Away from the Crowds

1332 kilometers taking in seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago, Monasteries of Suso and Yuso, Sierra de Atapuerca Archaelogical Sites (the ‘Rosetta Stone’ of human evolution in Europe), the Burgos cathedral (only cathedral declared World Heritage Site in Spain), and the protected historic cities: Salamanca, Cáceres and Mérida.

• The Spanish section of the Eurovelo 1 Atlantic route is actually well away from the Atlantic Ocean, except at the very start and end of the route.
• This epic journey will take you well off the beaten path, to discover continental Spain, crossing six strikingly different regions as you cycle.
• For two thirds of the way you will be following the Camino de Santiago and the Via de la Plata: both classic long distance cycling routes.
• Each night will be spent in towns and cities of outstanding historic, cultural and architectural interest, in a centrally located hotel where you will be able to rest and replenish energies.

Day 1: Arrival to Irún

Day 2: Irún to Zubiri

Distance: 54 miles (87 km). Climb: 4843 ft (1476 m).

Bicycle and equipment handover and first cycle stage in the hilly Basque Country.

Day 3: Zubiri to Estella

Distance: 46 miles (74 km). Climb: 3064 ft (934 m).

First stage following the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route going through the Navarra region.

Day 4: Estella to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Distance: 63 miles (101 km). Climb: 4580 ft (1396 m).

Another day cycling on the Camino this time in the beautiful wine region of La Rioja.

Day 5: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Burgos

Distance: 52 miles (83 km). Climb: 2428 ft (740 m).

Third day cycling along the Camino. Going through Atapuerca Archaelogical Sites and one of the extraordinary gothic cathedral in Burgos, both World Heritage sites.

Day 6: Burgos to Palencia

Distance: 68 miles (109 km). Climb: 1476 ft (450 m).

Half way through today´s stage we come off the Camino and continue along the Castilla Canal (one of the most important civil engineering projects of Spain during the Enlightment).

Day 7: Palencia to Medina de Rioseco

Distance: 45 miles (73 km). Climb: 636 ft (194 m).

Another easy cycle along the flat Castilla Canal amongst the castillian plains.

Day 8: Medina de Rioseco to Zamora

Distance: 64 miles (103 km). Climb: 1142 ft (348 m).

Today you leave the Canal route to follow the long distance route of the Duero River. A pleasant cycle alongside this important Spanish river.

Day 9: Zamora to Salamanca

Distance: 55 miles (88 km). Climb: 2493 ft (760 m).

We turn away from the river Duero and South along the historic Via de la Plata to end in the stunning historic city of Salamanca, World Heritage Site.

Day 10: Salamanca to Béjar

Distance: 50 miles (80 km). Climb: 3199 ft (975 m).

Continue along the Via de la Plata towards the Central Mountain Range with separate Castilla from Extremadura.

Day 11: Béjar to Plasencia

Distance: 55 miles (88 km). Climb: 2493 ft (760 m).

Descend into the rich agricultural foothills of northern Extremadura. Full of history and away from mainstream tourism.

Day 12: Plasencia to Cáceres

Distance: 45 miles (72 km). Climb: 2566 ft (782 m).

Follow the Via de la Plata from one stunning historic to another. Cáceres is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Day 13: Cáceres to Mérida

Distance: 52 miles (84 km). Climb: 1385 ft (422 m).

From one UNESCO city to another: Mérida was an important roman city and many of its buildings are still well preserved.

Day 14: Mérida to Zafra

Distance: 39 miles (63 km). Climb: 1519 ft (463 m).

The last cycling stage following the historical Via de la Plata route and our last day in Extremadura.

Day 15: Zafra to Aracena

Distance: 61 miles (98 km). Climb: 4318 ft (1316 m).

We enter Andalucía, leaving the Via de la Plata and turning South-West towards Portugal to enter the beautiful Sierra de Aracena mountains.

Day 16: Aracena to Trigueros

Distance: 52 miles (84 km). Climb: 2257 ft (688 m).

Penultimate stage cycling along beautiful andalusian countryside passing small rural towns.

Day 17: Triguero to Ayamonte

Distance: 40 miles (64 km). Climb: 1106 ft (337 m).

One last cycle and we reach the South-West tip of Spain and the border with Portugal. The end of our long distance cycle after 1332kms.

Day 18: Return home