Grand Tour of Cantabria & Asturias

Grand Tour of Cantabria & Asturias is a self-guided combination of sea and mountains, spending 12 nights across six destinations with several free days built in along the way. From the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, the route heads through the lemon groves of Novales to Comillas, with Gaudí's El Capricho, then along the beaches of the Oyambre Natural Park to San Vicente de la Barquera, where a free day allows a ride to the mountain village of Carmona or simply a lazy afternoon on the beach.

Crossing into Asturias at Unquera, past the sumptuous villas of Colombres, the route follows the Sierra de Cuera to Llanes, with a free day offering a canoeing trip on the Deva or Sella rivers, or a hike through the Cares Gorge. From Llanes, a spectacular ride over the pass of El Mazuco brings the Picos de Europa into view, descending to Arenas de Cabrales for two nights, with a free day to hike the world-famous Ruta del Cares, ride to the cheese-making villages of Sotres or Tresviso, or take the funicular to the isolated village of Bulnes.

The route continues along the River Cares and through the dramatic gorge of La Hermida to Potes, in the heart of the Picos de Europa, for three nights, with the Fuente Dé cable car among the free-day options. A vehicle transfer to 822 metres begins the tour's signature descent of the Miera Valley to Somo, with a final free day offering a boat trip to Santander's belle époque seafront.

Highlights:

• Comillas, with Gaudí's El Capricho, and the beaches of the Oyambre Natural Park
• Pass of El Mazuco, with the Picos de Europa coming into view
• World-famous Ruta del Cares hike, or the funicular to the isolated village of Bulnes
• Dramatic gorge of La Hermida en route to Potes
• Fuente Dé cable car and the Monastery of Santo Toribio at Potes
• Scenic descent of the limestone Miera Valley from 822m to the coast

Surface and terrain:
Generally easy to intermediate cycling. A mix of move-on days and six free days lets riders choose their own distances throughout. Carbon, e-road, trekking and e-hybrid bikes offered.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists wanting an extended, varied tour of Cantabria and Asturias, with multiple free days built in for hiking, canoeing, cable car trips or simply resting.