Cycling this day was all about the mountains with the initial descent from Las Médulas leading to a climb and descent to the N-120 before the flat fertile valley road between Toral de los Vados and Villafranca del Bierzo where I rejoined eurovelo 3 as it plunged into a long tunnel. This is also where I rejoined the Camino route and I would pass pilgrims at intervals all the way to La Saba 23km further on.
You cross into Galicia on mountain ridges with passes at O Alto de San Roque at 1260m and then Alto do Poio at 1335m where you descend then ascend over one last pass before the long descent to Triacastela. There was about 1400m of ascent with 5 very steep segments over the 80km.
The route map on Cycle Travel https://cycle.travel/map/journey/580887
Instagram for this day https://www.instagram.com/p/C7W25AdK4KG/?img_index=1
Insta diary entry that day
Las Medulas to Triacastela day 8 of ebike touring Spain
Distance wise this was 80km but with 1600m of ascent some of that very steep indeed. Getting back onto #eurovelo3 involved about 15km backtracking including that 5km section of the N120 with its very high bridges crossing 3 gorges. There was a long way around but that would have added 500m ascent and 10km plus 2km of the N120 and turning off by crossing it on a corner.
Once I was back on the #eurovelo the route used a main road that’s been largely superseded by a motorway which frequently crosses above it. The Camino trail is alongside the same road.
Both split way near Ambasmestas to head up the mountain ridges for some serious climbing. Curiously just past Ruitelan where Eurovelo 3 slits from the Camino there’s a sign saying that route is prohibited to bicycles with the exception of residents without any suggested detour so I followed the Camino route which is along a local road which eventually reaches 3 passes around 1200m. Then it was a long downhill to Tricastela where I had tacos and then a fish dinner notable because when I asked for white wine they gave me a bottle but the bill was still only 7.50