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Cantabrian and Asturian Coast and Mountains, Picos de Europa (13 Days)
offered by supplier M08426 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 13
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Spain
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
Season: March - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 860 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 860 Euro (EUR)
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Tour Itinerary:
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. Distance 40 km 25 miles.
Day 2: Santillana - San Vicente. 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 harbor 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. Distance 36km - 23 miles.
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 through the charming unspoilt countryside behind San Vicente. You may just prefer to spend a lazy afternoon on the beach, or enjoying a fine meal in one of the local restaurants.
Day 4: San Vicente – Llanes. 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 flavor. 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. Distance 46 km – 29miles (This route can be shortened by 10 miles by taking the local train to Unquera)
Day 5: Free days 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.
Day 6: Llanes – Arenas de Cabrales. From Llanes, we turn southwards towards the Picos de Europa. Today’s stage is a short one but we have the chance to lengthen it if we wish. We head along the valley of the Río de las Cabras past picturesque villages and many examples of their hórreos, the wooden granaries on stilts that are so typical in Asturias. At the top of the valley, we are greeted by magnificent views of the Picos. In Arenas we can leave our luggage and cycle along to the beginning of the famous Cares Gorge. From there we can take the funicular railway to visit the remote mountain village of Bulnes. Distance 32 km – 20 miles.
Day 7: Arenas de Cabrales - Potes. From Arenas de Cabrales, we follow the course of the River Cares with the Sierra de Cuera to our left and the imposing Western, Central and Eastern Massifs of the Picos de Europa to our right – sublime scenery! In Panes, the Cares flows into the Deva and we follow the latter upstream to the village of Potes. Suddenly the sides of the valley close in and the route runs through the incredible rocky gorge of La Hermida. Mountains tower around us as we cycle through the gorge towards Potes and the valley of La Liébana, completely encircled by mountains. Spectacular scenery, but easy riding – downhill to Panes and then a barely perceptible ascent to Liébana and the village of Potes. Distance 52 km – 33 miles.
Day 8-9: Free day in Potes. Cycle along any of the three valleys that meet in Potes. Take a trip on the cable car at Fuente Dé to enjoy breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Mountains, where the brown bear and wolves still roam. Enjoy a walk through the lush green valleys or the higher mountains. Spend time in the bustling market village of Potes with its peculiar mix of local farmers, tourists and mountaineers. Visit the many other picturesque villages dotted around the area. Cycle up to the Monastery of Santo Toribio, home to the largest surviving fragment of the True Cross or to the charming country monastery of Piasca. There’s no shortage of things to do in this magnificent setting.
Day 10: Potes - Carmona. From Potes we retrace our route to the village of La Hermida. From here we begin our climb out of the Deva Valley and through the beautiful scenery of the Cantabrian Mountains. This is a route that few tourists ever see. From La Hermida we climb up to the village of Linares at 400 meters. Another climb takes us to the Collado de Hoz at 658 meters. A third and final climb takes us up the Collado de Ozalbal at 556 meters and with incredible views of the Nansa Valley. A fast descent takes us down the valley and to our final resting-place at Carmona. A challenging stage but compensated by the varied, unspoilt and beautiful scenery and remote villages. Distance 54 km – 34 miles
Day 11: Carmona – Santillana – Santander - Somo. From Carmona a good early morning climb takes us to the Collado de Carmona (611 meters) where we begin our descent to the valley of Cabuérniga. From here we can follow the course of the River Saja towards Santillana and then back to Santander where we can admire the capital of the province with the beautiful views across the bay. A short ferry crossing brings us to Somo. This stage can be shortened by taking the local train into Santander from virtually anywhere along the route.
In the Valley of Cabuérniga we can also take the opportunity to visit Bárcena Mayor, another of the emblematic country villages of Cantabria.
*Carmona – Cabezón – Puente San Miguel – Train to Santander – 40 km – 25 miles
*Carmona - Bárcena Mayor – Train from Cabezón de la Sal – Santander – 54 km – 34 miles
*Carmona – Santillana – Santander – 86 km – 49 miles
Distance 40-86 km 25-49 miles.
Day 12: Free 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.
Day 13: Transfer Somo - departure point. End of trip. Pick up from Somo hotel and transfer to departure point.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- Continental style breakfast
- Transport to and from arrival / departure points
- Information Pack with Route Guide and maps
Price does not include:
- Lunch & dinner
- Bicycle hire (see price list)
- Holiday extension
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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