{"id":2416,"date":"2026-05-29T11:03:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/international-camino-de-santiago-routes-cross-europe-by-bike\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:37:11","slug":"international-camino-de-santiago-routes-cross-europe-by-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/international-camino-de-santiago-routes-cross-europe-by-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"International Camino de Santiago Routes: Cross Europe by Bike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The french routes: The True Beginning of the French Way<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Le Puy Route<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route is known as the Via Podiensis. It is the most famous and traveled French route. It begins in the volcanic landscape of the Auvergne region and moves southwest through fields and beautiful villages of France.  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Le Puy-en-Velay (France) &#8211; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 750 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: High<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the cycling pilgrim (Bicigrino), this route requires a remarkable level of fitness. You will encounter rugged terrain, steep inclines, and technical trail sections. It is recommended to complete the route with a mountain bike or a gravel bike.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Paris Way<\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/461-1.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Via Turonensis begins at the Saint James Tower (Torre de Santiago) in the French capital. Then, it descends in a straight line, crossing major cities such as Orleans, Tours, and Bordeaux, while traversing the plains of the Loire and the forests of Les Landes. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Paris (France) &#8211; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 900 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Low<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it is the quintessential route for gravel or classic road touring bikes. It is a flat and smooth route. In addition, it features a very high percentage of bike lanes.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The V\u00e9zelay Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Via Lemovicensis starts at the Romanesque basilica of V\u00e9zelay, in Burgundy. This route is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in deep, rural France, offering a complete disconnect from urban noise. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: V\u00e9zelay (France) &#8211; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 900 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Medium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the cycling pilgrim, you will encounter a terrain of gentle, leg-sapping hills, but without major mountain passes. It is the ideal route for the pilgrim seeking solitude, silence, and contact with nature. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Arles Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Via Tolosana connects the Mediterranean coast with the Pyrenees, passing through Toulouse. Unlike the others, this route does not enter Spain through Roncesvalles, but instead crosses the border via the Somport Pass, giving rise to the Aragon Way (Camino Aragon\u00e9s). <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Arles (France) &#8211; Somport Pass (Huesca, Spain)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 800 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: High<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route is dominated by a Mediterranean climate. The final section of the route demands severe physical effort, as you will encounter the climb up the Pyrenees through the Aspe Valley. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Piedmont Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Voie des Pi\u00e9monts is a route that runs parallel to the Pyrenees mountain range along its northern slope, connecting the Mediterranean with the Atlantic; and before connecting with the French Way (Camino Franc\u00e9s), you will pass through the spiritual town of Lourdes.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Narbonne (France) &#8211; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 600 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Medium &#8211; High<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cycling pilgrims require good luggage planning; since the route skirts mountains, the weather can be highly unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Central European Routes<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Jakobsweg<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Via Jacobi crosses Swiss territory from east to west, connecting Lake Constance with Lake Geneva. You will find a large number of secluded Baroque churches, mountain passes, and crystal-clear lakes. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Rorschach (Switzerland) &#8211; Geneva (French Border)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 450 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Very high<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swiss slopes are demanding; however, the infrastructure is so perfect that it compensates for every single gram of sweat shed on the climbs.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Austrian Way of St. James<\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/460-1.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route crosses Austria transversally, through the valleys of the Tyrol region. It allows you to cross architectural wonders such as Melk Abbey and cities like Vienna. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Hainburg (Slovakian Border) &#8211; Feldkirch (Liechtenstein Border).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 800 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: High<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It combines flat sections with demanding mountain climbs as you approach the western Alpine border. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Baltic Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is one of the most famous routes in Northern Europe. It gathers the flow of pilgrims from the Baltic countries and Poland, and guides them through northern Germany, connecting with the networks that head down to France. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Usedom (Poland\/Germany Border) &#8211; Osnabr\u00fcck (Germany)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 750 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Low<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will find a terrain of endless plains, forest tracks through pine groves, and a flat relief where the only issue is usually the wind.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Italian Routes: The Transalpine Connection<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Postumia Way and the Ligurian Coast Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Via Postumia crosses the entire north of Italy from east to west through the Po River valley, linking the Adriatic with the Tyrrhenian Sea, where it connects with the Ligurian Coast.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Aquileia (Italy) &#8211; Ventimiglia (French Border)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 950 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Medium \/ High<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Linking Rome with Santiago<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route consists of walking the Via Francigena in reverse, from the walls of the Vatican to the Alps, crossing into France to link up with the Arles Way, and crossing Spain via the French Way.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ Ending Point: Rome (Italy) &#8211; Santiago de Compostela (Spain)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total Distance: 2,500 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Extreme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Undertaking this journey requires weeks of availability, physical preparation, and a strong mindset.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The french routes: The True Beginning of the French Way The Le Puy Route This route is known as the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2415,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2416"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2417,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2416\/revisions\/2417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}