The Pilgrim Route — EuroVelo 3 through Spain
Bike Touring Collection by Sofía_Ibáñez
14
days
2-7 h
/ day
508 mi
32,200 ft
31,900 ft
The EuroVelo 3 route, also called the Pilgrim's Route, is a magnificent long-distance cycle route through several European countries from Trondheim in Norway to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This Collection introduces you to the section that runs through Spain.
The starting point is the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, very close to the border. You can easily get there by train from Hendaye, Pamplona or San Sebastián. For the way back, there’s an airport in Santiago de Compostela, as well as a train and bus station.
This is undoubtedly one of the most legendary cycling routes you can ride in Spain, as it mainly follows the Way of Saint James. More precisely, the Way’s most popular variant, which runs through northern Spain. On the 800 kilometres (500 mi) of this route, you’ll find a great variety of landscapes, as well as towns, villages and monuments of great historical and cultural value.
This pilgrimage takes you from the high mountains of the Pyrenees through the vast inland plains to the lush forests of Galicia. On your way through Navarre, La Rioja, Castile-León and Galicia, you will pass impressive cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León and, of course, Santiago de Compostela. But this is not just a route of big cities, you'll also discover charming villages with traditional architecture and a slow pace of life. And then there are the countless hermitages, monasteries, churches, bridges and castles – as you can see, the list of attractions along the route is very long.
I’ve divided this route into 14 stages of between 40 and 80 kilometres (25–50 mi). This way you have enough time each day to take breaks and see the sights. It's quite possible to do this route in a fortnight, but if you have more time, I recommend you plan a few extra days so you can rest and spend more time in the places you like best. Much of the route is on tarmac. Only rarely is the route on dirt roads (which is one of the requirements of the EuroVelo routes). So you can ride any type of touring bike.
Each stage ends in a town or village with accommodation and there’s always a typical pilgrim accommodation option as well. Along the route, there’s no lack of public fountains, restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies. That's the good thing about it being such a popular route but it also means that sometimes it can be busy. Some of the hostels can be booked in advance and you can also take a tent with you so you don't have to depend on them. There are several campsites along EuroVelo 3 and friendly hostel owners who’ll let you camp on their property. Wild camping is forbidden in Spain.
The route is passable all year round, but spring and autumn are the best seasons. At these times, the weather is often good and it's not so busy. In summer, it can get very hot and as this is the most popular time of the year, the hostels are full. The route has its charms in winter, but rain or even snow can make progress difficult.
Whenever you’re on the road, this route is an unforgettable adventure. From the saddle, you’ll discover a historic route full of natural and cultural treasures and share unforgettable moments with other pilgrims. I wish you a wonderful journey!
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: November 3, 2022
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- 05:2547.3 mi8.7 mph4,475 ft3,550 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The first stage of the EuroVelo 3 that runs through Spain begins in the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. You can get here by train or bus from Hendaye, Pamplona or San Sebastián.
From here a good climb awaits you to the port of Ibañeta, right on the Spanish border. The spectacular views of the…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:2731.6 mi9.2 mph2,500 ft2,525 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
If in the previous stage you had the courage to start the Route in France, today you will be glad to have a much more relaxed day. You start the day pedaling along the Arga River and saying goodbye to Pamplona.
This stage runs between extensive fields of cultivation and gentle hills. You will pass through…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
- 03:0028.7 mi9.6 mph1,675 ft1,850 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This third stage, the last in Navarra, crosses endless fields of wheat and rolling hills. As you pedal through these beautiful Navarrese landscapes, you will also discover charming villages to stop at, such as Los Arcos or Torres del Río.
The city of Viana is another place where it is worth making a stop…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:4535.0 mi9.3 mph2,475 ft1,625 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today it's time to pedal through the beautiful landscapes of La Rioja, where the vineyards reign. Shortly after leaving Logroño, you will find the La Grajera park and you will skirt its swamp, where birds abound.
About kilometer ten of the Route, between the hills the Osborne bull appears, an advertising…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 05:2251.5 mi9.6 mph2,450 ft1,725 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Shortly after leaving Santo Domingo de la Calzada, you leave behind the lands of La Rioja to enter a new autonomous community: Castilla y León. Your first contact with this region is through the landscapes of the province of Burgos.
The cereal fields that extend to infinity accompany you for much of the…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 07:2552.8 mi7.1 mph2,025 ft2,125 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
You cannot leave Burgos without visiting its cathedral, a landmark of Gothic architecture and an emblem of the city.
The Route continues through Castilian lands, sharing a layout for much of the stage with the EuroVelo 1 route. The landscapes continue to be marked by large extensions of cultivated fields…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:1424.6 mi7.6 mph675 ft725 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After conquering a couple of fairly long stages, today's ride gives you a bit of a break. By not having so many kilometers ahead of you, you can allow yourself to go more calmly and lengthen the breaks in the places of interest of this section.
Leaving Carrión de los Condes, you must cross the Puente…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:1634.5 mi10.6 mph850 ft775 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This stage has very little unevenness, so you will easily roll through the Leonese lands on your way to the capital.
Leaving Sahagún, the predominant landscape continues to be the extensive cereal plains. As you pass through these infinite landscapes, you pass through interesting towns that are ideal…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:4031.7 mi8.6 mph1,100 ft1,025 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
After leaving León, the Route continues along beautiful dirt tracks and roads between cereal fields.
The town of Villar de Mazarife is a good place to make a stop. In addition to resting, refilling water and buying food if you need it, you can visit its picturesque church and see the statue of Santiago…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 03:3834.3 mi9.4 mph2,650 ft3,750 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After a night of rest, it is time to set off to the highest point of the Camino Frances. That can only mean one thing: it's time to pedal hard on a long climb. The ascent begins at kilometer 20 of the Route, just at the height of the town of Rabanal del Camino. I recommend a short pause here to prepare…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 04:0933.3 mi8.0 mph3,825 ft1,375 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Leaving Ponferrada, the route continues on the flat through landscapes of intense greenery and with mountains visible in the distance.
About kilometer 20 of this stage, is the beautiful town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Its rich architectural heritage includes a 12th century church and a 16th century fortress…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 04:1541.6 mi9.8 mph2,750 ft5,725 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This stage runs entirely through the province of Lugo, a land of green mountains and lush forests. You will start the day by crossing two stops, San Roque and Poio. Located between 1,200 and 1,300 meters, the views at this point on the road to the valley are impressive.
Continuing parallel to the course…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 04:0636.1 mi8.8 mph3,125 ft3,150 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The penultimate stage of your Camino continues through the green lands of the province of Lugo. As you cycle through this region, you will be able to admire different examples of popular Galician architecture, such as the hórreos (a type of granary).
Among the places to stop and enjoy the local atmosphere…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
- 02:3725.1 mi9.6 mph1,600 ft2,000 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The most special day of the Camino has arrived: today you will travel the last kilometers of this route that culminates in Santiago de Compostela.
The road that takes you to the final destination runs through typical Galician landscapes with exuberant vegetation. A good example of this is the nicknamed…
by Sofía_Ibáñez
Like this Collection?
Collection Stats
- Tours14
- Distance508 mi
- Duration57:20 h
- Elevation32,200 ft31,900 ft
You Might Also Like
Bike Touring Collection by Ana- Remoteana
Bike Touring Collection by Alvaro Hernandez
Hiking Collection by Claudia Aguilar González
Hiking Collection by Dolomiti Paganella