The Camino by Bike
Follow the most iconic Jacobean route on two wheels. The French Way by bike allows you to live this 779km adventure in a more rapid and adapted way for cycling tourism.
Organize your The Camino by BikeOrigin
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-PortDestination
Santiago de CompostelaDistance
779 km
Days
14
Difficulty
Media
General Description of The Camino by Bike
Connections of The Camino by Bike
The French Way
Distance:
779 km
Days:
33
Difficulty:
Media
The Camino Francés is the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela of excellence, chosen by thousands of pilgrims every year. With a journey of approximately 780 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or less from Roncesvalles, it traverses northern Spain. This path, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers exceptional infrastructure for services and hostels.
Pilgrims traverse Navarra, La Rioja, Castile and León, and finally Galicia, marveling at monumental cities such as Pamplona, Burgos, and León, and charming villages. The diversity of its landscapes is one of its greatest attractions, from the Pyrenees and the Castilian plains to the green forests of Galicia. It's a physical and spiritual journey that leaves an indelible mark, ideal for both experienced pilgrims and those starting out on the Camino de Santiago.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles
Stage 2: Roncesvalles to Zubiri
Stage 3: Zubiri is going to Pamplona.
Stage 4: Pamplona to Pontevedra
Stage 5: Bridge of Queen to Estella
Way of the Asturias
Distance:
465 km
Days:
22
Difficulty:
High
The Camino of Asturias is a historical itinerary that connects the French Way in Pamplona with the Primitive Way in Oviedo. This route, of great scenic beauty and notable physical demand, traverses the mountains of Navarre, Álava, Cantabria, and Asturias. It offers a deep immersion in nature and the heritage of interior Spain, with mountain landscapes, valleys, and villages with history.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Pamplona to Irurzun
Stage 2: Irun to Alsausa
Stage 3: Asunción a Salta
Stage 4: Salvaterra to Vitoria
Stage 5: Victory over La Puebla of Arganzón
Winter Path
Distance:
267 km
Days:
10
Difficulty:
Media
The Winter Way emerges as a historical variant for pilgrims on the Camino Francés who sought to avoid the difficult snows of O Cebreiro. The route diverges in Ponferrada and follows the course of the Sil River, crossing the Valdeorras region, the Ribeira Sacra, and the Deza region before joining the Vía de la Plata/Camino Sanabrés near Lalín.
With a 267 km journey, it is the only Camino that traverses all four Galician provinces (Ourense, Lugo, Pontevedra, and A Coruña). It offers spectacular landscapes like the Sil Canyons and its heroic viticulture, allowing you to discover a natural and cultural heritage of great value, less known but equally fascinating.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Ponferrada to Las Médulas
Stage 2: The Mines of O Barco de Valdeorras
Stage 3: To Valdeorras Boat to A Rúa de Valdeorras
Stage 4: Route from Valdeorras to Quiroga
Stage 5: Quirós to Pobra de Brollón
Aragonese Way
Distance:
165.6 km
Days:
6
Difficulty:
Media
The Aragonese Way is one of the historical entry routes to the French Way on the Iberian Peninsula. From the Somport Pass, it covers 166 km through beautiful Pirenne landscapes, passing by landmarks such as Jaca and its Romanesque cathedral, the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña or the hermitage of Santa María de Eunate. In Puente la Reina (Navarra), it joins the Way that comes from Roncesvalles.
It is a route with an immense Romanesque patrimony and less pilgrim traffic, which offers a more intimate and authentic experience.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Port of Jaca
Stage 2: Jacques d'Arras
Stage 3: Arras to Ruesca
Stage 4: To Sue
Stage 5: Song of Monreal
Way of Salvador
Distance:
119.4 km
Days:
6
Difficulty:
High
The Way of Salvador, or the Way of St. Salvador, is a historic 120 km route that connects León to Oviedo, allowing pilgrims on the French Way to connect with the start of the Primitive Way. It crosses the Cantabrian Mountains, which implies considerable physical challenge but offers spectacular mountain landscapes.
Its motto "Who goes to Santiago and does not go to Salvador, visits the servant and not the Lord" reflects the historical importance of Oviedo Cathedral and its relics. It is a short but intense route, ideal for pilgrims with good physical preparation who seek to add a mountain component and deep historical connection to their pilgrimage.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Leon at La Robla
Stage 2: Robla to Poladura of the Third
Stage 3: Adhesion of Third to Pajares
Stage 4: Hair to Pola de Lena
Stage 5: Valley of Lena to Mieres
Elevation Profile of The Camino by Bike
Visualize the ups and downs of the route.
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Stages of The Camino by Bike
Etapa 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Zubiri
Description:
The last stage of the Camino Mozárabe in Granada is an enjoyable descent to the monumental city of Córdoba. The path traverses a rural and solitary landscape, which contrasts with the great city that ...
Origen: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Destino: Zubiri
Etapa 2: Zubiri to Puente la Reina
Description:
Leaving behind the monumental Córdoba, this stage enters Sierra Morena. The route is a continuous ascent through a landscape of dehesas and forests. It's a day of great beauty and physical demand. Arr...
Origen: Zubiri
Destino: Puente la Reina
Etapa 3: Puente la Reina to Torres del Río
Description:
This stage continues through Sierra Morena, on a route of great beauty and solitude. The path traverses a landscape of meadows and forests, with spectacular views. It's a day to enjoy nature in its pu...
Origen: Puente la Reina
Destino: Torres del Río
Etapa 4: Torres del Río to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Description:
This long stage enters the Pedroches Valley, a vast grassland plain. The route is a continuous rise and fall through a beautiful landscape. It's an demanding but very rewarding journey. Arrival in Alc...
Origen: Torres del Río
Destino: Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Etapa 5: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Burgos
Description:
This stage continues through the Pedroches Valley, on a route that combines sections of the ancient Roman road with trails between pastures. It is a day of great beauty and solitude. The arrival at Hi...
Origen: Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Destino: Burgos
Etapa 6: Burgos to Boadilla del Camino
Description:
This long stage is a true challenge that says goodbye to Andalusia to enter Extremadura. The route is a continuous up and down through the La Serena region. It's a day of great beauty and physical dem...
Origen: Burgos
Destino: Boadilla del Camino
Featured Towns of The Camino by Bike
Explore the key towns and cities of this route.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Iconic starting point of the French Way in France. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, with its medieval charm and Jacobean atmosphere, is the gateway for thousands of pilgrims.
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Zubiri
Entrance to the Pyrenees Navarre on the Camino Francés. Zubiri, with its iconic Bridge of Rage over the River Arga, is the first key stop and refuge for pilgrims after Roncesvalles.
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Puente la Reina
Heart of the Camino Francés in Navarra. In Puente la Reina, the routes of Roncesvalles and Somport converge. Its majestic Romanesque bridge is a universal symbol of pilgrimage to Santiago.
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Torres del Río
Navarran villa with the Templar cross of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an octagonal plan. Mystical stop on the Way.
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Santo Domingo de la Calzada
City legend of the French Way in La Rioja. Famous for the miracle of the rooster and hen, its Cathedral is an indispensable Jacobean stop, full of history and tradition.
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Burgos
Monumental heart of the Camino Francés. Burgos dazzles the pilgrim with its majestic Gothic cathedral, World Heritage Site, and rich historical legacy on the Castilian plateau.
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Boadilla del Camino
Palentine town with an impressive Gothic roll. An oasis of peace and history in the Castilian tableland.
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Terradillos de los Templarios
Small village on the French Way whose name suggests its possible past linked to the Order of the Temple, offering an authentic rural atmosphere and a breath of fresh air amidst the vastness of the Meseta.
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León
Old capital of the Kingdom, Leon is a gem on the French Way. It shines with its Gothic Cathedral, Saint Isidore's Basilica and lively Wet Quarter, perfect for tapas.
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Astorga
Monumental city and crossroads of roads. Astorga, the Maragata capital, is a gem of the French Way, famous for its Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace by Gaudí, and delicious Maragato cuisine.
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Villafranca del Bierzo
Known as the "Little Compostela," this village on the French Way allows pilgrims with illnesses to gain the Jubilee in its church of St. James, a historic privilege.
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Triacastela
Lug in the French Way that offers the pilgrim the first major decision in Galicia: to take the beautiful detour of Samos or the shorter route to St. Silo.
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Palas de Rei
Heart of the A Ulloa region and a key stop on the Camino Francés. Palas de Rei is an historic enclave with all services, perfect for replenishing strength before the final stages.
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Santiago de Compostela
The Final and Spiritual Heart of the Way of St. James. Its majestic Cathedral and Plaza del Obradoiro welcome pilgrims from all over the world in a full of emotion finale.
More InformationMillenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution The Camino by Bike
Discover the origins and evolution of The Camino by Bike
Bicycle pilgrimage to Santiago began taking shape significantly in the second half of the 20th century, as cycling tourism became popular as a form of leisure and adventure. The first bicigrinos were pioneers, often following the same trails as walkers with sturdy bicycles, facing technical difficulties in certain sections. With the spectacular resurgence of the Camino from the 80s and 90s, demand grew and the route began to adapt.
One key factor in this history is the creation of a specific route. It became clear that the medieval original path was not always cycleable: excessively rocky trails, stairs in towns, narrow paths or impassable muddy tracks. Therefore, associations of friends of the Camino, guidebook editors, and even bicigrinos themselves were creating and documenting variants that, without straying from the spirit of the original itinerary, flow through agricultural roads or secondary roads with low traffic that parallel the pedestrian path. This guarantees safety and smoothness for the journey, although sometimes sacrificing a brief stop at some small landmark on the original route.
The Church also recognized this new form of pilgrimage, establishing its own rules for obtaining the "Compostela". If the foot pilgrim is required to cover the last 100 kilometers, the bicigringo is asked to cover the last 200. This rule has made cities like Ponferrada, with its imposing Templar castle, into the most popular starting point for cyclists, as it is about 200 km from Santiago.
The infrastructure of the Camino has also evolved to accommodate this new group. Many hostels, both public and private, have set aside safe spaces for bicycles, washing areas and basic tools for repairs. Specialized companies have emerged in bike rentals and luggage transport, making logistics much easier for the journey. The bicigringo is no longer a rarity but an integral part of the Camino's ecosystem.
Cycling the Camino Francés is an experience of great visual and physical intensity. It allows crossing the peninsula's complete diversity in two weeks, from the Pyrenees Navarre to the Galician woods, passing through La Rioja's vineyards and the vastness of the Meseta. It is a different form of pilgrimage that, although changes the pace, maintains intact the essence of the journey: personal challenge, meeting other pilgrims, and the incomparable emotion of arriving at the Plaza del Obradoiro.