The Camino de Santiago is one of the most recommended routes for beginners in cycling tourism.

The Camino by bike and its stages.

From Bicigrino we show you here a summary of the stages that we consider the most logical and balanced to make the different paths or Jacobean routes by bicycle.

Before you start to review them and write them down as your definitive stages, we would like to make an aside:

“Do not take the different routes or stages as definitive and immovable things, the routes are subject to many conditioning factors, whether climatic, emotional or even touristic. “

What for some people can be normal for others can be a difficult mileage to assume. The same stage can be a ride with the wind at your back or a hell with the wind against you?

In bicigrino we have some guidelines or reasons for choosing one stage finish or another, we have criteria such as considering that before a big climb it is better to finish the stage at the base of a mountain to climb that milestone the next day with strength intact and the freshness of the morning. If we were competing in a race, we would look for an epic stage finish on a mythical summit, but we must not forget that we are talking about cyclotourism.

Our criteria for designing the beginning and end of the stages is based on our own personal experience and sometimes we consider cities for their great tourist attraction as places worth knowing in depth. We are talking about a CYCLE-TOURISM trip and as such it is a mixture of cycling and sightseeing. We can not pass by the main tourist attractions of the different routes.

Having explained this, let’s move on to the stages and roads:

On the Camino de Santiago the Iron Cross, the highest peak of the route and magical point. Camino de Santiago by bicycle. bicigrino.com

Stages of the French Way by bicycle

Bicigrino proposal in 13 stages, based on our official tracks.
Distances and elevations may vary slightly depending on the chosen cycling route and detours to accommodations or services.

Stage 1 – Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Roncesvalles

Queen stage and reconnaissance of the terrain

  • Distance: 23.16 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 1,258 m
  • Negative difference in elevation (D-): 552 m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,432 m
  • Minimum altitude: 243 m
  • Technical difficulty: Very difficult
  • Type of route: One way

First contact with the Camino and the mountains. The Pyrenees are overcome with long sustained ramps and spectacular scenery.
Short stage in kilometers but very intense in elevation gain: perfect for adjusting the bike, the position and the pace that we will take the rest of the trip.

Stage 2 – Roncesvalles → Puente la Reina

Transition from the high mountains to the Navarre valleys

  • Distance: 67.08 km
  • Positive vertical drop (D+): 809 m
  • Negative difference in elevation (D-): 1,404 m
  • Maximum altitude: 951 m
  • Minimum altitude: 353 m
  • Technical difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of route: One way

Long but very fluid, marked by the great initial descent from Roncesvalles to the valleys of Navarre. We pass through Pamplona and
then we will follow tracks and secondary roads up to Puente la Reina, a historical crossroads of Jacobean routes. An ideal stage for
to loosen legs after the Pyrenees and find the rhythm of the journey.

Stage 3 – Puente la Reina → Logroño

Classic Navarre-Riojan route, very cyclable and varied

  • Distance: 71.54 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 1,021 m
  • Negative vertical drop (D-): 988 m
  • Maximum altitude: 672 m
  • Minimum altitude: 335 m
  • Technical difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of route: One way

Varied terrain and very suitable for cyclotourism. From Puente la Reina begin the typical undulations of Navarra, passing through
Estella and Los Arcos. Then you enter La Rioja between vineyards and open landscapes to Logroño, a perfect city to
enjoy the atmosphere of the Camino and recharge your batteries.

Stage 4 – Logroño → Belorado

Rioja-Castile transition and progressive entrance to the plateau

  • Distance: 72.62 km
  • Positive vertical drop (D+): 971 m
  • Negative difference in altitude (D-): 590 m
  • Maximum altitude: 825 m
  • Minimum altitude: 387 m
  • Technical difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of route: One way

We leave Logroño behind, pedaling through Rioja vineyards and historic towns such as Nájera and Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Little by little
the landscape opens up, some of the steep slopes become steeper and the character of the Castilian plateau becomes more noticeable. Belorado offers a quiet end to
stage with Jacobean tradition.

Stage 5 – Belorado → Burgos

Crossing of the Montes de Oca and arrival at a great capital of the Camino.

  • Distance: 51.2 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 576 m
  • Negative vertical drop (D-): 487 m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,158 m
  • Minimum altitude: 761 m
  • Technical difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of route: One way

Relatively short but intense stage through the Montes de Oca pass, with forest tracks and some demanding steep slopes. After the high area
the terrain becomes smoother and gradually enters the urban environment of Burgos. Excellent day to arrive early, visit the
cathedral and check the bike.

Stage 6 – Burgos → Frómista

First big day on the plateau: fast and very rolling

  • Distance: 65.09 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 484 m
  • Negative difference in altitude (D-): 560 m
  • Maximum altitude: 937 m
  • Minimum altitude: 767 m
  • Technical difficulty: Easy
  • Type of route: One way

One of the most rolling stages of the French Way. The landscape opens up completely and the tracks and secondary roads allow
to advance at a good pace, with few steep slopes. An ideal day to accumulate kilometers comfortably and enjoy the continuous pedaling
to Frómista, next to the Canal de Castilla.

Stage 7 – Frómista → Sahagún

Meseta in its purest state: a quiet and fast stage

  • Distance: 58.21 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 255 m
  • Negative vertical drop (D-): 206 m
  • Maximum altitude: 901 m
  • Minimum altitude: 774 m
  • Technical difficulty: Easy
  • Type of route: One way

Flat and very comfortable stage, perfect to advance without great wear and tear. The plateau offers long straights and easy tracks where the wind
can be the main factor. It is an ideal day to enjoy the steady pace and the tranquility of the landscape until you reach
Sahagún, historical point of the Camino.

Stage 8 – Sahagún → León

Smooth transition to one of the major cities along the Camino

  • Distance: 55.75 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 211 m
  • Negative vertical drop (D-): 203 m
  • Maximum altitude: 900 m
  • Minimum altitude: 790 m
  • Technical difficulty: Easy
  • Type of route: One way

A very comfortable and rolling stage. The terrain remains smooth and allows to arrive in time to León, one of the great capitals of the
Camino, with all the services for the cyclist. A strategic day to rest well before tackling the Leonese mountains on
the following days.

Stage 9 – León → Rabanal del Camino

Approach to the mountain and gateway to Cruz de Ferro

  • Distance: 72.6 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 629 m
  • Negative difference in altitude (D-): 308 m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,148 m
  • Minimum altitude: 815 m
  • Technical difficulty: Moderate
  • Type of route: One way

Transition stage between the plateau and the mountains. After leaving León, the terrain remains pleasant until Hospital de Órbigo and its
medieval bridge. From Astorga the route gains altitude progressively until Rabanal del Camino, a mountain village with a very special atmosphere
that marks the beginning of the great challenge of the Cruz de Ferro.

Stage 10 – Rabanal del Camino → Herrerías de Valcarce

High mountain: Cruz de Ferro, long descents and entrance to the Bierzo region

  • Distance: 79.44 km
  • Positive vertical drop (D+): 954 m
  • Negative elevation gain (D-): 1,417 m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,510 m
  • Minimum altitude: 473 m
  • Technical difficulty: Very difficult
  • Type of route: One way

One of the most spectacular and demanding stages of the French Way. From Rabanal we ascend to Foncebadón and the emblematic Cruz
de Ferro (1,510 m), the highest point of the Camino. Then comes a very long descent to Molinaseca and Ponferrada, to
finish descending into the valley to Herrerías de Valcarce, at the foot of the ascent to O Cebreiro.

Stage 11 – Herrerías de Valcarce → Sarria

Ascent to O Cebreiro and entry into Galicia

  • Distance: 54.52 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 1,039 m
  • Negative difference in elevation (D-): 1,308 m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,337 m
  • Minimum altitude: 419 m
  • Technical difficulty: Very difficult
  • Type of route: One way

Authentic mountain stage. From Herrerías the very hard ramps start immediately towards O Cebreiro, one of the great milestones of the
Camino. After crowning and enjoying the views, a long and technical descent leads to Triacastela and the Galician valleys to
Sarria, an important Jacobean point and perfect end to an intense day.

Stage 12 – Sarria → Melide

Leg-breaking Galicia: forests, corredoiras and villages

  • Distance: 61.69 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 1,106 m
  • Negative difference in altitude (D-): 1,080 m
  • Maximum altitude: 726 m
  • Minimum altitude: 332 m
  • Technical difficulty: Dif ficult
  • Type of route: One way

Long and physically demanding stage through the typical Galician terrain of constant ups and downs. From Sarria we pass through Portomarín and
again gaining altitude towards Palas de Rei. From there, the leg-breaking profile combines fast sections with more technical ones until
Melide, famous for its octopus and its pilgrim atmosphere.

Stage 13 – Melide → Santiago de Compostela

Last stage: excitement and arrival at the Obradoiro Square

  • Distance: 52.58 km
  • Positive difference in altitude (D+): 825 m
  • Negative vertical drop (D-): 1,021 m
  • Maximum altitude: 468 m
  • Minimum altitude: 246 m
  • Technical difficulty: Dif ficult
  • Type of route: One way

Last day of the Camino, with the classic Galician profile of continuous steep slopes. From Melide, Arzúa and O Pedrouzo are linked until the
final approach to Santiago. The passage through Monte do Gozo announces the finish line, and the entrance to the Plaza del Obradoiro puts the perfect finishing touch
to 13 stages of the French Way by bicycle.