Cycling the Ruta Via de la Plata

The Ruta Via de la Plata follows an ancient Roman road 930km through the heart of western Spain, from Seville to the coastal city of Gijón. Passing through seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the vast open landscapes of the meseta and dehesa, it is one of Europe's great cycle routes. A pilgrimage variant, the Camino Sanabrés, branches off at Zamora to reach Santiago de Compostela. Covering both the main route and the Camino Sanabrés variant in full, this Cicerone guidebook by John Hayes presents road and off-road options throughout, with guidance on how to combine them for the ideal touring, hybrid or gravel cycling trip. The main route covers 930km from Seville to Gijón in 14 stages, passing through Zafra, Mérida, Cáceres, Plasencia, Salamanca, Zamora, León and Oviedo, with the Camino Sanabrés adding a further 6 stages from Zamora to Santiago de CompostelaRoad and off-road alternatives are provided for each stage, with ride planners showing where riders can switch between them, making the route accessible to road, touring, hybrid and gravel bikesLeg-by-leg route descriptions are supported by 1:150,000 colour mapping and elevation profiles, with GPX files available to downloadDetailed accommodation listings cover pilgrim hostels, hotels and other options along the way, alongside advice on equipment, travel, transporting your bike and a useful Spanish glossaryAn introduction covers the route's history, landscape, wildlife and climate, including practical guidance on choosing between the road and off-road options Ancient cities, vast open plains, mountain passes, and a finish on the Atlantic coast — the Ruta Via de la Plata has everything a long-distance cyclist could want. Everything you need to plan and ride the route is in this guidebook.