Day 1

SEPT 8th › Bienvenidos!

Our trip starts at Oviedo airport where our staff will be there to welcome you before the transfer to our hotel in Cangas de Onis in the heart of the Picos de Europa mountains.

After lunch, we'll have our orientation meeting, build up the bikes then it's time for our first taste of climbing in the Picos. Our route takes us over the Mirador del Fito climb then down to the Atlantic Ocean and back along the River Sella to Cangas de Onis.

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 2

SEPT 9th › Lagos de Covadonga

Our route today includes one of the classic Vuelta a Espana climbs - the hors-category climb to Los Lagos de Covadonga.

Many Vueltas have been won (and lost) on this famous climb and past winners at Los Lagos have included Pedro Delgado, Robert Millar and Laurent Jalabert. In 2007 it was Russian Vladimir Efimkin who blew the peloton apart to win by over 1 minute.

You'll need your climbing legs on for this one with an 800m section at an average of 15%!

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 3

SEPT 10th › Picos de Europa National Park

Today we have a spectacular ride into the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. 7,500ft of climbing, 73 miles and 4 "puertos" lie between our hotel in Cangas de Onis and our destination in Potes.

From Cangas we head south through the impressive Bayos Gorges before starting the 1st climb of the day to the Puerto del Ponton. From the Ponton the next 3 climbs follow in quick succession before the long descent to our hotel in Potes.

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 4

SEPT 11th › Puerto de Piedrasluengas

Another stunning ride today on the eastern edge of the Picos. From Potes we head south-east to the 4,000ft Puerto de Piedrasluengas.

The 30km descent from the Piedrasluengas to Puentenansa following the Rio Nansa takes us through some spectacular canyons.

Of course it was too good to last as we're soon climbing again with a couple of short but steep "Colladas" before the final ride in to our hotel in Las Arenas.

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 5

SEPT 12th › A "Flat" Day

No major climbs today as we give our climbing legs a rest for the massive day ahead of us tomorrow. But we are in the Picos de Europa so expect a lot of up and down between Las Arenas and our hotel in Cenera.

From Las Arenas we head west back through Cangas de Onis then into the Cordillera de Sueve mountains with some exquisite small mountain roads through sleepy villages with virtually no traffic. Our destination is the small village of Cenera which lies just 10km from the bottom of La Cobertoria climb - 1st on tomorrows agenda!

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 6

SEPT 13th › THE ANGLIRU!
Live Vuelta a Espana Race Viewing

Today's stage of the Vuelta is the one all the spectators have been waiting for and the one the riders have been dreading. The Angliru with grades of over 23% is a fearsome climb and will no doubt blow the peloton apart.

Our hotel in Cenera lies only 15km as the crow flies from the Angliru but we'll take a longer route which includes another legendary Vuelta a Espana climb - the Alto de la Cobertoria!

Expect a fantastic atmosphere on the Angliru - 100,000 spectators lined the hill-side the last time the Vuelta visited the Angliru!

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 7

SEPT 14th › FUENTES de INVIERNO!

Live Vuelta a Espana Race Viewing

With a total of 6 climbs and a mountain-top finish at the Fuentes de Invierno ski station this will be another key stage of the Vuelta.

We'll ride ahead of the peloton over the 1st Category Alto de la Colladona before starting the long climb to the Puerto de San Isidro and the finish line in the Fuentes de Invierno ski station.

Today's Major Climbs:

Day 8

SEPT 15th › Adios

End of our trip and final transfer to Oviedo airport.