In this self-guided bike tour in the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, we'll meet at our local shop in Porto, where we'll provide you a private briefing, before the start of your experience, in which we'll hand you a Garmin Edge GPS with the preloaded tracks for this tour, and a detailed routebook for the experience.
You will start riding north by the “Camino” in Porto, either on the same day or the day after. The following days you will be riding by the North of Portugal, in the “Minho” region, and visit historical places like Esposende, Caminha, A guarda, Bayona, Vigo, Redondela, Pontevedra and, of course, Santiago de Compostela
Private briefing, bike and gear pick-up and bike fit at our Porto bike station on the day before the start of your tour.. This can also be adapted to start on day 1, according to your preference.
You can start your adventure either by cycling directly from our store in Porto or go through the city of Porto and to get to Sé Velha, the old See Cathedral of Porto the pilgrims starting point. Head down the stairs to Mouzinho da Silveira street, to Porto’s riverside, riding the cycle paths alongside the Douro river, until you get to Leça da Palmeira. From here on, you’ll start following the yellow arrow’s by Portugal’s coastline, towards the north. From Leça da Palmeira, the Camino will be a mix of cycle paths, paved roads and walkways all the way until you reach the historical city of “Vila do Conde” and the beach resort plus fishermen’s town of “Póvoa do Varzim” – both of which are good options for lunch. After “Póvoa do Varzim”, keep riding through the small fishermen’s villages until you reach Fão, where you’ll turn left, towards the ocean once more and the pine tree forested area of Ofir and then crossing the river to Esposende where you'll stay for the night.
Night in a three star hotel in Esposende
Start your day riding alongside the Cávado river – then through the quaint villages of the north of Portugal. At km15 you’ll start climbing and entering a more technical trail until you cross a very narrow bridge across the Neiva river – another climb will follow until you reach Viana do Castelo, across the river, where you will be able to see te “Santa Luzia” church on top of the nearby mountain range. The historical city center is a good option to stop for lunch and visit. After Viana, keep riding north and inland, through the mountain range – some urban single tracks and ancient paved roads will follow, until you reach “Vila Praia de Âncora”, from where you’ll ride the Ecopista, by the shoreline, until you reach your hotel in Caminha.
Night in a three star hotel in Caminha
Leave Caminha by ferry boat (there’s one every hour, except on Monday), towards “A Guarda”, entering Spain. This day offers no big climbs, just ups and downs until you reach Bayona, a beautiful coastal town. Meanwhile, enjoy the medieval villages across the galician coastline, tasting wonderful tapas and seafood along the way. Stop in Bayona for lunch to admire this beautiful city centre as well as the Marina of this piscatory city. This is a short but sweet ride, to prepare you for your next day, which is the toughest ride of the wek, so take your time to relax in Baiona!
Night in three star hotel in Bayona
This might just be the toughest day of your Camino! After breakfast, resume your ride towards Vigo which is 25km away, tackling a short, but steep climb to reach Saigráns and to experience one of the most beautiful views in the region: Vigo’s “Ria”, where the sea water mixes with the river, and you’ll be able to see the “bateas” where mussels are produced (a local delicacy) and the Ciés islands in the background – a natural park in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. You will then descend into the busy city of Vigo and then back up, towards a mountain range that overlooks the Ria de Vigo – 12km of macadam trails overlooking the Ria, followed by a descent towards Redondela – from Redondela, the “central camino” and the “coastal camino” become one! Another climb near Cessantes and then a descent to cross the Verdugo river over the romanic bridge of “Ponte Sampaio”. One final push after and then, from km28 on, it’s a long descent until you reach Pontevedra and its beautiful historical center. Take your time to explore Pontevedra’s center on a walk at nightime by the Galician plazas of Ourense and Ferraria, where you’ll find the city’s Basilica and Chapel.
Night in three star hotel in Pontevedra
Start your ride by crossing Rio Lérez and riding north, on the trails alongside the train tracks. Narrow paths of ancient roman pathways and backroads will follow until you reach “Caldas de Reis”, renowned as a thermal resort. Then, keep riding by the trails and back roads until you reach Padrón. In Padrón , turn left at the bridge towards Convento del Carmo, and then left again to reach your hotel for the day, “Pazo de Lestrove”, that ill appear on the left side of the road.
Night in three star hotel in Padrón
After breakfast, you’ll start your cycling day climbing just outside of Padrón. More and more pilgrims will appear at this stage, as Santiago is nearby - don’t forget to wish a “Bom Caminho” to all pilgrims you see along the way! After climbing the more urbanized area of Santiago, you’ll enter the historical center and reach the Santiago Cathedral – the end of this epic journey! Take time to visit the city and the Cathedral and make sure to attend the Pilgrim Mass, in which you may be able to see the famous Santiago Cathedral’s “Smoke Spreader”.
Night in three star hotel in Santiago de Compostela
Free day in Santiago, as this is the end of your tour. Your luggage will be delivered from Porto on this day, and bikes and gear will be collected at your hotel. Optional passenger transfer back to Porto available - check prices below.
990 EUR per person (minimum booking of 2 pax)
Single supplement: 400EUR/guest
High season supplement ( from May to October): 190EUR/guest
