Today you arrive in Asturias at your charming and stylish hotel built by wealthy emigrants returning from ‘Las Americas’ in 1908 in the typical neo-colonial style locally known as ‘Casona de Indiano’.  If you’re interested in the history of (re)migration in Asturias, you can visit the Museum in the Quinta de Guadalupe in Colombres.  

Challenge: Arrival on the Green Coast of Spain.

Villages along the way: Villanueva de Colombres

You start off the cycling tour with a lovely ride of 41km (375m in ascent) through rolling hills on the border between Cantabria and Asturias. Option of making a small detour to the beach of Pechón at the end of the day OR to the Cueva del Pindal, with its prehistoric cave paintings, or the Romanesque ruins of Santa Tina Church.

Challenge: 45 km, 440 m ascent/ descent. 

Villages along the way: Merodio, Muñorrodero, Pechón, Pesués, Vilde

Today you take a quiet ride further into the province of Asturias. First you cross the ‘dark valley’ of la Borbolla and then you cross over to the coast line, in order to follow the cycling route “Senda de la Costa” to Llanes. Lovely beaches along the way and an outdoor swimming pool at your hotel in the outskirts of Llanes. For dinner you have very good options in the town centre.

Challenge: 25,5 km, 325 m ascent, 140 m descent.  

Villages along the way: Colombres, Pimiango, La Borbolla, Andrín, Cué

Choose between a tough ascent of 650m (37km) to enjoy lovely views from the Sierra del Cuera or a gentler ride through rolling green hills of 27km (440m in ascent, including one ascent of 175m and several short ones; but even this 175m ascent can be avoided by taking the main road). Along the way there are several spots where you can stop to go for a paddle in the sea but you also cycle to the Cuevas del mar beach after you’ve arrived at the hotel (4km extra). 

Challenge: 24-27 km, 250 m ascent and 150 m descent OR 425 m ascent and 225 m descent.  

Villages along the way: Posada, Rales

Today you continue along the coast. Your route is also part of the Camino de Santiago del Norte (Northern Variant of Saint James’ Way) and painted shells in blue and yellow will guide you. In Colunga there is still time to visit the Jurassic Museum before dinner (but in order to get there, you have to cycle and climb a few km extra.

Challenge: 37 km, 330-400 m ascent , 225 m descent.

Villages along the way: Caravia, Colunga

Villaviciosa, with its inviting historical centre, was once an important stop for pilgrims going to Santiago. It is now the centre for cider-making in Asturias. Your cross this town and then cycle along the estuary protected birding area; ZEPA) via Tázones to Argüero (36km, 420m in ascent). The village of Tazones. This village is famous for its sea food restaurants and because of the accidental anchoring of Emperor Carlos the 5th fleet in 1517

Challenge: 37 km, 420m ascent, 180m descent.

Villages along the way: Priesca, Villaviciosa, Tazones

Your last day of cycling is slightly shorter but starts off with a good ascent. Climb up through the lush greenery of the Asturian countryside and then, from an elevation of 220m, sail down into the city of Gijon, riding along the beautiful San Lorenzo Beach boardwalk all the way to your hotel.

Challenge: 29 km, 240 m ascent, 280 m descent. 

Villages along the way: Arroes, Peón, Somio

Your arrangement ends today after breakfast.