From Bicigrino we send you this planning of the Camino de Santiago (PORTUGUESE Way). We have detected that many of our customers ask us for detailed planning of possible stages, suggested accommodations, luggage transport services, etc..,
We think that this can help a lot to those who are organizing their Camino de Santiago by bicycle. But we also want to warn you that you should not take this planning rigidly but as a guideline of what could be. In the Portuguese way there are not as many possibilities of accommodation as in other ways and it could be the case that if in some destination there is no place we have no alternative accommodation. That is why it is recommended to make sure to book in advance if you want to be sure of the route.
We are specialists in the Camino de Santiago by bicycle and cycling tourism, offering unique and personalized experiences so that you can enjoy each route to the fullest, with the best advice and support at every stage of your trip.
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We arrived in LISBON
Lisbon, capital of Portugal, is one of the most charming cities that I have personally visited on a cycling trip.
Lisbon is well worth an in-depth visit.
In the logistics of preparing for the trip, receiving the bicycles, storing them safely, etc. It is important to know that the city of Lisbon in the center, with its narrow streets with streetcars and small hotels, does not offer many possibilities for the bicycles to be delivered by transport and sometimes it is even complicated to store them safely. That is why the criteria for choosing accommodation in this first stage is that it is well connected by public transport with the center (even with bike lanes) and that it has an adequate place to store the bicycles.
In Bicigrino we believe that a cyclotourist trip like this and with hundreds of kilometers ahead is not a good idea to arrive at the beginning of the route and start pedaling immediately.
The bike needs to be adjusted, we may have some initial mechanical problems, etc.
For this reason we recommend that you use this day or stage 00 to simply prepare the departure for the next day early in the morning and you will certainly have enough time to visit a city as special as Lisbon.
Lisboa – Vilafranca de Xira.
Kilometers : 41,35
– In our experience, the first day of the Camino is always a bit complicated. The preparation of the bikes, the last minute adjustments, the nerves of the first day…, etc., etc.
For this reason we thought that the first stage (approach and conditioning stage) should be short and that is why we have programmed this stage.
In addition, as we have mentioned in this route there is not much availability of accommodation and sometimes we have to condition the stages to get a good hotel with capacity for large groups and most importantly that are prepared to safely store our bikes.
Vila Franca de Xira – Golega.
– Kilometers : 84
– First and genuine stage of the Camino de Santiago by bicycle. Here we are already going for work and for the long journey. In this part of Portugal the roads are agricultural and mostly dirt. If the weather accompanies us we will be able to ride happily and the kilometers should fall more or less easily.
Be careful when passing through SANTAREM, within this city is the detour of the road to Santiago that passes through Fatima (also marked with arrows and blue signs). To reach our destination we must take the option that goes to our destination GOLEGA.
Golega – Ansiao.
– Kilometers : 75,75
Another stage of pure cyclotourism that will make us enjoy the Portuguese countryside and its small villages.
Olive groves, pine forests and urbanizations of small houses.
We just have to let ourselves go and take special care not to miss the road signs (the famous yellow arrows) that although they are everywhere and the road is well signposted are not as omnipresent as in the French way.
Ansiao – Coimbra.
– Kilometers : 48,43
If I had to give a title to this stage the title would be “COIMBRA WELL WORTH A VISIT”.
The stage may seem short but it is really worth stopping in Coimbra.
The Portuguese road in my opinion has its main charm not so much in the route itself, in the roads and landscapes but in the cities through which we will pass and a main point of visit on this road is the city of Coimbra. When we saw it from a hill in the distance and glimpse its particular beauty we immediately understand that it would be a pity not to stop in such a place and get lost in its narrow streets with camera in hand to immortalize such a beautiful place.
Also its old taverns, its bars and its codfish will catch us without remedy.
Another important thing is the need to stop to rest a little when doing long distance stages… so it is argued why we stopped in Coimbra 😉
Coimbra – Albergueria a Velha.
– Kilometers : 65
This area of Portugal does not have many hotel establishments and we have to consider it a transit area to the northern part of the country where pleasant surprises await us.
Alberguería a Velha is a small town and the only accommodation available and with some capacity is a roadside motel next to a gas station.
Special attention should also be paid to the dining option because this place does not have many restaurants and the one closest to the hotel is of very poor quality.
As this hotel is a bit out of the way and far from the city, it might not be a bad idea to spend a little money on a cab that can take us to a decent place where we can recharge our batteries and rest for the next stage.
Alberguería a Velha – Porto.
– Kilometers : 65,67
We arrived at one of the main points of the Portuguese way. The city of Porto with its unique views over the Douro river, the boats, the wineries, the cathedral, the monumental area …., as when we talked about Lisbon and Coimbra is a must.
In this Portuguese way when one travels along the roads one is left with the feeling that the road is not the most important or the most beautiful, but what is really charming and dazzling are the cities that are reached at the end of each stage.
Oporto is no exception and if you can afford it, we recommend to put a day of rest in the planning of your trip in this place to fully enjoy such a beautiful city.
In the desire to find a hotel centrally located and prepared to receive bicycles we have selected this option.
Porto – Esposende.
– Kilometers : 64,63
To find this path (be careful not to confuse it with the central path … , because there are arrows in the area of the cathedral that point to the two paths). To do this route it is important to access the river area and go down to the riverbank to find the route. Next to the river there is a bike path that ascends upstream and will take you in a northerly direction towards Esponsende along boardwalks and wooden walkways.
If for some reason we get confused and take the central path by mistake, we will have a second chance to take the correct path after about 30 kms. We will find a signpost that will allow us to take the correct path “coastal path”.
In ESPONSENDE we have chosen a magnificent hotel next to the promenade with facilities for storing bicycles and excellent service.
*THE AVERAGE HOTEL PRICE FOR A DOUBLE ROOM IS ABOUT 90 EUROS.
Esposende – Caminha
– Kilometers : 50,61
Caminha is a border town next to a large estuary that we will have to cross to access the town of A GUARDA and where we will have to take a ferry.
The advice is to stop in this town for its beauty, for its tourist attraction. The excellent attentions that you will have in the recommended hotel and above all to organize well the passage of the river to the Spanish side.
Be careful because on Sundays the ferry service does not work and you will have to organize the crossing with a sea cab service.
In any case, the hotel reception will help you and they can arrange the river crossing and also get the tickets for you.
*THE AVERAGE HOTEL PRICE FOR A DOUBLE ROOM IS ABOUT 90 EUROS.
Caminha – Vigo.
– Kilometers : 61,41
Once in Spanish territory, we will still ride close to the sea until we reach the city of Bayonne, where the road will start to move away from the sea.
Also in this area it is twisty and somewhat confusing in some sections (be careful) and especially before reaching Vigo we will find some steep climbs that will make us suffer a little both if we go by road and if we go by original road.
Another conditioning factor before arriving in Vigo will be the intense car traffic and the arrival to the city will add some stress due to the infinity of crossroads, detours and ups and downs.
The selected hotel is close to the route of the road and in a point visually very easy to recognize (next to the Celta de Vigo stadium).
*THE AVERAGE HOTEL PRICE FOR A DOUBLE ROOM IS ABOUT 85 EUROS.
Vigo – Caldes de Reis.
– Kilómeters : 62,27
We are in Galicia !!!! .
And that means the classic up and down (sawtooth) or leg breaker. In Galicia we will ride through beautiful green meadows, forests and rural scenery, but constantly downhill and uphill.
This stage is long and it will not be easy to reach Caldas de Reis but if we have a good day we will fully enjoy the route.
We will pass through PONTEVEDRA where we can stop for a drink, enjoy such a beautiful city and face the rest of the route with strength.
Caldes de Reis is a small Galician town famous for its hot springs and spas (our chosen accommodation is a spa).
It also has an interesting gastronomic offer in typical Galician restaurants that will be worth visiting.
*THE AVERAGE HOTEL PRICE IN A DOUBLE ROOM IS ABOUT 60 EUROS.
Caldas de Reis – Santiago de Compostela.
– Kilometers : 43,2
Last stage of this Portuguese Way of St. James.
Continuous up and down, beautiful Galician villages, rivers, lush forests …
Until a few kilometers before Santiago de Compostela we will be riding on rural and relatively quiet roads.
The proximity of the city of Santiago and the end of our journey will give us a feeling of uneasiness due to the sensation of wanting to arrive and the sorrow that this trip is coming to an end.
In Santiago we propose our main reference point (HOSPEDERIA SAN MARTIN PINARIO), a hotel very close to the cathedral and with excellent facilities for the collection and management of bicycles.
HOSPEDERIA SAN MARTIN PINARIO is our official point of delivery of rental bicycles and is the place where we manage the transport of bicycles back home.
This hotel is optimal because it also has a wide range of prices and possibilities of accommodation ranging from superior rooms to simple pilgrim hostel bed.
*THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A HOTEL IN A DOUBLE ROOM IS AROUND 80 EUROS.
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BICYCLE RENTAL, MTB CYCLOTOURISM AND EBIKES.
In Bicigrino we have high-end bicycles, we work with prestigious brands such as CANNONDALE, MONDRAKER, FOCUS BIKES ….
Our bicycles are delivered adjusted and delivered to our trusted stores at each point of origin. They are delivered fully checked and specially conditioned to be able to do the Camino de Santiago. Nothing is casual, everything has been specially chosen for an optimal use in cyclotourism with panniers. We also have a wide network of technical assistance that covers the entire route.
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We provide access to the stages and GPS routes that we have posted on the WIKILOC platform.
The use of GPS is not strictly necessary but it will certainly help you a lot.
There are several sections in which we have taken out the original route for prudence and we have manipulated the indications to avoid passing through dangerous and very mountainous areas (after Bayona and before Vigo).
Here are the tracks:
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* Service offered by Bicigrino.
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