Famous pilgrim route crossing the whole Europe has it´s ancient starting point in Vézelay – France and finish in spectacular city of Santiago de Compostela – Spain.
Being walked since Middle Age by millions of pilgrims recently it´s common even between cyclist as this way takes less time and offers different point of views. The walking routes can be find here.
Way of St. James
Distance: 805 KM
Elevation Gained: 10.500 M
Pit Stops: Many along the route.
This is probably the route everybody would wish to ride once in the life to undergo feeling of pilgrims legacy, history and own spiritual existence.
Takes over 800 KM and can be divided in any 8 or more stages according to the fitness, needs and proper cycling passion.
The GPS file is designed for ROAD BIKES, but bikes and gravel lovers can always take the sterrato path of pilgrims.
The route of St. James starts close to Spanish border in French village St. Jean Pied de Port. In less than 10 KM enters Spain and stays there until the end. Mostly the road-bike track is on or along the original walking route.
The most difficult moments: the biggest cities brings some difficulties as highways and main roads are busy or are not aloud to cycled, so some of them are enumerate here:
- Pamplona – approaching to the city it is getting busy and everybody might be careful to take correct journey directly to old city center.
- Logroño – another difficult point, so at the beginning of the municipality is better to take cycling path which brings you under and along the highway to cemetery next to the center.
- Logroño – leaving the city is difficult as there is a highway. So ride over rail track and over sterrato path to village Fuenmayor, it´s not as difficult and nice section.
- Belorado – the national road N-120 is busy since Santo Domingo de la Calzada so better to ride over Pradoluengo up to reservoir to enjoy lovely landscape and views.
- Burgos – coming to this big city is busy and everybody might be careful. To leave Burgos is easier and route goes along the highway, so no cars on road.
- León – probably the most busy entrance to city, everybody might be attentive to take right cycle path to enter center as the cathedral is a MUST.
- O Pedrouzo – the main difficulty is the Airport of Santiago, so passing the town O Pedrouzo, be careful to take local service-road along the Airport and N-634 to proper final city.
TRAVELLING SPAIN 