Picos de Europa 9-day MTB challenge

Arrival at your hotel in Mestas de Con, a small village on the road between Cangas and Cabrales, with some basic services and a rural atmosphere. Dinner is not included but you can choose to dine in the house or walk to other restaurants in the village. If you have rented bikes, they will be delivered between 17 and 19hrs OR tomorrow morning before 9.30hrs; depending on your arrival time.

Challenge: Arrival in the Picos de Europa.

Villages along the way: Mestas de Con

The first day of cycling in the Picos de Europa is a technically easy loop ride along forest tracks and rural roads in the valleys of Cangas and Onís and with spectacular views of the Picos de Europa. First you follow the trail between San Martín and Cardes, passing through small rural villages and hillsides with magnificent views of the Picos. Surprisingly, you will also see some famous statues of Salvador Dalí. In Cardes you can decide if you want to shorten the route to Cangas de Onís, first capital of the Christian Kingdom of Asturias, in the VIII century. You can visit its famous Romanesque bridge and have lunch in one of the cider houses before returning to Mestas along forest tracks and quiet tarmac roads and past another important cultural monument: the church of Abamia.

 Challenge: 33.8 / 37 km - 21 / 23 mi, 1500 / 1350 m ascent

Villages along the way: San Martín de Cardes, Labra, Cangas de Onís, Mestas

Starting at the hotel's doorstep, you first make a small detour along some authentic villages in the valley of Onís. Route extension possible to the village of Demués before you reach Llano de Con. From here a very rewarding climb up to Collado Prioro awaits, with amazing views of the Picos highest peaks. A long downhill section takes you back to the hotel.

Challenge: 17 - 27 km / 10,5 - 17 mi,  750 / 1225 m ascent

Villages along the way: Mestas, Llano de Con, Demués

Very entertaining day. Choose between the low route along interior tarmac lanes and dirt roads through lots of small villages and hamlets OR add a challenging ascent to the Collado de los Buitres, at the edge of the Casaño Gorge. Both routes have a section downhill between Puertas and Asiegu. At the end of the day you will find your luggage at your hotel in Arenas de Cabrales. There you will be able to try the Cabrales blue cheese, a delicacy matured in natural caves that is still produced by local families.

Challenge: 26.5 - 30.5 km / 16,5 - 19 mi, 1000 / 1265 m ascent

Villages along the way: Puertas, Asiegu, Arenas de Cabrales

In the surroundings of Arenas it is dificult to find MTB tracks, as the valley is narrow and the gorges of the rivers Cares and Casaño quite deep. Close to town there is one nice but demanding loop ride that will take you to the woods up to nice vista point in Vanu, then along tractor ruts and mining roads to Inguanzo and Berodia, both very typical and pleasant villages, the first one with a bar. On your way back to Arenas you will have to another steep ascent before you can return to Arenas via Poo de Cabrales. If you find this loop ride too short, you can do another one in the neighbour municipality of Peñamellera Alta.

Challenge: 17.6 - 52 km / 11 - 32 mi, 975 / 1350 m ascent

Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales, Inguanzo, Berodi, Poo, Mier, Alles

Another challenging route that starts with an 18km / 11mi ascent along a tarmac road to Sotres (also the end of a Vuelta stage in 2017!), which can be done optionally by car. In the highest village of the Picos an adventurous cycling route starts, along old mining tracks through the woods and open pasture grounds of the eastern Massif of the Picos, that will take you from the province of Asturias into Cantabria to Potes, the capital of the valley of Liébana, which has 365 villages and hamlets and an important monastery.

Challenge: 46,7 - 30 km / 29 - 18,5 mi, 2300 / 1075 m ascent

Villages along the way: Arenas de Cabrales, Sotres, Potes

Today's standard route is a very entertaining circuit through the wooded valleys of Cabezón de Liébana and Pesaguero, which is quite long in distance but not technically difficult, with only one long ascent of 600 m at the start. On your way you will see the beautiful romanesque church of Santa María de Piasca. If you still consider this way too much, there is a possibility after 28km / 17mi to take a shortcut back to Potes, following a relatively quiet tarmac road 13 km / 8 mi downhill.

Challenge: 47.6 km / 29,5 mi (41 km / 25,5 mi if you take shortcut), 1450 m ascent

Villages along the way: Cabezón de Liébana, Pesaguero, Ojedo

The route starts in the centre of Potes and follows the main road to Fuente Dé during the first 9km / 5,5 mi. At Mogrovejo the fun starts, with an ascent along 4x4 tracks to the high pasture grounds of Áliva, where you probably have to recharge batteries at the restaurant Refugio de Áliva. You can also ‘cheat’ and follow the tarmac road all the way to Fuente Dé and take the cable car straight up to 1835 m and then descent to Áliva. Whatever you do, the scenery that awaits you is majestic: a wide mountain pass with pastures grounds that are divided in the middle by a huge moreen, created by two glaciers in long forgotten times. In early spring it's full of cattle, sheep and horses, watched closely by griffon vultures and falcons looking for prey. You will reach the Majada Vegas de Sotres, another idyllic pastoral scene surrounded by impressive mountains. The last 18km between Sotres and Arenas is an easy tarmac road downhill.

Challenge: 45.6 - 47.6 km / 28,5 mi - 29,5 mi, 1475 / 1325 m ascent

Villages along the way: Fuente Dé, Áliva, Sotres

Your cycling trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Departure from Arenas de Cabrales