Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

Introduction
Minho Portugal
Enjoy a truly unforgettable ride as you cycle the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago. You’ll pass by a series of sandy beaches, villages and market gardens between the historical city of Porto and the low-key resort town of Esposende via Vila do Conde. Head inland to follow quiet country lanes to Caminha, passing through the small, attractive city of Viana do Castelo.

A short but scenic ferry ride takes you across the River Minho to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. A glorious stretch of rugged coastline and a small mountain connect you to Baiona, a charming seaside town with bags of history and tapas bars. Then it’s on to the city of Vigo through the typical rural countryside. Ride on to Redondela, where the coastal and central Caminos become one, accompanied by views of the Ria do Vigo.

Stop for oysters in Arcade before using ancient stone paths to cycle through the forests and villages to the city of Pontevedra, a city full of intriguing squares and buildings. The next town of note is Caldas de Reis, where you can test the temperature of the thermal waters. Pretty Padrón is where St. James is said to have been buried. Try the famous peppers here then pedal on to your ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela.

Accomodation

Accommodation
Your package includes accommodation in 3* hotels along the way. It is possible to upgrade to 4* and 5* hotels upon request (extra fee).

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Porto
Night 2: Hotel in Vila do Conde
Night 3: Hotel in Viana do Castelo
Night 4: Hotel in Oia
Night 5: Hotel in Vigo
Night 6: Hotel in Pontevedra
Night 7: Hotel in Padron
Night 8: Hotel in Santiago

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and Dinners need to be paid extra.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Bikes
We know the importance of a high quality and comfortable bike for a pleasant cycling tour, so we carefully selected the most appropriated bikes for each type of tour, and only work with the most recent, quality bikes from Cannondale.
For cycling the Camino de Santiago we selected the MTB bike Cannondale Trail 6 (20 speed bike with 29" wheels) and we’ll provide the bike equipped with rear pannier bags, water bottle and helmet. We have available bikes from all sizes for a more comfortable tour.

Experience
It is essential that clients have experience with mountain bikes and basic bicycle repair knowledge, especially how to change a tire as punctures may occur during the Camino.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Porto
One member of our team will meet you at the hotel to welcome you and provide a full briefing and all the documentation you’ll need.
Meals included: none
Overnight in 3* hotel in Porto

Day 2: Cycling from Porto to Vila do Conde
Follow the coastline on wooden boardwalks and pavements where you’ll encounter a series of wide sandy beaches and local fishermen at work before you reach the historical seaside town of Vila do Conde.
Cycling about 34 km / 21 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Vila do Conde

Day 3: Cyling from Vila do Conde to Viana do Castelo
Cut through the urban areas between Vila do Conde and the coastal resort town of Povoa de Varzim. Then cycle beside the coast and across beaches before heading inland through market gardens, woodland and villages.
Admire the views as you cross the Cávado River to enter Esposende. This day offers a series of villages interspersed with delightful patches of forest and rivers with views of distant mountain ranges. The Eiffel bridge over the Lima River offers spectacular views along the valley and estuary and the attractive historical and contemporary architecture of Viana do Castelo
Cycling about 49 km / 30 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Viana do Castelo

Day 4: Cyling from Viana do Castelo to de Oia
Leaving Viana do Castelo there’s a steady climb up forested hills before descending to the seaside town of Vila Praia de Âncora. Follow the coastal path between Âncora and Moledo and then continue to the pretty town of Caminha. A short, scenic ferry journey takes you across the Minho River to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain.
Then follow the Way along coastal pathways, forest tracks and tarmac roads to the small but attractive beachfront village of Oia with its 12th century monastery.
Cycling about 46 km / 28.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 2* hotel in Oia

Day 5: Cycling from Oia to Vigo 
Continue cycling through a rural coastal landscape of small fields, scattered houses and a few villages then cut across the mountains towards Baiona. This rugged uphill section offers a change of scenery and terrain before the final descent into the pretty resort town of Baiona.
The residential outskirts of Baiona gradually lead to more rural terrain and scattered villages interspersed with patches of woodland. A stint on a busy road ends with another series of villages before you reach Vigo where you’ll cut through Castrelos Park to skirt around the edge of the city.
Cycling about 43 km / 26.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Vigo

Day 6: Cycling from Vigo to Pontevedra
Cycle along Vigo’s city streets as you head northeast, leaving the urban area behind. Follow the line of the Ria de Vigo estuary for views of floating mussel farms, the Cíes islands and the city and port of Vigo as you ride between villages and through a forest. A steep descent takes you to the town of Redondela where your Portuguese Coastal Camino merges with the Portuguese Central Camino. Pause for juicy fat oysters in the riverside town of Arcade then follow an ancient stone path uphill to the forest. You’ll soon be amid the atmospheric squares of Pontevedra where you can admire the medieval architecture as you sip a beer or wine with some tapas.
Cycling about 34 km / 21.2 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Pontevedra

Day 7: Cycling from Pontevedra to Padron
The journey to Padron is relatively hill-free and you’ll spend the day surrounded by pleasant countryside. Bathe your feet in the hot spring in the center of Caldas de Reis then climb gradually through a series of hamlets and a delightful stretch of woodland. Take some time to explore medieval Padrón and discover its deep connection to St. James as well as its tasty green peppers.
Cycling about 41 km / 25.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Padron

Day 8: Cycling from Padron to Santiago
The final stage of your Camino takes you through a series of Galician hamlets with traditional cottages and barns as well as the imposing sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute. Enjoy the forest trail then head up to Milladoiro for your first glimpse of Santiago and the cathedral towers. Drop down to the valley to cross the River Sar then one last ascent will bring you into the city center and the medieval streets to the cathedral to end your journey.
Cycling about 25 km / 15.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 3* hotel in Santiago

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast get ready for your onward journey.
Meals included: Breakfast

Note:
The Coastal Camino de Santiago by bicycle program generally uses the same route that pilgrims follow on foot and there is no specific cycle route. The route is a combination of rural paths (asphalt, cobblestones or dirt), forest trails (dirt or gravel, uneven and sometimes rocky), secondary roads and some main roads (both on asphalt).
Along the journey you may sometimes encounter some steep climbs and descents, so good advance physical preparation is necessary in order to do this trip.

Rates and Dates for Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Porto
Airport: Porto Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                Esposende area