EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route extended to Galicia

This new stretch of 537 km takes cyclists on EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route from the Portuguese-Spanish border and follows the Atlantic coast through the provinces of Pontevedra and A Coruña, where it connects with EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route, in the town of Cee. From there, both routes follow a shared itinerary to Cape Fisterra, considered for many centuries to be the end of the known world.

Along the way, this new stretch of route offers something for everyone: whether cyclists want to explore the stunning, quaint beaches of Spain’s northwestern coastline, or prefer to enjoy excellent food and drink in bustling port towns.

This extension brings a long-overdue connection to EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route and continues the theme of exploring the Atlantic Coast on two wheels, showcasing some of the most impressive coastal landscapes the Iberian peninsula has to offer. Cyclists along the route will come into direct contact with the seafaring culture of the region and have the chance to experience the gastronomic delights of one of the “hidden gems” of Spain.

The new route extension is divided into ten sections, each of which cyclists can comfortably follow in a day. Each of the sections starts and ends in a town offering accommodation and restaurants, as well as services such as healthcare centres and bike repair. All of these towns are accessible by bus, while four of them can be reached by train – ideal for a relaxed and sustainable start and end to the trip! Detailed information on each section can be found on the website of Turismo de Galicia.

The route is fully signed with EuroVelo 1 signs, making it easy for cyclists to follow. In shared segments with The Way of St James, the signs are co-branded, with The Way of St James logo integrated into the EuroVelo 1 sign. This invites those cycling the Camino de Santiago to extend their trip and experience the Galician coastline for themselves. The route features a mix of infrastructure, ranging from cycle tracks separate from motorised traffic to quiet country roads. The surface is mostly asphalt or concrete, interspersed with sections on compacted gravel. Cyclists are able to see the coast for almost the entirety of the route, making it a perfect final stretch of a route tracing the Atlantic’s shores for over 11,000 km from the North Cape to Cape Fisterra.

This route extension was made possible thanks to the continued efforts of Galicia Tourism Agency, the EuroVelo Galicia Technical Office and Conbici - the National EuroVelo Coordination Centre for Spain. Their contributions will allow cycling tourism in Galicia and Spain to flourish by reinforcing the connectivity of Spain’s existing EuroVelo routes in addition to the connection with the Portuguese stretch of EuroVelo 1, creating a more seamless and accessible crossborder cycling experience and stimulating sustainable tourism and support local economies.

Article by Mark Sheridan

Cover image: Photo provided by Turismo de Galicia