Trans-Cantabria
Trans-Cantabria
Ride across the dramatic Cordillera Cantabrica, home to Spain’s most challenging climbs
Conquer the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España in this incredible week of cycling in the Cordillera Cantabrica. Includes Lagos de Covadonga and the Angliru, the toughest climb in pro cycling.
Featured Climbs
Alto El Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, Puerto de la Sia, Puerto de San Glorio
Overview
Details
Next Departure
May 23rd 2021
Price
USD $3,995
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No ?
Rental Bike
USD $500
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Thomson Bike Tours is uniquely qualified to introduce you to this mind-blowing Grand Tour terrain. Spain is our back-yard and the Cantabrian mountain chain is our favourite playground.
Home to the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España, the Cordillera Cantabrica is a staggeringly beautiful mountain range that runs along the North Coast of Spain, from the Basque Country to Galicia. Highlights of the week include the opportunity to conquer the notorious Alto el Angliru, the toughest climb in professional cycling, and the spectacular Lagos de Covadonga, voted by many of our guests as their favourite climb ever.
The Cordillera Cantabrica mountain range, with it’s non-existent traffic and extreme geographic profile, is one of the best kept secrets in European cycling!
Michael Collins, USA — 2019
Chris Orton, USA — 2018
Jasper Smith, USA — 2018
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenidos a España! | Palacio de Sonanes | |||
| 02 | Vuelta a España Favorites | Palacio de Sonanes | |||
| 03 | Saja Natural Park | Hotel Reserva del Saja | |||
| 04 | The spectacular Collado de Hoz | Parador de Fuente De | |||
| 05 | Picos de Europa | Hotel La Cepada | |||
| 06 | Lagos de Covadonga | Hotel La Cepada | |||
| 07 | The Angliru! | Hotel Las Caldas | |||
| 08 | Adios! |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenidos a España!
Your trip starts at Bilbao airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your first hotel, a former 18th century palace located in the village of Villacarriedo.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll get your first taste of riding in Cantabria. Our warm-up ride takes you alongside the River Pas to the town of Vega where your first Cantabrian climb awaits, the 6.7km Puerto de la Braguia.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Vuelta a España Favorites
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 in the middle of the ride. It’s 21km (13 miles) and you’ll want to take it easy on this one, leave something in the legs for the last climb of the day (it’s steep!).
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Saja Natural Park
After yesterday’s big ride, today’s ride is a little easier with “only” 2000m (6500ft) elevation. You’ll still have 3 categorized climbs to contend with, the most challenging, the Puerto de la Magdalena coming after 21km (13 miles). After the Magdalena enjoy the 35 km of flat, a rare occurrence on a Thomson trip!
Tip: enjoy the beautiful views on the final 25km (15 miles) of the ride – a fun descent through the Saja Natural Park all the way to the hotel.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Puerto de la Braguia from Vega de Pas |
5.9% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alto El Caracol from Selaya |
5.7% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Puerto de Alisas from La Cavada |
4.8% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Puerto de la Sia from Arredondo |
5.5% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Portillo de Lunada from Las Machorras |
5% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Alto El Caracol from CA-643 |
7% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Puerto de la Braguia from Selaya |
5.7% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Puerto de la Magdalena from CA-263 |
4% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
|
Puerto de Palombera from Espinilla |
5.4% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
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Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | |||||||
May 23 - May 30 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,995 |
USD $750 |
USD $800 |
Book this trip | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Travel Details
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Meeting Time |
|---|---|
|
Bilbao Airport |
9:30am |
OR |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport |
9:30am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Arrival Time |
|---|---|
|
Bilbao Airport |
10:00am |
Rental Bikes
Made by hand in Italy, the Basso Bikes Diamante is exactly what a fine, authentic, Italian road bike should be. The classic lines, flawless geometry and rounded tube shapes offer performance and ultimate versatility.
Frame
Basso Diamante
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra R8070 Di2 (Electronic Shifting)
Weight
8kg (size 53)
Wheels
Microtech MR38 Disc Carbon Clincher
Chainrings
50x34
Cassette
11-32
Sizes
45, 48, 51, 53, 56, 58, 61
Price
USD $500
Trans-Cantabria
Conquer the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España on our epic trip across the Cordillera Cantabrica
