Camino de Santiago Stages
Stages of The Saint James Way | Camino by bike with Tournride
Ready to start your Camino? Discover Tournride’s bike rental for the Camino de Santiago: premium bikes, e-bikes and MTBs, delivered and collected anywhere on the route. Before you book, choose your route: each Camino has its own character, difficulty and stages. Here’s a summary of the five most cycle-friendly routes to help you decide.
French Way by bike
~762 km · 12-14 stages · 10-14 days · moderate difficulty. The most popular and complete Jacobean route, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago. It mixes the flat Meseta with two demanding passes (Roncesvalles and O Cebreiro). Ideal if you want “the Camino” in its purest form, with the best range of pilgrim services. See the 14 stages of the French Way by bike with distances and elevation.
Portuguese Way by bike
~240 km from Porto (~620 km from Lisbon) · 4-6 stages · 5-7 days · low difficulty. The flattest and most accessible route, with no major passes: ideal for first-timers and for e-bikes. Choose between the Central variant (inland and monumental) or the Coastal one (Atlantic). Everything about the route, the stages and the rental in our guide to cycling the Portuguese Camino.
Northern Way by bike
~825 km from Irún · 14-16 stages · high difficulty. The Cantabrian coast route: green, spectacular and almost always within sight of the sea, but the most demanding for its constant ups and downs. For those after scenery and a challenge in equal measure. Rent your bike with delivery anywhere on the route.
Primitive Way by bike
~315 km from Oviedo · 8-10 stages · high difficulty. The oldest and most mountainous Camino, with the legendary Hospitales climb. Tough, solitary and pure nature — the choice of mountain lovers, joining the French Way at Melide. Everything about the route, the mountain variants and the rental in our guide to cycling the Camino Primitivo.
Finisterrana Route (to Finisterre and Muxía)
~90 km from Santiago · 1-2 stages · moderate difficulty. The perfect epilogue: from Santiago to the Atlantic “end of the world” at Finisterre and Muxía. A reward facing the ocean after reaching the cathedral. Discover the Finisterrana Route by bike.
Still deciding? Read our complete guide to cycling the Camino de Santiago or check the price of your bike rental.
Frequently asked questions about the Camino stages by bike
How many stages does the Camino de Santiago have by bike?
The French Way by bike is usually split into 12-14 stages (~780 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port). The Central Portuguese is done in 6-8 stages (~620 km from Lisbon) and the Northern Way in 14-16 stages (~840 km from Irún). The exact number depends on your pace, the elevation and the type of bike (MTB or e-bike).
How long is each Camino stage by bike?
By bike, stages range from 40 to 60 km a day at a sightseeing pace. On flat sections like the Meseta (Burgos-Carrión-León) you cover more without effort, while on stages with a mountain pass (the Pyrenees, O Cebreiro) they shorten. The classic 20-30 km walking stages are grouped two or three at a time for cyclists.
Which is the easiest Camino to do by bike?
The Central Portuguese Way is the most recommended for first-timers: gentle terrain, moderate distances and good cycling signposting. The French Way is the most complete and popular, but includes two demanding passes (Roncesvalles and O Cebreiro). For those after more nature and mountains, the Primitive and Northern Ways are beautiful but tougher alternatives.
How long does it take to cycle the Camino de Santiago?
A week is the most common timeframe: from Sarria (115 km, the minimum on foot for the Compostela) it takes 3-4 days. By bike, to earn the Compostela you must cover the last 200 km. The full French Way takes 10-14 days; the Portuguese from Porto, 5-7; the Northern, 12-16. Adding 1-2 rest days at points like Burgos, León or Ponferrada is advisable.
Does Tournride deliver the bike at any stage of the Camino?
Yes. We deliver the bike to your accommodation or a courier office at any starting point on the French, Portuguese, Northern, English or Primitive Way. When you finish, we collect it in Santiago or at the intermediate point you choose. We also transfer your spare luggage to the end of the Camino so you ride without weight.
