In the last week of April we will do the Camino de Santiago.
Join us!
I like challenges, for this reason the search for new adventures and discovering new routes are part of my/our day-to-day.
After hundreds of bike rides in and around Lisbon (Sintra, Cascais, Arrábida, Acolchete, Ponta dos Corvos and Rota dos Avieiros) with people from all over the world, I've also done some longer distance tours in Portugal, alone and in groups, such as Zêzere River, Serra da Estrela, Alentejo and Algarve coast, the plains of Alentejo, the Caminho de Fátima and the spectacular Dão cycle path.
Across borders, we've also had some very nice experiences in Spain, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.
Now, between the traditional tours in Lisbon and some other news that I will report here, because it’s an old wish and due to requests from many friends, the time has come to start preparing a new experience/adventure, the Camino de Santiago by Bicycle.
Hundreds of years ago, more precisely since the year 820/830, when the hermit Paio discovered the Tomb of Santiago Maior, thousands of people travel to Santiago de Compostela on pilgrimage.
Asturian monarchs, French and German abbots and monks are the first famous people to arrive in Santiago from the end of the 9th century onwards to venerate the remains of the Apostle Santiago and his disciples Theodore and Athanasius.
From then on, Santiago de Compostela began to receive pilgrims from France, Italy, Germany, England and even Iceland and thus began to appear what we now call the Ways of Santiago.
Similar to what happened in other countries, in Portugal, whether on foot, on horseback or by boat, there were also many who went on pilgrimage to this well-known Spanish city and that is why some Caminhos de Santiago start and cross our country.
After some hesitation, between doing the Central Path / "Caminho Central" (the best known) and the Coast Path / "Caminho Costeiro", I opted for the first option. This option was based not only on the fact that it was the most traditional, but above all because it is said to be the most beautiful.
This bike trip from Porto to Santiago will start in Porto, on the 24th of April.
It will be the first time that I’ll do this route, it will be an experimental tour and as such it’s subject to some adjustments before and during it.
The plan is as follows:
Route = Porto – Santiago Compostela
Distance = +/- 275 km
April 23rd:
Arrival at the hotel in Porto.
April 24th:
Porto – Barcelos (+/- 65Km),
8.00 am – Breakfast
8.30h – Brieffing, delivery of bicycles, helmet and saddlebag with support material,
9.00 am – Start of the 1st stage.
April 25th:
Barcelos – Ponte de Lima (+/- 55 km)
8.30 am – Breakfast
9.30 am – Start of the 2nd stage.
April 26th:
Ponte de Lima – O Porrino (+/- 55 km)
8.30 am – Breakfast
9.30 am – Start of the 3rd stage
April 27th:
O Porrino - Caldas de Reis (+/- 60km)
8.30 am – Breakfast
9.30 am – Start of the 4th stage
April 28th:
Caldas de Reis – Santiago Compostela (+/- 40km)
8.30 am – Breakfast
9.30 am – Start of the 4th stage
Afternoon and end of the day – Tour in Santiago and delivery of bicycles.
Approximate prices:
- Rental of E-Bikes, Saddlebag, Helmet = €150.00
- Bicycle transport (Lisbon-Porto and Santiago-Lisbon) = 300.00€ : number of bicycles = +/- 50.00€
- Sleeps in shared rooms with breakfast = +/- 30.00€night x 6 nights = +/- 180.00€
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, trip to Porto and back are not included.
For more information - info@freebiketourslisbon.com