cycling the camino: final stage to santiagocheese festival, ‘fiesta de quiexo’, with over...
TRANSCRIPT
CYCLING THE CAMINO: THE FINAL STAGE TO SANTIAGO
Follow the classic Camino and UNESCO World Heritage trail from León to
Santiago through the contrasting rural landscapes of Northern Spain.
With every turn of the wheel discover medieval villages full of character and charm, sacred monuments,
Romanesque masterpieces and uncover the secrets behind the country’s culinary diversity – welcome to
the Camino de Santiago, a journey of discovery, offering a wealth of memories to last a lifetime.
Your cycle adventure begins in León, capital of the Spanish Kingdom in the Middle Ages and one of the
most significant towns on The Way. From here you will cross the Castilian plains ascending to the
spectacular Montes de León towards the highest point on the trip, Cruz de Ferro.
Continue your journey through the ancient wine valley of El Bierzo before entering the lush green Galician
countryside. Immerse yourself in the camaradie of fellow pilgrims as you stop at rustic villages along the
route, sharing stories and tales of your journey so far.
With the same goal in sight, you will leave the market town of Arzúa behind and enjoy the final ascents
and descents of your cycle adventure. Enter the magical and spiritual city of Santiago on two wheels,
making your way to the grand square of Plaza del Obradoiro, home to the imposing Cathedral of Santiago
de Compostela.
As you cycle through the diverse rolling landscapes you will gain a true appreciation for the authentic
Spanish culture. One of the most pleasant rituals of daily life on the Camino involves savouring and
sharing food and wine, being the perfect excuse to indulge and experience the delicious specialities of
each region.
Your self-guided cycling tour includes 7 nights along the route in hand-picked accommodation
(combination of 3* hotels, rural hotels and hostals) in rooms with private facilities, welcome briefing,
detailed maps, route notes, a comprehensive pre-departure information pack and emergency support from
our team in Spain and the UK. Bike hire, whilst not included, is of course available as an optional extra as
are additional nights at the start or end of your journey, or indeed along the way.
Challenging yourself to complete the final stage and achieving your Compostela
Enjoying tapas and cortos in the narrow streets of Léon’s medieval quarter
The ‘Museo de los Caminos’ at Astorga; Gaudi’s neo-gothic masterpiece chapel
Immersing yourself in the camaradie of fellow cyclists and walkers
Catching your first glimpse of the spires of Santiago; UNESCO World Heritage City
Sampling Galician ‘Pulpo Gallego’ (octopus drizzled with olive oil and sweet paprika) polished off with a glass of chilled Albariňo
SUMMARY
CYCLING THE CAMINO:
FINAL STAGE TO SANTIAGO CAMINO FRANCES FROM LEÓN TO SANTIAGO
HIGHLIGHTS
Tour: Cycling the Camino
Code: CSCLEO
Type: Self-Guided Cycling tour
Price: See Website
Dates: April -October
Nights: 7
Days: 8
Cycling Days: 6
Start: León
Finish: Santiago
Grade: Moderate to strenuous
IS IT FOR ME?
Do you enjoy a sense of adventure, a chal-
lenge, and a true sense of achievement at
the end of your travels? Cycle the thrilling
final stage of the Camino de Santiago and
your Compostela certificate. Enjoy the free-
dom of riding through rural Spanish country-
side combined with authentic villages and
gastronomic excellence - what is not to love!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Accommodation: The accommodation on most of this section will be in 3 star hotels,
the rest will be a mixture of rural hotels and
hostels all with private rooms and en-suite.
Meals: 7 Breakfasts
Baggage Transfer: Included
Bike Hire: Optional extra (supplement payable)
Information Pack: Comprehensive route directions, information pack and maps
DAY 1
Arrival in León
Your cycling adventure begins in the medieval
city of León which is easily accessed by bus from
Oviedo or by train from Madrid.
Capital of the Spanish Kingdom in the Middle
Ages, León is undoubtedly one of the most
charming and significant cities on the Camino.
Be sure to set enough time aside to explore and
capture the cultural and historic highlights that
make León so fascinating.
Often referred to as the finest Gothic building in
Spain, León’s 13th century cathedral stands
proudly at the site of the old Roman. Also visit
the Basilica of San Isidoro and the Hostal of San
Marcos, both fine examples of Baroque and
Renaissance artwork.
Eat and drink as the locals do in the Húmedo(wet) old quarter. Stroll from bar to bar sampling local delicacies such as morcilla (black pudding) or cecina (cured beef) washed down with a few cortos or vino tintos.
Your welcome briefing and bike fitting will be at
your hotel at 20h00 leaving you free to explore
the delights of León this evening.
Overnight: León
DAY 2
Cycle to Astorga
Standing high above the ochre coloured roof
tops, bid farewell to León as you begin your
cycling journey to Astorga. Embrace the sweet
solitude as you pedal through the rural Castilian
landscapes and the arid plains of The Meseta.
Cross the impressive medieval bridge over the
River Órbigo (one of the longest pilgrimage
bridges in Spain) towards the charming town of
Hospital de Órbigo.
Relax by the banks of the river enjoying a bite to
eat before your gradual climb to the perched
walled town of Astorga.
Situated at the crossroads of Via de la Plata and
the pilgrims’ road to Santiago, Astorga is rich in
architecture and home to the Episcopal Palace.
Built by the Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudi, this
neo-gothic fairy-tale chapel now houses ‘Museo
de los Caminos' (Museum of the Ways).
Cycle: 54km, 5-6 hrs
Overnight: Astorga
DAY 3
Cycle to Ponferrada
A challenging yet rewarding start to your day as
you leave the Castilian plains and commence the
ascent through the Monte's de Leon to Cruz de
Ferro on a mixture of asphalt and dirt tracks.
Soon you will come across a fairly humble
monument, an iron cross that sits 1505m above
sea level. Tradition is for pilgrims to stand with
their back to the cross, then throw a stone
brought from home towards the cross, to
symbolise your journey.
Continue your cycle towards Ponferrada making
a stop at the pretty mountain village of El Acebo.
The village hosts a selection of restaurants and
bars offering a very welcomed stop to pilgrims.
Enjoy the delightful descent into Molinaseca, one
of the most picturesque towns en route as you
make the final stretch towards the historic town
of Ponferrada, the main city in the region of El
Bierzo.
Dominating the historic quarter, the impressive
11th Century Castle of The Templars is definitely
worth a visit. Of course no visit to Ponferrada is
complete without a traditional hearty stew such
as ‘cocido’ (chickpea and pork stew) paired well
with a glass of wine from the Bierzo valley.
Cycle: 53km, 6-7 hrs
Overnight: Ponferrada
DAY 4
Cycle to O’Cebreiro
Sheltered by the mountains of the Castilla y
León, cycle the undulating landscape of the
Bierzo valley, an ancient wine region until you
reach Villafranca del Bierzo.
So far, the stage from Ponferrada has been
mainly flat, with slight ups and downs, but now
you shall test your physical abilities as you face
one of the most mythical climbs of the Camino as
you ascend towards O’Cebreiro (400m ascent
over 9km).
Somewhat mysterious yet magical, the village of
O’Cebreiro has some unusual claims to fame.
Take their ‘pallozas’ for instance; round stone
houses with straw roofs scattered through the
village or their fresh dairy, a rich oily cheese
made in the shape of a hat.
Cycle: 53km, 6-7 hrs
Overnight: O’Cebreiro
ITINERARY:
Day Route Km
1 2 3
4
5
6 7
8
Arrive in León Cycle León to Astorga Cycle Astorga to Ponfer-rada Cycle Ponferrada to O’Cebreiro Cycle O’Cebreiro to Portomarín Cycle Portomarín to Arzúa Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela Onward Travel
54
53
53
63
53
39
CYCLING THE CAMINO:
FINAL STAGE TO SANTIAGO CAMINO FRANCES FROM LEÓN TO SANTIAGO
DAY 5
Cycle to Portomarín
Enter the lush green countryside of Galicia;
green wooded valleys dotted with agricultural
villages. Make a stop at the village of Triacastela
and experience the local gastronomy first hand.
From Triacastela you will pedal towards the
historical town of Sarria. Lined with antique
shops the town is a magnet for antique-lovers.
We recommend a visit to the Convento da
Magdalena and the Tower of Batallón.
Your cycle today finishes in Portomarin, a town
rich in history. In the 1960s the Miño River was
dammed to create the Belesar reservoir, putting
the old village of Portomarín under water.
Nowadays, the town is famed for its tarts and
liqueurs.
Cycle: 63km, 5-6 hrs
Overnight: Portomarin
DAY 6
Cycle to Arzúa
Several easy and long up and downhills lie
ahead today as you cycle through rural rolling
Galician farmlands towards the lively market
town of Arzúa.
Soak up the atmosphere in the quaint, rustic
villages along the way, watching fellow pilgrims
as they come and go. Many small villages on this
stage have bars and restaurants.
Tonight you will overnight in Arzua, best know for
its smooth velvety cheese, Arzua-Ulloa. Still
made by hand, it is one of the classic, traditional
cheeses of Galicia. On the first Sunday of March
cheese-lovers flock to the town for the annual
cheese festival, ‘Fiesta de Quiexo’, with over
100,000 cheeses on display.
Cycle: 53km, 5-6 hrs
Overnight: Arzúa
DAY 7
Cycle to Santiago de Compostela
Today will fill you with joy and excitement as you
take the final stretch to Santiago to gain your well
–deserved Compostela.
A moderate day’s cycling lies ahead, involving a
few ascents and descents as far as Monte do
Gozo, known as Mount of Joy, an ideal place to
stop and reflect as the spires of the Cathedral of
Santiago de Compostela come into view.
A steep downhill cycle towards the sacred city of
Santiago is all that stands between you and your
final destination. Arriving at the Cathedral
grinning from ear to ear you will savour every
moment of this monumental achievement.
We recommend that you spend an additional few
days to experience the festive character and
charm that Santiago represents. Please contact
us as it is possible to add extra nights at any
point of your Camino cycle.
You may also wish to stay on and take the bus
(or walk—contact us to make arrangements!) to
the coast at Finisterre, as seen in the film, The
Way.
Cycle: 39km, 4-5 hrs
Overnight: Santiago
DAY 8
Onward Travel
Your cycle adventure ends in Santiago after breakfast.
Additional Nights and Extensions
You can add additional nights at any point
before, during or after your tour; just contact our
Camino experts to make arrangements.
Accommodation
The accommodation on most of this section will
be in 3 star hotels, the rest will be a mixture of
rural hotels and hostels all with private rooms
and en-suite. They all offer a warm welcome to
cyclists, traditional hospitality and delicious local
food. We do recommend that you book this trip
early as the area is always popular and the
hotels and inns do fill up early.
Single Rooms
Single rooms are available although a
supplement is payable.
Solo Cyclists
This trip is available to solo cyclists; as you will
meet fellow pilgrims, walkers and cyclists en
route, this is a great trip to take if you are
travelling on your own. A solo cyclist supplement
is payable (as accommodation is then in rooms
for single occupancy).
Grade
This cycle tour is graded moderate to strenuous.
The six cycling days vary from 39 - 63km in
length. The terrain and conditions vary from day
to day. You will cycle on a combination of narrow
roads, dirt roads and sometimes on uneven/
rocky surfaces. Some of the tracks, for instance
when cycling into/from towns, are busier than the
majority of the route as there will be traffic, and
you should take extra care on these sections.
You will experience gradual ascents and
descents, along with way as well as some
difficult and demanding slopes. The route is
challenging at points and we ask that you are in
very good physical shape.
TOUR INFORMATION
CYCLING THE CAMINO:
FINAL STAGE TO SANTIAGO CAMINO FRANCES FROM LEÓN TO SANTIAGO
Compostela/Pilgrim’s Passport
The Pilgrim’s Passport is available in many
churches/pilgrim offices on the route and these
are clearly marked in your guidebook. You need
to get the passport stamped in churches,
restaurants and hotels along the Camino.
Navigation
We supply you with detailed route descriptions
and maps so you can easily find your way.
Baggage Transfer
Baggage transfer is included. Please ensure your bags are ready for collection in the reception area of your hotel by 9.30am. The will usually be at your next destination between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
Rental Bikes
Mountain bikes are available with different frame
sizes allocated according to your height and our
local bike hire partners will choose the
appropriate bicycle for you.
All bicycles are 24 speed and included in your
hire is a front bag, water bottle and holder,
helmet, lock and a repair kit.
Rear Bags and panniers are not included,
however can be hired for an additional fee.
For hygiene and health and safety reasons, we
suggest you bring your own helmet with you.
Travelling to León
Air: Oviedo is the closest airport and is serviced
by easyJet from London. There are 8 buses a
day from Oviedo to Leon which takes 1hr30.
Timetables and fares can be viewed at Alsa
Alternatively, Madrid airport is serviced by the
majority of major airlines which may be a more
suitable option for our international passengers.
Or you can fly into Leon Airport itself which is
6km from the city (and reached by taxi).
Train: León can easily be reached by train
from Madrid which takes 2hr45. Timetables and
fares can be viewed at Renfe.
Getting back from Santiago:
Air: Direct flights are available from Santiago
de Compostela Airport to London Stansted and
Gatwick airports. Alternatively connecting flights
via Central European hubs such as Madrid and
Barcelona is also a good option.
Train: It is also possible to take the train from
Santiago to Madrid (approx. 7-8hrs). Timetables
and fares can be viewed at Renfe.
Travel Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is a pre-requisite for
all bookings.
Availability
This cycling holiday can be booked to start daily
between April and October. You will find up to
date availability on our website.
Included:
Accommodation in small rural hotels and
hostals, with private facilities.
7 Breakfasts
Detailed information pack with route notes, maps and useful information
24/7 emergency telephone support
Excluded
Travel to León
Travel back from Santiago
Drinks, snacks, lunches and dinners
Bike hire - can be booked as an option
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Entrance fees to museums and attractions
Taxi transfers or public transport should you
need to skip a stage
Optional
Additional nights accommodation
Single room or solo cyclist supplement (if applicable)
Bike Hire
When you are ready to book you can book securely online at www.macsadventure.com or
by phone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886
ABTA Member Statement
Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.
ABTA and ABTA Members
help holidaymakers to get the
most from their travel and
assist when things don’t go
according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a
high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code
of Conduct. For more information on ABTA, the
Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme
available to you if you have a complaint, contact
ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020
3117 0581 www.abta.com
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO BOOK
CYCLING THE CAMINO:
FINAL STAGE TO SANTIAGO CAMINO FRANCES FROM LEÓN TO SANTIAGO