Cycling the Camino de Santiago lets you cover in one week what takes a month on foot. You can ride the whole Camino Francés from Roncesvalles or just a section, on a mountain bike, gravel bike or e-bike, carrying your own panniers or with a support vehicle. This guide covers the real stages, the distances of each route, which bike to choose and how to earn your Compostela. MTBSPAIN has been guiding cyclists along the Camino since 2007, always with a guide who rides with the group and a 24-hour support vehicle.
How many days do you need to cycle the Camino de Santiago?
A reasonably fit cyclist covers 50 to 70 km a day on the Camino, less than on the road: the surface is uneven, you ride through villages and you stop to eat and visit. These are the most popular options:
| Route | Distance | Stages | Daily average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponferrada – Santiago (Camino de Invierno) | 200 km | 4 | 50 km |
| León – Santiago (Camino Francés) | 311 km | 6 | 52 km |
| Gijón – Santiago (Camino del Norte) | 390 km | 8 | 49 km |
| Madrid – Santiago | 700 km | 11 | 64 km |
| Roncesvalles – Santiago (full Camino Francés) | 790 km | 13 | 61 km |
| Seville – Santiago (Vía de la Plata) | 1,000 km | 13 | 77 km |
How far do you need to cycle to get the Compostela?
Cyclists must ride at least the last 200 km to Santiago and collect two stamps a day in their pilgrim passport. On the Camino Francés that means starting in Ponferrada or earlier: Sarria, the classic starting point for walkers, is only 115 km from Santiago and is not enough by bike.
Which Camino is best by bike?
- Camino Francés: the classic and the best choice for a first time. Mostly wide tracks, great services; only the Cruz de Ferro and the climb to O Cebreiro require some effort.
- Portuguese Way: the flattest and gentlest route, ideal for groups with mixed abilities.
- Camino del Norte: the most demanding and probably the most beautiful, constantly up and down along the Cantabrian coast.
- Vía de la Plata: the quietest, with long flat stages through Extremadura.
- Camino de Invierno: the uncrowded alternative from Ponferrada, exactly 200 km to Santiago.
Cycling the Camino Francés from León: the stages
| Day | Stage | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transfer from Madrid to León | — |
| 2 | León – Astorga | 50 km |
| 3 | Astorga – Ponferrada, over the Cruz de Ferro | 52 km |
| 4 | Ponferrada – Las Herrerías | 45 km |
| 5 | Las Herrerías – O Cebreiro – Portomarín | 70 km |
| 6 | Portomarín – Arzúa | 54 km |
| 7 | Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela | 40 km |
All the details are on our Camino de Santiago by bike from León tour page.
Which bike should you take?
- Mountain bike: the safest option, with 29-inch wheels and mixed tyres for the rocky sections of the Montes de León and the descent from O Cebreiro.
- Gravel bike: faster on the flat with 40-45 mm tyres, but not the best choice for the Camino del Norte.
- E-bike: the most popular choice today. It evens out fitness levels and lets you enjoy the big stages without arriving exhausted.
Guided Camino by bike with a 24-hour support vehicle
Most Camino bike packages only rent you a bike and move your luggage between hotels; everything else is up to you. With MTBSPAIN you are looked after from start to finish:
- A guide on a bike who sets the pace, knows every turn and adapts each stage to the group.
- A 24-hour support vehicle, available during the stage and after it.
- Mechanical assistance on the route and a spare bike if needed.
- Luggage transfer: you ride light and your suitcase is waiting at the hotel.
- Snack stop halfway through each stage.
- Handpicked hotels close to the end of each stage.
| Self-guided with panniers | Luggage transfer only | MTBSPAIN: guide + 24h support | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luggage | You carry it (10-15 kg) | Moved hotel to hotel | Carried by the support vehicle |
| Guide on the route | No | No | Yes, riding with the group |
| Mechanical assistance | Only what you can fix | No | Yes, on the route |
| If you cannot finish a stage | Taxi at your own cost | Taxi at your own cost | The support vehicle picks you up |
| Problems at night | On your own | Office hours phone line | 24-hour support |
Travelling with older riders? Read our guide to the Camino de Santiago for seniors.
Our Camino de Santiago bike tours
| Tour | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Camino Francés from León | 7 days, e-bike included | €2,650 |
| León to Santiago staying in Paradores | 7 days | €4,900 |
| Portuguese Way from Lisbon | 8 days | €2,800 |
| Camino del Norte: Irún – Gijón | 350 km | €2,800 |
| Camino del Norte: Gijón – Santiago | 390 km | €2,800 |
| Camino de Santiago from Madrid | 11 days | €2,990 |
| Full Camino Francés from Roncesvalles | 13 days, 790 km | €2,990 |
Frequently asked questions
How many days does it take to cycle the Camino de Santiago?
It depends on where you start. From León to Santiago (about 311 km) the tour takes 7 days, with 6 riding stages; the full Camino Francés from Roncesvalles (about 790 km) takes around 13 days; the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada can be done in 4 stages.
How far do you have to cycle to get the Compostela?
Cyclists must ride at least the last 200 km to Santiago and get their pilgrim passport (credencial) stamped twice a day. All our routes meet this requirement.
Can you cycle the Camino de Santiago on an e-bike?
Yes, and it is the fastest-growing way to do it. An e-bike evens out different fitness levels within a group and makes climbs such as O Cebreiro accessible. On our León to Santiago tour the e-bike is included.
What is the best time of year to cycle the Camino?
From April to October. May, June and September are the best months: mild temperatures and fewer pilgrims than in August.
Is a guided Camino bike tour with a support vehicle worth it?
If you want to enjoy the ride without carrying 10-15 kg of panniers, searching for accommodation or fixing mechanical problems alone, yes. Our guide rides with the group and the support vehicle is available 24 hours: luggage, snacks, mechanical assistance and a lift if anyone needs it.
Is cycling the Camino suitable for seniors or beginners?
Yes. With an e-bike, a guide and a 24-hour support vehicle, people in their 60s and 70s and riders with little experience complete the Camino every year. We adapt the route and the pace to the group.
Plan your Camino with MTBSPAIN
Tell us where you would like to start, how many days you have and how many of you are travelling. We provide the guide, the 24-hour support vehicle, luggage transfer, mechanical assistance, hotels and e-bikes. Private groups all season long.
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