More and more people aged 60, 65 and 70 are doing the Camino de Santiago, and many discover that the most comfortable way to do it is on an e-bike, with a guide and a 24-hour support vehicle. No heavy backpack, no logistics to worry about, and the peace of mind of always having someone by your side. MTBSPAIN has been organising the Camino this way since 2007.
Can you do the Camino de Santiago over 60 or 70?
Yes. Age is not the problem. What makes the Camino hard for older travellers is carrying a backpack, walking 20-25 km day after day, looking for accommodation every afternoon and having nobody to help if something goes wrong. Solve those four things and the Camino is for everyone. Our advice: talk to your doctor first, choose a route that suits you and travel with an organised tour.
Why an e-bike?
- You decide the effort: with the assistance level you can climb O Cebreiro without arriving exhausted.
- Less impact on knees and feet than walking for days on end.
- More Camino in fewer days: León to Santiago in a week, which takes two weeks on foot.
- Evens out fitness levels: as a couple or in a group, nobody is left behind.
- The e-bike is included on our Camino from León, prepared and checked every day.
A guide and a 24-hour support vehicle: never on your own
The guide rides with the group, keeps a relaxed pace, chooses the easiest variants and stops whenever needed. The support vehicle follows the group during the stage and is available 24 hours:
- It carries your luggage from hotel to hotel: you only carry water and what you need for the day.
- It sets up a snack stop halfway through the stage.
- It provides mechanical assistance and carries a spare bike.
- If anyone gets tired or feels unwell, they get in the vehicle and carry on riding the next day.
- At night we are still just a phone call away.
The routes we recommend for seniors
| Tour | Why we recommend it | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Camino Francés from León, 7 days | The most complete: e-bike included, 3-4 star hotels or Galician manor houses, transfer from Madrid and arrival in Santiago on the most iconic Camino. | €2,650 |
| Portuguese Way from Lisbon | The flattest and gentlest route: ideal for a first long bike trip. | €2,800 |
| León to Santiago in Paradores | The same route from León staying in historic Paradores, for maximum comfort. | €4,900 |
What is included
- A guide who rides with the group.
- 24-hour support vehicle and mechanical assistance.
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel.
- Handpicked hotels close to the end of each stage.
- Snack stops and meals as per the programme of each tour.
- E-bike (included on the Camino from León).
Tips for preparing the Camino after 60
- See your doctor before booking and tell us anything we should know.
- Ride a couple of times a week in the two months before; one or two-hour rides are enough.
- Try an e-bike before the trip if you have never ridden one.
- Choose spring or autumn: May, June and September have the best weather and fewer crowds.
- Travel light: with a support vehicle you do not need to carry anything during the stage.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit for the Camino de Santiago?
No. What matters is your fitness and the type of trip. With an e-bike, a guide and a support vehicle, cycling the Camino is within reach of people aged 60, 65, 70 and over who feel well and have their doctor’s approval.
Is it better to walk the Camino or ride an e-bike if I am over 60?
It depends on the person. Walking means 20-25 km a day for many days in a row, with a lot of impact on knees and feet. On an e-bike you control the effort with the assistance level, your joints suffer less and you can ride from León to Santiago in 7 days. We organise both options.
What happens if I get tired or feel unwell during a stage?
You stop and get into the support vehicle, which follows the group throughout the stage. It takes you to the hotel or to the point where you want to start riding again. Our support is available 24 hours, so there is always someone from the team to call.
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
No. You just need to be able to ride a bike comfortably. Before setting off, the guide explains how the e-bike works and then keeps a relaxed pace adapted to the group.
Can I join as a solo traveller, a couple or with friends?
Yes. You can join one of our scheduled group departures or form a private group with your partner, friends or family and choose your own dates and pace.
How much does a guided Camino for seniors cost?
Our 7-day Camino from León, with e-bike, guide, 24-hour support vehicle, 3-4 star hotels and meals as per the programme, costs €2,650 per person. The Paradores version costs €4,900.
Do you get the Compostela by bike?
Yes. Cyclists must ride at least the last 200 km and get their pilgrim passport stamped twice a day. All our routes meet this requirement and the guide makes sure no stamp is missed.
Tell us how you would like to do your Camino
Tell us how many of you are travelling, how many days you have and how you feel, and we will suggest the right route and pace, with a guide, a 24-hour support vehicle and e-bikes. For more routes and stages, read our guide to cycling the Camino de Santiago.
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