Camino de Santiago (Via de la Plata)
This fully supported and guided 11 day road biking tour starts in Seville and follows the Via de la Plata (Silver Way) pilgrim route all the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Whether you are planning to do the Camino for religious, cultural or touristic reasons with 2021 being a Holy year this is the time to book your Camino de Santiago pilgrimage
From
€2390
Secure your holiday with a deposit.
Tour Highlights
Tour Information
On this cycling tour, we will discover the wonders of Merida, Seville & Leon to mention just a few. Combine that with the fantastic scenery and relatively traffic free route it makes for an unforgettable cycling pilgrimage.
Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and home to a World Heritage site it also is the start of the longest camino. Passing through Merida, Salamanca, Zamora and eventually Astorga where we meet up with the 'Camino Frances' and 'Camino Primitivo'. If cycling is a passion, this is the quickest and best way to complete your camino experience. This is an absolute must do tour.
During this guided cycling holiday, you will be supported by an accompanying vehicle and cycling guide. The tour leader cycles with the group, whilst our support vehicle is on hand should you require assistance. Our support vehicle will alway carry a spare bike (just in case), inner tubes, tyres and essentials.
Visits to many of the historic ruins, amphitheatres and museums are included in the cost.
Staying in mainly historic Parador (or similar) hotels and enjoying their superb accommodation, combine that with first class service and a dedicated team to ensure an unforgettable pilgrimage.
Holiday Dates
2023 dates to be announced
Tour Price
From
€2390
Secure your holiday with a deposit.
Optional Extras
Bike hire €290
Single room supplement €410
What's Included?
- 11 nights in quality accommodation
- Admission to selected historical sites
- Breakfast & lunches
- Tea, coffee and water and snacks whilst cycling
- Fully guided (with cycling guide) and supported
- Support vehicle with spares, tyres & tubes
- Detailed routes allow you to cycle at your own pace
- Airport/station transfers
- Daily luggage transfers
- Cycling shirt
- Suggested kit list
What's Not Included?
- Evening meals
- Cycle hire (available for a fee)
- Flights
- Insurance
History Of The Route
The Vía de la Plata (Silver Way) is the longest Camino de Santiago.
The history of the Camino de Santiago can be traced back to Roman times, more specifically around the 9th century. Many theories assume that the road to Santiago existed in pre-Christian times, but it is not until 812 when the Camino becomes a way of devotion to the Apostle Saint James the Greater.
During the reigns of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, the Romans created this grand trade route in the west of the Spanish peninsula that linked the Cantabrian coast with the lands to the south of Hispania. Goods, troops, traders and travellers moved along this trail. This trail continued to be used over the centuries, both by Arabs as well as Christians during the Middle Ages, and went on to play an important role on the Iberian Peninsula. Today our modern road system follow much of this century old route as much of the original route survives in one form or another.
We have adapted this route for the perfect cycling holiday.
The route begins in Seville heading north. From there, you soon pass through the ruins of Italica, an old city from the Roman Baetica, the route takes us through Zafra and on to Mérida, It continues towards Cáceres and Plasencia. Through Béjar and Salamanca. Still heading north, we come to Zamora, through fields and alongside lakes until we get to Benavente. Onward to Astorga where pilgrims on the Via de la Plata meet those on the Camino Frances and Camino Primitivo all heading west to Ponferrada, Sarria and finally Santiago de Compostela.
Tour Route Map
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Seville
Arrival Day
We meet and greet you at Seville airport and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and unwind. Bikes should be readied, tyres checked and ready to roll, bike hire is available. A briefing dinner is scheduled for 7.30pm, so allow plenty of time on incoming flights. If you have the time we strongly recommend you stroll around this fabulous city, or take a guided tour.
Day 2, Seville to Monestario
Distance: 112km Elevation: 1684m
We set off from the impressive 'Plaza de Espana' working our way out of the city on cycle lanes. It doesn't take long to discover why this is such a historic route as 8km in to the journey we pass our first set of Roman ruins and amphitheater at Santiponce. Heading north we start to cycle along the 'camino' towards the 'Sierra Norte' where the hills and fields are full of crops and oak trees that have Iberian pigs roaming freely feeding on the acorns.
Day 3, Monestario to Merida (via Zafra)
Distance: 106km Elevation: 658m
We have now left Andalucia and enter Extremadura, a beautiful region full of historic sites and stunning scenery. This day gives a chance to visit Zafra, a small charming town that is big on history, hospitality and food. From there we head for Merida. Entering the city over the Roman bridge you instantly feel the historic nature of the place. Founded in 25BC the town has some of the most important Roman remains in Europe. The archaeological site has World Heritage status by UNESCO. Complimentary tickets to visit the sites of Merida are included. The 'Alcazaba' and ampitheater are an absolute must.
Day 4, Merida to Caceres
Distance: 75km Elevation: 726m
A shorter easier day allows you one last glimpse of Merida before heading off to Caceres. Passing through Aldea del Cano be sure to look out for the 14th century Castle of Mayornalgo. Any trip to Extremadura must include a stop in Cáceres. Also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its Moorish walls enclose and preserve the second biggest water cistern in the world, the remains of Roman settlements and a unique and perfectly preserved collection of Medieval and Renaissance buildings.
Day 5, Caceres to Hervas
Distance: 124km Elevation: 1286m
This stage takes us through the grazing pastures of the Extremadura cattle farms. Starting to climb you see the Alcantara Reservoir and summit the Los Castaños Pass before entering the ancient city of Plasencia over the River Jerte via the Trujillo Bridge. Placencia the capital of the Jerte Valley, a walled city since its foundation by Alfonso VIII of Castile, Plasencia city centre has been declared to be a Cultural Heritage Site; because of its religious buildings, palaces and aqueduct, not to mention its beautiful parks. We start a gentle climb and stay in Hervas for the night, famous for having the narrowest street in Spain the 'Travesia de Moral'.
Day 6, Hervas to Salamanca
Distance: 103km Elevation: 1434m
Heading into the stunning Jerte Valley will take you to the spa town of Banos de Montemayor where we start the climb up to Bejar. Once through the Bejar valley we find fields and small villages as we make our way to Salamanca. Arriving on the outskirts of Salmanca we pick up the cycle path that leads to the heart of this stunning city. Salamanca, a university town claiming to have the oldest university in Spain. Salamanca boasts two magnificent cathedrals standing on a single site, an absolute must for any visitor wishing to explore the city’s rich heritage. The La Clerecía Towers, dating back to the 17th century are one of Salamanca’s best-known landmarks, along with the Plaza Mayor.
Day 7, Salamanca to Benavente (via Zamora)
Distance: 132km Elevation: 816m
When you cycle an ancient Roman route you should expect some long straight roads right? Today we give you Roman roads. With rolling hills and changing scenery the road may be long but certainly worth it. Especially when you arrive into Zamora, arriving over the stone bridge that crosses the River Duero the whole city is laid out in front of you. Dig into the heart of this city and there is plenty to see in Zamora. History has left an imprint on the city in the form of small Romanesque churches, 24 of them, along with stone walls, fortresses and castles. Venturing further north we arrive into Benavente our stop for the night.
Day 8, Benavente to Molinaseca (via Astorga)
Distance: 121km Elevation: 1201m
The first section heading towards Astorga takes us through fields and woods with tall pines swaying in the morning breeze. Passing under the 'Arco de Postigo' we arrive at Astorga which the crossroads for pilgrims on the Frances Way and Silver Way, We stop for lunch in the shadows of the Gaudi designed Espicopal Palace. After lunch we start to gently climb making our way past the Cruz de Fierro and the beautifully quaint village of Molinaseca
Day 9, Molinaseca to Sarria
Distance: 104km Elevation: 1573m
This is one of our favourite days of the whole trip, the views are simply stunning. Ever changing views make the cycling incredibly easy. We reach the top of Alto de San Roque and are greated by a bronze statue of a fellow pilgrim facing towards Santiago holding his hat against the wind. Having done all the climbing for the day we have a descent towards Triacastela and on to Samos with it's impressive monastery. Arriving at Sarri to rest up for the night.
Day 10, Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 114km Elevation: 1860m
Arriving into the lovely village that is Portomarin. We cross over the bridge to the other side, and are greeted by a roundabout with steps in the middle leading to a foot bridge that takes pilgrims into Portomarin. A quick stop here is recommended for a coffee or water.
Carrying on we arrive at Melide over the very well preserved Roman bridge and ponder just how many people have crossed before us. Melide is yet another crossroads on our journey where the Silver, Frances and Primitivo all meet.
Day 11, Santiago - airport transfers
All good things must come to an end !
Today we transfer you to Santiago airport for your flight home (unless you are staying on of course ).