Camino Portugues Coastal Way By Bike

9 Days & 8 Nights

The historic cities of Porto and Santiago de Compostela
Wild coastal trails and hidden sandy beaches
Discover rural villages, medieval towns and historic cities
Sample regional dishes and local wines along the way
Enjoy a quieter Camino experience, away from the crowds

See the best of northern Portugal and Galicia as you cycle the Camino Portuguese Coastal Way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Starting in the vibrant UNESCO heritage city of Porto, ride along stunning Atlantic trails and discover hidden sandy beaches, pretty seaside towns and fishing villages. Continue along the Camino's ancient pilgrim trails and visit one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historical centres of Portugal, Viana do Castelo, before reaching the border of Spain and Portugal. Head inland where the coastal and central Caminos become one, and pass through the medieval towns and cities of Baiona, Vigo, Pontevedra and Padrón as you cycle through typical Galician countryside. Sample regional dishes and local wines throughout your journey, before arriving at the wonderful city of Santiago de Compestela.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This easy to moderate rated tour is an easily accessible trip, combining the lush countryside of northern Portugal and northern Spain, with seaside cycling along the Atlantic Coast. It starts in the charismatic UNESCO city of Porto and finishes at Santiago de Compostela's cathedral. The region is renowned for its excellent wines and cuisine, and you'll see the gradual change as you journey from Portugal into Spain. You'll stay in a mixture of 3 and 4-star hotels along the way, used regularly by those completing the Camino. The cycling is varied, with a mixture of coastal paths, wooden walkways, dirt tracks, forest tracks, cycle paths and some tarmac roads (secondary and main) closer to the bigger cities and towns. The Camino Portuguese Coastal Way route is not as busy as the main central Camino Portuguese, so this is perfect if you're looking for a Camino experience away from the crowds.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie, Wine, Long-Distance Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

The route has been graded as easy to moderate overall based on the distances each day. The route should be manageable for most regular cyclists or those relatively new to cycling with a good level of fitness.

Pedal on a mixture of coastal paths, wooden walkways, dirt tracks, cobblestones and some roads (secondary and main) closer to the bigger cities and towns, with distances between 25-49 km. You will also cycle on forest tracks (dirt or gravel and sometimes rocky). This is a great trip for anyone with good physical fitness, as you will encounter some steep climbs. The tour follows the Portuguese Coastal Camino for 80% of the official pilgrim route, but the remaining sections of the Camino is not safe for bikes (since it was created for pedestrians), so you will be diverted via small roads for the remaining sections where rocky and muddy mountain trails and some of the boardwalks are not suitable for bikes.

Navigation

Navigation is straightforward with detailed route notes upon arrival, and the GPX tracks provided in our app. You will be cycling on the official Camino Coastal Way route for 80% of the route, so it will be relatively easy to find your way.

Accommodations

On this tour you will stay in a mixture of 3 and 4-star hotels, in small hotels and guesthouses or larger hotels in the big cities.

Alternate Accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations that are not listed in the main daily description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning, but lunches and dinners are not so that you are free to choose from the surrounding options. If there isn't a restaurant at your accommodation there will be options nearby. For lunch, you will pass through towns and villages en route where you can purchase provisions for a picnic lunch. We have included recommendations and tips and hints in your roadbook, which you will receive upon arrival.

Included

8 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
All breakfasts
Luggage transfers
Bike hire (E-bike also available with a supplement)
Pilgrim kit (shell and pilgrim passport)
Welcome briefing upon arrival
Detailed information pack including route notes, maps and local information
GPS tracks with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US offices

Excluded

E-bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
Travel insurance
Personal Equipment
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

Extras

E-bike hire
Additional nights accommodation along the way.
Extra night in Porto and Santiago
Private transfer from Santiago back to Porto at the end
Private transfers to/from Porto or Santiago airports

When To Go

You can begin your trip on any day of the week from 1st March to 31st October

Weather and Climate

Generally you'll find that spring and autumn are the best times for cycling in Portugal, with temperatures from 12-19 degrees Celsius and the added bonus of less summer tourists. However, being in northern Portugal and therefore cooler than the south this trip is also pleasant in the summer months. Summer temperatures vary from 18-25 degrees Celsius and perhaps into the high 20s on occasion. Rainfall is generally low, with a monthly average of no more than 12 mm between March and November. May to September tend to be the driest months of the year.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Porto is easily accessible from many major airports on a direct flight or you can also fly via Lisbon and take a train to Porto (3 hours).

By Rail: Porto is one of the main railway hubs in northern Portugal and is therefore easily reached by train. It takes approx. 3 hours by train from Lisbon to Porto.

By Road: Porto enjoys good connections by road to the rest of Portugal. It takes approx 7 hours to drive from Lisbon to Porto.

We can also arrange a private transfer from Porto Airport to your first hotel (not included).

Getting from the End

By Air: You can fly from Santiago direct to some UK airports, or via Madrid with Iberia, via Frankfurt with Lufthansa or via Paris or Barcelona with Vueling. Other options are available and you can check Santiago Airport website for more information.

By Rail: It is also possible to take the train from Santiago to Madrid (approx 7hrs). Train timetables and fares can be viewed at RENFE. Alternatively, you can return to Porto by train via Vigo (4.5hrs). or catch a bus to Porto which runs daily (3hrs).

We can also arrange a private transfer back to Porto (not included) should you wish to book return flights to Porto.

Luggage Transfer

Luggage transfers between overnight locations are included in the tour. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person, it should weigh approximately 20kg.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Bike & E-Bike Hire

Hire of a Mountain Bike is included as standard (MTB TREK Marlin 6 with either 27.5” or 29” wheels). Sizes range from XS to XL.

Included with bike hire is a pannier rack, panniers, phone holder, bottle cage, toolkit, puncture repair kit, and use of a helmet. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for your own comfort.

For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recomend hiring an e-bike. We can arrange hire of high quality E-bikes at an extra cost (TREK Powerfly 4-625 Gen 3). The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon swim or simply for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance that covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

How far in advance do I need to book?

When is the best time of year to go?

What do I need to bring?

How do luggage transfers work?

How do I find the way?