Half-day route
Interior Máxico
The route for an afternoon, or for the day you land in Santiago and don't want to waste it. A hundred and fifty-odd kilometres of inland Galicia: a legend-wrapped mountain twenty minutes from the city, a thirty-metre waterfall hidden in the woods, and a 12th-century monastery above a medieval bridge. Quiet back roads, oak and chestnut woodland, and hardly a tourist in sight.
- Distance
- 151 km
- Duration
- 5 horas
- Difficulty
- Easy — quiet secondary roads, with the odd narrow section
- Best season
- Year-round; the río Toxa carries more water from October to May
- Roads
- N-525 · PO-204 · DP-6101
- Start and finish
- Santiago de Compostela
The route
Map © OpenStreetMap (ODbL) and CARTO. The track is a reference: on the road, follow the signs.
Download the GPX track
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Open the route in Google Maps
Every stop already loaded, ready to navigate from your phone. Google works out its own roads, so a stretch or two may differ from the GPX.
Stops along the way
- 1
Pico Sacro
Twenty minutes from Santiago, a cone-shaped mountain 533 metres high, visible from half of Galicia, that legend links to the journey of the Apostle's body. You can ride almost to the top, then walk the last stretch — from the chapel you can see the whole of Santiago, the surrounding hills and, on a clear day, even the coast.
- 2
Fervenza do Toxa
One of the tallest waterfalls in Galicia, a thirty-metre drop in the middle of riverside woodland. It's signposted from the road, with a short ten-minute path to the viewpoint. After a couple of days of rain it's spectacular.
- 3
Mosteiro de Carboeiro
A 12th-century Benedictine monastery above the río Deza, with a gorgeous Romanesque apse and a medieval bridge right below it. The approach road, narrow and lined with trees, is worth the ride on its own. It's the stop where most people linger longest on the whole route.
- 4
Lalín
The capital of Galician cocido (a hearty meat-and-chickpea stew) and the obvious lunch stop if you're riding this at midday. Fill up here before heading back.
- 5
A Estrada
The way back through A Estrada is a pleasant link along wide, well-surfaced secondary roads, with views over the Ulla valley and next to no traffic.
Tips for this route
- The perfect route for arrival day or a spare afternoon — three hours in the saddle covers the whole thing.
- After rain, the fervenza do Toxa really comes into its own. If it's been raining, make this route the priority.
- The approach roads to Pico Sacro and Carboeiro have narrow sections — if you meet a car coming the other way, there are passing places.
- Wear comfortable footwear — all three main stops call for a short walk.
- Pairs nicely with the Costa da Morte the next day — one inland route, one coastal.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good route if I've only got half a day?
That's exactly what it's for: 151 km, around three hours of riding. Set off after lunch and you've got plenty of time to do the whole thing and be back in Santiago before dark.
Can you ride up to Pico Sacro on the bike?
You can ride up on tarmac almost to the summit; the last stretch to the chapel is a short walk. There's plenty of room to leave the bike.
Is it suitable for someone who's just passed their test?
Yes, it's the one we recommend for starting out — short distances, quiet roads, and you're never more than an hour from Santiago.
Taking a bike for this route?
From €50/day with gear, insurance and the tracks included.
Book a bike
