimming in river in Mansilla de las Mulas (if warm enough)
- Walk along medieval walls of Mansilla
- Explore several plazas in Mansilla
Landmarks/POIs Church of Santiago Terradillos de los Templarios Puente Villarente Parish Church of San Pelayo Sahagún Mansilla de las Mulas River Elsa - Day 8
León
You've got a full rest day in León, a historic city that was capital of the Kingdom of León back in the 10th through 12th centuries. The Gothic cathedral here is really worth seeing, with its spectacular stained-glass windows. The 11th-century Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore is nearby, and there's an old monastery that's now operating as a luxury hotel if you're curious. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and try authentic regional food at local eateries and tapas restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Visit León Cathedral
- Visit Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore
- Explore old monastery (luxury hotel)
- Sample regional culinary specialties and tapas
Landmarks/POIs León Cathedral Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore - Day 9
León to Astorga
Cycling about 51km from León takes you to Astorga. Two route options work here depending on what you prefer: a quieter scenic route toward Villar de Mazarife or the main route that runs parallel to the N-120. You'll pass Hospital de Orbigo, which has a Gothic bridge famous from a legendary medieval jousting competition. Astorga itself is a beautiful town with a great plaza, and you'll find music, food, and dancing happening around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from León to Astorga via Hospital de Orbigo
Optional Activities
- Visit Hospital de Orbigo with its historic bridge
- Explore Astorga Cathedral
- Enjoy Astorga's Plaza, music, food, and dancing
Landmarks/POIs Hospital de Orbigo Orbigo Bridge Astorga Cathedral - Day 10
Astorga to Ponferrada
From Astorga, you'll cycle about 62km through Foncebadon toward Ponferrada. The big landmark here is Cruz de Fierro at 1,500m elevation, which is the highest point on the Spanish side of the French Way. There's a chapel dedicated to Santiago Apóstol right there. You'll pass Campo with its Roman fountain and church before arriving in Ponferrada, the last major city before Santiago.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Astorga to Ponferrada via Foncebadón and Cruz de Fierro
Optional Activities
- Visit Cruz de Fierro and Chapel of Santiago Apóstol
- Stop at Campo's Roman fountain and Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encina
- Visit Ponferrada Templar Castle
- Visit Calle del Reloj with its tower
- Visit Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Town Hall at discounted rate
Landmarks/POIs Cruz de Fierro Chapel of Santiago Apóstol Campo Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encina Ponferrada Templar Castle Calle del Reloj Plaza del Ayuntamiento - Day 11
Ponferrada to Samos
This is your second hardest cycling day at about 88.9km from Ponferrada to Samos, gaining over 900m in elevation along the way. Head first to Villafranca del Bierzo, a gorgeous mountain town where you can stop at the St. James church to receive a plenary indulgence. From there, tackle that serious climb up to O Cebreiro sitting at 1,335m, then descend toward Samos. You're entering Galicia now, and the mountain scenery and natural attractions around here are really nice.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
- Climb from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro
- Cycle from O Cebreiro to Samos
Optional Activities
- Visit St. James church in Villafranca del Bierzo for plenary indulgence
- Visit Sierra de O Courel
- Visit natural monument Campodola
- Visit Monastery of Samos
Landmarks/POIs Villafranca del Bierzo St. James Church O Cebreiro Sierra de O Courel Campodola Monastery of Samos - Day 12
Samos to Palas del Rey via Sarria (700km point)
You'll cycle about 66.5km from Samos to Palas del Rey through beautiful chestnut forests with fieldstone rock fences lining the trail. Passing through Sarria, a popular starting point for people doing just the final 100km to Santiago. The trail and road mix nicely here, and you'll notice moss-covered fences as you go. Elevation climbs to 651m during this leg before you reach Palas del Rey.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Samos to Palas del Rey via Sarria
Optional Activities
- Optional Compostella certificate for walking final 100km from Sarria (approximately $2 additional cost)
Landmarks/POIs Sarria Palas del Rey - Day 13
Palas del Rey to Santiago de Compostela
Your final cycling day covers about 68km from Palas del Rey into Santiago de Compostela. You'll pass through medieval villages and local chapels, crossing stone bridges with cross arches through mostly shaded sections. At Melide, the Camino Primitivo joins with your Camino Francés route. Oak and eucalyptus forests line the way, and you pass through Arzua, the last large town, then smaller hamlets including Santa Irene. Before the final descent into Santiago, you'll catch your first view of the cathedral from Monte del Gozo.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Palas del Rey to Santiago de Compostela
- Receive final Compostela certificate in Santiago
Optional Activities
- Visit medieval villages along the route
- Visit local chapels
- Visit Parish Church of St James in Arzua
- Visit Convent of La Magdalena ruins in Arzua
- Visit Chapel of Santa Irene
- Visit Parish Church of Sabugueira dedicated to San Pelayo
- Visit Monte del Gozo for first view of Santiago Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Melide Arzua Parish Church of St James Convent of La Magdalena Santa Irene Arca do Pino Amenal Labacolla Parish Church of Sabugueira Monte del Gozo Santiago de Compostela Cathedral - Day 14
Santiago de Compostela
Your final day is flexible and celebratory in Santiago de Compostela. Rest, explore the cathedral and the city, try food and wine, and get ready for your departure. If you need an extra rest day either during the tour or before you leave, you can take it now without affecting the itinerary.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Rest and relaxation in Santiago de Compostela
Optional Activities
- Visit Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
- Celebrations with Food and Wine
- Religious activities
- Explore the city
Landmarks/POIs Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
