Tour Details

Cycling in Asturias

We propose cycling routes through Greenways, coastal areas, asphalt tracks.

Cycling in Asturias region is a tasty mix of oceanic and high mountain landscapes. A stone’s throw from the Atlantic, the Picos de Europa stand proudly, sometimes exceeding 2500m. If at altitude, the limestone massif is a real desert, it is besieged below by thick forests, deep gorges where water gushes generously, and immense green meadows punctuated by sheepfolds where one of the best cheeses from Spain: Cabrales.

Preserved region

An extremely rich fauna and flora, a preserved region, colorful, with a unique habitat and tasty gastronomy. It is gently from a comfortable hotel that we take you to discover these magnificent places steeped in centuries-old traditions.

Departure & Return Location

Villanueva de Colombres & Gijón

Villanueva de Colombres(Google Map)

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Price Includes

Accommodation in double/twin rooms with en suite bathing facilities
7 Breakfasts
1 Dinner (day 6)
Luggage transport according to program
Detailed route description and maps

Price Excludes

Transport to first and from last accommodation
flights
Lunches
6 dinners
Helmet and bike hire (can be booked separately)

Optional Services

Bike rental: bicycles can be hired with the following characteristics: GIANT light-frame hybrid bicycles, with 21 gears (Shimano parts), repair kit, lock, pump, helmet, front and back panniers and map carrier
Electric Bike rental: TREK bikes (4 levels of support/ batteries charge while you descent)
Transfers to and from airport / train station / bus station
Transfer from last hotel back to the first (parking for the week at first hotel for an extra fee)
Flights , bus or train tickets
Extra nights at any hotel along the way, on the Cantabrian coast or city hotels in Oviedo, Gijón or Bilbao

What to Expect & Equipment

PRACTICAL INFO

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October.

The nearest airports are Oviedo (OVD), also known as Asturias airport), Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).

Arrival in Villanueva de Colombres

If you fly to Asturias airport (OVI) there are easy shuttle connection to city centre bus station, then take a bus to Unquera (check timetables at www.alsa.es) and then take a taxi to Villanueva de Colombres.
If you fly to other airports (Santander-SDR or Bilbao-BIO) you can catch a direct bus to Unquera from Santander or Bilbao city centre. Once in Unquera you continue by taxi to Villanueva de Colombres (4km).
It is wise to book your bus tickets and taxi transfer in advance, especially if you’re travelling in summer or at weekends. Bus tickets can be purchased in advance on the ALSA website (www.alsa.es) or through our Travel Router office.

Departure from Gijón

From Gijón there are easy bus connections to all 3 airports (Asturias-OVD, Santander and Bilbao). Check www.alsa.es. You can also book your bus tickets through S-cape Travel office
S-Cape Travel can also arrange private transfers to/from the different airports at the beginning/ end of the tour.

If you arrive in your own vehicle, you can leave it parked in a public square in Villanueva de Colombres, but it is not a guarded parking lot.

HIGHLIGHTS

Pleasant cycling through the gorgeous landscapes of España Verde (Green Spain)
Green fields, cool woods and lovely coves: views to both the mountains and the sea
Choice of easier or more difficult routes, to suit your ability and preference
Charming and comfortable accommodations in small, peaceful villages
Short detours to historical monuments along the way
Traditional local architecture: village houses, stables, wooden grain barns, stone walls, etc.
Delicious regional gastronomy, including hearty stews, free-range chicken and beef, natural apple cider and an amazing variety of locally-produced artisan cheeses

LUGGAGE

You should bring:

1 travel bag per person (or suitcase with wheels). Make sure they are not too big in order to avoid logistical problems (taking up too much room in transfer vehicles, for example). On holidays where you move from one hotel to another during your stay, try to keep the weight down to 10-12kg (the extra weight can make it difficult to get all the suitcases to certain hotels that are difficult to get to). Be certain not to leave any fragile or valuable objects in your main luggage.
1 rucksack (around 30-40 litres) with integrated water-bag (e.g. Camel-Back). These bags are more practical than carrying bottles. The rucksack should also have a waist belt and allow your back to be well ventilated for extra comfort. Keep the total weight of your rucksack plus belongings down to a maximum of 10kg.

CLOTHING

1 set of cycling clothes: cycling shorts, breathable T-shirt (long-sleeved or short-sleeved depending on the time of year)
1 other pair of shorts or trousers for cycling (padding essential)
cycling shoes
comfortable clothes and shoes for the evenings
underwear
spare long-sleeved breathable T-shirts (1 for every 2_3 days) and 1 or 2 short-sleeved T-shirts
1 warmer layer (a fleece or water-resistant « softshell »jacket). Or a « primaloft » jacket (warm and easily compacted down to fit into rucksacks).
1 breathable, windproof and waterproof out layer (e.g. Gore-Tex) with a hood

EQUIPMENT TO BRING

1 large plastic bag to be used as a rucksack liner for protecting your belongings from the rain and/or 1 waterproof rucksack cover
1 waterproof bag containing: travel insurance contract, ID or passport, health card, and all other documents mentioned in the « formalities » section.
1 pair of good quality sunglasses (protection factor 3) plus high-factor sun cream and sunscreen for your lips (should always be carried in your rucksack) • 1 folding pen-knife (Swiss Army knife or similar)
For lunches: cutlery and 1 plastic/tupperwear container (0.5 litres minimum). You may end up not using it but it is important to have it just in case
washbag and 1 quick-drying towel (try to bring only essential items that don’t take up too much space, biological soap…)
1 swimming costume / pair of swimming trunks
ear plugs (to protect you from snoring neighbours or other annoying noises)
1 sleeping-bag liner if spending a night (or nights) in dormitory accommodation (hostels or refuge huts)
handkerchiefs
toilet paper
1 cigarette lighter (be careful not to provoke a fire – always use responsibly and not unless you have to)
1 torch or head-torch plus a survival blanket: always put this in your rucksack as set-backs due to accidents are always possible, even on easy rides
spare glasses (if you wear glasses)
camera, binoculars, paint brushes and canvas… (optional)

Depending on the characteristics of the holiday you are going on (if bike hire is included or not, or if you have indicated that you wish to bring your own bike anyway), it may be a good idea to bring some (or all) of the following cycling kit (please also check in the »bicycle hire »section to see what kit is already provided on the holiday you have chosen):

cycling gloves (normal or fingerless depending on the time of year)
1 bike helmet (legal requirement in most countries)
1 or 2 cycling bottles or a hydration system such as a Camel-Back (1.5 litres), whichever you prefer
2 inner-tubes
a few spare spokes (especially on mountain-bike tours)
1 spare derailleur
1 set of spare brake pads
1 spare cable for derailleurs or brakes
1 spare chain
any other kit that you deem to be necessary…

You should try to be self-sufficient for all minor cycling breakdowns typical of these kinds of cycling tours (tyre-lever, puncture repair kit, multi-tool, quick-fix chain link…). If you have disk-brakes or high-tech bikes, be sure to bring the necessary kit for repairs.

Highlights
Pleasant cycling through the gorgeous landscapes of España Verde (Green Spain)
Charming and comfortable accommodations in small, peaceful villages
Traditional local architecture: village houses, stables, wooden grain barns, stone walls, etc.
Delicious regional gastronomy, including hearty stews, free-range chicken and beef, natural apple cider and an amazing variety of locally-produced artisan cheeses
Green fields, cool woods and lovely coves: views to both the mountains and the sea

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Villanueva de Colombres

Today you arrive in Asturias at your charming and stylish hotel built by wealthy emigrants returning from ‘Las Americas’ in 1908 in the typical neo-colonial style locally known as ‘Casona de Indiano’. If you’re interested in the history of (re)migration in Asturias, you can visit the Museum in the Quinta de Guadalupe in Colombres.

Challenge: Arrival on the Green Coast of Spain.

Villages along the way: Villanueva de Colombres

Day 2Circular route from Villanueva (45 km)

Circular route from Villanueva (45 km)

You start off the cycling tour with a lovely ride of 41km (375m in ascent) through rolling hills on the border between Cantabria and Asturias. Option of making a small detour to the beach of Pechón at the end of the day OR to the Cueva del Pindal, with its prehistoric cave paintings, or the Romanesque ruins of Santa Tina Church.

Challenge: 45 km, 440 m ascent/ descent.

Villages along the way: Merodio, Muñorrodero, Pechón, Pesués, Vilde

Day 3From Villanueva to Llanes (25.5 km)

Today you take a quiet ride further into the province of Asturias. First you cross the ‘dark valley’ of la Borbolla and then you cross over to the coast line, in order to follow the cycling route “Senda de la Costa” to Llanes. Lovely beaches along the way and an outdoor swimming pool at your hotel in the outskirts of Llanes. For dinner you have very good options in the town centre.

Challenge: 25.5 km, 325 m ascent/descent.

Villages along the way: Colombres, Pimiango, La Borbolla, Andrín, Cué

Day 4From LLanes to Nueva de Llanes (24 - 27 km)

Today’s route takes you through rolling green hills to Nueva de Llanes, passing several beaches along the way where you can stop for a paddle in the sea. The first section takes you past the ethnographic museum in Porrúa and the beautifully-situated church at Niembro. From the market village of Posada, there are two different variants to choose from. The standard route follows a section of St James’ Way (Camino del Norte), via Naves and Villahormes. The alternative route goes further inland and involves a steep ascent via Rales. Both options end at your next accommodation, situated in Nueva de Llanes. From Nueva you have the option of cycling an additional 4 km, from your hotel to the beach at Cuevas del Mar.

Challenge: 24-27 km, 250m/425m ascent, 220 m descent.

Villages along the way: Posada, Rales

Day 5 From Nueva to Colunga (37 km)

Today you continue along the coast. Your route is also part of the Camino de Santiago del Norte (Northern Variant of Saint James’ Way) and painted shells in blue and yellow will guide you. In Colunga there is still time to visit the Jurassic Museum before dinner (but in order to get there, you have to cycle and climb a few km extra.

Challenge: 37 km, 330-400 m ascent, 365m descent.

Villages along the way: Caravia, Colunga

Day 6From Colunga to Agüero via Villaviciosa and Tazones (37 km)

Villaviciosa, with its inviting historical centre, was once an important stop for pilgrims going to Santiago. It is now the centre for cider-making in Asturias. Your cross this town and then cycle along the estuary protected birding area; ZEPA) via Tázones to Argüero (36km, 420m in ascent). The village of Tazones. This village is famous for its sea food restaurants and because of the accidental anchoring of Emperor Carlos the 5th fleet in 1517

Challenge: 37 km, 420m ascent, 390m descent.

Villages along the way: Priesca, Villaviciosa, Tazones

Day 7Departure

From Agüero to Gijón (28.6 km)

Your last day of cycling is slightly shorter but starts off with a good ascent. Climb up through the lush greenery of the Asturian countryside and then, from an elevation of 220m, sail down into the city of Gijon, riding along the beautiful San Lorenzo Beach boardwalk all the way to your hotel.

Challenge: 28.6 km, 240m ascent, 277m descent.

Villages along the way: Arroes, Peón, Somio

Day 8 End of arrangement

Your arrangement ends today after breakfast.

Cycling in Asturias-Biking tours Spain | Self guided cycling

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