THE WAY OF THE CID, GET INTO THE LEGEND!

EThe Camino del Cid is a gigantic route of over 2,000 kilometres where you can retrace one of the great epic poems of the Middle Ages: the Cantar de mio Cid, the authentic guide to this cultural tourist itinerary that will allow you to cross Spain from northwest to southwest, following in the footsteps of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, el Cid Campeador, the famous medieval knight of the 11th century

70 natural spaces, 8 medieval UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 40 towns declared historic artistic ensembles, over 200 castles and watchtowers, 20 festivals declared of national and international interest, another 9 related to El Cid Campeador… These are some of the resources you can find in the The Way of El Cid, the grand cultural tourist itinerary that crosses Spain from northwest to southeast following the literary and historical footprints of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, el Cid Campeador, an exceptional guide who will lead you through the places, landscapes and settings that appear in the Cantar de mio Cid – the greatest of the Spanish epic poems of the Middle Ages and the backbone of the tour – as well as other places linked to his historical figure.

The route begins in northern Spain, in Burgos, and ends in the Valencian Community, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea; approximately 1,400 kilometres of trails and another 2,000 of roads divided into themed routes of around 50 to 300 km linked together, which you can combine according to your wishes and needs.

But… how do you get around it?
You have several options. You can do it in car o Bicycle along secondary roads (they are ideal for cycle touring) or along suitable country paths and trails walkers (are approved or pre-approved as a Long Distance Path – GR 160-) and for users Mountain bikes MTB – IMBA International certified routes –.
All the routes are signposted, and every year the signposting for hikers and mountain bikers is checked along 1,500 kilometres of trails and paths, with an average of 2,500 to 3,000 maintenance operations carried out annually.

Whatever option you choose, on the Camino del Cid website www.caminodelcid.org You’ll find all the information you need to organise your trip: maps, route tracks, travel guides, lists of accommodation, details of signposting, tourist information offices, etc. What’s more, you’ll have access to comprehensive documentation written by renowned experts on El Cid – both the historical and legendary figures – and on the ‘Cantar’. You can even download the entire poem!

Don't forget your pass!
The Safe-conduct It is the credential for travellers on the Camino del Cid. In it, they receive stamps from the different towns along the route. The ‘salvoconducto’ is reminiscent of the document used during the Middle Ages to ensure the free and safe passage of travellers and merchandise. Allegorically, the Cid now grants that safe passage to 21st-century travellers along the entire Camino, regardless of the mode of travel or the route they choose to follow.

The Safe Conduct pass is stamped at 200 locations along the route and is a lovely souvenir; the stamps are highly sought after and, furthermore, it offers discounts of approximately 10 percent (on the main accommodation service) at over 200 accommodations on the Camino del Cid. You can request it free of charge at the headquarters of the Camino del Cid Consortium as well as at another 82 points along the route, mostly tourist information offices.