French Way by bike

Route: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Francia) → Santiago de Compostela

About this route

The French Way is the backbone of the routes to Santiago and, by far, the busiest. It crosses the north of the peninsula from east to west —from the Pyrenees to Galicia— passing through Navarre, La Rioja, the Castile and León plateau and the mountains of El Bierzo before dropping down into Galician lands. Its great asset for anyone travelling by bike is the infrastructure: villages, fountains, workshops and accommodation follow one another almost without interruption, which makes it the ideal route for a first Camino on two wheels.

The French Way by bike

What makes this route special for the cycling pilgrim is not only the scenery, but the density of services. The route passes close to 140 towns with some kind of service, on average one every few kilometres, so stocking up on water, eating or finding a workshop is never a problem. That is why we recommend it for beginners: the logistics work in your favour.

The surface is varied. Much of the Camino runs along dirt tracks and paths shared with walking pilgrims, but there is almost always a road alternative for the rougher or more technical sections. It is best to ride with respect for those on foot and, when the path narrows or gets tricky, to take the parallel tarmac.

Which bike to use

The most versatile option is a mountain bike (MTB) or a gravel bike: both handle the mix of dirt, stone and tarmac you will find well. The gravel bike is comfortable and fast on the rolling sections; the MTB gives you more security on the stony descents and with a loaded bike.

An e-bike is an excellent alternative if you want to increase your daily mileage or tackle the climbs with less effort; just bear in mind that you will need to plan your charging points. A road bike is also possible, but only if you choose a 100% tarmac variant, giving up part of the original route.

The key climbs

The hardest stage is the first one, crossing the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles: a long and demanding climb. If you are carrying a loaded bike, the most sensible thing is to ride up the pass by road; many cycling pilgrims even start directly in Roncesvalles to spare themselves that first wall.

After that come other landmarks: the Alto del Perdón, just after Pamplona, with a loose, stony descent that should be taken carefully; the Cruz de Ferro, on Mount Irago, the highest point of the whole route at around 1,500 metres; and the climb to O Cebreiro, the gateway to Galicia, short but very steep. On the descent from the Cruz de Ferro towards El Acebo the terrain is very broken, so the usual advice for cyclists is to go down by road.

The meseta: the section bikes enjoy

Between Burgos and León lies the Castilian meseta, long, flat and with endless horizons. Many walking pilgrims find it monotonous, but on a bike it is just the opposite: fast, rolling terrain where the kilometres add up easily. The only warning is that in some stretches the villages are further apart, so it is wise to set off with water and supplies.

How many days and how to plan it

The full route is usually done in around 13 or 14 days, although the number depends on your fitness and the time available: it can be compressed into fewer days or stretched out to enjoy it more. Unlike those on foot, by bike there are no standard stages: everyone adjusts the distances to their own pace.

If you do not have two weeks, the French Way lends itself to being done in sections. Starting in León or Ponferrada lets you complete the final part —and obtain the Compostela— in a week or less.

The Compostela by bike

To earn the Compostela, the certificate of the pilgrimage, the cycling pilgrim must cover at least the final 200 km to Santiago (compared with 100 km for those on foot). That is why anyone doing the French Way by bike with limited time usually starts in León or Ponferrada, points from which that minimum distance is comfortably covered.

Best time to go

The best times are spring (May and June) and autumn (September and October): pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is perfectly feasible, but the heat on the meseta can be intense, so it is best to set off early. In winter you need to be careful of snow and ice on the mountain passes, especially in the Pyrenees and at O Cebreiro.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the French Way?

Around 775 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. The figure varies depending on the source and the route variants, usually between 770 and 790 km.

How many days does it take by bike?

The full route is usually done in 13 or 14 days. It can be shortened with longer stages or extended to enjoy it at a relaxed pace. By bike there are no fixed stages: each cyclist adjusts the distances to their fitness.

Which bike is best for the French Way?

A mountain bike or gravel bike is the most advisable, because it adapts to the mix of dirt, stone and tarmac along the route. An e-bike is a good option for increasing your mileage, and a road bike is only advisable on the 100% tarmac variants.

How many kilometres do you have to ride to earn the Compostela?

At least the final 200 km to Santiago. That is why many cycling pilgrims with little time start in León or Ponferrada.

Is the French Way hard by bike?

Its difficulty is moderate. It has demanding mountain sections (the Pyrenees at the start and the climb to O Cebreiro) and long, fast, flat sections across the meseta. The excellent network of services makes it very manageable, even for beginners.

What is the highest point of the French Way?

The Cruz de Ferro, on Mount Irago (province of León), at around 1,500 metres of altitude. It is also one of the most symbolic places on the whole route.

What is the best time to go?

Spring and autumn, for their pleasant climate and smaller crowds. Summer is feasible but hot on the meseta, and winter requires caution because of snow on the mountain passes.

Where does it start and finish?

It starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees, and finishes in Santiago de Compostela, after crossing Navarre, La Rioja, Castile and León and Galicia.