Beginning in Porto and ending in Santiago, this cycling pilgrimage takes in some of Portugal and Spain’s most memorable terrain. With distances ranging from 24–55 kilometres per day, the cycling is more than manageable and leaves plenty of time for exploring towns and cities on foot. You can expect to be riding on quiet, rural roads for the most part, mixed with both busier and more remote sections. Crossing into Galicia and riding through its famously green forests is something you’ll never forget, and the smell of fresh pine will linger in your memories for years, as will the first sighting of the spires of Santiago Cathedral.

Day 1 | Arrive in Porto

There are few places more perfect to start a Camino than in Porto. It’s Portugal’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s oldest, with the historic city centre earning World Heritage status. It’s home to more than history, though, with plenty of azulejo mosaics, colourful houses and winding cobblestone streets lined with wine bars and seafood restaurants. You can’t leave Porto without heading down to the docks and visiting the internationally renowned port houses. This is, after all, the home of port wine.

Day 2 | Porto – Arcos | 55 km | Level 2–3

Jumping in the saddle for the first time, you’ll begin the cycle at Porto’s cathedral, following your first yellow arrow out of town. Shake off the seafood and port and it won’t be long before you’re cycling north on quiet country roads, passing interesting historical sites like the Mosteiro de Leca do Balio on your approach to Arcos. A small town typical of the Portuguese Way, Arcos is a nice quiet spot compared to the hustle and bustle of Porto.

Day 3 | Arcos – Ponte de Lima | 57 km | Level 3–4

Cycle today through quaint villages and peaceful woodlands as the Portuguese Way continues its march towards Ponte de Lima. There’s an option to climb to the Chapel of Santa de Franqueira for fantastic views, while you’ll also pass through the medieval city of Barcelos. It’s famous as the origin of the Rooster of Barcelos, one of the most common symbols of Portugal, which comes from a folk tale to do with a pilgrim.

From Barcelos, continue cycling to Ponte de Lima, a former Roman settlement with an interesting history. The Roman soldiers believed that the River Lima resembled the mythical Lethe River, one of the five rivers of the underworld, and crossing it would strip a person of their memory. They refused to cross until a Roman general took his horse to the other side and called the soldiers over by their names, proving their fears to be unfounded.

Day 4 | Ponte de Lima – Tui | 36 km | Level 4–5

The Portuguese Way climbs out of Ponte de Lima to a high point of approximately 400 metres. It’s a challenging ascent, but one well worth the effort for the stunning views at the top. Keep cycling along undulating terrain, crossing hills through scenic landscapes, before the downward cycle to Valenca and the Minho River. Here, you’ll cross the bridge that separates Portugal from Spain and, once on the other side, you’ll have touched down in Galicia.

Day 5 | Tui – Pontevedra | 49 km | Level 4–5

After an enjoyable evening in the wonderful town of Tui, which is a great place to spend an extra night, begin the Spanish stage of your cycle along the Portuguese Way. Today’s ride will see you cycling through pine forests and postcard-perfect fishing villages to arrive in Pontevedra, a historic Camino town that always has a buzz about it thanks to the pilgrims approaching Santiago. Its large square, which is surrounded by impressive buildings, is a terrific place to people – or pilgrim – watch in the afternoon and evening.

Day 6 | Pontevedra – Padron | 40 km | Level 3–4

Your penultimate day along the Portuguese Way is a wonderful cycling day, passing chestnut groves and the hot springs of Caldas de Rei. Your destination is the tree-lined streets of Padron, a town famous for its celebrated writers and very, very spicy peppers. The riding is relatively manageable, so if exploring the thermal springs en route appeals, by all means do! They’re the perfect way to prepare for your final day’s ride to Santiago tomorrow.

Day 7 | Padron – Santiago | 24 km / Level 3–4

Your final leg of the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela is a short cycle, meaning there’ll be plenty of time to explore the city on foot. It’s a special, unique place with an inexplainable magic that can only be experienced by walking around its ancient, cobbled streets. The historical centre is a World Heritage Site, with the most important building being, of course, Santiago Cathedral. This is where your cycling pilgrimage ends so take some time to enjoy the moment, then head to the Compostela office to pick up your certificate of completion. Then, it’s time to celebrate! And there’s no better place to celebrate than in the streets of Santiago.

Day 8 | Finish in Santiago

Your cycling trip from Porto to Santiago officially comes to an end after breakfast this morning. We hope you’ve had a wonderful time cycling the Portuguese Way, and please note that additional nights can be added to this itinerary to include rest days and further time for exploration if requested.

Visit www.wanderingtheworld.com.au for more information.

Inclusions

• 7 nights accommodation, all carefully selected to enhance your Camino experience
• Private en-suite facilities
• Daily breakfast
• Information packs with route maps and instructions on how to locate hotels
• Pilgrim’s passport
• Emergency contact details and 24/7 local on-the-ground support
• Pre-departure and ongoing support from Australian office

Optional Inclusions

• Three-course dinners with local wine
• Daily luggage transfers from hotel to hotel (1 x 20kg bag unless indicated otherwise)
• Bike hire (27 speed BTT, plus repair kit, pump, lock & water bottle holder)
• Bike accessories – panniers (front and rear), bike seat gel cover, toe clips, helmet
• Suggested rest days as outlined in itinerary or if required
• Upgraded accommodation including paradors, country properties and premium/high-end styles
• Private vehicle transfers to the trip’s starting point
• Single supplement for your own room
• Additional night’s accommodation before or after trip (please advise at time of booking)

Not Included

• Flights
• Travel to trip’s starting point
• Transfers not already outlined in detailed trip itinerary
• Lunches
• Dinners

Accommodation

We know from personal experience that a good night’s rest can make or break a trip, which is why we carefully hand-select all our accommodation. We ensure that our knowledge and firsthand experience of the best places to stay is passed on to all our cyclists.

Your accommodation along the Camino is booked in advance, on a twin-share basis with private facilities, and chosen to make your journey as rewarding as possible. You may be staying in a refurbished farmhouse, some of which have been in the same family for centuries, or perhaps a boutique hotel with a chef who would not be out of place in a Michelin-starred restaurant. There are unique properties scattered throughout the different routes including converted monasteries, lighthouses and tiny B&Bs with the most generous hosts you could possibly imagine. Best of all, you’ll always have private en-suite facilities. Wherever you end up, you’ll be well looked after, warm and comfortable and, most importantly, ready to tackle the next day on your bike.

Single supplements are also available so you can enjoy your room with private en-suite. This supplement will apply if you are travelling alone or if there is no gender-share option. You can request a shared room through Wandering the World at the time of booking, however this is not guaranteed.

There are opportunities to upgrade to more luxurious lodgings in many places along the Camino. These are perfect for celebrating special occasions and milestones, or even to enhance your entire journey. We can recommend some very special, unique places to indulge in the Camino hospitality in spectacular style, so please ask us about these options when booking.

Food & Dining

The local cuisine is a definite highlight of your walk. The Camino regions are famous for their culinary delights, and you’ll end up exploring the destination using not only two wheels, but also your taste buds.

Breakfast at your place of accommodation is usually continental style and may include cereals, yoghurt, bread, pastries, ham, tea, coffee and juices.

Lunch – at your own expense – will depend on where you are on your walk and what is available. It’s often purchased at a local café or bar, with choices along the trail perhaps including Spanish omelette (tortilla Espanola), tuna empanadas, soups or sandwiches (boccadillo). Alternatively, you may wish to enjoy a picnic in a perfect spot along the path.

Evening meals are a hearty, three-course affair known as the ‘pilgrims’ menu’. These usually consist of a salad or soup to start, followed by a choice of a meat or pasta dish, then finishing with a dessert. This is always accompanied by a bottle of local wine, of course. On occasion, the owner of the accommodation may be in the kitchen preparing the house special, which will not disappoint.

Most evening meals are included on guided group trips, and for self-guided itineraries Wandering the World can include as many evening meals as you wish. We may strongly recommend this in some places because it’s either been a long day or there are limited choices available in certain destinations. We can share our advice and talk to you about this at the time of booking. We can accommodate most dietary requirements, so please let us know in advance.

THE CYCLING

This trip is a self-guided itinerary, ideal for groups and independent travellers who prefer to navigate in their own way and their own time.

You will be provided with an information pack including easy-to-read maps and instructions, complete with directions to guide you on the well-marked paths and tracks. On the Camino, you will be following the yellow arrows or the assigned roads and Camino scallop shells, while the Chemin is marked with red and white stripes, or directions to rural bike paths. This information pack will be available at your joining hotel on the first day of your trip.

TRIP GRADE ABOUT THIS CYCLING HOLIDAY

General difficulty: 3-5 (see the level of difficulty in each stage).

Level 1: mainly flat, without big slopes.

Level 2: small slopes, dirt roads.

Level 3: moderate slopes, dirt roads, sometimes challenging.

Level 4: big slopes, narrow tracks, challenging, sometimes rocky.

Level 5: big slopes, sometimes very difficult paths, paths over rocks.

LUGGAGE TRANSFERS – OPTIONAL

Wandering the World arranges a daily luggage transfer to maximise your comfort and enjoyment, or you can choose the option of a pannier rental to carry your own luggage if you wish. The luggage transfer allowance is one bag per person of no more than 20 kg (13 kg on the Chemin). Your luggage must be left in the reception of your hotel before breakfast (8 am) each day.

Please note:

• It is essential to attach the bag tag provided to ensure your luggage is delivered to your next accommodation.
• Only one bag will be moved each day and additional charges will apply if your bag is heavier than 20 kg (13 kg on the Chemin).
• Should you require special arrangements for additional luggage transfers, these can be made ahead of time and must be paid as part of your final payment to Wandering the World.

GROUP SIZE

Wandering the World’s guided groups have a maximum group size of 12 participants. This small group size means that we have the flexibility to stay in a wider range of accommodations, can dine together in the evenings, have the freedom to walk alone or together, and there are more opportunities to get to know your travelling companions.

WEATHER

The weather and climate on the Camino can vary from country to country, region to region and, of course, from day to day. Each season has its own benefits, with long, warm and sunny days in spring and early summer, while early spring and late autumn tend to enjoy cooler walking temperatures. Some sections may be too hot for walking mid-summer, while others are more likely to be wet at certain times. The experts at Wandering the World can discuss your preferences and guide you when you are planning your trip.

Once you’ve started your walk, the weather can play an important role in your overall enjoyment of the journey. Checking the forecast can be a great help when planning your days. If you do strike hotter weather, leaving early to avoid the warmest part of the day will make a huge difference.

24/7 SUPPORT & CARE

Your information pack will include details of local emergency contacts and international contacts. We have local, on-the-ground support to provide any assistance you may require and we’ll also check-in with your hotel at the end of each day to ensure that you’ve arrived safely.

GETTING THERE / GETTING HOME

This itinerary begins in Porto and ends in Santiago de Compostela.

The closest airports to Porto are Madrid, Porto or Lisbon.

From your airport of choice there are bus, train and flight options as per the links below.

Train bookings are recommended.  Please note you can only book two months in advance of the date of travel.

Bus:  ALSA

Train:

The Train Line

Rail Europe

RENFE

Comboios de Portugal

Bus/Train : Rome2Rio

Flights:

Vueling

Ryan Air

Iberia Express

Iberia:

TAP

BA

Easyjet

Alitalia

Also, check out: Skyscanner

From Santiago de Compostela

You can catch the shuttle bus from Santiago city centre to the airport.  Bus also stops at the bus station (Estación de Autobuses) and the train station (Estación de Ferrocarril).  For more information go to  www.empresafreire.com

If you wish to travel to Porto Airport there is a direct bus from Santiago once or twice a day (approx 4-6 hrs).  More information available here www.alsa.es

INSURANCE

Insurance is compulsory for everyone who travels with Wandering the World. The insurance policy must include cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. Wandering the World recommends insurance coverage for cancellation to be taken at the same time your deposit is paid, as no exception to the cancellation provisions can be made.

BOOKING AND TRAVEL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Wandering the World’s full booking terms and conditions are available upon request and will also accompany your initial invoice for deposit.

“Although I have chosen to walk 24 Caminos including the entire path from St Jean Pied de Porto through to Santiago de Compostela and onto Finisterre, I am still familiar with cycling in Europe and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge on two wheels. One important consideration for choosing to cycle over a walk on the Camino is the degree of difficulty if you are not a cyclist. There are challenges particularly if you plan to start at the base on the Pyrenees and take on the mountains through to Pamplona. The shorter distances from Burgos, Leon or Porto on the Portugal Camino are less confronting, however I highly recommend only the experienced cyclists to take to the bike and others to stick with the walking”.  – Glenyce, Founder of Wandering the World.