perfect trip!
A taste of the Northern Way from Llanes to Gijón
Bike Tour: The Northern Way to Santiago - 4 days
In this short break you will get a taste of the beautiful landscapes that Spain’s green north coast offers. Three days of easy-moderate cycling, passing by the El Sueve range with the coast on your side and in the shadow of the impressive snowy peaks of the Picos de Europa. You will encounter beautiful quaint coves and charming coastal villages as you follow the northern way of the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago de Compostela (Saint James’ Way) so you will also enjoy the view of several Romanesque chapels along the way. The cider-making capital of Villaviciosa and the friendly city of Gijon are some of the highlights of this short tour where good fish restaurants await you along the way. Extra nights can be booked to enjoy the beach in Gijon or to visit the outstanding San Salvador Cathedral, Gothic gem situated in nearby Oviedo.
Today you travel to Northern Spain and arrive at Nueva. You start by picking-up your bikes and pedalling from Nueva to Colunga.
A first and direct introduction to ''España Verde''. It is a long but gentle route, without tough ascents, just a couple of hills (60m and 90m) halfway through the route. You follow the pilgrimage route along the coast, with a section along the foothills of the Sueve Range. You´ll have a chance to stop and visit the interesting cave and prehistoric paintings of Tito Bustillo, the fossilized dinosaur tracks on beaches between Ribadesella and Colunga or the karstic formations of the cliffs near Guadamía (with blowholes!) at the Protected Area called Castru Arenas.
Challenge: 42km / 26mill, 675m ascent, 800m descent.
Villages on the way: Nueva, Ribadesella, Colunga
Today you start off with a lovely section, which is shorter but also steeper than yesterday’s ascents. Once again, the route follows the Camino de Santiago, passing the “Sierra del Sueve” to reach Villaviciosa, capital of cider-production in Asturias. In the town centre, there are some interesting buildings dating back to times when many pilgrims walked the Santiago Trail following the ‘Camino del Norte’, or northern route. From Villaviciosa you follow the estuary through a protected area (especially interesting for birdwatchers). Finally, you ascend via the picturesque port of Tazones to the plateau at Argüero.
Challenge: 36km - 22,3mill, 600m ascent / 475m descent
Villages on the way: Villaviciosa, Tazones, Argüero
Your last day of cycling is not too long (in terms of kilometres) but do remember that halfway through the route, a tough ascent (of 210m) awaits. You cycle along a narrow winding road (the only way to avoid heavy traffic), then ‘sail down’ into the city of Gijón and ride along the boardwalk past San Lorenzo beach, to reach your hotel. In the afternoon, you can take a short bus or train ride to the regional capital of Oviedo, some 30km inland, which has a very interesting Gothic cathedral and three of the most important pre-Romanesque monuments, which figure on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
If you have parked your car in Nueva on the first day, a transfer (1 person + bikes) is included today at 3pm from Gijón to Nueva to pick-up the car and return to Gijón.
Challenge: 31-32km / 19,1-19,8mill, 460m ascent / 600m descent
Villages on the way: Gijón
Your cycling programme comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Departure from Gijón.
he hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels we work with appear here. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a similar one and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra nights: Extra nights can be booked at any of the accommodations along the way.
This hotel was opened in 2002. they renovated a typical “Casa de Indianos” that was built in 1881. The hotel preserves the stately charm at the same time as it provides all the modern amenities for its guests.
Hotel Rural La Figar opened in 2000. This family-run hotel was opened after turning an old, family home into a small, welcoming rural hotel. It is located in Argüero, in the heart of cider region. The hotel has eight comfortable rooms personalized and decorated differently, with all the comforts you may need.
Historical and catalogued builiding, located in the Plaza Mayor, in the monumental quarter of Gijón. Between the marina, the beach of San Lorenzo and the fishing quarter of Cimadevilla, the oldest in the city.
- Bike model: GIANT, ESPECIALIZED or CUBE TOURING
- Bike Type: Hybrid trekking bike with alu frame and 28" wheels
- Gears: Adults bikes: 21 or 24 gears // Kids bikes: 7, 14 or 21 gears
- Suspension: Yes
- Frame sizes: (Adults): XS ,S ,M , L, XL (Kids): 20"/24"/26"
Male Female
GIANT
CUBE TOURING
- Bike model: Kalkhoff Endeavour MOVE B9 Trapez
- Bike Type: Electric
- Motor: Bosch Performance Cruise, 250 W
- Frame: 28 '' Aluminum Wave
- Battery: 500 Wh
- Autonomy: 180 km
- Technology: Shift-sensor technology for smooth shifting
- Wheels: Schwalbe Marathon Plus
- Sizes: S, M & L (Unisex
Kalkhoff Endeavour MOVE B9 Trapez
- Bike model: MMR KUMA 29
- Bike type: MBT
- Frame: Aluminium 6061-T6 double hydroformed crowned
- Brakes: Shimano MT-200 Hydraulic
- Tires: Hutchinson Python 2
MMR KUMA 29
Male Female
MMR Grand Tour 105 Specialized Dolce
- Rental bicycles ALWAYS include: repair kit, pump and lock.
- Depending on the type of bicycle you can add (for free, but on request): map holder, 1 front pannier or 1 rear pannier
- Helmet available (on request); € 5/adults, free for children
3 nights accommodation with breakfast
3* hotels and 4*hotels
All breakfasts included
Detailed route information and maps
Optional bike rental
24-hour telephone assistance
Luggage transport according to program (delivery guaranteed at 5 pm)
You can leave your car parked in a public parking lot in Nueva de Llanes, but it is not a guarded parking lot
Acces to the trip on our navigation app
Single Supplement
Solo Traveler Supplement
Transfer on Day 3 for 1 person (with pick-up of own bikes/ rental bikes) to pick up car in Nueva. For a transfer for all participants + bikes at the end of the trip, you should book an extra transfer on the booking form.
Not included
- Lunches, dinners
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Tourist Tax
- Transfers to first accommodation at the beginning of the holiday
- Helmet and bike hire (can be booked separately)
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, tips, extra transfers, etc.
- Any items that have not been mentioned in the programme
- Supplement for solo traveller if you book the bikes through SBT (to be applied separately)
Extras
- Extra nights at any hotel along the way, on the Cantabrian coast or city hotels in Oviedo, Gijón or Bilbao.
- Helmet rental
- Bike rental: hybrid bicycles or electric bikes can be hired
- Transfers to and from airport / train station / bus stationTransfer from last hotel back to the start or the program
- Bus or train tickets
- Single Room supplement(s)
- Solo Traveler supplement
- Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
A supplement of 15€ will apply for solo travellers renting bikes through Spanish Bike Tours. Please bear in mind that this amount does not show in the web calculation!
The nearest airports are Oviedo (OVD), also known as Asturias airport, Santander (SDR) and Bilbao (BIO).
Arrival in Nueva
If you fly to Asturias airport (OVI) there are easy shuttle connection to city centre bus station, then take a bus to Nueva de Llanes (check timetables at www.alsa.es).
If you fly to other airports (Santander-SDR or Bilbao-BIO) you can catch a direct bus to nueva de Llanes from Santander or Bilbao city centre.
It is wise to book your bus tickets and taxi transfer in advance, especially if you're travelling in summer or at weekends. Bus tickets can be purchased in advance on the ALSA website or through your Spanish Bike Tours office.
Departure from Gijón
From Gijón there are easy bus connections to all 3 airports (Asturias-OVD, Santander and Bilbao). Check www.alsa.es. You can also book your bus tickets through Spanish Bike Tours office
If you want to return to the start, in Nueva, you can take a slow train or a faster trip by bus (without bike).
S-Cape Travel can also arrange private transfers to / from the different airports at the beginning or end of the tour.
If you arrive in your own vehicle, you can leave it parked in a public parking lot in Nueva de Llanes, but it is not a guarded parking lot.
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The Northern Way to Santiago
