Day 1: Transfer to Santillana
Pick up from arrival point (most like Bilboa, but Santander also possible) 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.
Overnight in Santillana.
Day 2: Santillana – San Vicente (21 miles/36 km or 36 miles/62 km)
Leaving Santillana, the route heads westwards through green meadows and the hills and valleys of Cantabria with its marvellous unspoilt coastline and beaches nearby. You soon arrive at the charming village of Novales, set amidst lemon groves, featuring fine typical and rural architecture.
The 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. You are finally greeted by the stunning view of San Vicente and the Picos de Europa in the distance.
Overnight in San Vicente.
Day 3: Free day in San Vicente (route suggestions provided)
Spend time getting to know this pretty fishing village with its many seafood restaurants and magnificent setting. Take a ride on one of the free day routes, or visit the lovely mountain village of Carmona. Alternatively, enjoy a ride through the unspoilt hill country behind the village, or you may just prefer to spend a lazy afternoon on the beach.
Overnight in San Vicente.
Day 4: San Vicente – Llanes (29 miles/46 km)
Leaving San Vicente the route heads westwards along the coast. After a short distance, you cycle around the beautiful headland of Pechón with its magnificent views of the coastline. Crossing the River Deva in Unquera you enter the province of Asturias. The village of Colombres is home to the sumptuous villas of the indianos, emigrants to the Americas who made their fortune and then returned.
From here, the route continues between the coast and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Sierra de Cuera, foothills of the Picos de Europa. A beautiful descent through eucalyptus forests brings us back to the coast, where we cycle past beautiful and unspoilt beaches to arrive at the charming fishing village of Llanes.
Overnight in Llanes.
Day 5: Free day in Llanes (route suggestions provided)
Cycle westwards and visit a string of fine beaches, including the incredible landlocked beach of Gulpiyuri. Another beautiful route takes us through the most beautiful hills and valleys behind Llanes. Alternatively, you can give the bikes a rest and take a canoeing trip on the Deva or Sella Rivers, or a hike through the dramatic and renowned Cares Gorge in the very heart of the Picos de Europa.
Take a train to Ribadasella and visit the Caves of Tito Bustillo with their prehistoric paintings, before cycling back to Llanes. Enjoy the busy atmosphere of the fishing village of Llanes, so popular with Spanish tourists.
Overnight in Llanes.
Day 6: Llanes – Somo (28 miles/44 km)
Today's ride begins with a transfer to the Cantabrian Mountains, where it begins with a descent to the Miera Valley, on the way to the final stop in Somo. Pick up after breakfast and drive to the starting point at 2,697 feet (822 m) above sea level. From here, a marvelous 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.
Overnight in Somo.
Day 7: Free day in Somo (route suggestions provided)
Enjoy the marvellous beach, miles of golden sand. Take a short boat ride across the Bay to visit the lively and elegant city of Santander, capital of the province of Cantabria. Enjoy the belle époque atmosphere of El Sardinero, the beach resort of the city where Alfonso XIII and his court spent the summer months in the early 20th century. Or stroll around the town center for some last minute shopping.
Take one of the free day routes to visit the beautiful beaches of Loredo, Langre or Galizano. Ride through the green country lanes, where a surprise awaits you round every corner, to the village of Ajo where the specialty of the restaurants is that classic Spanish dish, paella. Try the freshly grilled sardines in the seaside restaurants of nearby Pedreña.
Overnight in Somo.
Day 8: Transfer Somo – departure point
End of trip. Pick up from Somo hotel and transfer to departure point, either Santander or Bilbao.
Please note that differing pick up times may require some degree of customer flexibility.
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