Bilbao to Gibraltar

[salv90]

Hi all,

About to embark on a tour from Bilbao to Gibraltar.

Thought I would call in on here to ask about places people recommend staying/visiting on route? I'm going to roughly follow the tour that MarkF from Crazyguyonabike forum, down to Seville.

From Seville onwards do people have any recommendations?

I'm spending two weeks in Spain, fly back from malaga. I cycle roughly 130-140km/day

Thanks

[bikepacker]

Pauline and I did a similar tour in 2002. http://www.by-bike.co.uk/spain1.htm

This book also cover a similar route. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Iberian- ... 1898941297

My favourite places were: Salamanca, Trujillo, and Tarifa.

[salv90]

Where are the details of your route?

[bikepacker]

Our route was:
Route taken overnight stays in bold.

Bayonne
Biarritz
San Sebastian
Deba
Bergara
Vittoria
Miranda de Ebro
Briviseca
Burgos
Castrojeriz
Palencia
Medina de Rioseco
Toro
Salamanca --spent two nights here
Bejar
Plasencia
Trujillo
Merida
Hornachos
Llerena
Constantina
Carmona
Arcos de la Frontera -- only a short bus ride from Seville
Vejer
Tarifa
Algeciras
Gibraltar

[mnichols]

Hi, I did Bilbao to Malaga in June.

Here is my route

Day Start Finish
0 Bilbao
1 Bilbao Castildelgado
2 Castildelgado Caleruega
3 Caleruega Segovia
4 Segovia Torrijos
5 Torrijos Torre de Abraham
6 Torre de Abraham Argamasilla de Calatrava
7 Argamasilla de Calatrava Andújar
8 Andújar Iznájar
9 Iznájar Malaga

[robert32asp]

You could do a Camino Norde to Santiago and then head down to Gibraltar. Any time you follow one of the many Camino's you will have lots of great signs and tourist facilities for individuals or small groups of travelers.

Actually there are so many Camino's some going to the places you desired route goes, you might check out the various Albergues listed along the Camino

The following forum has lists of Camino Albergues https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/

Although to get access you will need a Camino Passport issued by the Cathedral in Santiago. Also there are lots of Camino phone Apps that list lodging, prices number of beds and phone numbers by locations. You might try getting one or two of those.

Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy.

[MarkF]

OP, I am the MarkF on CGOAB, anything you want to ask, just PM me.

I was 50 when I did that ride and did zero training prior, I didn't find it unduly difficult. The only reason I did not ride the last leg (Seville to Malaga) was because the temp was past 40c! I am actually doing that missing bit this October 14/15th!

Places I am really glad I saw.

Toro -
Uruena -
Salamanca.
Monfrague National Park.
Trujillo.
Merida.

[salv90]

Was able to get hold of a Pilgrim Passport last minute, though Unfortunately I can't find an online resource that lists Albergues on route. I'll be following the Via de la Plata from Salamanca to Seville, so would ideally like to get this information. My Spanish is quite good so happy to ask the locals!

Though will be making a detour to Trujillo, I've always wanted to visit Pizarro's home town, especially as I've travelled a lot in South America.

[megilleland]

This site in Spanish has pulled together all the camino stages on foot and by bike with a listing of albergues.

For the by bike Vía de la Plata with albergues the site bases its 13 stages on information found in the expanded by foot section. This lists the stages, distance km, number of albergues. To see the information click on expanded links. The route described runs south to north.

This site should improve your Spanish no end!

[salv90]

10 days in total, starting in Bilbao and finishing in Tarifa (only 40km on the last day)

Bilbao
Reinosa
Palencia
Toro
Salamanca
Plasencia
Merida
Monesterio
Las Cabezas de San Juan
Zahara de los atunes
Tarifa

If anyone is interested in the route, have a look on Strava: Ivan Zovich

Definitely get hold of a Pilgrim Passport from the Cofraternity of Saint James. Their website states that it should be requested 2 weeeks in advance, I called up and they were able to process within 4 working days.

Note that the Albergues generally have curfews, in bed by around 10 and leave before 9.

I would like to go back and explore Extremadura, a very beautiful place.

Also very strong headwinds from Jerez onwards, take this into consideration as the riding can be tough going.