Thinking of combining adventure, culture, and a bit of spiritual discovery – all on two wheels? Then cycling the Camino de Santiago might be the perfect challenge. While traditionally walked, the Camino also offers a rewarding experience for cyclists, with diverse landscapes, historic towns, and a deep sense of purpose that comes from following in the footsteps (or tyre tracks) of millions of pilgrims before you.
Here you’ll find everything you need to plan your journey, from route options and bike tips to accommodation, cultural insights, safety advice, and how to earn your Compostela certificate. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or planning your first long-distance trip, this blog is your starting point for cycling the Camino with confidence.
A brief history of the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of St. James, has been travelled since the 9th century. Pilgrims journeyed from all over Europe to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where it is believed the remains of Saint James are buried. Originally a religious pilgrimage, it has evolved into a more inclusive journey undertaken for spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Camino blends deep-rooted tradition with modern charm. It’s not just about getting to Santiago; it’s about the experience along the way.
The main cycling routes
There isn’t just one Camino. Several routes weave across Spain and Portugal, each offering its own flavour of scenery, culture, and cycling challenge. Here’s an overview of the top routes for cyclists, along with terrain, difficulty, and key highlights.
Camino Francés (St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago):
Distance: ~780km
Cycling Level: Moderate to challenging
Overview: This is the most popular and iconic route. It’s well-marked, bustling with pilgrims, and offers a solid mix of off-road trails, quiet country roads, and urban stretches. Cyclists should be prepared for mountainous terrain, especially the Pyrenees at the start and Galicia at the end.
Points of Interest:
- Pamplona (famous for its Running of the Bulls)
- Burgos Cathedral
- The medieval city of León
- Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross)
- O Cebreiro (a Celtic village with panoramic views)
Camino Portugués (Porto to Santiago):
Distance: ~240km
Cycling Level: Beginner to moderate
Overview: A shorter, flatter alternative perfect for those new to long-distance cycling. You can choose between the Central Route (quieter rural paths) and the Coastal Route (sea views and beachside towns).
Points of Interest:
- Porto’s Ribeira District and wine cellars
- Barcelos, known for its colourful rooster symbol
- Ponte de Lima, one of Portugal’s oldest towns
- Tui (Spain), a charming border town with a medieval centre
Camino del Norte (San Sebastián to Santiago):
Distance: ~825km
Cycling Level: Challenging
Overview: A spectacular coastal journey along the Bay of Biscay, this route offers jaw-dropping ocean views, lush green hills, and fewer crowds. It’s more demanding due to steep climbs and descents but rewarding for experienced cyclists seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Points of Interest:
- San Sebastián and its famous food scene
- Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
- The rugged cliffs of Asturias
- Oviedo (a gateway to the Camino Primitivo)
Via de la Plata (Seville to Santiago):
Distance: ~1,000km
Cycling Level: Moderate to very challenging
Overview: This lesser-travelled route offers wide-open landscapes, Roman ruins, and real solitude. Services are fewer and distances between towns are longer, so it’s best for confident cyclists with good planning skills. Summer heat in the south can be intense.
Points of Interest:
- Seville’s Moorish architecture
- Mérida’s Roman amphitheatre and aqueduct
- Salamanca’s historic university
- Zamora and its medieval churches
Popular starting points for shorter trips:
- Pamplona: Good option if you want to skip the Pyrenees
- Burgos: Cuts the Camino Francés to about 500km
- León: Great for completing the final 300km and still qualifying for the Compostela
- Porto: Manageable and scenic short route
How long does it take to complete?
That depends on your route and pace. A fit cyclist might complete the full Camino Francés in 10–14 days. Others might spread it out over three weeks. A common rhythm is 40–70km a day.
If you’re short on time, consider starting from León or Ponferrada to complete the minimum 200km required to earn your Compostela certificate.
Planning your trip from the UK
Flights & Travel
- Fly to Biarritz (for Camino Francés), Porto (Portuguese), or Santander/Bilbao (Northern routes)
- Trains and buses connect to starting towns
Bringing or hiring a bike
- Many UK cyclists bring their own bike via a bike bag or box
- Alternatively, hire from reputable Camino bike shops in Spain or Portugal
- Services exist to ship your bike from Santiago back to the UK or your start point
For more information on travelling with you bike please read our blog on bike shipping.
Where to stay
- Albergues – Budget-friendly hostels exclusively for pilgrims. Basic but sociable, with shared dorms and communal facilities.
- Private hostels and hotels – Offer more comfort, privacy, and often better facilities, at a slightly higher price.
- Rural guesthouses (casas rurales) – Charming countryside stays with a homely, peaceful feel. Ideal for a relaxing break after a long day in the saddle.
Cyclists often arrive later in the day than walkers, which can mean that albergues may already be full. To avoid being caught out, it’s worth mixing up your accommodation by including a few small hotels or rural guesthouses alongside the traditional pilgrim hostels, plus booking ahead is advised in busier months.
Budgeting
- £35–£60/day covers basic costs (food, lodging, transport)
- Extras for souvenirs, gear, wine tastings, etc.
Insurance & healthcare
- You’ll want a specialist cycling travel insurance that includes cover for cycling and your bike.
- Bring your GHIC card (replaces the EHIC) to help access healthcare if required.
Bike-specific information
Best bike types for touring:
Choosing the right bike for the Camino is key to having a smooth and enjoyable ride. The terrain varies across routes, from paved roads and gravel paths to rocky trails and forest tracks – so your bike needs to handle a bit of everything.
Gravel Bikes: A top choice for the Camino. They combine the speed of a road bike with the stability and wider tyres needed for off-road sections. Lightweight yet tough, they’re ideal for mixed terrain and long days in the saddle.
Touring Bikes: Built for comfort and durability over long distances, touring bikes are designed to carry panniers and gear without compromising balance. They’re often heavier but offer excellent reliability and comfort on varied surfaces.
Mountain Bikes (Hardtail): Great for tackling rougher, more technical paths—especially on routes like the Camino del Norte or in the mountains of Galicia. With front suspension and wider tyres, they offer control on rocky or uneven trails but may feel slower on tarmac.
Hybrid Bikes: A solid middle-ground option, hybrids combine features of mountain and road bikes. They work well on easier terrain or for cyclists sticking to the smoother sections of the Camino Portugués or Francés, though they may not handle very rugged sections as confidently.
Road Bikes: Lightweight and fast but best avoided unless you’re sticking strictly to paved roads. The narrow tyres and stiff frames can struggle on loose gravel or dirt paths common along many Camino routes.
Essential gear:
- Panniers or bikepacking bags
- Padded shorts and gloves
- Lights, spare tubes, multi-tool, chain lube
E-bikes?
- E-bikes are permitted and increasingly popular
- Make sure to plan for charging points
Maintenance tips
Typical scenarios you’ll likely face on the Camino include punctured tyres, a dropped chain, worn brake pads, or gears slipping, nothing too dramatic, but enough to cause frustration if you’re unprepared. It’s worth learning a few basic bike repairs before you go, particularly how to fix a puncture and reattach a chain.
Carry a small toolkit with essentials like tyre levers, a multi-tool, spare inner tubes, and a mini pump. While most mid-sized towns have bike shops, they can be spaced out, so a bit of self-sufficiency goes a long way.
Safety considerations
Weather & Conditions
Summer temperatures in Spain and Portugal can be intense, especially inland, so aim to ride in spring or autumn for more comfortable conditions. Regardless of season, start early each day to avoid the midday heat and enjoy quieter roads.
On the Road
Helmets are compulsory outside urban areas in Spain and highly recommended throughout. Stick to the right-hand side, obey traffic laws, and use front and rear lights when visibility is low. Bright or reflective clothing helps you stay visible to drivers, especially at dawn or dusk. Learn more about the Laws of cycling in Spain.
First Aid
Carry a small kit with essentials like plasters, painkillers, and electrolyte tablets. Pharmacies (farmacias) are common along the route and usually well-stocked if you need extra supplies or advice.
Theft Prevention
Always lock your bike, even when staying at hostels with bike storage. Use a D-lock and a secondary cable lock for added security. Avoid leaving valuables on your bike unattended, even for a short time.
The Pilgrim Passport & Compostela Certificate
The Credencial
The Credencial del Peregrino is your official pilgrim passport and an essential part of the Camino experience. It acts as proof that you’re undertaking the journey, and you’ll use it to collect stamps (sellos) along the way, typically from churches, albergues, cafes, tourist offices, or even restaurants and bars. Each stamp includes the date and location, creating a unique memento of your trip.
You can get your credencial from Camino pilgrim associations in the UK before you go, or from cathedrals, hostels, and tourist offices at popular starting points like St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, Pamplona, Porto, or León. It usually costs just a few euros.
As a cyclist, you’ll need to collect at least two stamps per day to qualify for the Compostela certificate at the end of your journey. It’s also a handy way to track your progress and share stories with fellow pilgrims.
The Compostela
The Compostela is the official certificate of completion, awarded by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela. To be eligible as a cyclist, you must complete a minimum of 200km (compared to 100km for walkers) on a recognised Camino route and have the necessary daily stamps in your credencial.
Once you reach Santiago, head to the Oficina del Peregrino (Pilgrim’s Office) with your completed passport. You’ll fill out a short form, present your credencial, and receive your certificate—handwritten in Latin with your name, commemorating your achievement. It’s a meaningful and symbolic reward for the effort and spirit you’ve shown on the journey.
Embrace the pilgrim spirit
A warm “Buen Camino!” is the traditional greeting shared among pilgrims so, use it often! Respect the quiet hours in shared accommodations, be courteous to fellow travellers and locals, and try to learn a few basic Spanish or Portuguese phrases, it goes a long way in showing respect and building connection.
The finish line…
Celebrate your arrival in Santiago with a local meal and a visit to the cathedral.
Consider taking an extra day trip to Finisterre (once believed to be the end of the world).
Overall experience – if you’re up for a physical challenge mixed with cultural immersion and stunning scenery. Whether you do it solo or with a group, fast or slow, one thing is certain: the Camino will leave its mark on you.
Sort your cycling travel insurance before you go
SportsCover Direct’s cycling travel insurance has been designed to give protection for cycling in the UK or cycling abroad.
Our cycling insurance covers you abroad, whether you’re enjoying the sport for leisure or cycling competitively. It offers cover for medical costs, equipment, cancelled trips and more. If you already have travel insurance, our bolt-on allows you to add the protection you need for cycling. You can also opt for our sports accident insurance, which has been created to protect you while cycling in the UK.
Choose Sports Accident cover to protect against personal liability, equipment and injuries whilst in the UK.
Find out more and get an instant quote designed to suit you.
This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.