Start: Villanueva de Colombres Finish: Gijón
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/descent.
Villages along the way: Colombres, Pimiango, La Borbolla, Andrín, Cué
Today's route takes you through rolling green hills to Nueva de Llanes, passing several beaches along the way where you can stop for a paddle in the sea. The first section takes you past the ethnographic museum in Porrúa and the beautifully-situated church at Niembro. From the market village of Posada, there are two different variants to choose from. The standard route follows a section of St James’ Way (Camino del Norte), via Naves and Villahormes. The alternative route goes further inland and involves a steep ascent via Rales. Both options end at your next accommodation, situated in Nueva de Llanes. From Nueva you have the option of cycling an additional 4 km, from your hotel to the beach at Cuevas del Mar.
Challenge: 24-27 km, 250m/425m ascent, 220 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, 365m 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, 390m 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: 28.6 km, 240m ascent, 277m descent.
Villages along the way: Arroes, Peón, Somio
Your arrangement ends today after breakfast.
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights: Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
This elegant hotel of "indiano" style is in between the high mountains of Picos de Europa and the coast. A charming hotel that still preserves the splendor of the time it was built (in 1908), as can be seen in its mahogany door, its magnificent stairway or the freco paintings on the ceiling. Their customized and friendly treatment is one of their basic premises to make guests fell at home.
This hotel imitates a Neoclassical palace with an indoor cloister and a "Light Saloon". Located in a large countryside property with 10,000 m2 that includes an outdoor swimming pool, wide gardens and beautiful views to the Cuera range. Llanes, with its medieval urban structure and its beaches, is only 1.6 km away.
In a renovated "Casa de Indianos" that has been transformed into a small and charming hotel. This hotel has preserved the look of the time, which makes the stay a whole experience for the traveller.
This hotel was opened in 2002. they renovated a typical “Casa de Indianos” that was built in 1881. The hotel preserves the stately charm at the same time as it provides all the modern amenities for its guests.
Historical and catalogued builiding, located in the Plaza Mayor, in the monumental quarter of Gijón. Between the marina, the beach of San Lorenzo and the fishing quarter of cimadevilla, the oldest in the city.
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October.
The nearest airports are Oviedo (OVD), also known as Asturias airport), Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).
Arrival in Villanueva de Colombres
Departure from Gijón
If you arrive in your own vehicle, you can leave it parked in a public square in Villanueva de Colombres, but it is not a guarded parking lot.
Hybrid bikes, 21-speed, lock, pump, repair kit, map holder
Children's bikes, carts and trailer bikes also available
Male Female
GIANT
CUBE TOURING
MMR KUMA 29
Possibility of renting bicycle accessories for children
Fun-Trailer/add on bike Child seat
Kalkhoff Endeavour MOVE B9 Trapez
GPS tracks are available on request.
Extra nights may be booked at any of the standard accommodations, at hotels on the coast, or at city hotels (Gijón, Oviedo or Bilbao).
"Overall we really enjoyed the trip. The route maps were very detailed (with one or two exceptions). The overall experience was a positive one, I think it was much more hilly than described, but I would recommend the trip"