Riding the Camino de Santiago by bike is one of the great cycling journeys in Europe. The French Way, the most famous of the Camino routes, crosses northern Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela, through Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León and Galicia. On a bike you cover the roughly 750 km in about two weeks, with time to enjoy the towns, the food and the unique atmosphere of the pilgrims’ way.
The French Way, region by region
- Navarra: from Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees down through forests and villages such as Burguete and Zubiri to Pamplona and the Romanesque bridge of Puente la Reina.
- La Rioja: vineyard landscapes via Estella, Logroño, Navarrete and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
- Castilla y León: the Montes de Oca, the wide plains of the meseta, Castrojeriz, Frómista, Sahagún and the Gothic cathedral of León, then Astorga, the Cruz de Ferro and El Bierzo.
- Galicia: the climb to O Cebreiro, green valleys and rural villages all the way to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Terrain and bike choice
The pilgrims’ path itself is a mix of gravel tracks, stony sections and quiet roads, so a gravel bike, a trekking bike or an e-bike is the best choice. Stages of 50 to 90 km with 250 to 1,000 m of climbing are typical. The meseta is flat but exposed; the toughest climbs come in the Pyrenees, near the Cruz de Ferro and on the way up to O Cebreiro.
The Compostela for cyclists
Cyclists can receive the Compostela certificate if they ride at least the last 200 km to Santiago and collect stamps in their pilgrim’s credential along the way. Starting in Roncesvalles, you will comfortably meet that requirement.
Best time to ride
March to June and September to November are ideal. Summer is very hot on the meseta and the route is at its busiest, while winter brings cold and possible snow on the mountain passes.
Ride the Camino with us
Our Camino de Santiago tour from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela covers 750 km in 14 days and 13 nights, with a rest day in León, hand-picked hotels and luggage transfers. Riding through La Rioja on the way? Discover more in our guide to cycling in La Rioja.
