A beautiful and varied ride through the highlights of this part of Northern Spain. The rich green countryside contrasts with the blue sea and the magnificent unspoilt beaches. Picturesque villages with flower bedecked houses, fishing harbours, and the magnificent backdrop of the limestone crags of the Picos de Europa. Plenty of opportunities for those who like a challenge, and other options for the more leisurely. One of our most popular guided tours.
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.
Leaving Santillana, our route heads westwards through green meadows and the hills and valleys of Cantabria with its marvellous unspoilt coastline and beaches nearby. We soon arrive at the charming villageof Novales, set amidst lemon groves and with its fine typical rural architecture. Next stop is the seaside villageof 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 beautiful beaches of Oyambre and Merón. We are finally greeted by the stunning view of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa in the distance. 36km - 23 miles or 62 - 41 miles
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 provinceof Asturias, with its markedly different flavour. The villageof Colombres is home to the sumptuous villas of the indianos, emigrants to the Americas who made their fortune and returned to a life of luxury. We then head along theDevaValley, riding through the incredible rocky gorge of La Hermida. Mountains tower around us as we cycle towards Potes and the valley of Liébana, completely encircled by mountains. 56 km - 35 miles
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.
From Potes we retrace our route to the village of La Hermida. We then begin our climb out of the Deva Valley and through the Cantabrian Mountains. This is a route that few tourists ever see. A more challenging ride takes us through this wonderful scenery until we reach the pretty rural landscapes and charming villages of the valley of Cabuérniga. 61 - 38 miles
Our route today takes us across some of the lesser-known valleys of Cantabria through beautiful green scenery and villages way off the beaten track. Finally we arrive at the village of Villacarriedo, surrounded by the most beautiful hills and valleys. 58 - 36 miles
After an initial ascent from Villacarriedo, a marvellous 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. On reaching Somo, we take the local ferry across to the city of Santander, capital of Cantabria. 58 - 36 miles
End of trip. Pick up from hotel and transfer to departure point.
Comfortable fitted and fully-equipped bikes for your cycling pleasure.
You can either make arrangements to bring your own bicycles or hire Iberocycle's own models. Most airlines will carry bicycles for a small extra charge or even free. Cyclists who choose to hire will be provided with a comfortable quality bicycle to suit their particular measurements and preferences. We place great importance on getting the bikes right.
Too many cyclists on trips with other companies have complained about past experiences where they have had to put up with uncomfortable saddles, the wrong sized bike etc. Measurements are requested on booking so the right bike is waiting for you on arrival.
You are provided with hybrid-type tourist bicycles with conventional handlebars and with triple chain ring and easy-to-change gear ratios for comfortable and easy cycling. Road bikes are also available on request.We can provide tandems, which make for great cycling fun, and are also ideal for those with children.
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| Ladies bike (Trek FX) | Men's bike (Trek FX) |
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| Road bike (Cube carbon) | Female road bike (Cube carbon) |
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| Tandem (a fun way to ride, and also ideal for helping smaller children - Dawes Duet) | |
Hybrid bikes will carry a handlebar bag, useful for carrying money, documents, camera and lots of other useful items which may be needed close at hand. This bag is easily removed it from its click fastening and carried around with the shoulder strap. They are also equipped with a rear luggage rack and one or two panniers, or a rear rack bag to carry just what you need for each day's cycling. Road bikes carry a seat post bag if required.
In addition, all cycles are equipped with pump, spare inner tube, water bottle, bike lock and basic toolkit. Extras such as lights or toe clips are available on request. Iberocycle provides cyclists with a fine bicycle in tip-top condition to make cycling an absolute pleasure.
Childrens Bikes
Children's bikes, and child seats are available on request.
We think cycle touring is the ideal way to travel in Europe and that is why we are very pleased to launch European Bike Adventures, as it allows us the opportunity to offer a whole new set of experiences to people we know will appreciate them.
Accordingly we have taken our time in selecting the portfolio of cycle tours you find listed here.
A selection of hand-picked bike trips in spectacular places throughout Europe that focus on fun with the same attention to detail and quality that hundreds of our very satisfied clients have been enjoying with Ibero Cycle Tours since 1999.
Guests are transported to and from arrival / departure points (these are specified in the route guides), unless otherwise stated in the tour descriptor.
Luggage is transported by IberoCycle to the next hotel. Cyclists carry just what they need for that day.
A back-up vehicle and IberoCycle staff member supports cycling stages.
There are normally 10 - 20 cyclists on each trip. Cyclists choose whether they cycle alone or with other cyclists.
Clients do not cycle with a cycling guide.
Cyclists are free in the evenings to dine with other members of the group or to do their own thing. Our representative will organise a meal for those who wish to dine in company.
Routes have soft options for those cyclists who do not wish to cycle the full stage. Thus the routes are suitable for all levels. Non-cyclists may also participate using our transfer service.
Cyclists are provided with our own detailed Route Guide and maps for their chosen route.
Fitter cyclists may extend stages at will.
IberoCycle will pick up from arrival points in Bilbao or Santander for this tour. This includes hotels, railway stations, ferryports, bus stations and airports. The same is true at the end of the tour. Please contact us if you have an early flight or departure on the last day, so we can let you know if it is possible for us to get you to departure point on time.
Personalised tours are available for groups of 4 or more riders. You may like to add extra days, choose a different arrival day, modify the itinerary.
Please contact us at info@iberocycle.com if you would like to personalise this tour.
Bilbao
Many people like to take the option of spending an extra night in Bilbao to visit the city and the Guggenheim Museum (Remember the museum is closed on Monday except during the months of July and August when it is open every day).
San Sebastián
San Sebastián is another option for those who have some extra time on their hands. This marvellous city has a beautiful Old Quarter, incomparable tapas bars and many superb restaurants, quite a few of them with the prestigious Michelin stars.
Transport
Customers staying extra nights in Bilbao are responsible for their own transfers between the hotel and the airport. The easiest way is by taxi. There is also a bus service with departures every 30 minutes to Bilbao centre. Click here for more info.
There is an hourly bus service from Bilbao Airport (Aeropuerto Bilbao) to the Plaza de Pío XII in San Sebastián with Pesa. Click here for ticket sales.
Check the Bilbao Airport website for more information on transport options.
There is a regular bus service Santander - Bilbao - San Sebastián run by ALSA.
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| Guided / per person | ||
| Standard Northern Spain - Coast & Valleys | Adult Double | €1124 |
| Adult Single | €1280 | |
| Bike rental | €104 |
| Road bike rental | €148 |
| e-Bike rental | €168 |
