EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains

EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains

Ride across the dramatic Cordillera Cantabrica, home to Spain’s most challenging climbs

Conquer the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España in this incredible week of cycling in the Cordillera Cantabrica. Includes Lagos de Covadonga and the Angliru, the toughest climb in pro cycling.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

August 9th 2025

From

USD $4,895

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $550

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Thomson Bike Tours is uniquely qualified to introduce you to this mind-blowing Grand Tour terrain. Spain is our back-yard and the Cantabrian mountain chain is our favourite playground.

Home to the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España, the Cordillera Cantabrica is a staggeringly beautiful mountain range that runs along the North Coast of Spain, from the Basque Country to Galicia. Highlights of the week include the opportunity to conquer the notorious Alto el Angliru, the toughest climb in professional cycling, and the spectacular Lagos de Covadonga, voted by many of our guests as their favourite climb ever.

The Cordillera Cantabrica mountain range, with its non-existent traffic and extreme geographic profile, is one of the best kept secrets in European cycling!


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EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains
I absolutely loved the riding in Cantabria. The traffic was minimal. The scenery far exceeded my expectations. The food was, as is usual for Thomson ...

Ron Famiglietti, USA — 2019

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EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains
Outstanding routes through spectacular terrain. I have ridden all the major mountain areas of western Europe, and Northern Spain is a match for any and ...

Lawrence Saunders, Canada — 2022

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EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains
I had a fantastic time. Scenery was great, rides were hard but had very little traffic and our guides were really great / fun people ...

Drake Powell, USA — 2022

See more reviews
Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenidos a España! Castilla Termal Solares
02 Vuelta a España Favorites Castilla Termal Solares
03 The spectacular Collado de Hoz Parador de Fuente De
04 Picos de Europa Parador de Cangas de Onís
05 Lagos de Covadonga Parador de Cangas de Onís
06 Through the mountains of Asturias Hotel Las Caldas
07 The Angliru! Hotel Las Caldas
08 Adios!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenidos a España!

Your trip starts at Bilbao Airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your first hotel.

After lunch, an orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll get your first taste of riding with a beautiful warm-up ride through the Cantabrian countryside.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Vuelta a España Favorites

Considered one of our Top 5 European rides by our ride leaders! The route is classic Vuelta a España terrain with each of the climbs having featured many times in the Spanish Grand Tour. The scenery is absolutely stunning and you’ll see very little traffic throughout the entire ride. It’s a gem of a ride that you’ll cherish long after you return home.

Tip: The Puerto de la Sia comes 25km into the ride. It’s a long climb (21km) so make sure you take it easy on this one. You’ll need to leave something in the legs for the last climb of the day, the Alto el Caracol (it’s steep!).

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


The spectacular Collado de Hoz

Today’s ride features the final 84km (52 miles) from the route of the dramatic Stage 17 of the 2012 Vuelta a España, when Alberto Contador laid the perfect ambush to win the stage and take over the race leader´s jersey. A really stunning ride, over 3 short climbs lined with forests of eucalyptus trees, followed by a magnificent route through La Hermida canyon.

Tip: make sure you take the cable car ride from the Hotel Fuente Dé to the surrounding mountain ridge. The cable car ascends to 1823m (6500ft) in just 4 minutes and the views from the top are breathtaking!

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Picos de Europa

Today you’ll ride through the Picos de Europa National Park – a magnificent remote wilderness region and home to the last population of brown bears in Western Europe. The highlight of the day is the 27km (17 miles) climb to the Puerto San Glorio. From the San Glorio you’ll ride into the Picos National Park on a traffic-free, single-lane road, with stunning views at every corner. The ride ends with a 50km (31 miles) descent to our hotel in Cangas de Onis!

Tip: enjoy the descent, it’s not every day that you get to descend for 50km (31 miles).

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Lagos de Covadonga

With magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the rugged peaks of the Picos de Europa filling the landscape to the south, Lagos de Covadonga is a unique climb. Little wonder that many of our repeat guests rate it as their all-time favorite climb. After Covadonga, continue on a beautiful loop that winds its way over the Alto del Torno and down to the Atlantic Ocean.

Tip: Cangas de Onis is well worth a visit after the ride. Check out the 13th century Puente Romano and try some tapas and cider at a local bar.

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Through the mountains of Asturias

A magnificent ride today through rural Asturias, one of the top road cycling regions of Spain. Three categorised climbs lie between Cangas de Onis and our destination in Las Caldas. The scenery is stunning, with green, rolling hills at the start of the ride gradually evolving into higher and rugged peaks as we approach the mountains of the Asturian natural parks that hide a certain Alto el Angliru.

Tip: the terrain in Asturias is very challenging. With a big day (Angliru) on the agenda tomorrow, this is a day to ride easy and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


The Angliru!

The Angliru is considered the toughest climb in professional cycling and today is your chance to test your climbing legs on its dreaded slopes. From the hotel in Las Caldas,  you’ll head out into the Asturian countryside for your final ride. A short climb will stretch the legs before we reach La Vega and the start of the Angliru.

Tip: the first 6km (4 miles) of the Angliru are “easy”. The climb starts in earnest at the 6km mark with the toughest section coming after 10km (6 miles). This section is called Cueña les Cabres, lasts for 450m and has ramps of 23.5%!

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


Adios!

Unfortunately, your trip across the Cantabrian Mountains has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Bilbao Airport.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Ermita del Cristo de Balaguer
from Anero
4% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Riaño
from Solórzano
5% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Puerto de Alisas
from La Cavada
4.8% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Puerto de la Sia
from Arredondo
5.5% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Portillo de Lunada
from Las Machorras
5% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Alto El Caracol
from CA-643
7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Collado de Carmona
from Valle de Cabuerniga
7.2% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Collado de Ozalba
from Puentenansa
6.7% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Collado de Hoz
from Sobrelapena
5.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Fuente De
from Potes
3.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Puerto de San Glorio
from Potes
5.4% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Puerto de Pandetrave
from Portilla de la Reina
3.4% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Puerto de Panderruedas
from Posada de Valdeon
5.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Lagos de Covadonga
from Covadonga
7.6% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Collado de Zardon
from Corao
4.4% 4
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Alto del Torno
from Rinsena
6.5% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Puerto del Mazuco
from Parres
6.7% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Collado de Igena
from Mestas
5.4% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto de la Falla
from San Julian
5% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Altu de Santu Mianu
from Langreo
6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow El Cobollo
from N-630
6% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto El Angliru
from La Vega
9.5% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
3 Ermita del Cristo de Balaguer (from Anero) 01 24 4%
3 Riaño (from Solórzano) 01 30 5%
2 Puerto de Alisas (from La Cavada) 02 48 4.8%
HC Puerto de la Sia (from Arredondo) 02 84 5.5%
3 Portillo de Lunada (from Las Machorras) 02 46 5%
2 Alto El Caracol (from CA-643) 02 53 7%
3 Collado de Carmona (from Valle de Cabuerniga) 03 54 7.2%
3 Collado de Ozalba (from Puentenansa) 03 54 6.7%
2 Collado de Hoz (from Sobrelapena) 03 48 5.7%
2 Fuente De (from Potes) 03 46 3.7%
HC Puerto de San Glorio (from Potes) 04 101 5.4%
3 Puerto de Pandetrave (from Portilla de la Reina) 04 26 3.4%
2 Puerto de Panderruedas (from Posada de Valdeon) 04 54 5.7%
HC Lagos de Covadonga (from Covadonga) 05 105 7.6%
4 Collado de Zardon (from Corao) 05 28 4.4%
3 Alto del Torno (from Rinsena) 05 35 6.5%
2 Puerto del Mazuco (from Parres) 05 55 6.7%
3 Collado de Igena (from Mestas) 05 42 5.4%
2 Alto de la Falla (from San Julian) 06 40 5%
3 Altu de Santu Mianu (from Langreo) 06 42 6%
3 El Cobollo (from N-630) 06 42 6%
HC Alto El Angliru (from La Vega) 07 158 9.5%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2025
Aug 9 - 16
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,895
USD $850
USD $920
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Castilla Termal Solares

    Parador de Fuente De

    Parador de Cangas de Onís

    Hotel Las Caldas


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 1 sit-down Lunch on Day 1
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and drop-off at Bilbao Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 1 sit-down Lunch on Day 1
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and drop-off at Bilbao Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Bilbao Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Bilbao Airport

    11:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Specialized Aethos Expert

    Frame

    Aethos FACT 10r Carbon

    Groupset

    Di2 Shimano Ultegra

    Weight

    699g (size 56)

    Wheels

    Roval C38

    Chainrings

    52/36T

    Cassette

    11-34t (12-speed)

    Sizes

    49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

    USD $550

    View Details


    EPIC Trans Cantabrian Mountains

    Conquer the legendary climbs of the Vuelta a España on our epic trip across the Cantabrian Mountains