Description
The landscape and the journey
Mike Wells follows the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port across the Pyrenees to Santiago, through northern Spain’s cities, villages, plains and Galician valleys. Cycling-specific route choices address different needs from a walking pilgrimage.
Routes and itinerary options
Eighteen stages offer parallel alternatives: trails and gravel for mountain and trail bikes, and quieter surfaced roads for touring bikes. Plan around two weeks or create a different daily schedule, combining alternatives where skills and conditions warrant.
Maps and practical planning
1:100,000 maps and profiles accompany accommodation, meals, facilities and a bike-workshop directory. Cicerone supplies GPX files for both variants, with preparation, pilgrim passes and historical background. Use the route information to compare stages, plan your stops and check practical arrangements before departure.
Choosing the right trip
Off-road options involve steep climbs, descents and uneven ground; surfaced routes still cross significant elevation. April–October is possible, but July and August can be very hot. Choose an itinerary that fits your experience and available time, allowing flexibility for weather and local conditions.
About this edition
English-language paperback by Mike Wells. Third edition, published in 2019. 264 pages. ISBN 9781852849696.
