Cantabria - Spain

Spanish Green North Coast: Self Guided Cycling Tour

Self-Guided 8 days

The perfect combination of coastal views and rolling valley scenery. This self-guided tour is a great introduction to Northern Spain. With picturesque routes, historical stopovers, and free days to explore some more, it is guaranteed to be an epic cycling trip.

Style
Road cycling
Gain
Distance
302 km
Level
Easy

Tour overview

WELCOME TO NORTHERN SPAIN

Given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, northern Spain has a very pleasant climate with lots of sunshine and cool breezes that make it a wonderful region to explore by road bike, with plenty to see and do along the way. 

This Spanish Coast Self Guided Cycling Tour winds through the traditional towns and villages between Cantabria’s dramatic coastline and green rolling valleys. The trip includes stopovers in some of the area’s most traditional and picturesque locations, including the seaside town of Somo, with views of Santander just across the bay. On your free days, head out and explore the local area, by foot, bus or bike… This is your time to relax and plan the day exactly as you please!

This self-guided tour has been designed to help you create lifelong memories, with some incredible activities, routes (such as the beautiful descent in the Miera Valley) and vistas that will make you wish you were never leaving. Book now or contact us for more information!

Start point
Santillana del Mar
End point
Somo
See program for full itinerary
Flying in
Santander/Bilbao
Flying out
Santander/Bilbao

Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com

Highlights of your cycling trip

Diverse Terrain

Cantabria is a well-known destination for cyclists given its incredible landscapes and opportunities for riders of all levels of ability. There are some wonderfully flat routes as well as some more challenging proposals that allow you to mix and match and tailor your tour to your taste and ability level.

Self Guided

This tour’s self-guided itinerary allows you to take each day as you please, packing in lots of activities or enjoying a more relaxed pace. It has been plotted by local professional guides that know the area like the back of their hand and have chosen some of their favourite routes. You will be helped along each day by sending your luggage off to your next location, meaning all you have to do is focus on pedalling!

Hotel Room

Fantastic Hotels

Throughout the week you’ll be staying in beautiful locations that have been chosen specifically so you can relax and make the most of everything the local area has to offer. Each one offers secure bike storage facilities so all you need to do is focus on having a great time!

Tour destination

Cantabria - Spain

Cantabria sits on Spain’s most northern coastline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and borders three other autonomous communities, Castilla-y-León, Asturias and The Basque Country. It is one of Spain’s greenest regions and therefore boasts some incredibly beautiful landscapes, including soaring mountains, lush green valleys and dramatic coastlines. It also hosts parts of the Picos de Europa National Park, which extends across the nearby provinces of Asturias and León and is home to two of Spain’s most elusive creatures, the brown bear and the Iberiean wolf! This epic variety of terrain offers the perfect opportunity for all cycling disciplines and abilities. Nearby we also find the Collados de Asón range in the east and Alto Campoo, which offers all types of climbs, long and gradual, short and steep, and even some long and steep climbs! Wherever you are in Cantabria, the striking contrast of vibrant green pastures and towering rocky peaks makes for an incredible backdrop to any trip, especially in your living and breathing the experience from the saddle of a bike!

Discover More
  • Weather

    Northern Spain is green for a reason, so whilst it enjoys lovely warm weather and plenty of sunshine, it is prone to showers. This is the place the rest of Spain head to when it gets scorching hot elsewhere! Spring, summer and autumn are the best seasons for cycling in this region, but don’t forget your waterproof and jacket, just in case!

  • Terrain

    Cantabria is perhaps best known for the Picos de Europa National Park that spans over 670 square kilometres and is home to 11 villages nestled between the high peaks. Here we’ll also find meadows and lakes, gorges and impressive forests, as well as an abundance of fauna such as deer, vultures and even bears. The rest of Cantabria has a similar landscape, green and hilly, but flattens out nearer the coast, which can be formed by dramatic rocky cliffs or white sandy beaches (60 of them in total!).

  • Culture

    Cantabria is a unique region of Spain. Also known as Green Spain, there are many nature reserves and many sports enthusiasts flock here every year to take advantage of the amazing array of landscapes and conditions, from surfing to skiing. The culture and people are incredibly warm and welcoming, and first-time visitors may be surprised at just how unique this northern corner of Spain can be!

Accommodation during your tour

Comfortable 3-4* Hotels

Each night you’ll sleep in a different 3 or 4 star hotel along the route, all of which offer a very pleasant stay after a full day of riding. The accommodation is chosen based on its location and proximity to the start and end of each route and each location includes secure bike storage facilities so you can focus on some well-deserved R&R. A support vehicle will be assisting us throughout the trip to move your bags and belongings safely between each location.

Breakfast Included

Fuel up before a long day of riding with a hearty breakfast at your hotel, as well as a nice big cup of coffee! 

After a day in the saddle, the evenings are your own, leaving you free to choose your own restaurant for dinner and enjoy a well-deserved meal after the day’s adventure.

Tour itinerary

Your guide to a perfect cycling tour

Santillana del Mar to San Vicente de la Barquera
  • Distance
    62 km

Today’s route: 

  • Santillana del Mar to San Vicente de la Barquera

Distance

Choose between a 36 km or 63 km route


Your route for Day 2 leaves from Santillana del Mar and heads west through meadows, hills and valleys in the direction of the stunning Atlantic coastline. Begin by heading west through the green meadows, hills and valleys, towards the marvellous unspoilt coastline and beaches. On your way you’ll pass through the well-kept village of Novales, nestled amidst lemon groves and filled with beautiful stone houses.

Your next stop will be Comillas, a lovely coastal town that looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Its harbour and quaint town square are filled with tapas bars and restaurants. Take some time to see a wonderful example of Gaudí’s modernist architecture, El Capricho, or the Palace of the Marqués de Comillas, designed by Catalan architect Joan Martorell in 1888.

The final leg of your route for Day 2 crosses the Parque Natural de Oyambre. You could also explore its white, sandy beaches and enjoy the stunning views of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa in the distance.

Getting there

Information to help you book your flights and get around.

Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]

Flying in

Fly in airport: Santander/Bilbao

When best to fly in: in the morning on the first day of the camp

Transfers: scheduled airport transfers are included in the price of this trip; we will reach out to you for your exact flight details to be sure you can take your flight hassle-free

Flying out

Fly out airport best option: Santander/Bilbao

When to leave: last day of the tour after 13:00

Transfers: scheduled airport transfers are included in the price of this trip; we will reach out to you for your exact flight details to be sure you can take your flight hassle-free

Tour essentials

What’s included in your cycling trip.

  • Hotel Room
    7 Nights Accommodation

    Double as standard, single available as optional extra

  • Luggage Transfers

    As you explore the island at your own pace, your bags will be transported to your next hotel destination

  • Airport Transfers

    Pick up and drop off is included, so you can have a hassle free trip

  • Breakfasts

    Breakfast is included everyday

Cycling bottle

What’s not included in your cycling trip.

  • Air flight & travel insurance

    Please book yourself and get appropriate cycling activity insurance

  • Lunch, dinners, and alcoholic drinks

    Cafes, lunch stops on the bike, dinners, and beverages at your own expense

Extra
Bike rental
From only €150 for the entire trip

It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality carbon road bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.

With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly.  All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!

You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. 

Brands and models may vary.

Fitted to you and ready to ride!

More things to maximise your cycling trip

  • EXTRA
    Single accommodation
    From €154 for the entire tour

    If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra €154* for the trip duration, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour.

    *Extra charge for high season dates.

Booking options

Choose when you want to travel

Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.

  • This tour can run flexible dates. We can make it start and finish the day you need. Contact us to request alternative tour dates!
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Booking options