7-Day The Way of St James Bike Tour- The Coast Path - Camino to Santiago

5.0
(40 reviews)

8 days (approximately)
Offered in: Portuguese and 7 more

This cycling tour presents itself as an easy route to reach Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate pilgrimage beacon in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most important spots for religious tourism in Western Europe.

Enjoy a city tour with us in Porto, to get to know a little bit of its architecture, heritage and local traditions. After this, ride towards Santiago, passing by sunny and seaside areas such as Esposende, Caminha and Bayona. Have a delight with the famous Arcade's oysters. Know why Caldas de Reis holds such a royalty importance and end this tour in the Square of Obradoiro, where you can see the colossal baroque cathedral where the remains of the apostle Santiago lies.

Route description:

Flat for the first 3 days, with a few smooth and short climbs. Hilly in the last 3 days, up and down in secondary roads.
30 % bike lanes and wood walkways, 30% smooth dirt roads. Some coubblestone roads and rough dirt roads, 20 % paved secondary roads with low traffic.

What's Included

GPS with route for self guided
Santiago pick up back to Porto city in Van ( our ticket BUS)
Luggage transfer
7 nights accommodation
Road book
Bike rent and helmet
Breakfast (Optional[8])
Breakfast
Porto arrival and departure airport transfer
Alcoholic beverages
Insurances (please contract a travel insurance) - Insucances only available in guided bike tours
lunches and dinners

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

In our store

End point

Itinerary

Duration: 8 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Day 1: Reception at Porto

    1 stop
  • 1
    Porto

    Briefing at : Rua João das Regras nº 62 4000-290 Porto, Portugal

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 2

    Day 2: Porto – Esposende (60 km)

    1 stop
  • 2

    From our store, based in the “Invicta” city of Porto, we will begin our journey heading to Esposende, a seaside city located to the North. During this second day, you will be overwhelmed with seaside landscapes and small “Portuguese rivieras”, until you reach Esposende, a city from the Middle Ages. A huge variety of fishing villages (Póvoa de Varzim) will be met by us, where we can experience ancient traditions linked to the fish exploration, as well as taste this famous gastronomy. In Vila do Conde, you’ll know why these Portuguese coastal cities were so important during the “el dorado” of the Portuguese Discoveries

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 3

    Day 3: Esposende – Caminha (50 km)

    1 stop
  • 3

    We’re reaching Viana do Castelo, another sea docking city that was quite important during the Discoveries’ period. During the XIV-XVth Centuries it was in this precise city that the ships going to Brazil, India, Africa and other Portuguese Colonies were developed. Our final destination will be Caminha. This city finds the shore of the river Minho, making it part of an incredible landscape. Caminha is also very well-known for its natural and green heritage, like the sightseeing areas, waterfalls, beaches and the camping park.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 4

    Day 4: Caminha – Baiona (40 km)

    1 stop
  • 4
    Baiona

    During our fourth cycling day, you are going to enter in Spanish territory, ending in Bayona. It’s a city politically linked to Pontevedra where you can breathe the sea breeze. Away from the sea landscape you can also get lost in the old city center. Born from the Romans, the city kept growing towards the coast during the Middle Ages, with an influence from the Catholic Church. Curiously, during the XVI Century, Bayona was raided by British ships, led by the great corsair and explorer Francis Drake who saw an opportunity to establish a commercial and merchant point in this territory.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 5

    Day 5: Baiona – Pontevedra (64 km)

    1 stop
  • 5

    This day will encompass the stream of Vigo and will end in San Simon's bay with a watery landscape to feast your eyes on. Always following the coastline, this day will be dedicated to Arcade and its famous oysters. Apart from this delightful cuisine, you will see monuments and sights dedicated to Santiago’s culture, such as the church of Santiago in Arcade (XII-XIII centuries) and roads and paths that will lead to our pilgrimage destination. It’s almost mandatory that, if you are passing by Arcade, you must taste and enjoy the famous oysters produced and harvested in the waters of this region. Curiously, during April’s first week there is a festival dedicated to this traditional gastronomy – “Fiesta de la Ostra” – where the city is filled with tourists and pilgrims to attend this event.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 6

    Day 6: Pontevedra – Caldas dos Reis (26 km)

    1 stop
  • 6

    Heading to a pre-Roman city, Caldas de Reis, a province which belongs to Pontevedra. According to historical archives, the first inhabitants were a pre-Roman community that lived from the hot springs of this territory. The name “Caldas de Reis” is connected to the birthplace of Afonso VII, acting in the Middle Ages as a pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela. Apart from the rich cultural heritage, like Arcade, Caldas de Reis holds a peculiar gastronomy, such as the “empanadas” of lamprey and the traditional Spanish bread. Since the hot springs accompanied the evolution of this territory, nowadays it is a hot spot for tourism who seeks better healthy treatments for several illnesses

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 7

    Day 7: Caldas dos Reis – Santiago de Compostela (40 km)

    1 stop
  • 7
    Santiago de Compostela

    Your last day will be met by Santiago de Compostela as your final destination, one of the ultimate pilgrimage cores in Western Europe. Like Rome and Jerusalem, the city of Santiago de Compostela presents us an unique religious beacon for tourists who find in this cycling journey an act of faith and inner-self. Reach the Square of Obradoiro, where you will witness the majestic baroque cathedral where the remains of the apostle are located.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 8

    Day 8: Departure

    1 stop
  • 8
    Santiago de Compostela

    Departure

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Bikes provided are Trek mountain bicycles
Supplied by Top Bike tours Portugal

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Tags

Mountain Bike Tours
Multi-day Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Bike Tours
Small Group
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 40 40 reviews
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