The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
The Camino Sanabrés by bike takes you to Santiago in 7 stages from Zamora. Crosses mountains, the Lake of Sanabria and thermal lands of Ourense on an unforgettable route.
Organize your The Camino Sanabrés by BikeOrigin
Granja de MoreruelaDestination
Santiago de CompostelaDistance
367.7 km
Days
7
Difficulty
High
General Description of The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
Connections of The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
Way of Sanabria
Distance:
368 km
Days:
13
Difficulty:
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The Way of Saint Abades, also known as the Mozarabic Way of Sanabres, is one of the extensions of the Via Plata. It begins officially in Granja de Moreruela (Zamora), where pilgrims coming from the south can take this direct variant to Galicia. With a distance of 368 km, it passes through Zamora, the Culebra Mountains and the Sanabria region, entering Galicia by the province of Ourense.
It offers a more solitary and nature-connected pilgrimage experience, passing by the impressive Lake of Sanabria and the thermal lands of Ourense. It is a route of great scenic beauty and ethnographic richness, ideal for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy an authentic and challenging Camino in certain sections.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Farm of Moreruela to Tabarca
Stage 2: Barbera to San Cristóbal de la Laguna
Stage 3: San Cristóbal de la Peña a Rionegro del Puente
Stage 4: Rionegro del Puente to Puebla de Sanabria
Stage 5: Puebla de Sanabria to Lubian
Stages of The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
Etapa 1: Granja de Moreruela to Santa Croya de Tera
Description:
This long stage is an authentic challenge that says goodbye to Andalusia to enter Extremadura. The route is a continuous up and down through Sierra Morena. It's a day of great beauty and physical dema...
Origen: Granja de Moreruela
Destino: Santa Croya de Tera
Etapa 2: Santa Croya de Tera to Puebla de Sanabria
Description:
Leaving the Sierra Morena, this stage enters the Extremaduran plain. The route is an enjoyable stroll through flat terrain, between pastures and fields of cultivation. It's a day to enjoy the peaceful...
Origen: Santa Croya de Tera
Destino: Puebla de Sanabria
Etapa 3: Puebla de Sanabria to A Gudiña
Description:
This stage continues across the Extremaduran plain, on a route that combines sections of the ancient Roman road with trails between vineyards and olive groves. It is a day of great beauty and solitude...
Origen: Puebla de Sanabria
Destino: A Gudiña
Etapa 4: A Gudiña to Xunqueira de Ambía
Description:
This long stage is an authentic challenge that ventures into the Tierra de Barros region. The route is flat but very demanding due to its distance. It's a journey for introspection and meditation in a...
Origen: A Gudiña
Destino: Xunqueira de Ambía
Etapa 5: Xunqueira de Ambía to Cea
Description:
The last stage of the Vía de la Plata before joining the Camino Francés is an enjoyable descent to the monumental city of Mérida. The route passes through a rural and solitary landscape, contrasting w...
Origen: Xunqueira de Ambía
Destino: Cea
Featured Towns of The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
Explore the key towns and cities of this route.
Granja de Moreruela
Historic Crossroads of the Silver Way. In Granja de Moreruela, the pilgrim decides: to continue on to Astorga or take the Camino Sanabrés, a crucial choice in the route.
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Santa Croya de Tera
Peaceful Zamoran town on the Via de la Plata. Santa Croya de Tera, by the river Tera, offers a haven of peace and a beautiful riverside setting for the pilgrim's rest.
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Puebla de Sanabria
Medieval joy and an indispensable stop on the Camino Sanabrés. Its imposing castle and well-preserved historic center offer the pilgrim a journey through time before entering Galicia.
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A Gudiña
Gateway to Galicia on the Way of Saint James. To Gudiña is a communication hub and a key service center for pilgrims facing the final mountainous stages.
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Xunqueira de Ambía
The Villa ourensana on the Via de la Plata with a valuable monastery. Xunqueira de Ambía is a stop with a deep historical and spiritual flavor, ideal for rest and contemplation.
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Cea
Known for its bread with Denomination of Origin, Cea is a must-visit stop on the Via de la Plata to taste one of the most iconic and delicious products of Galician cuisine.
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Outeiro
Small rural village on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. Outeiro offers the pilgrim a last breath of tranquility and Galician landscape before the final destination.
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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 Sanabrés by Bike
Discover the origins and evolution of The Camino Sanabrés by Bike
The Sanabrés Cycling Route, as a footpath route, was born as a logical shortcut for medieval pilgrims. For modern cyclists, this logic is maintained and amplified. After hundreds of kilometers of pedaling through the plains of the Via Plata, the cyclist often yearns for a change in terrain, a new challenge. The Sanabrés offers this with ease.
The history of the Sanabrés Cycling Route is intrinsically linked to the rise of "gravel" and adventure cycling, as its mixed terrain of dirt tracks, trails, and secondary roads is ideal for these types of bicycles.
The bike journey begins in Granja de Moreruela or nearby Zamora. Soon, the route enters the Sierra de la Culebra, a wild and sparsely populated territory. For cyclists, this translates to the first major climbs and the excitement of pedaling through one of the last refuges of the Iberian wolf. The arrival in the Sanabria comarca is a highlight. The view of Lake Sanabria, the largest glacial origin of the peninsula, and the visit to the medieval town of Puebla de Sanabria are the reward for effort.
The great challenge of the Sanabrés Cycling Route is crossing the mountains that separate Castile and León from Galicia. The Padornelo and A Canda passes are the major trials for cyclists. Overcoming them requires considerable effort, but the prize is a long and spectacular descent into the Monterrei valley, now in the province of Ourense. This entry into Galicia is one of the most exciting of all the routes.
The route through Galicia is a continuous climb and descend through lush valleys and medium-sized mountains. It passes through spa towns like Verín and Xinzo de Limia, and approaches the monumental city of Ourense. A spiritual and restful milestone is the Monasterio de Oseira, an impressive Cistercian monastery that offers hospitality. The undulating and often broken terrain maintains the challenge until the final stages.
The story of the Sanabrés Cycling Route in a bike is therefore the story of a choice. It's the route chosen by cyclists who don't conform to a flat finish, but seek a final great effort in the mountains. It's the option for those who prefer the solitude of Galician forests to the bustle of the Camino Francés. It's, ultimately, the perfect culmination for long-distance pilgrims, a final challenge that honors the difficulty and beauty of the journey with a memorable alpine test.