picos de europa, spainEUROPEsep 2025Plymouth to Picos
[ OVERVIEW ]Just a short distance inland, away from the crowded holiday resorts, lies a dramatic landscape where local communities remain deeply connected to the land. Spain is home to more mountains than any other country in Europe, with some of its most spectacular peaks rising in the north, just beyond the ocean.
Established in 1918 as Spain’s first national park, the Picos de Europa is a rare mountain sanctuary where traditional villages and resident farming communities continue to thrive within its borders. Over the past century, it has gained worldwide fame for its extensive network of quiet roads, mountain passes, and rugged gravel tracks. Today, it hosts legendary stages of the Vuelta a España and features some of the most iconic routes in professional cycling, including the climb to Lagos de Covadonga and the San Glorio Pass.
Having traveled through this extraordinary region for years, we have devised a route that takes in all of these legendary paths - giving us the chance to experience these breathtaking mountains, though at a slightly more relaxed pace than the pros!
Tour details
Trip Duration
10 days
Pricing
£1395 (£300 single person supplement)
Carbon
702kg CO2e
18th - 27th May 2027
14th - 23rd September 2027
Next Dates
[ HIGHLIGHTS ]Breathtaking mountain passes and gravel tracks in the heart of the Picos de Europa
Tour overview
10 days
260 miles
Challenging
£1395 (£300 single person supplement)
Electric van supported
Luggage transfer
Sightseeing & Culture
Immerse yourself in the culture of this iconic region, with delicious local delicacies, medieval villages and with breathtaking views.
We will also be retracing the wheels of pro cyclists, with routes which nod to stages of the Vuelta a España and we will be testing our legs on the climb to Lagos de Covadonga and the San Glorio Pass (albeit at a very steady pace).
What’s included
Expert route guiding
Return ferry ticket plus cabin
Breakfast
Luggage transfer
Accommodation
Night 1: On the ferry
Night 2: Abba Hotels Santander
Night 3: Hotel El Tejo de Comillas
Night 4: Hotel Don Paco
Night 5: Hotel Nochendi
Night 6: Hotel Villa Cabrales
Night 7: Hotel Casa Cayo
Night 8: Hotel El Jardin de Carejo
Night 9: On the ferry
Tour Itinerary
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Day 1 & 2: Arrive in Plymouth to take the ferry to Santander
We will meet at the ferry terminal in Plymouth. Details about ferry times and your ticket will be shared upon booking and nearer to your start date.
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Night 1: We will be sleeping in cabins on the ferry.
Night 2: Abba Hotels Santander
Day 3-5: Santander to Cangas de Onís
Day 3: We head off out of Santander for our first day of riding, skirting the Parque Natural Dunas de Liencres y Costa Quebrada, enjoying gentle rolling hills and wind our way towards the medieval village of Comillas.
Day 4: With the Picos de Europa national park in full view, our legs are still warming up as we continue to enjoy a coastal route towards Llanes. Passing through the village of Colombres and taking time to explore its history and maritime heritage. This area is home to the famous Casas Indianos - eclectic mansions built on the newly acquired wealth of the emigrants who sailed to South America and returned with treasures in the 18th and 19th century.
Day 5: Our first real day of climbing as head into the park and and take on two gentle peaks, Alto de la Tornerîa and Felguerina, and descend into Cangas de Onís, with its charming market and famous Roman bridge.
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Each day of riding is around 50km and we ride at a steady pace, with a no drop policy which means we wait for everyone on the climbs and we are never in a rush.
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Night 3: Hotel El Tejo de Comillas
Night 4: Hotel Don paco
Night 5: Hotel Nochendi
Day 6 & 7: Cangas de Onís to Potes
Day 6: After a hearty breakfast, we ride towards an iconic climb, los Lagos de Covadonga, a key site of victory during the Christian reconquista in 722 AD. We wind our way through beautiful mountain views and hopefully spot some cows along the way, before reaching the peak for a well earned rest. The descent takes us through quaint rural communities to the village of Las Arenas
Day 7: With our climbing legs nicely warmed up, we continue to follow the route of the Vuelta, and head into the heart of the Picos de Europa for the San Glorio Pass. It’s known as one of the best mountain pass of the north of Spain with spectacular views and good tarmac, and we will savour the view before rolling down into Potes.
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These are the two big climbs of the tour, so we savour the experience and enjoy the views.
We have a no drop policy which means we wait for everyone on the climbs and we are never in a rush.
These iconic climbs might seem daunting, but we promise you they are absolutely worth it, with incredible views and a huge sense of achievement at the top!
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Night 6: Hotel Villa Cabrales
Night 7: Hotel Casa Cayo
Day 8 & 9: Potes to Santander
Day 8: After a good breakfast, we make our way through spectacular mountain valleys, enjoying the serenity of the rural villages. A few rolling hills are thrown in before we make are way in the direction of the coast and finish the day in Cabezón de la Sal.
Day 9: For our final day, we ride back towards Santander, but not before visiting the cave paintings in Puente Viesgo and the Palacio Magdalena. Once on the ferry, it’s time to relax and see some whales, before getting a good sleep and heading home.
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The last two days of the tour are packed with culture. From the Potes Monday market to tasting Orujo brandy, and visiting ancient paintings, these days are all about cultural immersion.
Worried about missing the ferry? no need, we always leave plenty of time for riding, sightseeing and making the ferry in ample time.
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Night 8: Hotel El Jardin de Carejo
Night 9: We will be sleeping in cabins on the ferry.
[ the journey ]Expect local delicacies, glorious hairpins and quiet roads
Good to know
Everyone is responsible for ensuring they have the right travel documents to enter Spain. For UK passport holders, please ensure you have the required visa.
Conor is fluent in Spanish and will help you with any key phrases. He knows the region well and is familiar with the region and the local rules.
Any questions, please ask.
What to expect on the ferry
The ferry from Plymouth to Santander is the flagship sailing route and offers a very comfortable experience, including volunteer-led whale watching, great food, evening entertainment, and sometimes even a Spanish class!
The terminal is a short ride from Plymouth train station, which is well connected to all major UK areas. We advise booking travel in advance to make the most of the cheaper advanced fares.
The ferry is cycle friendly and there is a bike lane to follow. Once on the ferry ramp, dismount and follow the instructions of the ferry crew who will show you where to secure your bike. Then it’s time to relax and enjoy the experience!
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[ FAQ ]Common Questions
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Ferry ticket plus cabin there and back
Breakfast each day
Luggage transfer each day
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The ferry from Plymouth to Santander is the flagship sailing route which offers a very comfortable experience and marks the start of our adventure.
The ferry is more environmentally ferry than flying and helps us be more connected with our journey.
It’s also a fun experience - expect volunteer-led whale watching, great food, evening entertainment, and sometimes even a Spanish class!
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No, we will book it for you and your ferry ticket, along with overnight cabin is included in the tour price.
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Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit this region as temperatures tend to stick around 10-20 degrees in the spring, with coastal regions reaching slightly higher. It makes for an ideal cycling temperature!
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You will need cycling kit like padded shorts, bike gloves, a wind/waterproof, and sun cream! We send through a packing list before every trip and are happy to chat through any specifics too.
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On all our tours we operate a no drop policy which means we always ride as a group. Whenever suits we stop, gather our breath, take a bite of something sugary, and then move on as a group.
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We recommend that you’re able to cycle 40-50km a day comfortably on a mix of asphalt and uneven terrain.
You don’t need to be a fast cyclist but feeling confident spending hours in the saddle will help you make the most from the trip.
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No worries at all, you can meet us in Santander.
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