Arrival

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Cangas de Onís

Today we will transfer from our arrival point to Cangas de Onís. This lively Asturian village is perfectly located for access for great Picos de Europa rides to the south as well as rides to the coast to the north.

Cangas de Onís

We have three days to enjoy Cangas de Onís. Today's ride could be up to the basilica of Covadonga and then the beautiful glacial Lakes of Covadonga. This is a spectacular setting in the heart of the western massif of the Picos de Europa. The Vuelta de España often ends one of its stages here. If you don't feel like doing the climb, then take a transfer up to the lakes and ride back down.

Cangas de Onís

Today's ride takes us along the valley and into the canyon of the River Sella as it carves its way through the limestone mountains. The scenery is simply sublime. Then a loop takes us through more beautiful scenery of the Parque Natural de Ponga, one of Spain's best kept secrets. And then back along the River Sella to Cangas de Onís to enjoy some of the local Asturian cider.

Cangas de Onís

Today's ride takes us tto the coast. En route we pass the viewpoint Mirador del Fitu, also a Vuelta de España route. Then we continue to the pretty seaside town of Ribadesella at the mouth of the River Sella, and then we continue up the river to Cangas de Onís. Alternatively we can extend our route and visit the seaside town of Llanes before heading through the hills again to Cangas de Onís.

Cangas de Onís

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Cosgaya

Today we say goodbye to Cangas de Onís and head for the heart of the Picos de Europa. As we do so, we circumnavigate the western and the central massifs using river valleys which carve out stunning canyons through the rock and thus make for some pretty easy cycling. First we follow the River Cares, a famous salmon river, through Asturias and then it's into Cantabria following the River Deva which takes us to the charming mountain town of Potes and then on to our wonderful hotel in Cosgaya, surrounded by magnificent peaks.

Cosgaya

The area around Cosgaya has some wonderful climbs, long but gentle which allow a cyclist to go at an easy pace against the mountian. San Glorio is the highest pass leading out of Cantabria and makes a great ride, and there is always the alternative of taking a transfer to the top and then rolling back down to Potes. There are also shorter rides available.

Cosgaya

Cosgaya lies on the banks of the River Deva which flows down from the spectacular rock cirque of Fuente Dé. The attraction here is the cable car which gives quick access to the awe-inspring heights of the Picos de Europa. We might take a hike here, or just roll down to the hotel and spend some time enjoying the swimming pool and the local gastronomy.

Cosgaya

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Cabuérniga

Change of scene.We now leave the Picos de Europa behind and head through some amazing scenery to the valley of the River Nansa and then to Cabuérniga and the valley of the River Saja. Rolling green hills, rivers, and picturesque mountain villages.

Cabuérniga

Cabuérniga is the valley of the River Saja. Today we can take a short ride to the charming village of Bárcena Mayor and maybe try the "cocido montañés", the local bean stew. A longer ride takes up to the pass of Palombera, which separates the Mediterranean from the Atlantic watersheds. A short descent to Fontibre, source of the River Ebro, the longest river in Spain and origin of the name Iberia, country of the Ebro. A route extension leads to the ski resort of Alto Campoo at the top of the valley. Spectacular riding.

Cabuérniga

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Villacarriedo

From Cabuérniga we ride down the River Saja through the low country of Cantabria. Then we cross to the valley of the River Besaya, and on to Puente Viesgo on the banks of the River Pas. The caves here contain prehistoric paintings. Another quick climb takes us to the River Pisueña and the beautiiful valley of Carriedo, set in the south of Cantabria. Another longer route takes us to the mountain village of Vega de Pas and the pass of La Braguía.

Villacarriedo

A choice of longer and shorter rides to explore this area. The longer rides take us from Cantabria to Castilla y León over a series of Vuelta de Espana passes; first La Braguía, then La Sía, then La Lunada and finally El Caracol to take us back to Villacarriedo. Shorter rides explore the valley around Villacarriedo.

Villacarriedo

Today's ride takes us towards Santander, capital of Cantabria. En route you may like to visit the wildlife park of Cabárceno, where animals are allowed to roam freely in huge enclosures. The mountain of Peña Cabarga is a short but challenging climb, often used on the Vuelta de España and has fantastic views of the Bay of Santander, virtually all Cantabria, the Bay of Biscay and the Picos de Europa.

Villacarriedo

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Santoña

Two rides lead to Santoña, coastal fishing town and very famous for anchovies, a local delicacy. The first leads across low farmland dotted with tiny villages to take us to our beachfront hotel. The second is more challenging, and throws in a couple more Vuelta climbs for good measure. Follow the River Miera as it carves its way through the jagged limestone mountains, and then over the pass of Alisas to reach the valley of the River Asón leading down to its immense estuary and Santoña.

Santoña

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Bilbao

Our last day takes us along the spectacular coastline between Cantabria and the Basque Country. Here the limestone mountains reach the sea and we pass several beautiful beaches. The picturesque village of Castro Urdiales makes a great cofffe stop before the final stage of our ride. In the Basque Country we reach the mouth of the River Nervión and the port of Bilbao. Cross the spectacular bridge between Portugalete and Getxo and then we follow the bank of the Nervión until our first view of the Guggenheim Museum tells us we are in the fascinating city of Bilbao.

Bilbao

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Departure

Breakfast and then departure, or spend another night to give yourself a chance to explore Bilbao.