You will be met at Asturias airport (OVD) and transferred the short distance (Approx. 45 minutes) to the handsome, proud capital of Asturias; Oviedo. If you have time on your arrival we recommend heading out to spend some time discovering the city. The beautiful Cathedral of San Salvador is a must and a great place to get the first stamp in your pilgrim’s passport which will become your proof of completion of the pilgrimage.

This evening you will have the chance to the best ‘siderias’ (cider houses) in the city, tasting the elaborately poured drink and fabulous local Asturian cuisine.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,186 Metres Approx.

After breakfast you will meet the Skedaddle representative who will set you up with your bike and chat about your week ahead and answer any questions you have.

The exciting first steps of the route will take you out of the city on quiet lanes before taking in some heavenly riding on ancient paths and forest single track down to the river Nora. A mid-morning coffee in a pilgrims’ hostel will set you up for racy trails along the Nalon riverside, passing the rock pinnacle of Penaflor and entering the picturesque market town of Grado, an ideal place for a well-earned lunch of local delicacies.

Rested, your first cheeky climb of the afternoon takes you over the Alto de el Fresno before dropping in to a fun and furious 5 km of trail down to the Rio Narcea. Steady climbs and descents on ancient varied trails will lead to the historical town of Salas, beneath the Cordillera Cantabrica, where you will rest for the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,354 Metres Approx.

Well-rested, it’s back on the bikes for an epic day in the Asturian mountains with a long steady climb into the Cordillera passing the small, isolated settlement of Espina, with amazing views over the forested valleys and heathered mountainsides.

Easy trails take you up the valley through the historic village of Tineo, once a Roman goldmining centre. A sharp climb over the Alto de Guardia on stone pathways gains a technical descent through pastures, forest and isolated villages.

Arriving at Samblismo throws up an important decision for all travellers on their way to Santiago with a choice of routes. Our route takes the mtb friendly trails through villages and forest before a great single track descent to the Pretty village of Pola de Allande deep in the Cantabrian mountains.

Humble rural accommodation is accompanied by local mountain fare, just the ticket after a rewarding day on the bike.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 2,000 Metres Approx.

The climb out of the valley is long and steady on decent trails, leading to the fabled Puerto del Palo mountain pass, the highest point on the journey. The views are almost as exhilarating as the technical descent on ancient paths, through tiny hamlets built of grey granite that have provided shelter for centuries.

After a short climb from the hamlet of Mesa you will arrive to fabulous views towards Galicia and far below to the Grandas reservoir. This never-ending descent takes you over 800m down into the deep Grandas valley, through lush forest and ancient ruins on great singletrack and switchbacks.

Once in the valley bottom you once again regain height through the pretty Grandas de Salime, Castro and Penafonte villages along farm tracks and tree lined meadows to reach the lofty Puerto del Acebo with a fabulous view as you sit with your back leg in Asturias and front leg in Galicia.

The afternoon ride gently descends through pine and deciduous woods along enchanting dry-stone wall lined trails, passing isolated chapels and hermitages. Historical Fonsagrada is our home for the evening and a first chance to taste the excellent Galician cuisine. Sitting at just under 1000m it’s the highest town in Galicia and a place, they say, wolves never dare come down to!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,200 Metres Approx.

Today starts with beautiful paths climbing to reach the emblematic Alto de Montouto and the ruins of an ancient pilgrims hospital beside an impressive Celtic burial chamber. It’s a wonderful place to contemplate past times before a terrific descent down to Paradevilla for a mid-morning snack and coffee.

The trail snakes its way through numerous ancient settlements where time seems to have stood still. 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 the trail begins to descend on a multitude of tracks and paths for the last 20km to the fortified city of Lugo, our home for the night.

Lugo is a great place to overnight and wander its old lanes to the impressive cathedral and Plaza Mayor. The food is excellent too and 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: 1,060 Metres Approx.

Leaving Lugo you first descend to cross the snaking Rio Mino, which further west is the natural border between Portugal and Spain. After a few easy kilometres along a narrow lane your way intersects with a Roman road connecting Braga in Portugal with the trading route of the Via de la Plata coming from the Mediterranean. There are beautifully restored Roman temples and milarios that make interesting breaks in your journey.

Once over the open moorland of Hospital das Seisas you take a long steady descent passing Celtic Castros (settlements) and interesting horreos (grain stores) to arrive in the small bustling town of Melide. It’s here where you will join the Camino Frances, the most popular of the pilgrim routes to Santiago.

On the final kilometres of this penultimate day the trail continues through oak woods and eucalyptus plantations, following a well-restored medieval road. One last flowing descent takes you down to cross the Boente Valley, from here it’s a short pedal to our relaxing accommodation for the night, a great place to refuel for the final hop to the great city of Santiago.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 860 Metres Approx.

Your final day’s cycling on the journey to Santiago is full of fun, with a party atmosphere filling the trail! It will be a memorable day, with just 45km to go! A steady climb brings you to the artisan’s 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!

You will cycle deep into mysterious Galicia, rich with legends and stories of Brujeria (witchcraft) and mythology. The route is intricate, winding through tiny granite hamlets and farmsteads, giving the chance to savour the region’s beauty.

Many of the trails you ride on today are corredioras, ancient stone paths linking villages, which make fabulous mountain biking trails.

After riding through Lavacolla you take on the last climbs of the Camino and head up on paved roads and along 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 should be firmly 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 before you are transferred to Santiago airport (Approx. 35 mins)!

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.