Basque Country to Asturias

Day 1: Bilbao
Day 2: Bilbao - Castro Urdiales, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Castro Urdiales - Santoña, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 4: Santoña - Santander, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 5: Santander - Santillana del Mar,  34 mi. (54 km) 
Day 6: Santillana del Mar - San Vicente de la Barquera, 23 mi. (36 km) 
Day 7: San Vicente de la Barquera - Llanes, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 8: Llanes - Ribadesella, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 9: Ribadesella

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. 

Day 1: Bilbao
Individual arrival to Bilbao. A good time to explore the old quarter in Bilbao and enjoy the best tapas in Spain.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Abando

Day 2: Bilbao - Castro Urdiales, 25 mi. (40 km) | Elevation: Ascent: 720 meters; Descent: 730 meters 
A welcome meeting and bike fitting are scheduled after breakfast on the first riding day. Following the Nervión River, you will depart Bilbao, and cycle to the delta, passing the Guggenheim Museum en route. In Getxo, you can see the magnificent 19th-century villas built by the rich Basque industrialists, before visiting Algorta, an old fishing port. Using the unique Puente Vizcaya, a transporter bridge that dates back to 1893, and is a World Heritage Site, the route crosses the river and then follows the coastline to the fishing port of Castro Urdiales with its pretty harbor and gothic church on the seafront.

Preferred accommodation: Sercotel Hotel Las Rocas

Day 3: Castro Urdiales - Santoña, 22 mi. (35 km) | Ascent: 515 meters; Descent: 515 meters
From Castro Urdiales, you pedal west along the magnificent coastline. The Playa de Sonabia, with its crags and cliffs, is home to a colony of majestic griffon vultures which you will see soaring high above as you ride. The route leads to the fishing port of Laredo and heads out along its enormous beach towards Santoña and the backdrop of the Monte Buciero. A short ferry ride crosses the river estuary. Santoña is famous for its anchovies, a local delicacy. You will overnight in a hotel on the beach of Berria. 

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Juan de la Cosa

Day 4: Santoña - Santander, 29 mi. (46 km) | Ascent: 640 meters; Descent: 640 meters
From Santoña the route continues westward, parallel to the coast, with beautiful green scenery, beaches, and cliffs as your constant backdrop. Somo with its beaches and surfers is on the agenda as well as Pedreña and the Bay of Santander, which will be transversed by ferry to reach the elegant capital of Cantabria. 

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Bahía

Day 5: Santander - Santillana del Mar, 34 mi. (54 km) | Ascent: 705 or 955 meters; Descent: 620 or 870 meters
Leaving Santander, you follow the waterfront, taking in the magnificent views across the Bay; the Magdalena Palace and Beach, and the beautiful beaches of El Sardinero. Cycling west again past the unspoiled beaches of Liencres, you will enjoy the views down the coast to the Picos de Europa mountains, here you will join the pilgrims' trail of El Camino de Santiago. You will follow a lovely bike path down to Besaya River towards the sea and the village of Suances. From here it is only a short ride to the beautiful medieval village of Santillana del Mar.

Preferred accommodation: Casa del Organista

Day 6: Santillana del Mar - San Vincente de la Barquera, 23 mi. (36 km) | Ascent: 650 or 1030 meters; Descent: 725 or 1105 meters
First, on the agenda today is the village of Novales, with its lemon groves. More beach and coastal scenery will follow to Comillas, with its many Modernist buildings, the most famous of which is El Capricho, built by the Catalán architect Antoni Gaudí. The journey takes us through the Natural Park of Oyambre, with its beautiful beaches and coastline toward tonight's accommodation in the seaside fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Faro de San Vincente

Day 7: San Vicente de la Barquera - Llanes, 29 mi. (47 km) | Ascent: 780 meters; Descent: 770 meters
Leaving San Vicente the route heads westwards along the coast. After a short distance, you will cycle around the beautiful headland of Pechón with its magnificent views of the coastline. Crossing the River Deva in Unquera we enter the province of Asturias. The village of Colombres is home to the sumptuous villas of the Indianos, emigrants to the Americas who made their fortune and then returned. From here, the route continues between the coast and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Sierra de Cuera, foothills of the Picos de Europa. A beautiful descent through eucalyptus forests brings us back to the coast, where we cycle past beautiful and unspoiled beaches to arrive at the charming fishing village of Llanes.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Don Paco

Day 8: Llanes - Ribadesella, 27 mi. (44 km) | Ascent: 385 meters; Descent: 375 meters
Cycling westwards, you will visit a string of fine beaches, including the incredible landlocked beach of Gulpiyuri. You continue with the magnificent coastline to your right, and the beautiful mountains of the Sierra del Cuera and the Picos de Europa to your left. Finally, you reach Ribadesella. Here you can spend time enjoying this pretty Asturian fishing village with its beach and lively atmosphere.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Don Pepe

Day 9: Ribadesella
Departure after breakfast.

Be sure to check out all of our featured bike trips, and specials, or check out all of our  tours & trips in Europe & beyond.

Hotels range from small posadas, Casas Rurales, Casas de Labranza* or country inn-type accommodation to three and four-star hotels. They are, wherever possible, small establishments, each with its charm and character, and are chosen for their unique location, regional atmosphere, comfort, cleanliness, and personalized customer attention. Please note that many of these accommodations do not use the hotel star rating system as they are classed as country inns by local Tourist Boards. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. A hotel of an equal standard will be offered if the preferred hotel is unavailable.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Trek FX - male and female frames

• 27 speed
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager Sport saddle

Accessories

• Helmet
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Road Bike

Berria (Various Brands/Models)

• 22-speed Shimano gearing
• Full carbon frame
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager P3 Verse Comp

Accessories

• Seat postbag
• Odometer
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Electric Bike

Conor/Haibike (Various Brands/Models)

• Aluminum frame (men or women's)
• Shimano Alivio 9 speed
• Hydraulic brakes
• Bosch Active Line Motor

Accessories

• Helmet
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit