Picos de Europa lake and road route - Spain

Cantabria - Spain

Rolling Picos de Europa Valleys: Self Guided Cycling Tour

Self-Guided 8 days

A blend of coastal views and rolling valley scenery as you delve into the majestic Picos de Europa. This self-guided tour is a great introduction to Northern Spain. With marvellous scenery and dizzying descents, you are sure to have a good trip.

Style
Touring
Gain
Distance
325 km
Level
Easy

Tour overview

WELCOME TO NORTHERN SPAIN

Northern Spain promises beautiful weather and breathtaking scenery. The culture, history, terrain, and climate all combine to make this a fantastic region to explore by road bike.

The Green Spain and Picos de Europa Self-Guided Cycling Tour is a lovely trip through Cantabria’s coast, valleys, and villages. This tour starts on the coast and then heads into the mountains before returning to the region’s shores.

Our stops include a picturesque mediaeval town, a peaceful fishing village, and the beach resort of Somo, which is just across the bay from the city of Santander. You can cycle as much or as little as you want on your free days. This tour’s highlight is the magnificent scenic descent of the Miera Valley.

This self-guided cycling tour conquers the unique Cantabrian landscape and will provide you with memories to last a lifetime in the Picos de Europa. Book your spot 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

Cycling in Cantabria is easygoing, but there are challenges along the way. The tour's day-by-day itinerary allows you to customise your distances, with the iconic descent down the Miera Valley to the coast on day six.

Self Guided

Each day, go at your own pace. Professional local guides crafted the itinerary to provide you with the best routes possible. Daily luggage transfers free you up to concentrate solely on pedalling to your next destination.

Hotel Room

Fantastic Hotels

All hotels along the route have been carefully chosen to provide you with the best possible experience. Once fully rested and fuelled, you'll be ready to tackle each big day as it comes. All hotels have secure bike storage.

Tour destination

Cantabria - Spain

Cantabria is one of Spain's most mountainous regions, with spectacular climbs from the coast all the way up to the borders with Castilla-y-León, Asturias, and The Basque Country. The Picos de Europa mountains, on the border with Asturias, are its most famous and highest range, but there are also some great climbs in the Collados de Asón range, in the region's east, and at Alto Campoo. There are a variety of climbs here, including long and gradual ascents, short and steep ascents, and a couple of long and steep ascents! Cantabria is one of Spain's most beautiful regions, at least when it's sunny. The vivid green scenery is especially striking when contrasted with high rocky peaks, as it is in the Picos de Europa. However, it is also very enjoyable to ride elsewhere, with scenery that is very different from most mountainous regions in Europe.

Discover More
  • Weather

    Northern Spain boasts nice and cool summers. So this is where you'd like to be headed when it's grilling hot in most of Spain and Europe. Autumn and Spring are great seasons as well, but bring your jacket!

  • Terrain

    Cantabria's landmark is the iconic National Park of Picos de Europa known for deep valleys and sharp peaks. It is home to some of Spain's most mythical climbs and La Vuelta passes through here every year.

  • Culture

    Cantabria is a region that is thoroughly Spanish and yet is completely unique in its own ways. First-time visitors will be pleasantly surprised by the charming culture and varied weather.

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

DISTANCE

62 km

Begin by travelling west through the green meadows, hills, and valleys towards the beautiful unspoiled coastline and beaches. Novales is surrounded by lemon groves and features traditional rural architecture.

Comillas has a beautiful beach and harbour, as well as a charming town square filled with tapas bars and restaurants. Architectural highlights include Gaudi’s El Capricho and the Palace of the Marqués de Comillas.

Cycle through the Parque Natural de Oyambre, along the lovely beaches of Oyambre and Merón, with views of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa in the distance.

Choose to cycle 36 or 63 kilometres.

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

    You will be allocated a double room with ensuite facilities. A single room is available as an 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.

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast is included everyday during the tour.

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
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