Thank you, I'm using the Cicerone guide for cycling the Camino and it shows both ways: I think todays gravel will be tough as I'm a not-competent cyclist, so we will do a mix of both. Appreciate the advice
Sorry just seen this and this is probably too late for you now but I have recently cycled that route and found that section of the N20 very unpleasant to cycle and dangerous with lorries even in bright clothes and lights, I went on the pilgrim path for a big section at this stage even though the track is very rough and I ended up pushing a lot
Thanks for all the replies. We decided against the road because it was so unpleasant. We took the Camino and yes it is VERY steep, quite a job to push the bike uphill on the first stretch and we were passed by all the walking pilgrims, it was such hard work. Then we got going but had to stop again a little further, get off and push up again. Overall that went on for about half an hour, which is manageable. After that we could cycle, until about 5 km (approx) where there's a very steep drop and then rise, so for both its best to dismount which we did.
When we got to the monastery we switched to the 'alternative road route' which is well signposted. Although you eventually end up on the N1 for about 5 km, it is a great road, great views, and on the n1 part, a decent hard shoulder