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The Portuguese Road, or Caminho Portugués, is considered by many as the most spiritually connected pilgrimage route. Following the path St James' body took to its resting place at the site of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the quieter Portuguese path offers a wealth of history and delightful landscapes to discover. While the Caminho Portugués is traditionally walked by pilgrims, it is now possible to enjoy the route by bike. From the lively city of Porto, set on the banks of the Douro River and famous for its port wine production, the journey north travels through small hamlets, past eucalyptus and pine woods, over ancient bridges and through larger market towns dating back to Roman times. You will cross the border in to Spain and cycle into the fabled town of Santiago de Compostela.
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31kg of CO2-e PP per day
(216kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Porto
Set on the banks of the Douro River, Porto's historical centre was declared a World Heritage site in 1996 and in the 12th Century it was in Porto that the country took its name and became an independent nation. Its maritime legacies and importance as a New World trading port have shaped it into the proud city it has become, with its impressive cathedral and port wine lodges. After checking in to your hotel, take the time to explore the city with its many cultural sites. There is much to see here, we can assist with booking pre-tour nights on request.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycle the Coastal Camino to Vila do Conde then to Arcos (45km/28mi)
This morning you go to the bike shop to collect your bike. Three Caminos depart from Porto - the Central (inland), the Coastal (original coastal) and the Coastal Path (Senda Litoral). Recommended for cycling is the Senda Litoral. Setting out from Porto's Se (cathedral) you head to the coast and Matosinhos (or you can take the Metro with your bike) and follow the coastal path to Vila do Conde. From here you will cycle inland and through eucalyptus and pine forests to arrive in Arcos this afternoon. There are options to transfer from Porto to Arcos if you prefer to avoid the largely urban cycle. An additional cost will apply and this needs to be pre-booked (speak to our staff for details and prices). option 1 - transfer to the bike shop as usual after breakfast to collect the bike then transfer to Arcos option 2 - collect the bike independently from the bike shop and transfer to Arcos from your hotel at your preferred time (eg later in the day, allowing you to spend more time in Porto) option 3 - transfer directly to the Arcos hotel, with bikes available at the accommodation there. In this case you do not meet the bike technician and bike models may differ from those shown. With the transfer, you will still qualify for the Compostela Certificate as you will have ridden just over 200km from Arcos to Santiago which is the minimum requirement for cyclists.
Meals: B,D
Day 3
On to Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal (54km/33.5mi)
Today you will cycle across rolling hills and through woodlands and little villages. You will pass through the market town of Barcelos. With its impressive medieval bridge, Barcelos is treasured for its history and legends (eg. the Barcelos cockerel) and is a fantastic place to stop for lunch. Continue to Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal. Once you have checked in at your hotel, the cobble stoned streets of Ponte de Lima are a delight to walk through and there are many points of interest including museums, historic houses, a prison tower (now a library) and the main square, Largo de Camoes. The medieval bridge spanning the Lima River has Roman foundations but was rebuilt in 1368. Many festivals also take place here including Vaca das Cordas in June (the day before Corpus Christi), medieval markets in August, and Feiras Novas on the third weekend in September, a party which goes on for 3 days. Cumulative elevation +444m, -318m
Day 4
Cross the Spanish border to Tui (39km/24mi)
Today will be a harder day on the bike, with lots of hills to conquer. However the distance is quite short, so you will have time to soak in the scenery en route. You will pass small churches, cycle over green hills, and finally cross the bridge from Valença do Minho, in Portugal, to arrive in Tui in Spain. Cumulative elevation +780m, -752m
Meals: B
Day 5
On to Pontevedra (52km/32mi)
Another challenging day on the trail. Today starts out following the Camino de Barca first before reaching the Túnel das Monxas. A sharp climb up to the San Telmo bridge will follow. After this, the terrain will become a little easier as you continue towards O Porriño. Later in the day a short climb leads up to the chapel of Santiaguiño de Antas, and you will then cycle through pine forests en route to the fishing village of Arcade. You will enjoy stunning views over the Bay of Vigo as you pedal towards the historic city of Pontevedra, where you will overnight. In Pontevedra there are some interesting sites to be explored including the Santuario da Peregrin chapel and the Convento de San Francisco. The medieval town centre is a maze of cobbled laneways with tapas bars and cafes. Cumulative elevation +948m, -952m
Day 6
Cycle to Padron (40km/25mi)
Today you will pedal through chestnut groves, pine and eucalyptus forest. You will pass through the hamlet of Tivo and the village of Caldas de Reis, before crossing the River Umia and gradually climbing to the village of Santa Marina. Your destination for today is Padron, where the body of St James is said to have first landed when brought to Santiago. Cumulative elevation +463m, -487m
Day 7
To Santiago (26km/16mi)
The final day takes you again through pine, oak and eucalyptus wood before climbing up to reach Santiago. You will pass a number of small villages en route, before spotting the spires of Santiago's Cathedral in the distance. If you time your arrival well you will be able to attend the midday Pilgrim's Mass in Santiago. This afternoon you are free to discover the many interesting sites of Santiago's charming old town. Cumulative elevation +463m, -193m
Day 8
Trip concludes
Trip concludes after breakfast.
What's included
What's not included
The accommodations on this trip provide a comfortable and welcoming experience, with en-suite rooms and a cozy atmosphere that reflects the character of the region. Located conveniently to the cycling route, they provide an authentic taste of local hospitality.
During the trip you will be provided with a quality mountain bike (MTB), the usual model is Univega Summit (aluminium frame, 29” rims, 20speed - sizes XS, S, M, L). You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a handlebar bag, lock, repair kit and water bottle. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a puncture repair kit, to fix the issue.
Mountain bikes generally have a higher cross bar and are more robust than standard trekking bikes. Standard trekking bikes are available on request - see below.
Supplement applies. Usual models: Trek X-Caliber (sizes XS, S, L, XL) - Cannondale Trail (M) - Corratex X-vert (M)
Supplement applies. The usual model: Corratect All Road A2
Supplement applies. The usual model: BEEQ M500 Wild (size S, M, L)
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 16 years, minimum height requirement is 150cm / 5ft, maximum height is 185-190cm / 6ft25. Note: handlebar bags are not supplied with e-bikes.
Supplement applies. The usual model: BEEQ C800 Trekking (size S, M, L, XL).
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for a rental e-bike is 16 years, minimum height requirement is 150cm / 5ft25, maximum height requirement 185-190cm/6ft23. Note: handlebar bags are not supplied with e-bikes. High and low bar frames available.
Supplement applies. The usual model: Kalkoff Durban Pro - high and low bar (step through) frames available (sizes S, M, L)
From relatively flat to hilly and at times there are steep slopes. This trip is considered suitable for cyclists with a good to high level of fitness and who have a strong cycling technique.
There will be some dirt roads as well as the occasional rocky path used during this tour. There are points where cyclists may have to get off their bikes and push for a few metres to get around a complicated or dangerous route on the bike. Parts of the route have poor tread, stones and gravel which require greater skill with the bike.
GRADE 4 - with daily cycling distances from 26 to 54 km / 16 to 33.5mi over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to hilly and at times there are steep slopes. There will be some dirt roads as well as the occasional rocky path used during this tour. Parts of the Camino have poor tread, stones and gravel which require greater skill with the bike. At times you may need to walk your bike to get around obstacles. It is important to be in good physical shape to fully enjoy this trip. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good to high level of fitness and who have a strong cycling technique. Minor roads with reduced traffic are customary on this trip and we recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate. *For safety & legal* reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list or provided with bike on request. *Helmets are mandatory in Portugal & Spain on all roads and paths. CYCLING THE CAMINO - All Camino cycling routes have some demanding parts requiring some technical skills and physical preparation. Some have signposted detours for cyclists but in the main cyclists continue along the Camino, having to get off bikes to avoid obstacles and walkers. The Portuguese 'Central' route is more demanding than the Portuguese Coastal route and in Spain - mainly due to signposting (it's not as well prepared for cyclists as in Spain) and the terrain is more marked.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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