Arrival

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Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Visit the delightful centre of the village where many pilgrims choose to begin their epic journey across Northern Spain. And don't forget to buy your scallop shell!

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

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Pamplona

Ride over the low Pyrenees into Spain. Pass the monastery of Roncesvalles and continue down through alpine pastures to the beautiful city of Pamplona, famous for its summer festival of San Fermín.

Pamplona

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Estella

From Pamplona the route leads to the town of Estella through the beautiful countryside of Navarra where all sorts of vegetables and fruie are cultivated, along with vineyards. In the pretty town of Puente La Reina the two French caminos join to continue together to Santiago.

Estella

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Logroño

From Estella we continue towards the world-famous wine-producing area of La Rioja and its capital, Logroño. Make a stop at the winery of Iratxe to try the wine from the free wine fountain. Logroño is an elegant city on the banks of the River Ebro, famous for the tapas in the street Calle Laurel.

Logroño

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Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Through the vineyards of La Rioja towards the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A pleasant ride through vineyards and farmland. In the cathedral of Santo Domingo two live chickens are always kept to commemorate the legend of the town which you can discover for yourself on arrival. Accommodation in the fine Parador.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

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Burgos

The longer route leads through the magnificent mountain scenery of the Sierra de la Demanda towards Castile and Burgos. The shorter route follows the Camino. Both meet in Atapuerca, home to an archaeological site where the remains of the first human inhabitants of Europe can be found. Burgos is a magnificent city, dominated by the beautiful gothic cathedral of Santa María.

Burgos

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Carrión de los Condes

The first of 2 days crossing the immense plain of Castile known as la meseta. A longer ride but fairly flat. Castile has extense wheat fields dotted with medieval villages. Accommodation tonight is in the monastery hotel of San Zoilo in the pleasant little town of Carrión de los Condes.

Carrrión de los Condes

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León

Second day across the plain with some fine riding past Roman remains, monsateries, ancient villages which have borne witness to the passing of pilgrims throughout the centuries. Arrive in León, another wonderful city famous for its gothic cathedral, fine tapas bars and Gaudi's Casa de los Botines, one of the few buildings by the Catalan architect outside Barcelona.

León

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Astorga

From León the landscape begins to change as we leave the Castilian plain behind. Hospital de Órbigo has a fine bridge which waas witness to medieval jousting challnges to anyone who wished to cross. Astorga is a pretty town with a lively square and is also home to another impressive building by Gaudí, the Episcopal Palace.

Astorga

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Villafranca del Bierzo

From Astorga the road leads though the picturesque villages of the Maragato region. A long and easy ascent takes us to the high point of the tour, the Cruz da Ferro (Iron Cross) at almost 1500 metres / 5000 feet. A descent through beautiful mountain scenery takes us to the riverside village of Molinaseca and tne on to Ponferrada with its fine Templar castle. We then cycle through the vineyards of El Bierzo to the picturesque village of Villafranca del Bierzo.

Villafranca del Bierzo

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Triacastela

From Villafranca del Bierzo we head through stone villages with pretty fields, forests and the sound of water running down from the hills. A big climb and we finally cross the border between León and Galicia and reach the village of O Cebreiro with its charming thatched houses. A super descent leads us to the tiny Camino village of Triacastela.

Triacastela

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Portomarín

Today's ride takes us through charming Galician countryside with monasteries, dairy farms, the characteristic hórrreos and green fields. A longer option gives more options to see the impossible steep vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra. Portomarín is a village which was rebuilt on the hillside after the original village was flooded when the Minho Rver was dammed.

Portomarín

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Arzúa

Another beautiful ride through the enticing Galician countryside with the mounting excitement shared with the pilgrims we meet as our goal becomes nearer. Tonight we stay in Arzúa, just a short hop from Santiago de Compostela and the grand finale of our tour.

Arzúa

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Santiago de Compostela

A short ride which will enbble us to savour the satisfaction of arriving in Santiago itself. Nothing can compare wiht the arrival at the Plaza do Obradoiro in front of the magnificent cathedral. Time ot pay a visit to Saint James himself and then to celebrate with some scallops, a glass of white wine or tw whilst reflecting on our last 2 weeks and our one in a lifetime achievement.

Santiago de Compostela

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Departure

Depart from Santiago de Compostela after breakfast, or extend your stay to see more of this delightful city.