Grand Tour of Cantabria & Asturias – 12-Night Cycling Holiday
Description
This northern Spain cycling holiday is a magnificent combination of sea and mountains: unspoilt Atlantic beaches, fishing villages and the alpine scenery of the Picos de Europa in a single trip. It is a self-guided tour of 12 nights with six destinations, most of them for two or three nights, so on the free days you choose how much you ride.
The tour starts in the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and follows the coast to San Vicente de la Barquera and Llanes. From there you ride over the El Mazuco pass to Arenas de Cabrales, gateway to the Picos de Europa and home of Cabrales blue cheese, and through the gorge of La Hermida to Potes or Cosgaya, in the Liébana valley. The tour ends with the beautiful descent of the Miera Valley to the beach resort of Somo, across the bay from Santander.
Moving days range from 36 to 62 km, with an easy, barely noticeable climb into the mountains, and the terrain is generally easy to intermediate.
The price includes 12 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 in the Ride with GPS app. You can bring your own bike or rent a road, trekking or electric bike.
This northern Spain cycling holiday runs from 27 March to 27 October 2027, 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 shorter option, 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.
A free day: ride to the mountain village of Carmona, take the train to Llanes and cycle back, explore the hills or relax on the beach.
Around the headland of Pechón and across the River Deva into Asturias, past the indianos villas of Colombres and the Sierra de Cuera, then down through eucalyptus forests to Llanes.
Visit beaches such as the landlocked Gulpiyuri, ride the hills behind Llanes, go canoeing, hike the Cares Gorge or take the train to Ribadesella and the Tito Bustillo caves.
South over the El Mazuco pass and the Sierra de Cuera to the first views of the Picos de Europa, then down to Arenas de Cabrales, famous for its blue cheese. Two nights here.
Ride to the mountain village of Sotres or on to Tresviso, take the funicular to Bulnes, walk the famous Cares Gorge trail or simply relax in Arenas.
Along the River Cares to Panes, then up the Deva through the spectacular gorge of La Hermida to Potes and the Liébana valley, surrounded by mountains. You can also stay at Hotel del Oso in Cosgaya.
Take the Fuente Dé cable car, hike the valleys and mountains, visit the market village of Potes or ride to the monasteries of Santo Toribio and Piasca.
A vehicle transfer to the Cantabrian Mountains at 822 m, then a stunning descent through the limestone valley of the River Miera, past San Roque de Riomiera and Liérganes, to Somo and the Bay of Santander.
Take the boat to Santander and El Sardinero, or ride to the beaches of Loredo, Langre and Galizano and the village of Ajo, with grilled sardines in Pedreña.
Transfer from Somo to Santander or Bilbao.
Options
Double room
Ask about dates, prices and availability for this cycling holiday, for you or your whole group.
Nights
Destinations
Free days
Max km per day
Location
- Address : Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, España
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