French Way by bike from Roncesvalles
The more than 700 kilometers that separate you from Santiago de Compostela will take you through part of the Pyrenees, País Vasco, Navarra and La Rioja to enter the calm of the Castilian plain and its many examples of Gothic and Romanesque.
Step by step you will reach the mountains that separate you from the Galician territory, where you will be welcomed by the picturesque town of O Cebreiro.
The Galician trails and forests will keep you company until you reach the Monte do Gozo from where you will see for the first time the towers of the Cathedral, you are already in Santiago!
What does this route consist of?
753 kms
14 nights
13 stages
€/pax.
Included Services
- Accommodation in hotels and rural houses
- Rooms with private bathroom
- Travel insurance
- Welcome Pack with Credential
- 24-hour assistance
- Complete route itinerary
- Vehicle available for emergencies
- Free cancellation up to 15 days in advance
Optional Services
- Breakfasts
- Dinners
- Luggage transport
- Bicycle rental
- Electric bike rental
- Airport transfer
Gallery
Stages of the French Way by bike from Roncesvalles
Day 1
Roncesvalles
Night at Roncesvalles
Roncesvalles is one of the most popular starting points for pilgrims who decide to follow the French Way. In this small Pyrenean village, which has only thirty inhabitants, you can enjoy its magnificent medieval architecture, such as the Collegiate Church of Santa María or the Church of Santa María de Roncesvalles. Legend has it that the Romanesque Chapel of the Holy Spirit contains the remains of Roland.
Day 2
From Roncesvalles to Pamplona
Night at Pamplona
44km
5 - 6 h
Today's stage takes place amidst lush forests of beech, oak, and pine trees. After leaving behind two mountain passes, the steep descent towards Zubiri begins. You will continue pedaling until Pamplona, where we recommend you visit its old town, the citadel, and the Town Hall.
Day 3
From Pamplona to Estella
Night at Estella
45 km
5 - 6 h
You will encounter the Sierra del Perdón, with just a slight ascent of only 260 meters of elevation gain, followed by a steeper descent. At the top, you'll be able to admire Pamplona and the Pyrenees and visit the Hermitage of Santa María de Eunate. You'll traverse sections along an ancient Roman road and others along a national highway until reaching Estella.
Day 4
From Estella to Logroño
Night at Logroño
49km
5 - 6 h
Filled with ascents and descents, this is a demanding stage that requires perseverance and patience. Leaving Los Arcos behind, you will leave Navarra to immerse yourself in the land of wine par excellence: La Rioja. In Logroño, the capital, you can enjoy its wine culture to the fullest and taste its unparalleled gastronomy.
Day 5
From Logroño to Sto. Domingo de la Calzada
Night at Santo Domingo de la Calzada
50km
6 - 7 horas
Venturing into the lands of La Rioja, you will pass through Nájera, where the Castilian language was born and considered by many as the great jewel of Spanish medieval art. You will continue through a peaceful and straightforward stretch until you reach Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town founded by Santo Domingo for and by the Camino de Santiago.
Day 6
From Sto. Domingo de la Calzada to Burgos
Night at Burgos
70km
7 - 8 horas
As you enter Castilla y León, cereal fields dominate the landscape. You will continue through Belorado, the Sierra de los Montes de Oca, and reach San Juan de Ortega. After leaving this town, you will finally arrive in Burgos, where you can visit its imposing Gothic cathedral.
Day 7
From Burgos a Carrión de los Condes
Night at Carrión de los Condes
87 km
7 - 8 h
You will leave Burgos behind to enter the plain and austere lands of Castilla y León. From Hornillos del Camino, passing through Castrojeriz, where you can visit the Collegiate Church of Santa María del Manzano, you will reach Frómista; this town is famous for the Romanesque church of San Martín, a World Heritage Site.
You will end this peaceful stage in Carrión de los Condes, a former residence of kings, where you can enjoy its rich artistic and architectural heritage. For example, the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Belén.
Day 8
From Carrión de los Condes to León.
Night at León
89 km
7 - 8 h
You will begin this stage by travelling along the Via Aquitania until you reach Calzadilla de la Cueza, the birthplace of the famous legend of The Hen with the Golden Eggs. You will then officially enter the lands of León; here the route is marked out by La Calzada del Coto and Calzadilla de los Hermanillos until you reach Sahagún, a pretty village where Mudejar architecture predominates.
You will pass Burgo del Ranero and its Romanesque churches, the old walled town of Mansilla de la Mulas to finally reach your destination... You have finally arrived in León! You will be able to enjoy its many charms such as its gothic cathedral, the Casa de los Botines and the Palacio de los Guzmanes.
Day 9
From León to Astorga
Night at Astorga
49 km
5 - 6 h
You will start your stage towards Hospital de Órbigo, a perfect alternative if you want to avoid the national road and cycle quietly through fields.
You will leave behind the plain road that was predominant in the previous stages to enter more mountainous landscapes. The end of this stage is in Astorga, a town famous for its modernist architecture, where you can visit the Episcopal Palace, designed by Antoni Gaudí himself.
Day 10
From Astorga to Ponferrada
Night at Ponferrada
53 km
5 - 6 h
Once we arrive in the city of Ponferrada, we will have the opportunity to visit its beautiful old town, visit the Castle of the Templars and delight in the local gastronomy offered by the local mountains such as botillo and some of the best meats in Spain.
Day 11
From Ponferrada to O Cebreiro
Night at O Cebreiro / Herrerías
55 km
6 - 7 horas
From O Cebreiro we pass through the 'Serra de Rañadoiro' (Rañadoiro Mountains) and, after crossing the Alto do Poio we descend to the village of Triacastela.
Day 12
From O Cebreiro to Portomarín
Night at Portomarín
62 km
7 - 8 horas
It is advisable to visit the Romanesque church in the village of Barbadelo. If you want to make your walk much shorter, we offer you to divide this route into two stages and spend the night in the beautiful village of Ferreiros.
Day 13
From Portomarín to Arzúa
Night at Arzúa
54 km
6 - 7 horas
In this stage of the Camino de Santiago you will start walking downhill and then pass through beautiful forests, quiet villages and several streams throughout the day.
When you are in A Calle de Ferreiros you should take an exit to the right and cross the village of Boavista.
Day 14
From Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela
Night at Santiago de Compostela
39.7 km
4 - 5 horas
This stage of the Way begins with a descent that runs through magical forests and streams that make up an idyllic landscape. This is an easy stretch where you can visit the chapel of Santa Irene or the church of Santa Eulalia de O Pedrouzo. You will head towards the end of your journey via Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo, where you will be able to make out the towers of the cathedral on the horizon. You will arrive in Santiago through the San Lázaro neighbourhood and go down towards the historic quarter, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, until you reach Obradoiro square, where you will finally see Santiago Cathedral. If you wish and you have started your walk early, you can attend the pilgrim's mass, celebrated at 12 noon.
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