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Highlights
Experience the thrill of mountain biking from León to Santiago
Explore León's historic center and famous Barrio Húmedo.
Experience Galicia's mystical O Cebreiro and its local cheese.
Notable ascent to Cruz de Ferro with panoramic views.
Pass through Sarria, a popular starting point for pilgrims.
Imagine cycling the Camino de Santiago! This self-guided bike tour let's you cycle the second half of the route to Santiago. Your bike tour starts in Leon and you will cycle 318 kilometers to Santiago de Compostella, along the way you will enjoy spectacular landscapes and beautiful towns.
Highlights of this self-guided bike tour on French Way include ascents to Cruz de Ferro and O Cebreiro. Upon arriving in Leon, visit the Santa María de Regla Cathedral and explore the historic center, known as the Barrio Húmedo, where you can enjoy tapas and try famous delicacies like Morcilla de León and Cecina.
Begin your Camino de Santiago in the ancient Roman capital of Leon, gradually making your way to Astorga, where you can visit the Santa María de Astorga Cathedral and Gaudí's palaces. After a challenging ascent to Cruz de Ferro and a spectacular descent into the Bierzo Valley, visit the Templar fortress in Ponferrada and taste the Botillo del Bierzo. The journey continues through green valleys and picturesque landscapes to Portomarín and Sarria, the starting point for many pilgrims who wish to complete the last few kilometers of the French Way on foot. Enjoy local delicacies and discover cultural treasures along the way to Santiago de Compostela, where an exciting conclusion to your unforgettable adventure awaits.
You can also cycle from Roncesvalles to Leon, or bike the Complete Camino Frances.
Imagine cycling the Camino de Santiago! This self-guided bike tour let's you cycle the second half of the route to Santiago. Your bike tour starts in Leon and you will cycle 318 kilometers to Santiago de Compostella, along the way you will enjoy spectacular landscapes and beautiful towns.
Highlights of this self-guided bike tour on French Way include ascents to Cruz de Ferro and O Cebreiro. Upon arriving in Leon, visit the Santa María de Regla Cathedral and explore the historic center, known as the Barrio Húmedo, where you can enjoy tapas and try famous delicacies like Morcilla de León and Cecina.
Begin your Camino de Santiago in the ancient Roman capital of Leon, gradually making your way to Astorga, where you can visit the Santa María de Astorga Cathedral and Gaudí's palaces. After a challenging ascent to Cruz de Ferro and a spectacular descent into the Bierzo Valley, visit the Templar fortress in Ponferrada and taste the Botillo del Bierzo. The journey continues through green valleys and picturesque landscapes to Portomarín and Sarria, the starting point for many pilgrims who wish to complete the last few kilometers of the French Way on foot. Enjoy local delicacies and discover cultural treasures along the way to Santiago de Compostela, where an exciting conclusion to your unforgettable adventure awaits.
You can also cycle from Roncesvalles to Leon, or bike the Complete Camino Frances.
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Cycling the Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Leon
Arrive in León and stroll through the Historic Center. Without a doubt, you will not be able to miss the area of the old town located between Calle Ancha and the León Cathedral, known as the Barrio Húmedo, it is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Spain. In this place almost all the premises are bars, taverns, restaurants, etc. You can taste some good tapas. You will not be able to leave León without tasting its famous Morcilla de León and its Cecina!
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Leon
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Bike to Astorga
You will begin your Camino de Santiago in León, the ancient Roman capital, it is one of the most important cities of the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This day will help you get used to following the yellow arrow. The Santo Toribio cruise will announce the end of this stage, with a beautiful panoramic view of Astorga. You can visit the Cathedral of Santa María de Astorga, Gaudí’s Palace and, if you want to give a sweet touch to your French Way, you will also visit the Chocolate Museum of Astorga.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Astorga
Distance: 5-6h, 53km, 340m of ascent, 304m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Ride to Ponferrada
Today you will have a notable ascent: the Cruz de Ferro, at 1,505 meters above sea level! From there you will say goodbye to the Montes de León and descend spectacularly to the Bierzo Valley. Upon arrival in Ponferrada you should not miss the Castle of the Templars of Ponferrada. We recommend you try the Botillo del Bierzo, a unique sausage with an unmistakable flavor, washed down with a good Bierzo Designation of Origin Wine.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ponferrada
Distance: 5-6h, 55km, 988m of ascent, 1049m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Ascent to O Cebreiro
First you will advance through vineyards and be accompanied by the murmur of the deep Valcarce River. In the final section you will pedal through the last towns of León before beginning the ascent to the port of O Cebreiro. You will continue among spectacular mountain landscapes to the small town of O Cebreiro, already in Galicia: a magical and mythical place related to the Holy Grail, where we recommend trying their O Cebreiro Denomination of Origin cheese.
Overnight Location: Hotel in O Cebreiro
Distance: 6-7h, 54km, 1064m of ascent, 332m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Rural Landscapes to Portomarín
After a small climb you will begin a spectacular descent to Triacastela, and from there you will follow a rural landscape marked by green hills to Portomarín. Before reaching the end of the stage you will pass through Sarria, the starting point for many Pilgrims who wish to complete the last kilometers of the French Way on foot to reach the Compostela. You can take a photo next to the centenary chestnut tree at the entrance to Triacastela and then you can decide whether to get to Sarria via Sanxil or Samos. If you choose this last option, you can visit the Monastery of San Julián de Samos, a true wonder. Keep in mind this last alternative involves pedaling for approximately 10 kilometers.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Portomarín
Distance: 7-8h, 61km, 801m of ascent, 1770m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Continue on Bike to Arzúa
You will ascend to Monte de Ligonde and continue through a cheerful succession of small towns such as Palas de Rei and Melide, as well as small villages. In this stage you will travel through green and nestled valleys. Finally, after passing the beautiful enclave of Ribadiso, a small and demanding climb awaits you to reach Arzúa. Melide will be a good place to stop and taste its star product: octopus “á feira”. In Arzúa be sure to try the Arzúa-Ulloa Denomination of Origin cheese.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arzúa
Distance: 6-7h, 55km, 1068m of ascent, 976m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Arrival in Santiago de Compostela
The French Way now takes you calmly to Rúa, from where you will gradually undertake two ascents. The second of them culminates in Monte do Gozo, with Santiago de Compostela already in sight. From this point there are only a few kilometers that separate you from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This is the shortest stage of this itinerary, which will allow you to arrive early in the city to have lunch on Rúa do Franco and visit the wonderful Historic Center of Santiago de Compostela (World Heritage Site).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 4-5h, 40km, 637m of ascent, 792m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 End of Your Camino on Bike
Following breakfast, check out and depart for onward travels.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2026 Pricing for Cycling the Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago The departures are available daily from March 1 to November 30.
In 2026 the starting price for two people sharing a double or twin room, including luggage transfers is EUR855 per person.
For a mountain bike rental is EUR295, a gravel bike rental is EUR395 and an e-bike is EUR455.
2027 Reservations
Tour prices for 2027 have not been released yet, however we are taking 2027 bookings for Cycling the Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago. Please click the 'Start your Reservation' button and submit a booking request for 2027 and we will prepare a custom quote.
Accommodation on Cycling the Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago
This tour is based in hotels. In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Cycling the Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (max. 20 kg – 1 piece of luggage per person).
Also included
- 24-hour emergency line
- Complete documentation and Travel Notebook
- Pilgrim pass
- VAT
Not included
- Any personal transport
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tips
- Bike Rental
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Half board supplement
- Picnic Supplement
- Transfer to Leon
- Transfer to the airport
- Extra piece of luggage
- Cancellation insurance
- Bike Rental (MTB, E-Bike MTB or Gravel)
- How hard is the Cycling the French Camino from León to Santiago?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
- Are meals included on the Cycling the French Camino from León to Santiago?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Leon to start this tour?
- Where does the Cycling the French Camino from León to Santiago end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- What does the bike rental include?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Spain?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Spain?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. This tour features daily biking of around 60 km through varied terrain with some ascents. While not technical, the distances may challenge inexperienced cyclists.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover biking. Get your travel insurance.
The nearest airport to León is the Leon Airport (LEN), which is about 6 kilometers from the city center. You can fly directly to Leon Airport from various Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, as well as from some international destinations. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the city center.
The tour ends at Santiago.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are MTB (Megamo 30 or Lapierre Zesty), E-Bike MTB (Lapierre Overvolt or Haibike Alltrail 9 29) or Gravel (Lapierre Crosshill).
Bike rental includes a Mountain Bike, E-Bike or Gravel, water bottle, repair kit, pump, lock, charger (for e-bikes), handle bag bar, pannier and rear bags. Optional services: helmet, gel saddle, toe clips and SPD Pedals.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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