We'll meet you at our local shop in Porto to provide you with a private briefing, before the start of your experience, in which we'll hand you a Garmin Edge GPS with the preloaded tracks for this tour and a detailed routebook for the experience! You will start riding north by the “Camino” in Porto, from Sé, on the same day.
The following days you will be riding by the North of Portugal, in the “Minho” region, and visit historical places like Ponte de Lima, Valença, ride by forests with other travelers in the “Camino” up to Galiza. You will pass by the Minho river, visit Tui, Pontevedra and get to experience the gastronomy, culture and nature of this epic journey. Arriving in Santiago after 6 riding days, you will end your adventure visiting the Cathedral and the historical city center at the end of this pilgrimage in the Way of St. James.
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Private briefing and bike fit at our Porto bike station on the day before (other dates can be arranged);
You'll start riding from Sé, Porto’s cathedral or straight from our shop, which is in the Camino. From Sé, you’ll start your adventure riding by central Porto until you reach Vairão, from where you'll start cycling in trails and small backroads, crossing the Ave river until you reach Rates and, from then on, Barcelos. After checking in to your hotel, take your time to relax and walk in Barcelos city center and discover the local heritage, the “Barcelos cock”, medieval tower and city center.
Hotel for the day: Bagoeira, Barcelos
After breakfast at your hotel, start your day riding by the beautiful Barcelos village, and then tackle the first uphill section of the day, towards São Pedro de Fins, after which you’ll start your long descent onto the Lima river, where you’ll find the beautiful city of “Ponte de Lima”, with its very well preserved medieval center and bridge. Throughout the way, you’ll witness the beautiful Minho rural landscape. Ride along the river on the cycling path toward's your hotel, INLIMA. After checking in to your hotel, take your time to relax and visit Ponte de Lima and have dinner in a local restaurant downtown.
Hotel for the day: Inlima, Ponte de Lima
After breakfast at your hotel, leave Ponte de Lima crossing the beautiful medieval bridge and take on the trails by the river side – once you reach Arcozelo (around km 87), it’s all uphill up to the top of Labruja – the Camino’s toughest uphill. After Labruja, it’s all downhill towards Rubiães, and then Valença, the last Portuguese city you’ll encounter, on the bank of Minho river, renowned by its fortress. Cross the river into Spain, towards the city of Tui. Check in at your hotel and take the rest of the day and night to explore the small but beautiful center of Tui.
Hotel for the day: Torre do Xudeu, Tui
After breakfast at the hotel, your day will start with a beautiful ride through the woods outside of Tui. Near redondela, you'll tackle the steepest climb of the day, after which you’ll once again hit the back roads until you reach Pontevedra’s train station and city center. Check in at your hotel, and take your time to visit Pontevedra’s Real Basilica and city center.
Hotel for the day: Hotel da Barca, Pontevedra
Start your ride by crossing Rio Lérez and riding north, on the trails alongside the train tracks. Narrow paths of ancient roman pathways and backroads will follow until you reach “Caldas de Reis”, renowned as a thermal resort. Then, keep riding by the trails and back roads until you reach Padrón. In Padrón , turn left at the bridge towards Convento del Carmo, and then left again to reach your hotel for the day, “Pazo de Lestrove”, that ill appear on the left side of the road.
Hotel for the day: Pazo de Lestrove, Padrón
After breakfast, you’ll start your cycling day climbing just outside of Padrón. More and more pilgrims will appear at this stage, as Santiago is nearby - don’t forget to wish a “Bom Caminho” to all pilgrims you see along the way! After climbing the more urbanized area of Santiago, you’ll enter the historical center and reach the Santiago Cathedral – the end of this epic journey! Take time to visit the city and the Cathedral and make sure to attend the Pilgrim Mass, in which you may be able to see the famous Santiago Cathedral’s “Smoke Spreader”.
