Find your perfect trip!
Find your perfect trip!
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Cycling Holidays
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Cycling Holidays
style :
Level :
e-bike :
Duration :
4 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
ESSB410
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Cycling Holidays
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Cycling Holidays
Self-guided Cabrales center based bike tour
Is this tour for me?
This 4-day Picos de Europa self-guided cycling getaway explores quiet roads and gravel tracks linking traditional villages in Cabrales and Peñamellera Alta. Ride through green valleys, stop at local cider houses and cheese producers, and experience authentic rural life. Stay in a charming rural hotel and enjoy excellent regional cuisine, including a gastronomic welcome dinner. E-bikes are available for a more relaxed ride!
Tour Highlights
- Self-guided, centre-based cycling tour in the Cabrales region
- Scenic mountain villages at the foot of the Picos de Europa
- Stay in Asiegu, awarded “Exemplary Town of Asturias 2019”
- Easy routes of 20 to 40 km on quiet tarmac roads and gravel tracks
- Charming rural hotel with excellent local cuisine
- Gastronomic welcome menu featuring regional product
View map
ITINERARY
Start/end: Arenas de Cabrales
Day 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales
Day 2: Route through the villages of the Través (39 km / 24.2 mi)
Day 3: Route through Peñamellera Alta (34 km / 21.1 mi)
Day 4: End of programme or optional route to Sotres (35 km / 21.7 mi)
Day 1: Arrival in Arenas de Cabrales
Arrival at your hotel near Arenas de Cabrales, which has place to park car and bikes. A welcome dinner awaits you this evening so that you'll be in no doubt from the start about how good is the food in Cabrales, it's wonderful!
Day 2: Route through the villages of the Través (39 km / 24.2 mi)
For the first day we have prepared a route through 7 of the villages of Cabrales that are in the area known locally as 'el través': Asiegu, Puertas, Pandiello, Ortiguero, Canales, Inguanzo and Carreña. If you have rented bikes from S-cape, we will bring them to the hotel. If you have brought your bike from home, you will cycle directly from the hotel towards West. You will have the opportunity to get to know Asiegu, Exemplary Town of Asturias 2019. From the Pedro Udaondo viewpoint you will enjoy spectacular views of the central massif of the Picos de Europa and then descend through La Venida de Les Vaques and make a stop at the Casa Niembro cider house to have a drink or sit down for lunch. If you want, we can book you a visit to the Ruta'l Quesu y la Sidra, an ethnographic & gastronomic excursion with a great reputation.
Challenge: 39 km / 24.2 mi, 1,165 m ascent (between 125 and 400 m per ascent).
Day 3: Route through Peñamellera Alta (34 km / 21.1 mi)
Today the route starts in the opposite direction, towards East in the direction to Panes. The first section follows the national road but downhill. In the morning there is usually little traffic. After 10 or 16 km you leave the AS-314 road and go up to Peñamellera alta, passing through Trescares, Mier, Alles, Ruenes and Rozagas. At the end you return to Cabrales via Arangas, in a comfortable descent. We can book you a guided visit to the Aula de la Miel de los Picos de Europa, an interesting journey through the world of bees.
Challenge: 34 km / 21.1 mi, 600 m ascent (2 steep ascents of 250 and 175 m).
Day 4: End of programme or optional route to Sotres (35 km / 21.7 mi)
After breakfast, your trip to Cabrales comes to an end. However, if you have time and feel like doing another route, we suggest you to go up to Sotres, the highest village in the Picos de Europa. For the first 6 kilometres to Poncebos, the road is wide and shared with tourists going to the famous Ruta del Cares. From Poncebos onwards, the real climb starts on a narrow and winding mountain road, which guarantees spectacular views, but also a lot of sweat. Make sure you have your batteries charged, whether it's your electric bike or your own. In any case, you can stop halfway to recharge your batteries in Tielve before doing the section through the Río Duje gorge. We can book you a guided visit to the Maín cheese factory, a modern building where the secrets of a millenary tradition are kept: the production of Quesu Cabrales cheese.
Note: If you have rented S-cape bikes and you want to do this route on the last day, you can add an extra day of bike rental.
Challenge: 35 km / 21.7 mi, 900 m ascent
ACCOMMODATION
Where will you stay?
For this tour, you will stay in one carefully selected, bike-friendly hotel located just outside the village of Arenas de Cabrales. Its peaceful setting provides an ideal base for exploring the area, while offering all the comfort and hospitality cyclists appreciate after a day on the bike. If you would prefer to stay closer to the centre of Arenas de Cabrales, please let us know and we will be happy to offer an alternative accommodation in the village.
If the listed accommodation is unavailable, a similar alternative will be booked and communicated to you. Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the route.
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Hotel Restaurante La Casa de JuansabeliThe Hotel La Casa de Juansabeli is on the outskirts of Arenas de Cabrales, on the banks of the river Cares. It is an old stone building that has been restored and decorated with great care to create a welcoming space. It takes its name from the fountain described by Pliny (1st century) as Juansabeli (Fonte Sacro Belli?) at the foot of the Roman road to Caoro. Its restaurant is a reference point in the area.
PRACTICAL INFO
How do I get to Cabrales?
The nearest airports to the Picos de Europa are Oviedo - Asturias (OVD), Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).
From the airports there are good bus connections to city centre bus stations, where you can catch a connecting bus to your destination (ALSA bus company, see time tables at www.alsa.es).
From Oviedo centre there are direct buses to Arenas de Cabrales, though these services cannot be booked in advance. From Santander and Bilbao, you take a direct bus to Unquera and then continue by taxi to Arenas de Cabrales.
NOTE: It is wise to book your bus tickets and taxi transfer in advance, especially for arrivals and when travelling in summer or on Friday afternoons. You can buy your bus tickets through the ALSA website.
Departure from Arenas de Cabrales
- Travel to Oviedo by direct bus
- For Santander or Bilbao, take a taxi to Unquera, then continue by bus
Airport transfers (arrival and departure) can also be arranged in advance through S-Cape Travel. Costs vary depending on the number of passengers, the airport, and the transfer time.
More information on how to get to the Picos de Europa on our blog.
Where is Picos de Europa?
The Picos de Europa is a mountain range in northern Spain and home to the country’s oldest national park, shared by the regions of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León.
When to go?
The best time to go to Picos de Europa area is late spring, summer and early autumn. During these months, temperatures are mild and days are often sunny.
Tip: Please note that two mountain races take place in the area on the first and second weekends of June, attracting large numbers of visitors. If you plan to travel around those dates, a couple of days' flexibility will help us confirm your trip.
Travelling by car
If you arrive in your own car in Cabrales, you can leave it parked in the hotel's private car park for the duration of your trip.
Bike rental options
Bike rental includes: helmet, phone holder, lock, repair kit and a pump. Depending on the type of bicycle you can add (for free, but on request): map holder, 1 front pannier or 1 rear pannier.
HYBRID BIKES
- Model: Cube Aim Race Allroad
- Type of bicycle: Híbrids/trekking
- Frame: Aluminum
- Speeds: 2x8
- Suspension: Suntour de 100 mm (with lockout)
MOUNTAIN BIKES (MBT)
- Bike model: MMR KUMA 29
- Bike type: MBT
- Frame: Aluminium 6061-T6 double hydroformed crowned
- Brakes: Shimano MT-200 Hydraulic
- Tires: Hutchinson Python 2
CHILD SEATS & BIKE TRAILERS
Fun-Trailer/add on bike Child seat
ELECTRIC BIKES
- Bike model: Kalkhoff Endeavour MOVE B9 Trapez
- Bike Type: Electric
- Motor: Bosch Performance Cruise, 250 W
- Frame: 28 '' Aluminum Wave
- Battery: 500 Wh
- Autonomy: 180 km
- Sizes: S, M & L (Unisex)
- Brand: MMR
- Model: Kore
- Type: electric mountain bike
- Battery: Shimano 630 Kw
- Engine: Shimano Steps DU-EP800
- Suspension: front
Navigation app and tracks
Included in your booking is access to the tour on our navigation app. You can also download the tracks and follow the routes on your own device, but we recommend checking the app for the day-to-day itinerary
Weather & Climate
| Month | Temperature (ºC) | Hours of sunshine | Rain (%) |
| Apr | 8–14 °C | 8 h | 40 % |
| May | 11–17 °C | 8 h | 35 % |
| Jun | 14–20°C | 8 h | 30 % |
| Jul | 16–22 °C | 8 h | 25 % |
| Aug | 17–23 °C | 8 h | 25 % |
| Sep | 15–22 °C | 7 h | 30 % |
| Oct | 13–18 °C | 6 h | 40 % |
What gear do I need?
The routes follow country roads and hard packed paths, making a hybrid or gravel bike an excellent choice.
Keep in mind that Asturias is famous for its lush green landscapes, which are the result of frequent rainfall. We therefore recommend bringing a waterproof jacket and a spare pair of shoes. On sunny days, some sections of the route offer little shade, so sun protection—such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—is also essential from June to September.
Difficulty & Terrain
Surface: Approximately 95% paved roads, with only very short sections on unpaved tracks.
Expect several sustained climbs and descents, including some steep sections along secondary roads and hard packed paths, with daily ascents ranging from 600 to 1,165 metres. Roads are generally well surfaced, with light traffic outside the main routes. The optional ride to Sotres is the most demanding stage, featuring a long climb on a winding mountain road with spectacular views of the Picos de Europa. Suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness who are comfortable riding hilly terrain for several hours a day.
How to Book & Our Terms
When you make a booking, we first check availability and do our best to confirm all your chosen options. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll contact you. If something isn’t available, we’ll get in touch to discuss alternative options with you.
You can note any preferences or questions in the comments box at the final step of booking. For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions and How to book pages.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- Welcome dinner with gastronomic menu
- Detailed digital route notes and maps (in English)
- Access to the trip on GUIBO navigation app
- 24 hour telephone assistance
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- 2 dinners and 3 lunches
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance
- Flights and transfers to and from the accommodations
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, tips, additional transfers, etc...
- Other services not mentioned in the programme
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- Hybrid or electric bike rental
- Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
REVIEWS
Yes, helmets are mandatory in Spain. If you rent a bike with us, helmets are included. However, if you prefer to bring your own helmet, that's absolutely fine!
All routes and maps are available in the app, which can also be used offline. You can download and print the maps if you prefer, or if you’d like to use your own device, you can download the tracks from the app and load them onto it.
Besides purchasing local products and enjoying meals at local restaurants, there are also opportunities to learn more about the area through optional activities. You can visit a Cabrales cheese museum to discover the region’s famous cheese-making tradition, or enjoy an ethnographic experience in Asiego, which includes lunch or dinner featuring local products and homemade Asturian cider.
Please note that the ethnographic experience in Asiego is offered in Spanish only.
Absolutely. You can extend your stay by adding extra nights at your hotel near Arenas de Cabrales.
Another great option is to spend a day or two in Sotres, the highest village in the Picos de Europa. From Sotres, you can enjoy a couple of cycling routes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the national park. If you also enjoy hiking, you'll find plenty of trails starting directly from the village, making Sotres an ideal base for further exploring the Picos de Europa National Park on foot.
Yes. The restaurant where the welcome dinner is included can easily provide both vegetarian and vegan options. While the Cabrales region is traditionally known for its livestock farming and meat-based cuisine, restaurants in the area increasingly offer vegetarian and vegan dishes on their menus.
If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Why book with S-Cape?
Local experts
We know the trails inside out - we've walked them all, so we can guide you.
Travel your way
Go when you want, with whoever you choose - we take care of the rest.
Our Navigation App
Our app has every route mapped, with daily details and extra info for a seamless journey.
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4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Cycling Holidays
Contact
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Edificio Sovega bajo, Crta General s/n
33554 Arenas de Cabrales
Asturias , Spaininfo@s-capetravel.eu
+34 (0) 985 846 455
UK call free 0800 707 44 35 -
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)