Northern Spain Guided Group Bicycle Tours
| Tour Name |
Nights |
Start / Finish |
Cost |
2010 Start Dates |
| Northern Spain |
7 |
Santillana del Mar
/ Somo |
€1150 |
Saturday 3rd July
Saturday 4th September |
Click here for general information about our guided group tours
Northern Spain (7 nights)
This is a beautiful and varied ride through the highlights of this part of Northern Spain. The rich green countryside contrasts with the blue sea and the magnificent unspoilt beaches. Picturesque villages with flower bedecked houses, fishing harbours, and the magnificent Picos de Europa provide the daily backdrop to the rides.
Routes followed are D, J, K, I, T and U
The tour starts with a transfer from you arrival point in Bilbao or Santander to the village of Santillana del Mar. En route overnights are at San Vicente de la Barquera on the Costa Verde, Poets (2 nights) in the heart of the Picos, Cabuérniga and Villacarriedo, with the final night in Somo just across the bay from Santander. There is a transfer on the last morning back to your departure point.
Dates and Rates
| 2010 Departures |
Sat 3rd July
Sat 4th Sept |
| Start |
Santillana del Mar (near Santander)
|
| Finish |
Somo (near Santander)
|
| Duration |
7 nights (Saturday – Saturday) |
| Cost |
€1,150 per person sharing
€130 single accommodation supplement (if applicable) |
| Included |
7 nights hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities
6 evening dinners with wine
Bicycle rental
Guide
Sag wagon
Trip preparation package
Transfers to and from Santander and Bilbao |
| Accommodations |
 (3) [ rating info ] |
- Day 1 (Saturday)
Transfer to Santillana
Pick up from arrival point and transfer to the charming medieval village of Santillana del Mar. Introduction to bikes and route briefing. Spend the rest of the day walking round the cobbled streets of this beautiful village, visit the modern museum of the Altamira Caves or enjoy a ride around the country lanes and down to the coastline.
- Day 2 (Sunday)
Santillana – San Vicente
Leaving Santillana, our route heads westwards through green meadows and the hills and valleys of Cantabria with its marvellous unspoilt coastline and beaches nearby. We soon arrive at the charming village of Novales, set amidst lemon groves and with its fine typical rural architecture. Next stop is the seaside village of Comillas. Here a visit to the fine beach, the small harbour and the pretty village square with its pavement tapas bars and restaurants is a must, not to mention the architectural sights of El Capricho by the famous Catalan architect Gaudí and the Palace of the Marqués de Comillas. After leaving  Comillas, cycle through the Parque Natural de Oyambre and along the beautiful beaches of Oyambre and Merón. We are finally greeted by the stunning view of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa in the distance.
36km – 23 miles
- Day 3 (Monday)
San Vicente – Potes / Picos de Europa
Leaving San Vicente the route heads westwards along the coast. After a short distance, cycle around the beautiful headland of Pechón with its magnificent views of the coastline. Crossing the River Deva in Unquera we enter the province of Asturias with its markedly different flavour. The village of Colombres is home to the sumptuous villas of the indianos, emigrants to the Americas who made their fortune and returned to a life of luxury. We then head along the Deva Valley, riding through the incredible rocky gorge of La Hermida. Mountains tower around us as we cycle towards Potes and the valley of La Liébana, completely encircled by mountains.
60 km – 38 miles
- Day 4 (Tuesday)
Free day in Potes.
Cycle along any of the three valleys that meet in Potes. Take a trip on the cable car at Fuente Dé to enjoy breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Mountains, where the brown bear and wolves still roam. Enjoy a walk through the lush green valleys or the higher mountains. Spend time in the bustling market village of Potes with its peculiar mix of local farmers, tourists and mountaineers. Visit the many other picturesque villages dotted around the area. Cycle up to the Monastery of Santo Toribio, home to the largest surviving fragment of the True Cross or to the charming country monastery of Piasca. There’s no shortage of things to do in this magnificent setting.
- Day 5 (Wednesday)
Potes - Cabuérniga
From Potes we retrace our route to the village of La Hermida. We then begin our climb out of the Deva Valley and through the Cantabrian Mountains. This is a route that few tourists ever see. A more challenging ride takes us through this wonderful scenery until we reach the pretty rural scener and charming villages of the valley of Cabuérniga. 63 km – 40 miles
- Day 6 (Thursday)
Cabuérniga - Villacarriedo
Our route today takes us across some of the lesser-known valleys of Cantabria through beautiful green scenery and villages way off the beaten track. Finally we arrive at the village of Villacarriedo, surrounded by the most beautiful hills and valleys.
60 km – 38 miles
- Day 7 (Friday)
Villacarriedo - Somo
After an initial ascent from Villacarriedo, a marvellous ride through the stunning limestone valley of the River Miera takes us down to the farmland around Somo and the Bay of Santander. Visit the mountain village of San Roque de Riomiera and the spa village of Liérganes with its charming old quarter.
58 km – 36 miles
- Day 8 (Saturday)
Transfer Somo – departure pointpoint
End of trip. Pick up from Somo hotel and transfer to departure point.
|
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