Camino de Santiago
Tour dates: August 21st - August 29th, 2025
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
Distance: 381km
Grading: Intermediate/Advanced (see below)
What’s included:
Fully guided trip with experienced guide
Bike supplied - fitted with rack, panniers and repair kit. Electric Bike also available.
8 night’s accommodation
Breakfast and snacks each day
Local transfers
Detailed information pack with maps
Overview
Pilgrims have been making their way to the shrine of St James in Santiago de Compostela since AD814. The Camino de Santiago is considered to be a spiritual expedition in its original form. A spiritual quest, the sense of physical accomplishment, making unique friendships and experiencing amazing landscapes are all reasons why thousands of people make the pilgrimage each year. Traditionally it’s done on foot but completing this expedition on two wheels is a magical way to see even more of this beautiful area and complete the 200km required to officially become a 'pilgrim'. We will be taking the Northern Way from Gijon in Asturias along its stunning rugged coastline, into Galicia and then up to Santiago de Compostela. You'll also experience magnificent mountain scenery and arguably the best food Spain has to offer along the way.
Day 1 - Oviedo
You will arrive before the first day of riding on Aug 21st. You can check in to the hotel from 3pm on the day. We will then all meet later in the afternoon/evening (around 5pm) at the cycle store for your bike fit out. After getting your bike we will later head to a 'Meet and Greet' drinks & dinner in the evening. All the specific details will be provided in your information pack after you book.
Day 2 - Oviedo to Cudillero
Setting out from Oviedo we will take on a challenging and rewarding first day, much of which is along the beautiful Asturian coastline. We will pass through small hamlets and villages, many with traditional ‘horreo’ (small granaries or barns raised on pillars). The day’s ride finishes in one of Austurias’ most famous beachside villages, Cudillero, where we stay for the night.
Day 3 - Cudillero to Navia
Today is far more easy going with fewer hills and shorter climbs. The scenery remains outstanding and for much of the day we can see the Bay of Biscay glistening to our right. Your Asturian local cider in the traditional La Sidreria will be well deserved at the end of a memorable day!
Day 4 - Navia to Ribadeo
Another exceptional day’s ride along the coast to the lively town of Ribadeo with its amazing beach. A long and steady day on the saddle and again an opportunity to take in the crashing waves of the ocean and sea breeze. We then cross the bridge of the Saints over the River Eo, entering Galicia for the first time and our destination, Ribadeo.
Day 5 - Ribadeo
Rest Day and the chance to explore the surrounding coastline. Just a short train ride or cycle away is the most famous wonder in the region, Praia das Catedrais which has archway rock formations juting out from the coastline. It’s the second most visited site behind the ‘other’ cathedral.
Day 6 - Ribadeo to Meira
As we start to head inland away from the coast the scenery and terrain becomes quite spectacular as we tackle some steeper climbs. This is the most challenging day of the tour but there’s a huge verity of scenery to be consumed in this province - the sea, mountains and forests are all to be experienced first-hand. This area is sparsely populated and we pass through only one sizeable town all day.
Day 7 - Meira to Sarria
The shortest day of the trip is by no means lacking as this section of the trip takes us through peaceful wetlands, charming stone vernacular and religious architecture typical for this region. Along the way we will pass through Vilalba which has origins dating back to the 13th century. Our destination for the day is the town of Sarria.
Day 8 - Sarria to Melide
Starting out the morning with a pedal through the town of Sarria and we head uphill on what is an up and down day on the bike. You’ll start feeling like a true pilgrim on wheels as we join the most populated ‘French Way’ half-way through the day.
Day 9 - Melide to Santiago de Compostela
On our last day of riding we continue on the main route into Santiago de Compostela. Joining growing numbers of pilgrims on this undulating journey, we naturally finish at the famous cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.
| Day | Route | Distance (Km) |
| Day 1 | Oviedo | 0 |
| Day 2 | Oviedo-Cudillero | 55 |
| Day 3 | Cudillero-Navia | 53 |
| Day 4 | Navia-Ribadeo | 55 |
| Day 5 | Ribadeo rest day | 0 |
| Day 6 | Ribadeo-Meira | 60 |
| Day 7 | Meira-Sarria | 55 |
| Day 8 | Sarria-Melide | 63 |
| Day 9 | Melide-Santiago de Compostela | 40 |
| Total | 381 | |
Grading
Challenging adventure (5/5). Undulating/hilly terrain with perhaps three ascents per day on more challenging days. Long distance overall but distances per day are fairly manageable. Riders should have a good level of fitness and experience riding a bicycle. They should be competent with trail and loose gravel riding and regular cycling, gym sessions or other cardiovascular activity is recommended prior to attending this tour.
Logistics
You can check in to the hotel from 3pm the day of Aug 21st. We will then all meet later in the afternoon/evening at the cycle store for your bike fit out. You will be provided with two panniers (totalling 25litres) to be fitted to your bike to carry all your belongings for all days except day 5. The panniers provide ample space, but please pack light and make sure you bring a soft foldable bag. After getting your bike we will later head to a 'Meet and Greet' drinks & dinner in the evening. All the specific details will be provided in your information pack after you book.
The riding commences at a designated hotel in Oviedo on the morning of the first day’s ride where we will do a circular ride of Oviedo. In the afternoon we catch a train towards Gijon then ride the remaining 30kms for the day along the coastline. The first three days continue to follow the coast until Ribadeo before turning inland through the Cantabrian mountain range to our end point, Santiago de Compostela. Upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela where we will celebrate the completion of our amazing pilgrimage on bike! There are several options for returning home which can be discussed prior to or upon booking.
What to budget for?
• FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED. You will need to arrange a flight to arrive in Oviedo on the day of August 21st.
The closest airports are:
- Start point: Asturias or Santander
- End point: Santiago de Compostela or A Coruna
• Other meals are not included - Budget for around 40 euros per day
• Traveller’s Insurance (compulsory)
What to Bring?
Travel light! Personal luggage will need to be carried for all but 2 of the 9 days in the panniers provided. Weather is usually very good in northern Spain in late August so generally pack for good weather but remember to bring light wet weather riding clothes as this is the ‘greenest’ region of Spain. A full list of items to bring will be provided after you book.
