| Discover
Northern Spain |
A beautiful
ride along the Cantabrian and
Asturian coast. The rich green
countryside contrasts with the
blue sea and the magnificent unspoilt
beaches. Picturesque villages
with flower bedecked houses, fishing
harbours, and the backdrop of
the magnificent Picos de Europa.
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Itinerary |
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Day
1 Transfer to Santillana
Pick up from arrival point
and transfer to the charming
medieval village of Santillana
del Mar. Introduction to
bikes and route briefing.
Spend the rest of the day
walking round the cobbled
streets of this beautiful
village, visit the modern
museum of the Altamira Caves
or enjoy a ride around the
country lanes and down to
the coastline. |
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Day
2 Santillana - San Vicente
36 km
Leaving
Santillana our route heads
westwards through green
meadows and the hills and
valleys of Cantabria with
its marvelous unspoilt coastline
and beaches nearby. We soon
arrive at the charming village
of Novales set amidst lemon
groves and with its fine
typical rural architecture.
Next stop is the seaside
village of Comillas. Here
a visit to the fine beach,
the small harbour and the
pretty village square with
its pavement tapas bars
and restaurants is a must,
not to mention the architectural
sights of El Capricho by
the famous Catalan architect
Gaudí and the Palace
of the Marqués de
Comillas.
After leaving Comillas,
cycle through the Parque
Natural de Oyambre and along
the seashore with the beautiful
beaches of Oyambre and Merón.
On the last stretch we are
greeted by the stunning
view of San Vicente and
the Picos de Europa in the
distance. |
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Day
3 Free Day in San Vicente
Spend
time getting to know this
pretty fishing village with
its many seafood restaurants
and magnificent setting.
Take a ride on one of the
free day routes, or visit
the lovely mountain village
of Carmona. Alternatively,
enjoy a ride through the
unspoilt hill country behind
the village, or you may
just prefer to spend a lazy
afternoon on the beach. |
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Day
4 San Vicente - Llanes 46
kms
Leaving
San Vicente the route heads
westwards along the coast.
After a short distance,
cycle around the beautiful
headland of Pechón
with its magnificent views
of the coastline.
Crossing the River Deva
in Unquera we enter the
province of Asturias with
its markedly different flavour.
The village of Colombres
is home to the sumptuous
villas of the indianos,
emigrants to the Americas
who made their fortune and
returned to show it off
at home. From here the route
continues between the coast
and the dramatic mountain
backdrop of the Sierra de
Cuera, foothills of the
magnificent Picos de Europa.
A beautiful descent through
eucalyptus forests brings
us back to the coast where
we cycle past beautiful
and unspoilt beaches, so
typical of Asturias, to
arrive at the charming fishing
village of Llanes. |
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Day
5 Free day in Llanes
Cycle
westwards and visit a string
of fine beaches including
the incredible landlocked
beach of Gulpiyuri.
Another beautiful route
takes us through the most
beautiful hills and valleys
behind Llanes.
Alternatively we can give
the bikes a rest and take
a canoeing trip on the Deva
or Sella Rivers, or a hike
through the dramatic and
renowned Cares Gorge in
the very heart of the Picos
de Europa.
Take a train to Ribadasella
and visit the Caves of Tito
Bustillo with their prehistoric
paintings before cycling
back to Porrúa.
Enjoy the busy atmosphere
of the fishing village of
Llanes, so popular with
Spanish tourists. |
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Day
6 Llanes - Miera Valley
Descent - Somo
Today we
transfer to the Cantabrian
Mountains, and begin our
descent of the Miera Valley
to our final stop in Somo.
Pick up after breakfast
and drive to the starting
point at 822 metres / 3757
feet above sea level. From
here, a marvelous ride through
the stunning limestone valley
of the River Miera takes
us down to the farmland
around Somo and the Bay
of Santander.
Visit the mountain village
of San Roque de Riomiera
and the spa village of Liérganes
with its charming old quarter. |
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Day
7Free day in Somo
Enjoy the marvellous beach
with its miles of golden
sand. Take a short boat
ride across the Bay to visit
the lively and elegant city
of Santander, capital of
the province of Cantabria.
Enjoy the belle époque
atmosphere of El Sardinero,
the beach resort of the
city, where Alfonso XIII
and his court spent the
summer months in the early
20th century. Stroll around
the town centre for some
last minute shopping. Take
one of the free day routes
to visit the beautiful beaches
of Loredo, Langre or Galizano.
Ride through the green country
lanes, where a surprise
awaits you round every corner,
to the village of Ajo, famous
for its paellas.
Visit the Nature Park of
Cabárceno with wild
animals from all over the
world, and bizarre scenery
resulting from its one time
use as a Roman mine.
Eat freshly grilled sardines
in the seaside restaurants
of Pedreña, birthplace
and home of the famous golfer,
Severiano Ballesteros. |
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Day
8 Transfer Somo - departure
point
End of trip. Pick up from
Somo hotel and transfer
to departure point. |
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PRICE:
1
July-15 Sept 860 €
Abril-May-June-Oct 745
€
Single Supl.: 240 €
DAYS/NIGHTS:
8
d / 7 n
LEVEL:
Gently rolling hills along
the coast and then a fine
mountain descent of the
River Miera.
Easy to moderate.
DATES:
Any
Saturday, from April to
October.
INCLUDED:
-
Accommodation in double
room with continental
breakfast.
- Transport to and from
arrival / departure points
- Information Pack with
Route Guide and maps
- Luggage transport between
hotels
- Partial rider transport
on day four.
NOT
INCLUDED:
- Lunch & dinner
- Bicycle hire.
- Holiday extension
OPTIONS:
-
Bike Hire 85 € |
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The beautiful villages of
Santillana, Comillas, San
Vicente and Llanes.
- The unspoilt
beaches, a temptation
at any corner.
- The friendly people and
hospitality in the hotels/restaurants.
- The monastery of Escorial.
- The scenic routes and
cuisine. |
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