Do i need a GPS system to cycle the Camino Frances?

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

Hi all!! i set out for St Jean next week and i am confused as to whether i will need a Garmin/GPS system for my bike or not!! Will i find my way without one? Or is it a good idea to have one on hand.. i have a couple of guide books and lots of people are suggesting that i may not even need them with reference to the route and how well it's marked out etc..

Many Thanks in Advance from an Excited first time Pilgim!!!

SYates · Oct 12, 2016

Hi and welcome to the forum @Catherine Mcdonald ;-)

No, you don't need a GPS on the Camino Francés if you have a guide book that tells you when part of the way isn't possible on a bike and when to switch to the road. Just take your time, drive slowly, keep a look-out for those yellow arrows and use your bell when approaching other pilgrims. Buen Camino, SY

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

SYates said:
Hi and welcome to the forum @Catherine Mcdonald ;-)

No, you don't need a GPS on the Camino Francés if you have a guide book that tells you when part of the way isn't possible on a bike and when to switch to the road. Just take your time, drive slowly, keep a look-out for those yellow arrows and use your bell when approaching other pilgrims. Buen Camino, SY

Hi, many thanks for your reply!! i have 3 guide books.. but only one for cycling! Can you recommend a book that would be useful? as the one i have suggests using the road route only Thank you again.. all advice is greatly appreciated!!

Saint Mike II · Oct 12, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Hi all!! i set out for St Jean next week and i am confused as to whether i will need a Garmin/GPS system for my bike or not!! Will i find my way without one? Or is it a good idea to have one on hand.. i have a couple of guide books and lots of people are suggesting that i may not even need them with reference to the route and how well it's marked out etc.. Many Thanks in Advance from an Excited first time Pilgim!!!

Hola Catherine - if you have a GPS that is set up for the bike you will use - and has maps for Nth Spain then you could "throw it in". The yellow arrows & in some towns the pilgrim scallop shells will lead you all the way from St Jean to Santiago - but not on some of the sealed roads!

But to answer your question NO - I had a copy of the Brierley guide & the Michelin "Camino de Santiago" (thanks to David). The Brierley was useful for "in town navigation - finding an albergue or hotel etc; the Michelin had better road identification (route numbers etc) so it was the one that was readily accessible. May I suggest that if you have a spare 30 minutes you review some of the post under the section "cycling the Camino" (at least I think thats what is called). You will see some really useful posts on Camino conditions - when to follow the walkers; when to take the roads. Those by newfydog are really useful - mine something to give you a laugh. (As for where to get the Michelin - it might be available at the pilgrim office in St Jean or Pamplona). Cheers for now & Buen Camino.

Saint Mike II · Oct 12, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Hi, many thanks for your reply!! i have 3 guide books.. but only one for cycling! Can you recommend a book that would be useful? as the one i have suggests using the road route only Thank you again.. all advice is greatly appreciated!!

Follow - up. If your French is really good there is a Camino Cycle Guide - but its only available in French language. It does provide route guidance - such as when to follow the Camino and when to take to the roads. Not sure if you would be able to get a copy in St Jean - I bought mine via Amazon - my French not really good enough but I could understand what the map sections were recommending. Something else I forgot - Spain, like much of Europe is almost cycle mad so there are cycle repair shops in most towns. The one in Pamplona - almost on the Camino route - was very helpful as were the ones in Leon and Santiago. Something else that was recommended - if you have to ride in wet weather / mud etc take the bike to an "auto car wash" - you should find them in most larger cities and give the bike a good wash. I think I have included contact details for some of the cycle shops mentioned above. Cheers

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

Saint Mike II said:
Hola Catherine - if you have a GPS that is set up for the bike you will use - and has maps for Nth Spain then you could "throw it in". The yellow arrows & in some towns the pilgrim scallop shells will lead you all the way from St Jean to Santiago - but not on some of the sealed roads!

But to answer your question NO - I had a copy of the Brierley guide & the Michelin "Camino de Santiago" (thanks to David). The Brierley was useful for "in town navigation - finding an albergue or hotel etc; the Michelin had better road identification (route numbers etc) so it was the one that was readily accessible. May I suggest that if you have a spare 30 minutes you review some of the post under the section "cycling the Camino" (at least I think thats what is called). You will see some really useful posts on Camino conditions - when to follow the walkers; when to take the roads. Those by newfydog are really useful - mine something to give you a laugh. (As for where to get the Michelin - it might be available at the pilgrim office in St Jean or Pamplona). Cheers for now & Buen Camino.

Thank you!! i do not have a GPS... so was wondering whether i needed to get one!! Thank you also for the tips!! I will try and find the thread/post now.. wondering if the Michelin is available on line?

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

Saint Mike II said:
Follow - up. If your French is really good there is a Camino Cycle Guide - but its only available in French language. It does provide route guidance - such as when to follow the Camino and when to take to the roads. Not sure if you would be able to get a copy in St Jean - I bought mine via Amazon - my French not really good enough but I could understand what the map sections were recommending. Something else I forgot - Spain, like much of Europe is almost cycle mad so there are cycle repair shops in most towns. The one in Pamplona - almost on the Camino route - was very helpful as were the ones in Leon and Santiago. Something else that was recommended - if you have to ride in wet weather / mud etc take the bike to an "auto car wash" - you should find them in most larger cities and give the bike a good wash. I think I have included contact details for some of the cycle shops mentioned above. Cheers

Brilliant.. thank you again!! Unfortunately my French & Spanish are terrible!!! Hoping to learn alot whilst on the Camino I will check the guide out though.. i heard there were sign posts to indicate the way for cyclists? am i dreaming in thinking this too be true? easy to follow etc!!!

Saint Mike II · Oct 12, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Thank you!! i do not have a GPS... so was wondering whether i needed to get one!! Thank you also for the tips!! I will try and find the thread/post now.. wondering if the Michelin is available on line?

It probably is - but timing might be the issue - how long to get it posted. Or do you mean "is it available as an e_book?"Again not sure. Try either of these web sites: www.michelin-boutique.com; or www.viamichelin.fr. If your Spanish or French is passable try this email address: cartes@tp.michelin.com. Cheers

Saint Mike II · Oct 12, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Brilliant.. thank you again!! Unfortunately my French & Spanish are terrible!!! Hoping to learn alot whilst on the Camino I will check the guide out though.. i heard there were sign posts to indicate the way for cyclists? am i dreaming in thinking this too be true? easy to follow etc!!!

Too Easy?? - some of it is a dream; some of it a nightmare (or at least it was for me - such as the climb from Pamplona to the alto del Perdon - but there is a diversion from Cizur Menor (goes to the left via Galar - and comes into Puente La Reina via Eunate). The other real nightmare was the section between San Juan de Ortega (actually after Atapuerca) to Burgos. I had to get off and walk nearly 2 km of this section so if you can find a diversion via Olmos great. One thing I did forget - bikes are not permitted on Spanish Motorways (usually the major highways marked in Red - they are usually classified as A+a number ( A6 or A11) but in some cases they are listed as N-120 or N-11. This was where the Michelin was useful as it did show the roads as well as the Camino. As an alternative to a GPS if you have a smart phone there is an app - Galileo - costs about $7 and you can down load all of Spain and then zoom in the places you need. Cheers.

evanlow · Oct 12, 2016

Take your smartphone. Download maps.me
(iOS/Android). Then download the offline maps for Spain, or at least the region in the route. Download the kml file for Camino Frances.

https://www.bikemap.net/en/route/386849-camino-de-santiago-2009/#/z6/42.7228038,-4.8999023/terrain

While you are at it download Camino Frances app too. All free. (Except smartphone)

Keep one paper guide as backup.

Recommend unlock phone so you can also buy a prepaid SIM card in Spain with 2 GB data for 15 euros. The phone will use the cell tower triangulation instead of GPS so you get your current way faster (in addition it does not take any of your data allowance).

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

Saint Mike II said:
Too Easy?? - some of it is a dream; some of it a nightmare (or at least it was for me - such as the climb from Pamplona to the alto del Perdon - but there is a diversion from Cizur Menor (goes to the left via Galar - and comes into Puente La Reina via Eunate). The other real nightmare was the section between San Juan de Ortega (actually after Atapuerca) to Burgos. I had to get off and walk nearly 2 km of this section so if you can find a diversion via Olmos great. One thing I did forget - bikes are not permitted on Spanish Motorways (usually the major highways marked in Red - they are usually classified as A+a number ( A6 or A11) but in some cases they are listed as N-120 or N-11. This was where the Michelin was useful as it did show the roads as well as the Camino. As an alternative to a GPS if you have a smart phone there is an app - Galileo - costs about $7 and you can down load all of Spain and then zoom in the places you need. Cheers.

Easy as in sign posted!! I am not expecting this to be an easy journey at all.. hoping i am fit enough and my bike doesn't break to pieces haha just realised i have a John Brierly Guide already.. so perhaps the addition of a Michelin will be worth while backpack space? Most worried about parts of the route that are impassable for bikes.. and then finding an alternative etc.. Yes i have been told to look for apps!! Again.. no idea where to start as there are so many!! Thank you so much for all your help!!!

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

evanlow said:
Take your smartphone. Download maps.me
(iOS/Android). Then download the offline maps for Spain, or at least the region in the route. Download the kml file for Camino Frances.

https://www.bikemap.net/en/route/386849-camino-de-santiago-2009/#/z6/42.7228038,-4.8999023/terrain

While you are at it download Camino Frances app too. All free. (Except smartphone)

Keep one paper guide as backup.

Recommend unlock phone so you can also buy a prepaid SIM card in Spain with 2 GB data for 15 euros. The phone will use the cell tower triangulation instead of GPS so you get your current way faster (in addition it does not take any of your data allowance).

Hi, i've downloaded Maps.me but it seems difficult to download each region of the camino.. so many etc!!! I will look for the Camino Frances App (suitable for cyclists?) and i have seen the bike map app and wondered if it's any good? also will consider the extra sim card.. thank you!!

evanlow · Oct 12, 2016

300+ megs for whole of Spain. I just download the whole country and store it in my sd card on my android phone.

To download only the region, zoom in to your starting point. The app will ask if you want to download that area. Then while zoom in, move westward towards Santiago and pick up the other offline maps along the way. That should reduce the amount of storage needed.

On android phone, tap on the kml and it will suggest maps.me. Say yes and it will load the route. For iphone, sent the kml as an attachment to yourself. Then tap on the attachment to do the same thing.

evanlow · Oct 12, 2016

https://goo.gl/photos/iqrRg4xXpsmkinCe6
Here's my maps.me with the Camino del Madrid overlap which I planned to walk next Spring.

Felipe · Oct 12, 2016

You have to consider that this month there will be rain, so really muddy paths. I remember that in some sections from Hornillos to Hontanas many cyclists had to dismount and carry their bycicle, because it was impossible to them.
I noticed, too, that cyclists avoid the Mostelares high, after Castrojeriz. It is a serious climb (although with great sights from the top). They make a detour by the paved road to Mota de Judíos, then Itero de la Vega.
You will find a lot of Italian cyclists (apparently this is a very popular sport in their country)
Good ride! (and please, please, bring a bell).

William Marques · Oct 12, 2016

I would say you do not need a GPS and that you can find your way with the guide books you have and some simple maps. Personally I would keep off the footpaths on the Pyrenees, Alto de Perdon and Montes de Leon though elsewhere in the right weather and with respect to walkers they can be worthwhile.

Around San Juan de Ortega we took the country road via the BU703 and 701 but there is still a main road into town and climbs. As suggested we avoided the Mostelares as there seemed no point in going over it.

Barbara · Oct 12, 2016

You could also use Google maps. Use the bike option. It will give alternative routes, and you can get a satellite overlay. It will sometimes send you down somewhat rough tracks. It will depend a bit on what sort of bike you have if this is suitable. Remember that where there is a parallel motorway the old road will usually be quiet.

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 12, 2016

Barbara said:
You could also use Google maps. Use the bike option. It will give alternative routes, and you can get a satellite overlay. It will sometimes send you down somewhat rough tracks. It will depend a bit on what sort of bike you have if this is suitable. Remember that where there is a parallel motorway the old road will usually be quiet.

Great tip thank you Tried google maps.. but i need offline maps so am currently looking into maps.me and i have downloaded the camino frances app also..

Ajrk · Oct 13, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Hi all!! i set out for St Jean next week and i am confused as to whether i will need a Garmin/GPS system for my bike or not!! Will i find my way without one? Or is it a good idea to have one on hand.. i have a couple of guide books and lots of people are suggesting that i may not even need them with reference to the route and how well it's marked out etc..

Many Thanks in Advance from an Excited first time Pilgim!!!

Hi Catherine I used TrekRight as an app on my Camino earlier this year and found it invaluable there is a small charge but well worth the money you download the maps to your phone and it uses your phones GPS so no data charges. Also has elevation charts so you know what climbs are ahead of you that day . Yes the route is well marked but in my opinion when you are cycling it is easy to miss the arrows as you are concentrating on the path ahead and the speed you are going makes it easier to miss also in the bigger city's the markers are on the footpath so easy to miss from the road so I would definitely recommend GPS . I assume you are using a mountain bike as a street bike could not cope with the off road conditions.Wishing you well in your adventure I loved it Alan

evanlow · Oct 13, 2016

Just use the maps.me. No need to spend more money unless required. Free app, free maps, kml track support. Last app update even has support for elevation.

Just 2 more things you might want to consider that cost money (optional)

1. A bike mount for the phone. I didm't have it and sometimes along the way I wish I had.
2. A battery pack if you mobile phone runs down too fast. My current android has a 5000 mAh battery (roughly double most mobile phone's battery and last almost 3 days with regular use) so I didn't need it. You probably should get it if you are using iPhone.

Smallest_Sparrow · Oct 13, 2016

Felipe said:
(and please, please, bring a bell).

SYates said:
use your bell when approaching other pilgrims.

I know you will use your bell...so saying thanks in advance
you don't want to collide with us slow moving walkers, it might damage the bike...

Kanga · Oct 13, 2016

Buen Camino - and do take it slowly on the section down from the Cruz de Ferro to Molinasecca. It is very steep, and has hosted a couple of serious bike falls.

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 14, 2016

Ajrk said:
Hi Catherine I used TrekRight as an app on my Camino earlier this year and found it invaluable there is a small charge but well worth the money you download the maps to your phone and it uses your phones GPS so no data charges. Also has elevation charts so you know what climbs are ahead of you that day . Yes the route is well marked but in my opinion when you are cycling it is easy to miss the arrows as you are concentrating on the path ahead and the speed you are going makes it easier to miss also in the bigger city's the markers are on the footpath so easy to miss from the road so I would definitely recommend GPS . I assume you are using a mountain bike as a street bike could not cope with the off road conditions.Wishing you well in your adventure I loved it Alan

Hi Alan!! yes i have a mountain bike ok will look into that app as well!!! thank you... cannot wait

Catherine Mcdonald · Oct 14, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
I know you will use your bell...so saying thanks in advance
you don't want to collide with us slow moving walkers, it might damage the bike...

of course!!! would not go on Camino without one very considerate rider.. i know what it's like to be a walker

Smallest_Sparrow · Oct 14, 2016

Kanga said:
Buen Camino - and do take it slowly on the section down from the Cruz de Ferro to Molinasecca. It is very steep, and has hosted a couple of serious bike falls.

I though parts of that road were very slippery just walking

Kanga · Oct 14, 2016

Yes. There have been two bike fatalities of which I am aware. No other vehicles involved.

Smallest_Sparrow · Oct 14, 2016

I thought the walking path had a lot of loose rock but this road video looks pretty adrenaline inducing also
Buen (and safe) Camino!

Ajrk · Oct 14, 2016

Kanga said:
Yes. There have been two bike fatalities of which I am aware. No other vehicles involved.

I diverted to the road for the downhill section and constantly had to use the brakes to try and keep the bikes speed in check and was very thankful I had disc brakes

Carol PM · Dec 20, 2016

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Hi, many thanks for your reply!! i have 3 guide books.. but only one for cycling! Can you recommend a book that would be useful? as the one i have suggests using the road route only Thank you again.. all advice is greatly appreciated!!

I would greatly appreciate knowing the road route cycling guide book name as we are planning to cycle camino Frances Oct. 2017. Thank you.

possie · Apr 11, 2018

SYates said:
Hi and welcome to the forum @Catherine Mcdonald ;-)

No, you don't need a GPS on the Camino Francés if you have a guide book that tells you when part of the way isn't possible on a bike and when to switch to the road. Just take your time, drive slowly, keep a look-out for those yellow arrows and use your bell when approaching other pilgrims. Buen Camino, SY

I love the "use your bell". Indeed !

Lizremedy · Sep 29, 2019

Catherine Mcdonald said:
Hi all!! i set out for St Jean next week and i am confused as to whether i will need a Garmin/GPS system for my bike or not!! Will i find my way without one? Or is it a good idea to have one on hand.. i have a couple of guide books and lots of people are suggesting that i may not even need them with reference to the route and how well it's marked out etc..

Many Thanks in Advance from an Excited first time Pilgim!!!

May I also get clarity - we are cycling in 2 weeks time. Would prefer to stick to walking route as much as possible, but will need to take a few of the recommended detour road bits. I downloaded all sorts of gpx files, etc but how do I make them give me turn by turn navigation? Seems google maps navigation does not use google maps - my maps for navigation. Just shows the stationary map. Cycling one needs a gps as you may easily miss a small sign, especially on a bypass bit. Is there no navigable version that I can use in google maps? Or simple phone based talks to me navigation? I found the maps.me app very confusing.

Barbara · Sep 29, 2019

Why not put Sitytrail, bikemap or open runner on your phone and import the gpx files? I find open runner most user friendly myself but it's up to you. Open runner is free, uses open Street map. Bikemap and Sitytrail have a free version. You can buy better maps. It's probably a good idea to check out which you like before leaving.
I'm assuming you are using a European SIM card. If not then don't use bikemap as the offline maps are only available for the paid version. Sity trail does turn by turn, at least on the beta version, but it's a bit buggy. Google maps will give you a bike route, which works, but sometimes uses some truly awful tracks.
Or you could just wing it on the road bits. You know, head in the right general direction and look for signs.

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Do i need a GPS system to cycle the Camino Frances?

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