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Cantabrian Coast & the Picos Self-Guided

Name: Iron Donkey
Address: Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring, 15 Ballyknockan Road, Saintfield, County Down, BT24 7HQ, Northern Ireland
Telephone: +44 (0) 7780 496969
Price range: $

Spain

Region Northern Spain
Tour Type Self Guided (Open Departure)
Duration 7 days
Bike Types Road, Hybrid, Touring & e-bike

Core Route

330 Kilometres

Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)

Average Distance per Day: 55 km

0 100 km

Average Elevation Gain per Day: 1139 m

0 2000 m

Extended Route

390 Kilometres

Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)

Average Distance per Day: 65 km

0 100 km

Average Elevation Gain per Day: 1333 m

0 2000 m

April - October from

€890

Next Steps

Summary

This Self-Guided tour lets you cycle the beautiful, varied landscape of Northern Spain, traversing the stunning Picos Mountain range, affording you some truly breathtaking views, before heading down to the Costa Verde coastline, allowing you to experience the beaches and rugged beauty of Spain's most dramatic coastal scenery. Besides superb cycling, you can also look forward to wonderful food and some of Spain’s finest wines.

Starting from Santillana, you first ride south following the Saja River and then climb west over the pass to the village of Carmona. The next leg starts with a bit more climbing to the Puerto de Piedras Luengas and then a wonderful descent to Potes in the basin of the Picos for a two night stopover. There are many options for the loop ride from here, including riding to Fuente De, taking the cable car to the top and then hiking down through the mountains. From Potes you ride north alongside the River Deva through the Gorge of La Hermida to Las Arenas de Cabrales. From here you ride to meet the coast at San Vicente for a two night stopover. There are several great options for the loop ride from here. Finally you follow the coast through Comillas back to Santillana – or you can extend the route and finish in Santander.

Highlights

Santillana del Mar
Carmona Pass
Potes
Fuente De
La Hermida Gorge
Las Arenas and the Cabrales Valley
Cangas
Llanes
Parque Natural de Oyambre
Comillas

What's included

7 nights accommodation with breakfast
Pre-trip planner
All routing, maps, cue sheets and gpx tracks
Emergency telephone support
Meet, greet and bike fitting
Regional Handbook

Extras

Bike rental
Luggage Transfers
Evening meals

Pricing

Core Tour Cost
€890
Luggage Transfers
€290
Hybrid bicycle rental
€130
Road bicycle rental
€185
E-bike rental
€195
Single Supplement
€270

Day 1

Arrive into the architecturally rich seaside village of Santillana del Mar, where we will arrange to meet you and get you fitted out with your bikes at a time of your suiting. Transfers to Santillana can be arranged from Santander and Bilbao Airports on request.

2

Santillana-Cabuérniga (34km core route)- Ride along the River Saja from the estuary close to Santillana inland, through rich green forest, up to the beautiful rural Valle de Cabuérniga.

3

Cabuérniga-Potes (63km)- A beautiful ride through the remote hills and valleys of Cantabria to the dramatic gorge of La Hermida and the village of Potes in the heart of the Picos de Europa. A reasonably challenging ride is well worth it for the views and scenery it proffers, with some dramatic climbs and descents.

4

Potes Loop ride- we have plenty of options for you today, on your two night stopover. There is plenty to do in and around Potes. A popular option is the ride out to Fuente De, where you can take the memorable cable car ride up to the top of mountain range, before hiking down and riding back into Potes. We also have longer ride options for those who feel lost out of the saddle!

5

Potes- Arenas de Cabrales (50km core route)- From Potes we ride along the gorge of the River Deva and then along the gorge of the River Cares to Arenas de Cabrales, staddling the borders of the Cantabria and Asturias regions. There are plenty of quaint small villages on route, where you can grab a coffee or sample some of the famous local cuisine.

6

Arenas de Cabrales- San Vicente de la Barquera (51km core)-

A ride along the River Cares takes us down to the lower reaches of the River Deva and the beautiful scenery of the Pechón peninsula to reach the beautiful coastline, and the fishing village of San Vicente. Granted numerous privileges in 1210 which accelerated economic development, the town became an important stopover for pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. San Vicente has a rich artistic legacy including the Iglesia de Santa Maria de los Angeles and the monastery of El Santuario de la Barquera. Close to the town are several broad picturesque beaches. There are plenty of excellent seafood restaurants in the small town centre.

7

San Vicente- Santillana del Mar (32km core)- Most of the days ride hugs the glorious, imposing coastline. The ride ride takes us to Santillana del Mar with the opportunity to visit the fine village of Comillas, which is home to Gaudí’s El Capricho. Gaudi spend a lot of time in Comillas, and the towns hosts his only buildings outside Catalonia. We will meet you back in Santillana to collect your bikes and wish you a safe onward journey.

Route Map

Essentials

Accommodation

The standard accommodations for the self-guided itineraries are a wonderful mix of country inns, rural posadas, and three or four star hotels. Generally, these have around 10 to 20 guest rooms and the owners live on the premises. Some of the smaller hotels do not have a restaurant, but there will always be several options close by, within easy walking distance. Most will have at least one English speaker on the staff.

The Spanish breakfast is light. Most hotels serve a continental breakfast of orange juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, bread rolls and jam. There may also be yogurt, cheeses, cured meats, pastries and cakes.

When you book a tour, your pre-trip planner will have more details about the specific facilities and services provided by the accommodations.

Examples of our Spanish hotels include;

Getting there

Santander is the main access city for the region. Getting to the trailhead in Santillana del Mar entails getting to Santander and then making the final leg to Santillana.

AIR

Santander and Bilbao are the most convenient airports for travel to and from the region. Santander is the closest but Bilbao has a greater selection of flights and destinations. Bilbao Airport is 100 km from Santander.

Santander Airport » Santander
Taxi or bus
Bilbao Airport » Santander
Bus or taxi from Bilbao Airport to Bilbao Bus Station, then ALSA bus to Santander
Santander » Santillana del Mar
FEVE from Santander to Puente San Miguel, then taxi (approx 3km) to Santillana

RAIL

Two railway companies serve Santander:

RENFE is the Spanish inter-city line. There are 3 trains a day to and from Madrid, the journey taking about 5½ hours. There are no direct trains to Barcelona.
FEVE – operates narrow gauge trains which run west from Bilbao tawards Oviedo. Trains are punctual, reliable and slow. Bikes are carried on the trains. The 100 km journey from Santander to Bilbao takes around 3 hours.

FERRIES (from the UK)

Brittany ferries operate a service from Plymouth to Santander – the crossing takes 21 hours.
P & O operate a ferry service from Porstmouth to Bilbao – time around 34 hours

BUS

ALSA (National Express) operates a frequent service between Santander and Bilbao. The same company also runs a service between Santander and Madrid – 6 times a day with duration of around 6 hours.

Links

Climate

The weather in “Green Spain” which includes Cantabria and Asturias, can be very variable – and, as the name might indicate, rain is not unusual. It is important to be prepared for all eventualities. July and August are the sunniest months. Northern Spain in general receives a lot more rain than the rest of the country. The warmest months are July, August and September.

The valleys of the Picos can become very hot in the summer months. The summer temperatures in the coastal resorts are less oppressive than those of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, and these tend to attract Spanish holidaymakers rather than foreign tourists.

Fixed Costs

890 Euro is the cost per person sharing. The cost includes the following

7 nights' accommodation with breakfast
Pre-trip planner
Routes in the form of highlighted maps and cue sheets
Regional Handbook
Telephone support
Meet and greet (if you are renting bicycles)

Optional Costs

Luggage transfer charges are calculated as follows:

The standard charge is based on one or two riders. A couple would therefore share the luggage transfer costs. There is then a small additional fee for the third and each additional person.
For example:
1. Total cost for one or two riders = 295 Euro (147.50 per person based on two people sharing)
2. Total cost for three riders = 295 + 20= 315 (105 per person)
3. Total cost for four riders = 295 + 20 + 20 = 335 (84 per person)

Note that the more riders in the group, the less expensive are the luggage transfers per rider.

Bicycle Rental

Trek FX (male frame)

Bike Code : TKM Standard rental 5 frame sizes Alloy Frame Central suspension forks Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with	Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided	handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool
On request	panniers, helmet, gel saddle cover; SPD pedals; odometer; cages and straps
Not fitted/supplied	lights; water bottle

Trek FX (female frame)

Standard rental 5 frame sizes Alloy Frame Central suspension forks Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with	Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided	handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool
On request	panniers, helmet, gel saddle cover; SPD pedals; odometer; cages and straps
Not fitted/supplied	lights; water bottle

Cube Attain

Carbon Road Bike 6 frame sizes GTC Monocoque Twin Mold Technology, Road Comfort Geometry CUBE CSL Race, One Piece 3D Forged Steerer/Crown, Carbon Blades, 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" Tapered Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with	platform pedals, bottle cage
Equipment provided	seatpost bag; helmet; odometer; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool; water bottle; tyre levers
On request	helmet; SPD (MTB pedals); cages and straps for platform pedals
Not fitted/supplied	lights

Cube Axial

Carbon Road Bike 4 frame sizes GTC Monocoque Twin Mold Technology, Road Comfort Geometry CUBE CSL Race, One Piece 3D Forged Steerer/Crown, Carbon Blades, 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" Tapered Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with	platform pedals, bottle cage
Equipment provided	seatpost bag; helmet; odometer; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool; water bottle; tyre levers
On request	helmet; SPD (MTB pedals); cages and straps for platform pedals
Not fitted/supplied	lights

Neomouv Linaria

Bike Code : NEL E-bike 250W motor – 3 assistance levels Alloy Frame Rigid Steel Forks Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with	Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided	handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool
On request	panniers, helmet, gel saddle cover; SPD pedals; odometer; cages and straps
Not fitted/supplied	lights; water bottle

Core Tour Cost	€890
Luggage Transfers	€290
Hybrid Bike Rental	€130
Road Bike Rental	€185
E-bike Rental	€190
Single Supplement	€265

Photos

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An amazing trip

The accommodations were great, the routes were clear, and we had a great time.

I wanted to thank you for setting up our tour in northern Spain. The accommodations were great, the routes were clear, and we had a great time. We only had one riding day with any rain, so even the weather cooperated! Your local folks were kind enough to leave a floor pump with our luggage each night so that we could all use it at the start of the day. We will definitely be using Iron Donkey again in the future.

Loved the Picos

The tour was a great mix of mountain and coastal scenery.

We loved the Picos de Europa – and tour was a great mix of mountain and coastal scenery. Our only complaint of the whole tour was the late hour at which the Spanish eat dinner!!

Blown away by the landscape

Everything was really well planned from the meeting at the airport, the accommodation, the route options and directions and of course the bikes and equipment

We arrived back from our cycling trip and just wanted to drop you a line to say what a fantastic time we have had. Everything was really well planned from the meeting at the airport, the accommodation, the route options and directions and of course the bikes and equipment which were excellent. We climbed over 34,500 ft in total, considerably higher than Everest and the cruising altitude of the plane that flew us there, which of course the sound bite I am using to impress people! We had never visited that part of Spain before and we were blown away by the landscape and mountains, almost enough to take the mind off aching thighs! Anyway thank you so much for your organisation and responsiveness which was so reassuring during the booking process.

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