Cycling, or Walking a Camino?

You don’t have to be a trained athlete to enjoy one of our cycling adventures. Our cycling routes and options range from laid-back-easy to challenging. A little bit of saddle fitness is all you need. We also offer e-bikes on almost every route to back you up on the steep spots! Cycling is a great way to cover more ground in less time. Typical average distances per day are between 40-60km. This is no more than 3 – 4 hours in the saddle. Enjoy the landscapes with its varied terrains without spilling too much sweet. As usual, we will transport your bags and secure your accommodation. Travel in style! It’s memorable fun.

How does a Cycling Camino work?

We will consult with you early in your Camino planning to understand your cycling needs and wants. A shortened list of the choices is as follows:

  • Small, Medium or Large Bikes,
  • Mountain Bike Standard or Premium,
  • E-bike with 70-90km or 110-130km range.

All bikes have front shocks with hard-tails and the pedals are dual-platform (one side for clip-on and the other for normal shoes).
Your selected pre-booked bike will wait for you at your first hotel. When you arrive at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela at the end of your journey, you simply return the bike to the rental company’s offices, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral.

Customarily, each bike comes with a pannier rack (which can hold 15kg), bottle holder, bell, safety retro-reflectors and a bicycle lock. Additionally, the pannier rack incorporates a tool kit containing: an extra tube, pump, bike multi-purpose Allen key, pedals key, tyre levers and a patch kit. Extras such as helmets and daily break-down assistance can be added. Yes, for sure. You must be able to repair a puncture or chain-slip.

Let’s explore Italy!

Imagine walking through medieval and Renaissance hilltop towns in Tuscany and Umbria in the heart of Italy. These ancient pilgrim trails weave through rolling cypress-lined Tuscan hills, past local vineyards and leafy olive groves heading to the second most famous Christian pilgrimage destination: The Vatican City in Rome.

We offer different options on the two most famous routes: The Via Francigena and The Way of St Francis also known as the La Via di Francesco. You can book your own self-guided and tailor-made trip, or join a group.

 

The two Italian pilgrimage routes should not be confused. The Via Francigena follows roughly around 2050km starting in Canterbury England, all the way to Rome, through France, Switzerland and Italy. We currently focus on the last 400km section through the Tuscany and Lazio regions – from Lucca to Rome. Much like the Camino de Santiago ends at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the Via Francigena ends at the Vatican City in Rome.

On the other hand, the Way of St. Francis or La Via di Francesco is a modern Italian pilgrimage, that celebrates the beloved Patron Saint of Italy, the founder of the Franciscan order of monks and best known as St. Francis of Assisi. This humble man who lived over 800 years ago, was a lover of animals and nature, used “Sister Mother Earth” as his monastery, and lived the simplest and most dedicated of lives.

The route to Assisi has two options: leaving from the North (Florence to Sansepolgro or Sansepolgro to Assisi) OR from the South (Rome to Rieti or Reiti to Assisi).

With spectacular vistas, the weathered earth-coloured roofs of stone houses and the most beautiful landscapes, you will be transported back to the 13th century, the time of St. Francis.

IMPORTANT to consider

Both these routes are quite challenging and only suitable for seasoned hikers. Challenges are mainly related to stage length and steep altitude differences.

Portugese Camino saam met Erns Grundling

PORTUGESE CAMINO saam met Erns Grundling

13-29 SEPTEMBER 2023

Die Camino bars tans uit sy nate met derduisende pelgrims wat van regoor die wêreld - en ook Suid-Afrika - op Spanje toesak. Ek gaan van 13-29 September die stiller maar diep tradisionele Portugese Camino stap van Porto tot Santiago Compostela, saam met Stap die Camino - Vellies na die Vreemde. Daar is nog 'n paar plekke beskikbaar op hierdie groepstap, waar niemand in 'n groep stap nie.

Hier is die feite

Afstand: 270 km
Stapdae: 12
Rusdae: 1, in die pragtige Tui (ons het ook 'n ekstra afdag in Porto voor ons begin stap, en 'n dag ná die tyd om Santiago de Compostela te verken).
Koste: R41 000 per persoon wat deel of R51 700 (enkelkamer)
Teen wisselkoers van Euro 1 = R21

Prys sluit in

  • Alle akkommodasie in netjiese 2/3 ster hotelletjies op of naby Camino-roete
  • Alle ontbyte en 8 aandetes
  • Bagasievervoer tydens stapdae (die stap is slackpacking)
  • Registrasie en dokumentasie (nodig vir Visa-aansoek)
  • Voorbereiding, wenke, paklys ens
  • Pelgrimpaspoort, handleiding met kaarte
  • 24/7 ondersteuning van Engelssprekende agente in Europa
  • En ek, Erns, as begeleier

Prys sluit uit

  • Alle vlugte (ons bied wel 'n puik reisagent se diens om te help met besprekings)
  • Bus/Trein vervoer op Dag 1
  • Lughawevervoer op laaste dag
  • Schengen Visa (StapdieCamino bied ondersteuning teen R350)
  • Middagetes en ander etes wat nie ingesluit is in reisplan nie
  • Reis en mediese versekering (ons reisagent kan help met reisversekering bespreek)
  • Persoonlike uitgawes (drankies, wasgoed, selfoondata ens)

Hoe werk dit?

Ons groep is maksimum 20. In die dag stap elkeen teen sy of haar eie pas, ons loop of kuier mekaar raak, en saans geniet ons saam aandete en gesels oor die dag wat was en die dag wat voorlê. Lekker rustig en informeel. Ek deel ook graag in die aande 'n paar gedagtes oor pelgrims en mindfulness en fasiliteer die gesprek.

Besprekings of Meer inligting

Kontak nou vir Yolandi van der Wath by yolandi@stapdiecamino.co.za of ‪082 325 3053‬ vir besprekings, of vir meer inligting kontak my met 'n DM of epos by katvis22@gmail.com