Cycling the Camino Frances on a Budget

The French Way by Bike

Some pilgrims prefer to explore the Camino with a bit more speed and on a saddle. Exploring by cycling is a great experience with an added benefit over walking: You will see more in the same amount of time! Travel the Camino to Santiago de Compostela on a bike while enjoying the downtoearth pilgrim spirit with our Budget Tours.

Choose one of the sections for a short getaway or go for the full Camino Frances on a bike.

We provide everything for your cycling trip, including a well inspected bike and maintenance and repair equipment. All you need to do is hit the pedals!

Our cycling packages are not suitable for novice bike riders – your bike will come presented in a box which you need to be able to assemble yourself (see our video). You will also need to be familiar with fixing a flat tyre / loose chain. The cycling tour packages are aimed at experienced riders. For more questions about bicycle rental, please review our FAQs page.

Camino Frances

Starting in Roncesvalles, cycling the full French Way will bring you to the most stunning places along the Camino. Passing by the most important regions in the north of Spain will teach you a lot about Spanish culture. This trip is amazing for the cyclist who loves to see different landscapes. It's also the best way to see many picturesque towns and learn about the lifestyle and the people that have been influenced by the Camino along your way. Our cycling packages are not suitable for novice bike riders – your bike will come presented in a box which you need to be able to assemble yourself. You will also need to be familiar with fixing a flat tyre / loose chain. The cycling tour packages are aimed at experienced riders.

activity

746.6km

17 days

Budget

Moderate plus

Moderate plus

Challenge

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Not Possible

The most iconic route the Camino Frances has a variety of terrain, hilly, flat and never boring!

Starting in Roncesvalles, this leg of the French Way will bring you to the vibrant city of Burgos. This section is great for cyclists who want to enjoy different landscapes, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to fields of sunflowers, from woodland to red earth vineyards. It also has many historical cities as well as picturesque towns, and visitors can enjoy different regional cultures as they journey from the Basque Country to Castilla y Leon, not to mention the wine-dedicated region of La Rioja. Our cycling packages are not suitable for novice bike riders – your bike will come presented in a box which you need to be able to assemble yourself. You will also need to be familiar with fixing a flat tyre / loose chain. The cycling tour packages are aimed at experienced riders.

Stage 1 of 3

activity

257.9km

7 days

Budget

Easy

Easy

Challenge

Jan
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Not Possible

Starting from

826

Starting from Burgos, mediaeval city and home of a UNESCO World Heritage listed cathedral, this section of the French Way by bike offers some of the best historical and cultural sights of the whole Camino. It passes through Leon and the vast Castilian Plateau before reaching another mediaeval bastion – the buzzing city of Ponferrada. The mostly flat and gentle terrain makes it accessible to any cyclist with an average level of fitness.

Stage 2 of 3

activity

283km

7 days

Budget

Easy

Easy

Challenge

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Off/Low Season
Not Possible

Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, this section crosses both the Castilla y Leon and Galicia regions. Leaving the mediaeval city of Ponferrada, this Camino crosses the magnificent O’Cebreiro Mountains before heading towards the heart of Galicia and its lush green hills. This section can be physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness, but it is also a highly rewarding leg of the Camino, offering beautiful landscapes and numerous cultural sights. Our cycling packages are not suitable for novice bike riders – your bike will come presented in a box which you need to be able to assemble yourself. You will also need to be familiar with fixing a flat tyre / loose chain. The cycling tour packages are aimed at experienced riders.

Stage 3 of 3

activity

205.7km

7 days

Budget

Easy

Easy

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

A physically demanding section through the mountains of Leon to then tackle the hills of Galicia and arrive at Santiago de Compostela.

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