You’ll be met on arrival into Bilbao airport for the transfer to your first hotel. Bilbao is one of the great treasures of the Basque Country. With an eclectic combination of remarkable architecture, a buzzing gastro scene and stunning landscapes of rolling green hills, it’s the perfect place to start your journey across northern Spain.

If time permits, a visit to Gehry’s Guggenheim is a must. This modern architectural landmark is the unmistakable emblem of Bilbao itself. A stroll along the river front will afford you spectacular views of the museum’s sculptural exterior and a visit inside will offer a perspective of Bilbao that is both futuristic and deeply connected to its past.

As you prepare for your tour ahead, relax and sample some typical food as you wander the narrow streets of the charming old quarter and the 19th-century arcaded Plaza Nueva which is a rewarding pintxo haunt. No tapas to be found here – that’s Spanish rather than Basque! Instead delicious toppings are placed on fresh bread held together by cocktail sticks.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,610 Metres Approx.

The journey starts today at the cathedral where you can claim your pilgrim’s stamp and begin the route west to Santiago de Compostela.

You’ll begin steadily meandering out of the city along the river until reaching the glorious Cantabrian Sea with views stretching along the dramatic rugged coastline. Passing the coastal village of Onton you leave the Basque Country and pass into the next province west, Cantabria.

The climbs and descents are relatively short, keeping the vistas of the ocean in full view and passing through hamlets and pueblos as you traverse each valley side. The seaport of Castro Urdiales is a great stop for a mid morning coffee break to watch the bustling harbour in action beneath the 13th century castle.

The route continues to hug the coastline and drop in and out of deep valleys until descending to the resort of Laredo and the Bahia de Santoña. This dramatic estuary, a natural park, hemmed in by the Cantabrian mountains and the imposing Monte Buciero is famed for producing the best anchovies in Spain.

A passenger boat will take you across the estuary to Santoña fishing port, leading to great riding on country lanes until reaching the surf village of Somo and the Bahia of Santander.

Another short ferry hop across the bay completes the journey and you can sit back and enjoy fabulous views of the city, coast and mountains before disembarking close to your hotel on the edge of the bustling old town and the centre for fabulous Cantabrian cuisine.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,100 Metres Approx.

You’ll leave Santander and Playa de Sardinero and enjoy cycling the quiet lanes along the coast, past the dramatic setting of the Cabo Mayor lighthouse and towards the beautiful setting of Liencres Natural Park, with its huge dunes and estuary, a lovely spot for a morning coffee break.

The route meanders through settlements and rolling pastureland to reach the beautifully preserved medieval village of Santillana del Mar. Interestingly the world famous Altimira caves were discovered here in the late 19th century, containing paintings over 15,000 years old. Santillana is an interesting spot for lunch, soaking up times gone by!

You’ll then pass the monumental Comillas, home to a Gaudi treasure, before you cross the beautiful natural park of Oyambre, climbing above cliffs giving magnificent views east and west along the coast.

You’ll cross the impressive Maza bridge to arrive at the fishing port of San Vicente de la Barquera, the final town on the western Cantabrian coast before you enter Asturias, sits handsomely on a point of land between two long inlets, backed by dramatic Picos de Europa mountainscapes.

A stay in San Vicente wouldn’t be complete without heading out for a delicious seafood dinner, known to be of the best quality in Spain, so make sure you do!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,000 Metres Approx.

Today’s route meanders between the fabulous coastline and the foothills of the dramatic Picos de Europa. You’ll first take in the steady back road that traverses the side of the deep blue Tina Menor Estuary with expansive white sand beaches. The route crosses the River Deva at Unquera and enters the province of Asturias.

Beautifully smooth paved lanes climb past dairy pastures with magnificent views of the mountains beyond as you arrive in the curious village of Columbres, which houses a museum dedicated to emigration to the Americas.

The route is enchanting as you pass beautifully preserved stone villages and wind from valley to valley to reach the view point above Andrin where the Atlantic coastline unveils itself to you.

A thrilling descent above dramatic cliffs will bring you to the pretty fishing village of Llanes for a beach side picnic of local specialties. Inhabited since ancient times, Llanes was for a long time an independent minded town and whaling port with its own charter, awarded by Alfonso IX of León in 1206.

All that’s left of the day are some easy miles along the coast to the fishing town of Ribadesella. Today, with a small medieval centre, a bustling harbour and some sensational beaches within easy reach, not to forget the fabulous seafood on offer in the restaurants around the harbour!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,650 Metres Approx.

The route starts with fast undulating kilometres along the Asturian coast under the El Fitu mountain range. This stretch of coastline is known as the Jurassic coastline where many fossils and footprints of dinosaurs have been found.

A dramatic section of road hugs the coast to drop us into the ancient fishing village of Lastres, with a bird’s eye view east and west along the coast. The bustling harbour is a great spot to watch the world go by over refreshments.

It’s a short ride to Villaviciosa, which rivals Nava as Asturias’ cider capital, where you’ll turn south and upwards through green hillsides clad with oak and eucalyptus to reach the Alto de Campo pass at just over 400 metres.

The route then drops gently linking villages and farmlands to reach the proud city of Oviedo, Asturias’ civilised capital. Its compact and historic casco antiguo (old town) is fun and sophisticated, with a stash of intriguing sights and some excellent restaurants!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,600 Metres Approx.

Oviedo is the true starting point for the Camino Primitivo. In the early morning light you will see pilgrims, like yourself, setting off on their journey across the mountains to Santiago. After having had your passport stamped in the cities imposing Gothic Cathedral, you’ll head out along back-lanes taking in some heavenly riding on ancient roads down to the River Nora.

A climb over the Alto de Carbunrana will set you up for racy roads along the Nalon riverside, passing the rock pinnacle of Penaflor and entering the picturesque market town of Grado for a well-earned coffee and local cake!

You are now definitely heading into the mountains with your first meaty climb taking you over the Alto de el Fresno into the Cordillera through ancient hamlets where time seems to have stood still. You pass through historical Salas, famed for its cookies, to the small, isolated settlement of Espina, with amazing views over the forested valleys and heathered mountainsides.

The final 15km eases as the road gently undulates to Tineo our mountainside village to refuge you for the evening. The area is renowned for its succulent beef, so it could be steak and wine night!

Pola de Allande is a part of the Region de Vaqueiros which passes from coastal to inland towns and is linked by the tradition of the seasonal migration of the livestock trade. The Vaqueiros, or cattle drivers, began to inhabit this part of Asturias in the medieval times and the most distinctive aspect of this that exists today are the Brañas, or highland pastures, where they used to breed their cattle.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,600 Metres Approx.

Another short day on paper but with significant height gain that will see you riding through some spectacular scenery on an epic day in the Asturian mountains.

First, easy roads take you to the Alto de Guardia to gain a lengthy descent through pastures, forest and isolated villages. Your arrival at Samblismo throws up an important decision for all travellers on their way to Santiago, whether to drop into the valley to Pola de Allande or take on the wild of the isolated mountains to the roof of the Camino Primitivo, the Palo Pass at almost 1,200m.

I’m sure you’ve guessed, being on a road bike, you’ll drop into the bottom of the valley to Pola before the rewarding climb up to the pass and the highest point on your route. On a clear day you can see back to the Atlantic Ocean, hidden behind layer upon layer of rolling sierras.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,600 Metres Approx.

The profile today, although not without it’s large climbs, is far gentler as you head out of the mountains.

The ride gently descends and undulates through pine and deciduous woods along enchanting dry-stone wall lined roads, passing isolated chapels and hermitages. At historical Fonsagrada you’ll take a rest and sample our first taste of Galician hospitality. Sitting at just under 1,000m it’s the highest town in Galicia and a place, they say, wolves never dare come down to!

You’ll gain height to reach the emblemic Alto de Cerredo and the ruins of an ancient pilgrim’s hospital beside an impressive Celtic burial chamber. It’s a wonderful place to contemplate past times before a terrific descent down to Paradevilla.

The road snakes its way through numerous ancient settlements. In Galicia much of the terrain is made up of smallholdings where it’s not uncommon to see people scything grass by hand or ploughing fields with oxen.

A bit of effort is needed to reach the Alto de Fontaneira, offering amazing vistas down to the rolling green valleys of Galicia, then your route begins to descend for the last 20km to the fortified city of Lugo, your home for the night.

The grand Roman walls encircling old Lugo are considered the best preserved of their kind in the world and are the number one reason visitors land here. Within the fortress is a beautifully preserved web of streets and squares, most of them traffic-free and ideal for strolling.

Lugo is a great place to overnight with excellent restaurants. It’s probably time to try the Galician dish of pulpo a la feira, octopus with spicy paprika to be washed down with a crisp Albarino white!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,650 Metres Approx.

Today’s ride is pure Galician! No big climbs but continually descending into and climbing out of small valleys through the complex and beautiful rolling hills of Galicia.

Leaving Lugo, you first descend to cross the snaking Rio Mino, which further west is the natural border between Portugal and Spain.

Once over the open moorland of Hospital das Seisas you’ll take a long snaking descent passing Celtic castros (settlements) and interesting horreos (grain stores) to arrive in the small bustling town of Melide.

As you rejoin the Camino Frances the journey to Santiago is full of fun, with a party atmosphere filling the trail, pilgrims with the end in sight! A steady climb brings you to the artisan town of Arzua, where, according to legend, a local woman who denied a tired, hungry pilgrim a piece of bread had her head turned to stone! So please be in a sharing mood!

There is a quiet rest area in Santa Irene where you can stop and rest for lunch, refuelling for the final pedal to Santiago. After riding through Lavacolla you’ll take on the last climbs of the Camino as you head up to Monte del Gozo (Mount Joy), so called as the long-awaited sight of Santiago comes into view for the first time. From here it’s downhill all the way to a place declared a World Heritage Site in its entirety by UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela. Your sights will firmly be set on the Plaza de Obradoiro, Santiago’s impressive cathedral square, which houses its greatest treasures. It’s a special moment, signifying the end of a truly memorable ride!

• Meals: Breakfast

After a relaxing breakfast it’s time to pack those bags one last time ahead of the transfer to the airport.

Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city to explore at your own pace and it is well recommended if you wish to stay for longer. The cathedral never fails to impress and delight, especially the impressive incense bearing Botafumerio as it swings from the rafters. Other sights of particular interest include Convento de San Paio de Antelares, which houses the Museo de Arte Sacro, the Praza de la Azabacheria and Museo do Pobo Galego. The Hospital Real (now a luxury hotel) is worth a visit, even if it’s for a quick drink in the bar. Or why not take a few moments to relax and reflect on the trip and watch the world drift by in a plaza – a fantastic place to end the trip, relax and unwind.

The final stop on the epic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, Santiago is a unique city imbued with the aura of a millennium’s worth of journeys. Long-gone centuries live on in its arcaded streets and magnificent stone architecture, of which the famous cathedral is the jewel in the crown.

Today some 300,000 Camino pilgrims and many thousands of others venture here each year, giving Santiago a greater international dimension than ever. Yet this is also the capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Galicia, with a strong local character – a place where the skirl of bagpipes wafts across plazas and the countless restaurants and bars specialise in fine Galician seafood and local wines.