EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains

Considered one of our Top 5 European rides by our ride leaders! The route is classic Vuelta a España terrain with each of the climbs having featured many times in the Spanish Grand Tour. The scenery is absolutely stunning and you’ll see very little traffic throughout the entire ride. It’s a gem of a ride that you’ll cherish long after you return home.

Tip: The Puerto de la Sia comes 25km into the ride. It’s a long climb (21km) so make sure you take it easy on this one. You’ll need to leave something in the legs for the last climb of the day, the Alto el Caracol (it’s steep!).

Today’s ride features the final 84km (52 miles) from the route of the dramatic Stage 17 of the 2012 Vuelta a España, when Alberto Contador laid the perfect ambush to win the stage and take over the race leader´s jersey. A really stunning ride, over 3 short climbs lined with forests of eucalyptus trees, followed by a magnificent route through La Hermida canyon.

Tip: make sure you take the cable car ride from the Hotel Fuente Dé to the surrounding mountain ridge. The cable car ascends to 1823m (6500ft) in just 4 minutes and the views from the top are breathtaking!

Today you’ll ride through the Picos de Europa National Park – a magnificent remote wilderness region and home to the last population of brown bears in Western Europe. The highlight of the day is the 27km (17 miles) climb to the Puerto San Glorio. From the San Glorio you’ll ride into the Picos National Park on a traffic-free, single-lane road, with stunning views at every corner. The ride ends with a 50km (31 miles) descent to our hotel in Cangas de Onis!

Tip: enjoy the descent, it’s not every day that you get to descend for 50km (31 miles).

With magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the rugged peaks of the Picos de Europa filling the landscape to the south, Lagos de Covadonga is a unique climb. Little wonder that many of our repeat guests rate it as their all-time favorite climb. After Covadonga, continue on a beautiful loop that winds its way over the Alto del Torno and down to the Atlantic Ocean.

Tip: Cangas de Onis is well worth a visit after the ride. Check out the 13th century Puente Romano and try some tapas and cider at a local bar.

A magnificent ride today through rural Asturias, one of the top road cycling regions of Spain. Three categorised climbs lie between Cangas de Onis and our destination in Las Caldas. The scenery is stunning, with green, rolling hills at the start of the ride gradually evolving into higher and rugged peaks as we approach the mountains of the Asturian natural parks that hide a certain Alto el Angliru.

Tip: the terrain in Asturias is very challenging. With a big day (Angliru) on the agenda tomorrow, this is a day to ride easy and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

The Angliru is considered the toughest climb in professional cycling and today is your chance to test your climbing legs on its dreaded slopes. From the hotel in Las Caldas,  you’ll head out into the Asturian countryside for your final ride. A short climb will stretch the legs before we reach La Vega and the start of the Angliru.

Tip: the first 6km (4 miles) of the Angliru are “easy”. The climb starts in earnest at the 6km mark with the toughest section coming after 10km (6 miles). This section is called Cueña les Cabres, lasts for 450m and has ramps of 23.5%!

Unfortunately, your trip across the Cantabrian Mountains has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Bilbao Airport.