Portuguese Camino Cycling: Porto to Santiago (guided group)

Clients make their own way to the hotel in Porto which is centrally located. The group will meet up with their guide for the week at the hotel reception at an agreed time and head off together for dinner, to get to know each other and be briefed on the tour that awaits. This will also be our opportunity to walk around town and get our first stamps on our Pilgrims passport. We recommend you spend extra time in this lovely city if you can, exploring its old city center, the buildings covered in blue painted tiles, the cathedral, and visiting some of the famous Port wineries.

Hotel: Hotel Moov Porto Centro (or similar)

Today´s cycling is the longest distance but the terrain is quite flat with only an accumulated elevation gain of 400 m approximately. Start cycling initially following the coast. The first 34 km will be very beautiful cycling next to the Atlantic Ocean through some small fishing villages and the natural ornithological reserve of Mindelo. We will reach the coastal town of Vila do Conde with its lovely port and the Monastery of Santa Clara. Then we leave the coast towards the town of Barcelo. The rest of the way is though quiet cobblestoned secondary roads. 32 km will take us to Barcelo just across the river Cavado. This town has a lovely town center and some very nice restaurants for the evening meal. Hotel: Hotel Bagoeira (or similar)

We have a relatively short distance to cover today but there are some gentle hills. We will get a really good taste of what the countryside of the interior of Northern Portugal is like. We will cross many littles villages and see many churches. The landscape has green undulating hills and there is production of white wines (Vino Verde) in this area. Our destination is the market town of Ponte de Lima famous for its bridge over the River Lima. Again we will have a good opportunity to walk around the centre of town and try the local gastronomy in one of the many good restaurants. Hotel: Hotel Imperio do Norte (or similar)

Today´s cycle takes us through several valleys and we have to climb a couple of small mountains on the way. The itinerary is very rural with beautiful nature. Our destination is Valenca, a town that is next to the River Miño that separates Portugal from Spain. The old town is very special because it is within the walls of a XII century fortification. Hotel: Residencial Portas do Sol (or similar)

In the morning we will cross the border to Spain. To cross we ride over an old metal bridge that takes trains, cars and pedestrians. On the other side there are no border police controls so the transit is easy. We will visit the town of Tui in the Spanish side and then carry on North towards Pontevedra. The landscape is similar to the Portuguese side but you can appreciate some differences in small details apart from the fact that people speech Spanish and not Portuguese. We have some small climbs to undertake today but nothing too steep or long. The last 10 km are downhill and take us to the city of Pontevedra that is the capital of the province and is right next to the sea water of the Fiord of Pontevedra. We will stay in the town center an in the evening we will enjoy a walk in the old quarter and a good dinner in a local restaurant. A good Albariño white wine and some local fresh fish should be very welcomed after a day of cycling. Hotel: Hotel Rias Bajas (or similar)

From Pontevedra we continue our journey North through rural countryside and small villages. We will reach about half way the town of Caldas de Rei. This town was already inhabited by the Roman settlers 2000 years ago because of the hot water springs that exist here. You will be able to touch the hot water as it comes out of the fountains in town. A last push takes us to Padrón. This town is supposed to the mentioned in the Jacobean legend as the place where the boat that brought the body of Santiago from Jerusalem entered to then be taken to Santiago.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Antigua do Monte (or similar)

Today is the last day of cycling on a shoter ride than other days that will leave us time to enjoy the city, the cathedral. We will ride all the way to the Plaza do O Bradoiro where all pilgrims celebrate their longed arrival surrounded by the beautiful facade of the Cathedral. We will also get our Compostelana (certificate in Latin of our pilgrimage). That night we will celebrate our arrival and enjoy the lively city of Santiago. The hotel we stay at in Santiago for one night is very close to the city center and is a modern and comfortable building. Hotel: Hostal la Salle (or similar)

After breakfast the tour ends each person will make their own way back. If you need help getting public transport or prices for private transfers let us know and we can help you.