El Camino de Santiago has remained a substantial part of Christian history from the medieval times up to this very day. The pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of the apostle St. James are proclaimed to be, takes thousands of adventurers each year on a journey out of the everyday hustle and bustle of life and into a much simpler time full of physical, and sometimes spiritual, challenges. Many routes can be followed on El Camino de Santiago, and some walk for weeks to get to their final destination, but if you’re looking to speed things up a bit or want to make your expedition a little more memorable, a cycling tour may be the best option for you.
Depending on how much time you have allotted to spend on your journey, to complete the approximate 500 miles of the pilgrimage on bike you can book a tour that lasts anywhere from 8-15 days. If you are up for the longer journey, a typical itinerary will start you in Pamplona, Spain and take you through Estella, Logrono, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Burgos, Carrion de los Condes and Leon. Along the way, you will be able to embrace towns rich in history and have the opportunity to experience vineyards, castles, a free-flowing wine fountain, monasteries, the Gothic Cathedral and many other architectural gems. Your free nights will leave you to explore local restaurants and nightlife of the busier cities before hopping back on the bike path in the morning.
You may also choose to start your tour in Leon, as there are still many sights to see as the voyage continues. With the journey being so popular and widely known throughout the world, a self-guided tour is also an option for those wanting to set their own pace and accomplish the backwoods trails of some of Spain’s most historic regions. The Camino de Santiago accommodates those with even the freest of spirits, with places to stay and eat all along the trek no matter which route you decide to take. Once you reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, you may attend the midday Pilgrim’s Mass, make your way down to the crypt where St. James’ remains are housed and view the statue of Santiago and the rest of the Cathedral from the main altar.
Cycling the pilgrimage path presents different challenges than walking or riding a horse, but it also offers added health benefits and another sense of accomplishment once your travel is complete. For any biking enthusiast, the off-road thrill that Camino de Santiago invokes is a bucket list experience.
Just remember, even though the destination will be remarkable, it’s the journey and the people you meet along the way that will stay in your memory for years to come. Happy travels!
Author Bio – Tiffany Olson is an adventurer at heart and loves to educate the public on travel related topics and ideas including Camino de Santiago tour options.
