Northern Spain Coast & Valleys – 7-Night Cycling Tour in Cantabria
Description
This Cantabria cycling tour is a ride of tremendous variety through the highlights of northern Spain: rich green countryside, unspoilt beaches, fishing villages, quiet river valleys and the magnificent backdrop of the Picos de Europa. It is a self-guided, 7-night tour that ends in the charming city of Santander, on the shores of its beautiful bay.
From the medieval village of Santillana del Mar you ride along the coast via Comillas to San Vicente de la Barquera, then through the gorge of La Hermida to the Picos de Europa, with two nights in Potes or Cosgaya and the Fuente Dé cable car. The route then crosses the mountains near the Piedrasluengas pass to Carmona and the Cabuérniga valley, continues across four river valleys to Villacarriedo and finishes with the descent of the Miera Valley, Liérganes and a boat across the bay to Santander.
Stages range from 36 to 92 km a day, with longer options on some days, so this tour suits riders who enjoy longer days in the saddle.
The price includes 7 nights in country inns and 3 and 4-star hotels with breakfast, all luggage transfers, transfers from and to Santander or Bilbao, and the routes and tour information. You can bring your own bike or rent a road, trekking or electric bike.
This Cantabria cycling tour runs from late March to the end of October, with arrival on Saturday. You can start on any other day for a supplement, which is not charged for groups of four or more. For a gentler route with more time by the sea, discover our Coast of Green Spain cycling tour.
Itinerary
Transfer from Santander or Bilbao to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, bike introduction and route briefing. Time to explore its cobbled streets or the Altamira Caves museum.
West past the lemon groves of Novales and Comillas, with Gaudí's El Capricho, then through Oyambre Natural Park with views of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa.
Around the headland of Pechón and into Asturias at Colombres, then up the Deva valley through the gorge of La Hermida to Potes and the Liébana valley. Two nights here.
Take the Fuente Dé cable car, hike the valleys, visit the market village of Potes or ride to the monasteries of Santo Toribio and Piasca.
Down the Deva valley and up a long, gentle climb towards the Piedrasluengas pass, then through beautiful scenery to the village of Carmona and down to the Cabuérniga valley.
Across four river valleys: the Saja, the Besaya and the medieval village of Riocorvo, the Pas and the spa village of Puente Viesgo, and finally the Pisueña and Villacarriedo.
Up to the limestone valley of the River Miera and a marvellous descent to San Roque de Riomiera and Liérganes, then farmland around Somo and Pedreña and a boat across the bay to Santander.
Transfer to Santander or Bilbao.
Options
Double room
Ask about dates, prices and availability for this cycling holiday, for you or your whole group.
Nights
Nights in the Picos de Europa
Max km per day
Regions
Location
- Address : Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, España
Add Review