Camino de Santiago by bike: advice, route and stage guide

This guide details the 850 km cycling route from St Jean-Pied-de-Port in the south of France to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.following the route of the The Way of St. James French. Suitable for the majority of the public with average physical conditions. The route is presented in 12 stages averaging 65 km eachwith notes on the itinerary and points of interest.

The Camino de Santiago is a route that has its origins in the Middle Ages and the pilgrimage to the resting place of the bones of the apostle, it goes without saying that at that time in history few people completed it. The French Way starts beyond the Pyrenees and crosses the Iberian Peninsula from East to West for about 1000 km.

Remember that the Camino starts wherever you want and you have the time you need to complete it, but you will realise that the Camino never ends, because the end of one is the beginning of another.

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What is the best route for cycling the Camino de Santiago?

If this is your question, surely this is the first time you do the Camino de Santiago by bike. And you may ask yourself, "yes, and how many do you want me to do it? That's when I answer you that many of those who today begin their Camino, on foot or by bike, will repeat by another route, perhaps less traveled or wilder. The best option to get started on the Camino de Santiago by bike is on the route of the French WayIt is the busiest route, so it has all the logistics you need: accommodation, restaurants, food shops, bike parts shops, you will have options for transporting luggage if you need it, bike shipment through Correos (post office). Let's say that all the logistics around the Camino are on this route. In addition to the total availability of services, you will find a Jacobean and pilgrimage atmosphere almost all year round.

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The route: French Way by bike

A tour of 778 km through northern Spain from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre.on the Galician coast. Although most people start from Roncesvalles to avoid crossing the Pyrenees (especially in winter it is not advisable). The route passes through the regions of Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León and Galicia.

The Way of Saint James: The French Way by bike: 18 (bike:map)

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Advantages

• Hostels open virtually all year round
• Better maintained infrastructure
• Better signage and more information
• Ease of getting to the starting points of our route

Disadvantages

• Very crowded (especially in the recommended months).
• Problems finding a hostel with our bicycles in peak months (preference for walking pilgrims).
• More commercially exploited road (it may lose some of its charm).

However, no matter which route you choose, you will never be disappointed; they all have their charm. The starting point of the route depends on the time you have available for the walk and your budget.

How have we planned the stages?

The French Way of Saint James in 12 stages

*How to get to the starting point:

• By bus: Pamplona bus station (94820 35 66). From Pamplona to Roncesvalles: Artieda Coaches (948 300 287; Sundays and public holidays: No service. Price: 6 euros and 6 euros per bike. The wheel and panniers must be removed. By bus to Saint Jean Pied de Port: Autocares Alsa (Every day: 17:30 from March to October. Price: 20 euros)
• By taxiTeletaxi San Fermín (948 23 23 00 and 948 35 13 35 www.taxipamplona.com). There is the option of sharing a taxi with other pilgrims.

**How do I transport my bike to the start and return home from the Camino de Santiago?We are not going to deceive you, this is the biggest headache that will give us the preparation of our route, how do we take our bike to the starting point? In the following articles we break down the options you have (see ARTICLE).

Camino de Santiago by bike in 5 stages

If you like walking, you can also organise your Camino de Santiago by bike in the following ways flash. It would be a sporting challenge rather than an experiential journey.

Consider whether this is the way you want to do it, because I have to tell you that the best moments are the ones you share between pedalling, in the shelter of the hostels and taking a break with your fellow cyclists.

When to go?

The best time to cycle the Camino de Santiago is from April to October. In July-August it can be very hot, although as it is very hot (up to 40 degrees) in July-August it is best to avoid them. May, June and September are the best months, the heat is not too high and the days are longer. Snow can fall in the higher parts between November and March.

However, any time of year is a good time to do the Camino; for many people the Camino in winter It has its charm and is more enjoyable with fewer people, but the cold and the rain, if not the snow, always make it harder or even impracticable, so you opt to do it by road, which means you lose the essence of the route.

If you choose the summer you must take into account the overcrowding in the hostels. You should know that pilgrims who walk have preference over those who go by bicycle or on horseback, so do not be surprised if a hostel tells you that you must wait to be able to ter plaza.

You should also bear in mind that not all hostels are open all year round, so if you stay in winter you will have less than in spring and summer. Most hostels are usually open from May to October.

What do I need to do the Camino de Santiago by bike?

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What to pack in your bike panniers, good question. As little as possible. Think that this way you will enjoy it much more. The less weight the better, once you start carrying them you can easily reach 10 or 12 kilos, at the beginning it can be bearable, but then as the kilometres go by it will become a torture, bear in mind that on more than one occasion you will have to pull your bike. We must bear in mind that we are not going to a remote place, we pass through towns where you can buy everything you need. Also, nowadays, materials have evolved enormously and saddlebags have also evolved into bags of bikepacking that make routes such as the Camino de Santiago much more bearable (See: Bikepacking Guide)

In the following article, we have broken down the necessary equipment to do the Camino de Santiago by bike. (see ARTICLE)

How long does it take to cycle the Camino de Santiago?

If we take as an example the most frequented route, the French Route with its 778 kmwe can do it at 12 stagesas we have broken it down for you above. The Northern Way can be 18 stages. The Portuguese Way 11 stages. The Primitive Way: 7 stages. On the other hand, the Vía de la Plata is usually covered in 16 stages. Keep in mind that you not only have to take into account the distances, as in some of the routes the slope of the stage is very important, as in the case of the Northern Way.

How many kilometres can you cycle in a day?

We can consider an average speed of 12 km, which is about right considering the philosophy behind this type of route. We are not racing. The stages can be 60 to 80 kilometres per day. Everything will also depend on how demanding the kilometres are. As we mentioned before, some of the routes, such as the Camino del Norte, have steeper slopes, so the average speed and daily kilometres will be lower. Our advice: take it easy and enjoy it.

How much money does it take to do the Camino de Santiago?

It all depends on the luxuries you want to treat yourself to, the style of travel and the services you choose. If you're going for a "spartan" style, sleeping in hostels and no big luxuries in meals, you can expect to spend around 30-40 euros a day. To this you'll have to add transport to and from the start and end of the route, as well as incidentals and the odd treat.

Training and physical preparation for the Way of St. James by bike

The first question is: Am I ready, is this for me? You don't need to be in great physical condition. Of course, to do the Camino by bike you need a previous preparation, but it is not intended for two-wheeled "machacas", everyone can do it. Along the Camino you will meet people of all ages and conditions on bicycles. So if you are thinking about doing the Camino and you think you will not be able to do it, you are already taking that idea out of your head.

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