French Way from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela - Bike tour: 4 stages

Information about the trip: French Way from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela - Bike tour: 4 stages

Cycle your way to Santiago! Discover the French Way by bike with our 4-stage itinerary, starting in historic Ponferrada and covering the last 200 km to the iconic Plaza del Obradoiro. This is the perfect minimum distance to earn your Compostela on two wheels.

The French Way, the most famous Camino route, will guide you through charming villages and scenic trails, connecting you with thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

Important for cyclists:

This route is recommended only for experienced riders with basic bike maintenance skills. Make sure you are prepared for the challenges of the terrain.

This 4-stage itinerary includes:

Guaranteed accommodation in comfortable hotels with private bathrooms.
Luggage transfer service between stages, so you can focus on cycling and enjoying the journey.
Optional mountain bike rental.

This itinerary is valid and officially recognized to obtain your Compostela certificate upon arrival in Santiago.

Travel itinerary (Summary)

DAY 1: Arrival to Ponferrada
DAY 2: Stage 1, Ponferrada, O Cebreiro 51 km 4/5
DAY 3: Stage 2, O Cebreiro, Portomarín 60,6 km 2/5
DAY 4: Stage 3, Portomarín, Arzúa 53.3 km 3/5
DAY 5: Stage 4, Arzúa, Santiago De Compostela 38,7 km 2/5
DAY 6: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

ProgramDAY
1

Arrival to Ponferrada

200 km/ 124 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
Fill in for Pilgrim's passport “La Credencial” and enjoy this wonderful city.
You will stay at the Bierzo region, a sunken plain nestled within a ring of mountains.
Ponferrada is the capital of this region. The town is famous also for its Templar Castle, that is well worth a visit.
ProgramDAY
2

Stage 1, from Ponferrada to O Cebreiro

Distance : 51 km Difficulty : 4/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. You will first cross the small village of Pieros to reach Villafranca del Bierzo, where you will be rewarded with a visit to the famous Puerta del Perdón (Door Gate of Forgiveness) in the church of Saint James.
The route moves onto the small village of Pereje and then Trabadelo, La Portela and Ambasmestas. Part of the route runs parallel to the road and brings the ascent of O Cebreiro. The Camino then goes through the villages of Ruitelan and Las Herrerias. This is when the climb really begins, with a short but very difficult ascent.
There are now only 150 kilometres to go before you reach Santiago.
ProgramDAY
3

Stage 2, from O Cebreiro to Portomarín

Distance : 60,6 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. You are now in Galicia, and O Cebreiro offers us one of the most beautiful landscapes on the Way, as a place of great tradition and mysticism , with its emblematic Romanesque church of Santa María de O Cebreiro.
You will start the climb towards the Alto de San Roque and later to the Alto de O Poio (1,335 m), which is the highest point in Galicia on the French Route, offering spectacular views.
After crossing the Alto do Poio, the descent to the hamlet of Triacastela begins.
From Triacastela, there are two ways to reach Sarria, by San XiI or by Samos, with its beautiful Benedictine monastery. We suggest our cycling pilgrims the second alternative.
After that you will arrive to Sarria, the main town between Ponferrada and Santiago de Compostela. The village of Barbadelo has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. When you arrive in Portomarín, you can chill out at one of the numerous outdoor cafés in the main square.
ProgramDAY
4

Stage 3, from Portomarín to Arzúa

Distance : 53.3 km Difficulty : 3/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. The day starts by crossing over the Belesar dam footbridge, followed by a gradual climb ending in the village of Ligonde.
This stage runs mainly along andaderos (paths), next to the road, or in some cases along paved trails.
There are many signs indicating that we are on a pilgrim route, including the famous "cruceiros" (crucifixes). Check out the Cruceiro of Lameiros and the Monastery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas (2 km detour off the Camino).
On this stage, you will move into the province of La Coruña, where you will find expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees and numerous medieval bridges, such as those in Leboreiro and Furelos. As well as one of the most idyllic locations on the Camino, Ribadiso do Baixo near Arzua.
Melide, which is famous for its octopus, is an obligatory stop for pilgrims and lovers of good food, whilst Arzua is famous for its designation of origin cheese.
ProgramDAY
5

Stage 4, from Arzúa to Santiago De Compostela

Distance : 38,7 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. Today’s route is a nice and easy route over with gentle slopes through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road.
Don't miss the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name in Boente.
The proximity of your goal will bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be eager to reach the desired end of the journey, yet on the downside, the feeling that comes to every pilgrim is that the journey is over.
A stage of anxiety and joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”.
The stage is almost flat, except for the climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo and down to Santiago de Compostela.
The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is magical, but especially its Cathedral, which deserves a special visit.
ProgramDAY
6

Return

After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it.
Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.

Included

5 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel: 1 bag max. 20kg/ 44 lbs per person.
Travel insurance.
Credencial (Pilgrim’s passport)
Maps and tracks of the stages.
Telephone assistance (English speaking)