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This tour offers a beautiful ride through the highlights 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 backdrop of the Picos de Europa.
The tour starts in a medieval village of Santillana del Mar with cobbled streets where you can visit the modern museum of the Altamira Caves - a World Heritage site. You will cycle through green meadows, hills and valleys of Cantabria with its marvellous coastline and nearby beaches. You will pass through charming villages and will have a chance to experience the architecture of famous Gaudi in Comillas.
The mountain range of Picos de Europa will be your backdrop as you head towards the charming villages of the valley of Cabuerniga taking the road less travelled through the Cantabrian Mountains. This is a route few tourists ever see! You cycle through some beautiful valleys and villages always going off the beaten track, including a cycle through the stunning limestone valley of the River Miera which brings you to Somo and the Bay of Santander.
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Itineraries
Day 1

Transfer to Santillana del Mar
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

Santillana del Mar~San Vicente de la Barquera (36km)
Leaving Santillana, you cycle through the green meadows, hills and valleys of Cantabria with its marvellous unspoilt coastline and beaches. Seaside villages await with small harbours and pretty village squares with tapas bars and restaurants. You can visit El Capricho designed by Gaudí. You head through the Parque Natural de Oyambre en route to the stunning San Vicente with the Picos de Europa in the distance.
Day 3

San Vicente de la Barquera
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.
Day 4

San Vicente de la Barquera ~ Llanes (46 km)
Today you cycle around the beautiful headland of Pechon with its magnificent views of the coastline. You head into Asturias with its markedly different flavour. The route continues between the coast and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Sierra de Cuera, foothills of the magnificent Picos de Europa. You cycle past beautiful and unspoilt beaches, so typical of Asturias, to arrive at the charming fishing village of Llanes.
Day 5

Llanes loop
You can simply enjoy the busy atmosphere of the fishing village of Llanes, so popular with Spanish tourists. Or if you are feeling active cycle westwards and visit a string of fine beaches including the incredible landlocked beach of Gulpiyuri. Alternatively we 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.
Day 6

Llanes ~ Somo (50 km)
We transfer you to the Cantabrian Mountains, starting point at 822 metres / 2697 feet above sea level, so you can descent into the Miera Valley and your final stop in Somo. A marvellous ride through the stunning limestone valley of the River Miera down to the farmland around Somo and the Bay of Santander. En route you can visit the mountain village of San Roque de Riomiera and the spa village of Lirganes with its charming old quarter.
Day 7

Somo
Enjoy the marvellous beach with its miles of golden sand. Take a short boat ride across the Bay to visit the lively and elegant city of Santander. Enjoy the belle époque atmosphere of El Sardinero, the citys beach resort or stroll around the town centre for some last minute shopping. Alternatively cycle through the green country lanes to the village of Ajo, famous for its paellas.
Day 8

Transfer from Somo to departure point
End of trip. Pick up from Somo hotel and transfer to departure point.
- 7 nights accommodation in 3 & 4 star hotels and country-inns with breakfast
- Set transport arrival/departure points ( from Bilbao & Santander )
- Route maps and directions
- GPS files of the route
- Luggage transport
Bike rental is not included in the tour price. This is an additional:
€120.00 Touring bike
€195.00 E-bike
€165.00 Road bike
€ 45.00 Garmin rental
€ 60.00 charge for bringing own bike as a transfer supplement for bike case
On a self-guided tour we will organize your bike hire, the accommodation, and the luggage transfer. On this tour, we will also organize your airport transfers for you. Your tour package will be waiting for you in your first night’s accommodation. You will set off by yourself and the luggage will be transferred to the next stop by our local taxi transfers.
You can start the cycling tour on any Saturday from April to October.
On a self-guided tour it is possible to add extra days or shorten the trip if you wish to or we can customize the route for you.
As this is a self-led trip you do not have the back-up of a guide and support van. Our aim is to allow you to feel like an independent traveler, free to cycle each day at your own pace while at the same time having the security of knowing that your luggage will be waiting for you in your next accommodation.
If you experience small problems with the bike (e.g., a puncture) you will have a spare tube, pump and tire lever. You also have access to a 24-hour helpline.
Bike hire is not included in the tour package.
You can rent hybrid-type tourist bicycles from Trek with conventional handlebars and with triple chain ring and easy-to-change gear ratios for comfortable and easy cycling. Road bikes may also be available on request. We can also provide tandems, children’s bikes, tow bikes and child seats for those with children.
www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#
Hybrid bikes will carry a handlebar bag, useful for carrying money, documents, camera and lots of other useful items which may be needed close at hand. This bag is easily removable from its click fastening and carried around with the shoulder strap. They are also equipped with a rear luggage rack and one or two panniers, or a rear rack bag to carry just what you need for each day's cycling. Road bikes carry a seat post bag if required.
In addition, all cycles are equipped with pump, spare inner tube, water bottle, bike lock and basic toolkit. Extras such as lights or toe clips are available on request.
Its possible to book trekking bikes, road bikes and e-bikes.
Is this tour suitable for children?
A continental-style breakfast buffet is provided each morning. Lunches and dinners are not included.
Specialized cycle clothing may be handy but not strictly necessary. What you do need (among other things) is the following:
• shorts/ long trousers/ track suit/ legging
• shirts/ sweater/ rain clothing
• gloves (only when you book a tour in April. It can be chilly in the morning that time of year!)
• good shoes
• sunglasses/ cap/ swimming costume
• extra towel
• soap/ insect repellent
• swimwear
We really enjoyed this holiday, cycling in Spain was a joy, I have never seen such respect for cyclists from motorists, it was great!
The terrain varied from coastal with lovely seas to mountains as high as you like. The mountains were fine as the bikes had the ideal gears for climbing. Mountains were not compulsory! The luggage transfer was great, the local people and tour operators were so gentle. I would recommend this tour.
R. Walsh (Cantabrian Coast, 2017)
I really enjoyed the trip to Cantabria. Its very well planned and all the hotels were very nice.
Ronn L. (Cantabrian Coast group 2014)
We really enjoyed the trip with Simon. All the hotels were very good... Choice of restaurants was great - very enjoyable meals. I highly recommend this tour and would go again.
John (Cantabrian Coast group 2014)
The holiday was enjoyable, lovely scenery and an interesting part of Spain to visit. The team in Spain were helpful and the bikes were good; the maps were clear and easy to follow. The hotels were good and comfortable.
Patricia Fitz (Cantabrian Coast self led May 2016)
2023 SELF GUIDED TOUR
Low season (25th March - 1st July, 28th August - 31st October):
€955 per person sharing - low season
€1120 for single occupancy ( if travelling with others )
High season (2nd July - 27th August):
€1150 per person sharing - from 3 July to 27 August
€1390 for single occupancy ( if travelling with others )
Self Guided Tour Information
Self guided tour dates: Any Saturday from 25th March to 31st October
• Groups of 4 or more can choose any start date at no extra cost
• Groups of 2 – 3 people can start any day at a supplement of €100 per person
• One person travelling on their own can start any day at a supplement of €300
How to get to the start point:
Best arrival points:
- Airports - Bilbao or Santander
- Ferry ports - Bilbao or Santander
- Bus / train stations - Bilbao or Santander
By Air
Travellers generally arrive through Santander or Bilbao Airport where they are met by our pick up service.
It is often possible to take connecting flights through Spanish airports such as Madrid or Barcelona or through other European cities. Nearest airport is Santander connecting with Madrid and Barcelona, although flights are not so frequent. RyanAir now have routes into Santander Airport, closer to starting point in Santillana del Mar.
Trains & Buses
If you are travelling within Spain, there is an excellent network of road transport; The Spanish Intercity train service: Renfe. The local train service along the coast of the Basque Country, Cantabria & Asturias is called FEVE. The major coach companies, depending on where you are travelling, are Alsa and Continental Auto.
For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.
As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).
Santillana del Mar
Day 1: Hotel Casa del Organista
San Vicente de la Barquera
Day 2 & 3: Hotel Faro de San Vicente
Llanas
Day 4 & 5: Hotel Don Paco
Somo
Day 6 & 7: Hotel Torres de Somo