Cycling day trip from Monterroso to Santiago de Compostela

This ride takes you from Monterroso, a small Galician town known for its rural charm and friendly locals, all the way to the iconic city of Santiago de Compostela. The route covers about 87 km and has a fair share of hills: expect nearly 1,700 meters of climbing! Don’t worry—there’s even more descent as you get closer to Santiago.

Most of your journey rolls along quiet country roads, letting you really soak up the rolling landscapes of inland Galicia. The surroundings are lush and green, especially if you’re here outside high summer. While most of the route’s surface details are “missing,” you’ll mostly be on pavement (a mix of asphalt and concrete), so it’s suitable for all kinds of bikes except the slickest racers.

As you approach Santiago, the energy picks up with more pilgrims and cyclists joining in, all headed toward the breathtaking cathedral—famed as the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago. Whether you’re chasing your own pilgrimage or just in it for the ride, this route is a satisfying mix of scenic tranquility and historic finish line vibes.