From Providence to Deva, in a different way

Sanz Crespo Train Station (Gijón) 26

Circular route suitable for all types of bicycles around the city of Gijón. It is a pleasant ride outside the traditional paths of the city of Jovellanos, getting to know in depth the promenade of the wall of San Lorenzo beach and El Rinconín, Somió, La Providencia, Cabueñes, etc.

Those who dare to do it will take away a pleasant souvenir, even the children who take part, as long as they are prepared to assume that, depending on their physical condition, they will have to walk a short distance.

From the Sanz Crespo train station, the route runs along the Poniente sidewalk-bike path, passing through the Plaza Mayor. With its characteristic arcades and in the heart of the old quarter of Cimadevilla - a cider bar area par excellence - in the immediate vicinity is the Town Hall and the sculpture of King Pelayo overlooking the sea, which timidly greets the boats that have decided to dock at the Fomento marina. But... why not stop for a moment before reaching the square, at the edge of the port, to take a photo next to the letters of Gijón?

The route continues along the San Lorenzo Beach cycle path, where the sea breeze and the magnificent views delight everyone who passes through the area.Once you reach the Paseo de El Rinconín, we encourage you to take a detour and let yourself be captivated by sculptures such as La Madre del Emigrante, the first modern sculpture installed in a public space in the city in 1970, which has a strong symbolic meaning: the mother looks at the sea, towards which she raises one of her hands in a heart-rending gesture. There are also other urban sculptures in the surrounding area that will not leave you indifferent.

As you gain height along the AS-247, you will discover beautiful views of Cabueñes and its hospital, the tower of the Universidad Laboral and, further down, Mount Deva, the pyramid-shaped Sol peak, Fario peak, etc. At the height of El Pisón we start to walk towards La Providencia, seeing innumerable walls and chalets of one of the wealthy parishes of the council: Somió. You come out onto the Alto del Infanzón road via Providencia (GI-2), but first.... why not fill up your jerry cans at the La Peñuca fountain?

Cross this road and go steeply downhill to the stream that leads to Estaño beach - don't worry, it's asphalt and nobody is going to get wet - and then return to the same level, coming out again on the GI-2 road along the path to La Ñora beach.

A little further on, at the highest point of the route, you will come to the junction with the AS-247, where you can stop to recharge your batteries. Then continue walking towards the district of Candenal, entering Cabueñes through La Pontica, passing in front of the hospital and bordering the technology park.

After crossing the national road N-634, the route enters the Peñafrancia path. Depending on how much time and strength you have, you can take the northern slope to shorten the route and go directly to the centre of Gijón or what we propose below.

This option uses the cyclo-rheumatic or lovers' circuit that leads to the Lavadero de Deva and where the church of San Salvador is located, the chapel of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, taking up the path again near the carbayera (carvalleda) del Tragamón after having previously passed through the Santurio and Cefontes neighbourhoods. And all of this is watered by the coolness of the Peñafrancia stream.

The circular route closes along the refreshing final part of the Piles River path with the backdrop of the Las Mestas sports complex, the gardens of Isabel La Católica Park, the Museum of the Asturian People and the Luis Adaro fairgrounds. The route continues along various streets and cycle paths until it reaches the end point of this route, the Gijón Sanz Crespo train station.