Santander to Gijón Cycling Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Santander
You will arrive in Santander by your own means. Spend the rest of the day exploring this city, set on its own spectacular bay.

Day 2: Santander – Santillana del Mar (54 km)
You will leave Santander along the waterfront, taking in views across the bay and the beaches of El Sardinero, then continue west to the unspoilt beaches of Liencres, with the Picos de Europa visible down the coast. The route follows a stretch of the pilgrims' trail of El Camino de Santiago, and a bike path along the River Besaya brings you to the village of Suances before a short ride to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar.

Day 3: Santillana del Mar – San Vicente de la Barquera (36 km)
From Santillana del Mar you will continue west to the village of Novales, with its lemon groves, then on through more beach and coastal scenery to Comillas, known for its Modernist buildings, including El Capricho by the architect Antoni Gaudí. The route crosses the Natural Park of Oyambre before reaching the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera.

Day 4: San Vicente de la Barquera – Llanes (47 km)
You will reach the headland of Pechón before crossing the River Deva at Unquera into Asturias. Colombres is home to villas built by returning emigrants to the Americas known as indianos. The route continues between the coast and the Sierra de Cuera before a descent through eucalyptus forests to the fishing village of Llanes.

Day 5: Llanes – Ribadesella (44 km)
You will cycle west past a string of beaches, including the landlocked beach of Gulpiyuri, with the coastline to your right and the Sierra de Cuera and Picos de Europa to your left, before reaching the fishing village of Ribadesella.

Day 6: Ribadesella – Villaviciosa (42 km)
The route continues along the coast past beaches with dinosaur footprints and the Jurassic Museum in Colunga, and through the fishing village of Lastres, before reaching Villaviciosa, at the head of its estuary, in the heart of Asturian cider country.

Day 7: Villaviciosa – Gijón (40 km)
You will ride along the Villaviciosa estuary towards the sea, passing the fishing village of Tazones, before a stretch of coastline and beaches, including Playa de España, brings you to Gijón, a coastal city with beaches, Roman remains, and a lively atmosphere.

Day 8: Departure from Gijón
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end in Gijón.