Cycling the Portuguese Camino

Introduction
Minho Portugal
Cycle the Camino on a historical and spiritual trail through forests, farmland, historical towns and cities from Porto to Santiago de Compostela.

This self-guided cycling tour of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago follows the ancient pilgrim route from Portugal to northern Spain. Experience the natural beauty of the Minho and Galicia regions and discover their long histories as you ride between villages, towns and notable cities.

Cycling the Portuguese Camino de Santiago allows you to appreciate a glorious blend of greenery consisting of woodland, rivers, valleys, vineyards and fields interspersed with the architecture and age-old rural farming practices of traditional villages as well as charming cities and towns.

Sections of the Portuguese Camino share an ancient Roman road and you’ll cross many Roman bridges on your journey. You will also discover attractive towns and cities with stunning ancient architecture and fascinating histories.

Begin your incredible journey in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto. Learn how St. James and a cockerel saved a pilgrim’s life in Barcelos, why Roman soldiers were terrified of crossing the river at Ponte de Lima and appreciate the significant part Valença’s fortress played in defending Portugal’s borders.

One the other side of the River Minho the stunning Tui Cathedral awaits, as do Redondela’s viaducts and the medieval center of Pontevedra. Riverside Caldas de Reis is famous for its soothing thermal waters while Padrón lays claim to St. James’ first burial spot. His remains have since been relocated to what is now a monumental cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Accomodation

Accommodation
Your package includes accommodation in 3* hotels along the way. It is possible to upgrade to 4* and 5* hotels upon request (extra fee).

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Porto
Night 2: Hotel in Barcelos
Night 3: Hotel in Ponte de Lima
Night 4: Hotel in Valenca
Night 5: Hotel in Pontevedra
Night 6: Hotel in Padron
Night 7: Hotel in Santiago

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and Dinners need to be paid extra.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Bikes
We know the importance of a high quality and comfortable bike for a pleasant cycling tour, so we carefully selected the most appropriated bikes for each type of tour, and only work with the most recent, quality bikes from Cannondale.
For cycling the Camino de Santiago we selected the MTB bike Cannondale Trail 6 (20 speed bike with 29" wheels) and we’ll provide the bike equipped with rear pannier bags, water bottle and helmet. We have available bikes from all sizes for a more comfortable tour.

Experience
To make the experience of Cycling the Portuguese Camino de Santiago enjoyable, you need to know your way around a bike in terms of basic maintenance and be adept at riding rugged terrains.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Porto
One member of our team will meet you at the hotel to welcome you and provide a full briefing and all the documentation you’ll need.
Meals included: none
Overnight in 3* hotel in Porto

Day 2: Cycle from Porto to Barcelos
After breakfast you will meet a member of our team who will drive you to Mosteiró to start your Portuguese Camino. By doing this, you avoid the busy, noisy roads through urban areas of Porto and its suburbs.
From Mosteiró, you cycle along cobbled lanes and dirt tracks through a series of villages, surrounded by fields and patches of forest. You’ll go over several impressive Romanesque bridges today, including the one in Barcelinhos, where pilgrims used to bathe before entering Barcelos. Spend some time exploring the medieval streets and squares of this charming small city.
Cycling about 54 km / 33.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Barcelos

Day 3: Cycle from Barcelos to Ponte de Lima
Leave Barcelos to enter a more rural and picturesque landscape, punctuated with small villages that allow you to observe traditional agricultural practices. The 12th century Ponte das Tábuas offers an attractive rest spot, although you have plenty of lovely places to choose from as you make your way through the vineyards, forests, orchards and fields of the Minho. On the approach to the exceedingly pretty town of Ponte de Lima, you’ll see the Padela, Nora and d’Arga mountains as well as the more distant Corno do Bico.
Cycling about 33 km / 20.6 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Ponte de Lima

Day 4: Cycle from Ponte de Lima to Valença
Today’s ride is filled with yet more beautiful countryside with ancient bridges, hamlets and woodland waterfalls. You do have a steep mountain to negotiate but the views are ample reward. See the Romanesque church and Roman milestones at Rubiães then cross an ancient stone bridge over the River Pedreira before heading to Cossourado. From here, it’s downhill, through several small villages and a patch of attractive forest, to the fortress town of Valença.
Cycling about 35 km / 21.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Valença

Day 5: Cycle from Valença to Pontevedra
The International Bridge takes you across the River Minho into Spain to the atmospheric town of Tui with its fortified cathedral. Once past the rather industrial town of O Porriño, cycle through a series of villages and the Chan das Pipas pine forest. The downhill approach to Redondela offers glimpses of the Ria de Vigo estuary. Merge with the Central Camino de Santiago in the center of Redondela and head through the riverside town of Arcade, stopping for fresh oysters. An ancient stone road takes you up through the forest before you hit tarmac again as you ride into the center of Pontevedra. Choose from the many bustling squares and tuck into tasty tapas and local wines.
Cycling about 56 km / 34.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Pontevedra

Day 6: Cycle from Pontevedra to Padron
The ride to Caldas to Reis is mostly through attractive countryside including a pleasant patch of forest. Follow the pilgrim tradition of bathing your feet in the hot springs at Caldas de Reis. Continue gently uphill through a string of tiny villages and the forest at Valga. Take some time to explore Padrón’s strong connection with St. James and its medieval center before cycling the last few kilometers to your hotel.
Cycling about 41 km / 26.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Padron

Day 7: Cycle from Padron to Santiago
Your last ride is relatively short and surprisingly scenic with welcome shade in the pretty woodland area. One you reach Milladoiro, you’ll be able to see Santiago on the opposite hill. Head downhill through more villages, cross the river then up through the city into its historical heart and your journey’s end, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Cycling about 25 km / 15.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Santiago

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave.
Meals included: Breakfast

Note:
The Camino de Santiago by bicycle programme generally uses the same route that pilgrims follow on foot and there is no specific cycle route. The route is a combination of rural paths (asphalt, cobblestones or dirt), forest trails (dirt or gravel, uneven and sometimes rocky), secondary roads and some main roads (both on asphalt).
Along the journey you may sometimes encounter some steep climbs and descents, so good advance physical preparation is necessary in order to do this trip.
It is essential that clients have experience with mountain bikes and basic bicycle repair knowledge, especially how to change a tire as punctures may occur during the Camino.

Rates and Dates for Cycling the Portuguese Camino

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Porto
Airport: Porto Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                Valença area