Find your perfect trip!
Find your perfect trip!
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Alta MTB Challenge
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Alta MTB Challenge
style :
Level :
e-bike :
Duration :
4 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
ESSB415
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Alta MTB Challenge
4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Alta MTB Challenge
Self-guided center based bike tour
Is this tour for me?
This 4-day Cabrales & Peñamellera Alta MTB Challenge explores the foothills of the Picos de Europa on a mix of dirt tracks, forest trails, and quiet country roads. Ride between traditional mountain villages, enjoy authentic Asturian food and cider, and take in spectacular views of the limestone peaks. Challenging but not overly technical, it's a great introduction to mountain biking in northern Spain, with e-bikes available for extra support.
Tour Highlights
- Self-guided, centre-based cycling tour with no need to change accommodation
- 20–52 km routes along a mix of dirt tracks, forest paths, and quiet tarmac lanes
- Scenic rides through mountain villages at the foot of the Picos de Europa
- Gastronomic welcome menu featuring local, regional products
- Stay in Asiegu, awarded “Exemplary Town of Asturias 2019”
- Spectacular views across the valleys of Cabrales and Peñamellera
View map
ITINERARY
Start: Arenas de Cabrales Finish: Arenas de Cabrales
Day 1: Arrival at Arenas de Cabrales
Day 2: Route through the villages of the Través (20 - 35 km / 12.5 - 21.7 mi)
Day 3: Route through Peñamellera Alta (34.5 - 52 km / 21.5 - 32.3 mi)
Day 4: End of programme
Day 1: Arrival at 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 (20 - 35 km / 12.5 - 21.7 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, Berodia, Inguanzo and Carreña. If you have rented bikes from S-cape, you will pick the up at our bike shop in Arenas de Cabrales. 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 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: 35 km / 21.7 mi, 1600 m ascent (between 125 and 275 m per ascent)
If you find 35 km / 21.7 mi too much, you can shorten the way (until 20 km / 12.5 mi in total), but if you rent our e-Bike, even the 35 km / 21.7 mi will be bearable.
Day 3: Route through Peñamellera Alta (34.5 - 52 km / 21.5 - 32.3 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 12 km you leave the AS-314 road and go around the Peñamellera Peak, passing through Mier, Robes and Robriguero, a climb of 435 m with a gradient of almost 20%! You can recharge your batteries (yours or those of the e-Bike) at the Bar de la Molinuca before starting the next section: a more progressive climb through the foothills of the Sierra del Cuera, passing through the villages of Llonin, Ruenes, Alles and Arangas.
We can book you a guided visit to the Aula de la Miel de los Picos de Europa, in Alles, an interesting journey through the world of bees.
Challenge: 52 km / 32.3 mi, 1900 m ascent (1 steep climb of 435 m and several gentler ones between 100 and 200 m).
If 52 km / 32.3 mi seems too much, we can take you and the bikes to Trescares in the morning (12 km / 7.5 mi less) and / or pick you up in the afternoon at the same place (total circular route of 34.5 km / 21.5 mi, with 1350 m ascent).
Day 4: End of programme
After breakfast, your trip to Cabrales comes to an end.
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 (Asturias), on the banks of the river Cares and gateway to the Picos de Europa. 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.
How to get to Arenas de Cabrales
From each airport there are good connections to the station in the city centre, where there are links with other services to the final destination (ALSA company).
From Oviedo centre, there are direct buses to Arenas de Cabrales, although these services cannot be booked in advance. From Santander and Bilbao, there is a direct bus service to Unquera, then the journey continues by taxi to Arenas de Cabrales.
NOTE: It is recommended to book bus tickets as well as the taxi transfer in advance, especially for arrival and when travelling in the summer season or on Friday afternoons. Tickets can be purchased either through the ALSA website (www.alsa.es) or through the S-cape office in Asturias, which can also take care of booking the taxi from Unquera to Arenas.
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.
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
ELECTRIC BIKES
- Bike model: MMR Kore
- Bike Type: Electric MTB
- Motor: Shimano Steps DU-EP800
- Battery: Shimano 630 wh
- Suspension: Schwalbe Marathon Plus
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 cdirt tracks, forest trails, and quiet country roads, making a mountain 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
A mix of dirt tracks, forest trails, gravel roads, and quiet country lanes. The routes include some significant climbing but are not technical, making them suitable for riders with a reasonable level of fitness. Distances range from 20 to 52 km, with shorter options available. E-bikes can be rented for extra support on the climbs.
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 Alta MTB Challenge
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)