Complete Guide to English: Cycling Camino English

The story of the English Way by bike is that of an express pilgrimage, a modern and agile way to revive the last stage of the ancient maritime pilgrims' journey. This route, due to its short distance and affordable profile, has become one of the favorites for "bicigrinos" who have little time, such as a long weekend, and want to obtain the Compostela by living a complete and enchanting Jacobean experience.

The original English Way was born as the route walked by devotees of the British Isles and Northern Europe after disembarking at Ferrol or A Coruña ports. The bike, in its modern adaptation, pays homage to that journey. The speed of two wheels allows emulating the medieval pilgrim's rush to finally reach the Apostle's tomb after a long and perilous sea crossing. The complete route from Ferrol, about 120 kilometers, adapts perfectly to a relaxed pedaling trip over two or three days.

The bike itinerary is a delight that combines ría landscapes, historic villages, and rural Galicia. Starting from Ferrol, the cyclist rides along the ría, a tranquil water landscape past industrial, then enters the interior. The first major milestone is the medieval village of Pontedeume. Its old town, with its steep streets, represents the first small challenge for the cyclist, rewarded by the beauty of its churches and the Torreón de los Andrade. The route continues to another of the historic jewels of the route, Betanzos, one of the capitals of ancient Galicia, with one of the best-conserved Gothic town halls in the region.

The profile of the route is a continuous up-and-down, an undulating terrain typical of Galicia, without major mountain passes but with constant "repechos" that require good rhythm changes. This terrain is very entertaining for cycling. After Betanzos, the road enters more rural Galicia, on dirt paths and local tranquil roads, until reaching Hospital de Bruma, the point of connection with the branch coming from A Coruña.

The final stretch to Santiago is an enjoyable ride through the Galician countryside, which gradually becomes more urban as it approaches the destination in Compostela. Thanks to the route from Ferrol exceeding 100 kilometers, the bicigrino does not have problems obtaining the Compostela (in contrast to the hiker, the cyclist must cover 200 km, but the Cathedral is usually flexible with this historic route, although it's recommended to consult the current regulations at the Pilgrim's Office).

In summary, the history of the English Way by bike is that of popularization and accessibility. It has converted a historically beautiful route into a "micro-adventure" Jacobean perfect experience. It's the ideal option for starting in the world of cycling pilgrims, an experience that condenses the essence of landscape, history, and Galician hospitality in few days.