Biking the French Way

Start by taking the new 250 km/hour (155 mph) high speed train from Madrid to León. After relaxing in León, pick up your bike and ride to where the Camino de Santiago begins. 

The Camino leaves Leon through the beautiful Roman bridge, next to the Hostal de San Marcos, now a National Parador. The first 8km are through the industrial zone of Leon. When this segment ends, however, the stage before you is relatively flat and becomes more beautiful with each step. There is also a much more attractive alternative path to this route that you can read about in the guidebook you will receive before your departure.

The main treat along today's stage is the Roman Bridge of Órbigo Hospital. Enjoy.
When you approach Astorga you will see the mountains in the backdrop that you will be crossing over the next few days.

Astorga is a very beautiful town with many memorable monuments such as the Episcopal Palace made by the great Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí. Do not forget to try the Maragato cuisine as well as Astorga's famous pastries, merles and hojaldres. In the guidebook we give you some examples of restaurants you can visit to taste this characteristic cooking.

Distance: 50 Km

This day has a mountainous flavor. You'll pass by the famous iron cross (Cruz de Ferro) where pilgrims traditionally leave stones from their home towns at the base of the cross. Along the way to Molinaseca, the wondrous natural scenery is marked by a few villages. Molinaseca is crammed with charming restaurants frequented by pilgrims, and also many locals, enjoying the city’s streets and cozy cafés.

Distance: 46 Km

Start the day passing through Ponferrada which has a famous castle in the town center, Castillo de los Templarios, a 12th century Templar castle. Ponferrada is a large Camino-city with a population of over 60.000 - known for its large iron and coal reserves. Later you’ll pass through Cacabelos, a once important medieval pilgrim stop, today home for a large number of wine-bodegas. Then it’s on to Villafranca del Bierzo, often known as the “other” or “little” Santiago. We’ll pass by the 12th century Romanesque Church of Santiago and its north entrance Door of Forgiveness. Villafranca del Bierzo is a pleasant village in the middle of Bierzo, which has gradually established itself as one of Spain’s thriving wine regions. Villafranca del Bierzo is on of the most pleasant towns on the Camino.

Distance: 51 Km

Today you'll walk along ancient paths shaded by birches, oaks, chestnuts and poplars up to the emblematic mountaintop village of O’Cebreiro, with a lovely 12th century Romanesque church that is the scene of a fascinating legen, and curious ancient straw-roofed dwellings called Pallozas. This path offers some of the most panoramic views, but is also one of the most challenging stages. Often shrouded in mist, the small stone village is extremely charming. If you arrive on a clear day, the views are dazzling!

After a lot of uphill on yesterday’s walk, today will be mostly downhill. We’ll again have many splendid views of the surrounding countryside. On todays walk you'll also start to notice stone granaries called horreos. You’ll also notice that the weather changes a bit, as we’re now subject to the winds, and rain, from the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the name Triacastela means “three castles”, although none of the castles still exist today. The limestone used to build the cathedral in Santiago came from quarries near Triacastela.

The landscape begins to change as you walk more downhill, perhaps a welcome relief after the last few days of hilly terrain. There are two routes to Sarria, and its recommendable to visit the Benedictine Monastery of Samos, founded in the 6th century and one of the oldest in western Christendom. From here its a idyllic hike through the forrest to Sarria.
Sarria itself is a town of about 13,000 residents and is the last place pilgrims with limited time can hike the minimum distance to the cathedral in Santiago, 100 km, to receive the certificate of completion on the Camino. Because of this, Sarria is a major starting point for many pilgrims. You’ll notice an increased number of fellow pilgrims from here to Santiago.

Distance: 47 Km

Galicia is one of the prettiest regions in Spain, both in nature and tradition. During today’s hike, you will become acquainted with its glorious traditions. Today’s walk is one of the most attractive stages of the entire Pilgrim’s Way; traveling through verdant forests, grassy meadows, fertile orchards and simple stone-built hamlets.

The terrain becomes flatter, though still hilly. Optimism takes over in this magnificent, lush area. By now your goal feels achievable. The journey continues along farm tracks and quiet country roads through the lush Galician countryside to Palas de Rei. Palas de Rei is a small village of around 2,000, with an illustrious past although nothing remains today as a reminder.

Distance: 47 Km

Today's views will seem somewhat familiar. A typical day on the Camino de Santiago, through rolling green landscapes, dotted with cows, stone walls and tiny Romanesque churches. Take time to talk and learn about myriad of legends and stories that this route offers.

An exhilarating atmosphere unfolds as your journey's end draws closer. Pilgrims now feel their goal, and begin to revel in happiness and relief with the many companions they met along the way. Today’s walk finds us on natural pathways through groves of tall Eucalyptus that provide superb shade for our steps.

Congratulations, you achieved an admirable goal, so it's time for a number of traditional pilgrimage rituals. First, be sure to get proof of this feat: the last stamp in your pilgrim passport. Along with the rituals, enjoy the End Station of the Pilgrim route, Santiago de Compostela, which offers a veritable cornucopia of attractions and one of the world’s most important cultural centers. This university town exudes charm and has a myriad of cozy streets offering ample opportunity to sample the many local delicacies. The cathedral is surrounded by a historic center which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, and old town is incomparable. Its monuments stand as true works of art in different architectural styles.

Distance: 69 Km

True pilgrims continues further and finish their journeys in Finisterre. The tour goes by bus with an English-speaking guide from Santiago to Finisterre in the morning and returns mid-efternoon to Santiago. Just off the stunning, rugged coastline and the fabled “Costa de la Muerte” (Death Coast), a reef filled with shipwrecks and tales of legends captures a raw, natural beauty. On the coast’s westernmost point is Finisterre – meaning the world’s end. Romans named this coast because it was literally the end of the known world. For many pilgrims this is the symbolic endpoint of the pilgrimage. 

The evening is spent in Santiago de Compostela.