An alternative beginning

To officially qualify as pilgrims, walkers need only hike the final 100km of the Camino into Santiago de Compostela, while cyclists can qualify by pedalling the final 200km. For riders short on time or leg power, this makes the city of Ponferrada, 211km from Santiago, an excellent starting point. The city is notable for its castle, built by the Knights Templar in the 13th Century, to protect pilgrims en route to Santiago.