Green Spain & Picos de Europa

Green Spain & Picos de Europa is a self-guided tour combining Cantabria's coastline with the mountain scenery of the Picos de Europa. From the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and its Altamira Caves museum, the route heads west through the lemon groves of Novales to the seaside village of Comillas, with its harbour, tapas-lined square and Gaudí's El Capricho, then along the beaches of the Oyambre Natural Park to the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera, where two nights and a free day are spent.

Crossing briefly into Asturias at Unquera, past the sumptuous villas of Colombres, the route follows the Deva Valley through the dramatic La Hermida gorge into the mountain-ringed valley of Liébana, staying two nights at Potes. A free day here offers a cable car trip at Fuente Dé, hiking through the valleys or higher mountains, or a visit to the Monastery of Santo Toribio.

From Potes, a vehicle transfer carries riders up to 822 metres in the Cantabrian Mountains to begin the tour's signature stage: a long, scenic descent of the limestone Miera Valley, passing the mountain village of San Roque de Riomiera and the spa village of Liérganes, down to the farmland around Somo and the Bay of Santander. A final free day at Somo allows a boat trip across to Santander's belle époque seafront, or a ride to the beaches of Loredo, Langre and Galizano.

Highlights:

• Medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Caves museum
• Comillas, with Gaudí's El Capricho and the Palace of the Marqués de Comillas
• La Hermida gorge and the mountain-encircled Liébana valley around Potes
• Free day at Picos de Europa: cable car at Fuente Dé, hiking, or the Monastery of Santo Toribio
• Scenic descent of the limestone Miera Valley from 822m to the coast
• Boat trip across the Bay of Santander to the city's belle époque seafront

Surface and terrain:
Generally easy to intermediate cycling. A mix of move-on days and free days lets riders choose their own distances. Day 6 is a long descent down the Miera Valley to the coast. Carbon, e-road, trekking and e-hybrid bikes offered.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists wanting a flexible mix of coastal and mountain riding, with two free days built in for hiking, cable car trips or simply resting.