Oviedo
- Oviedo Centro de Asturias
The city of Oviedo/Uviéu perfectly combines a rich history with a vibrant present. Its lively cultural life, its dynamic university atmosphere and its excellent location, less than 45 minutes from the airport and with a high-speed train connection, make it an irresistible destination.
The origin or arrival of numerous cycling routes, among the attractions worth visiting in its historic centre are the majestic Cathedral of San Salvador with a Gothic and a Romanesque tower and the Holy Chamber, from the 9th century, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, where the most precious jewels of the cathedral are kept; the Fontán market or the pre-Romanesque fountain of La Foncalada.
Those who enjoy art and heritage should not miss the Archaeological Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. In the city centre, numerous restaurants and its renowned cider boulevard allow you to discover the most traditional dishes of the Principality's gastronomy, such as fabada, cachopo, pastel de cabrales or rice pudding for those who, after a long bike ride, have worked up an appetite.
Oviedo/Uviéu acts as a linking point between several of the routes that connect the great coastal route with the inland route. The one from Gijón/Xixón and the one leading to Avilés are of moderate difficulty; those who prefer a less difficult section can use the one from Trubia to Caranga.
Other cycle touring routes in Oviedo of greater difficulty connect the city of Oviedo/Uviéu with Tinéu, in the Vaqueira region, as the first section of the Primitive Way to Santiago in Asturian territory, and with Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís, in the Oriente.
Discovering the jewels of the Asturian Pre-Romanesque on two wheels
Cycling and history enthusiasts will find the Preromanesque circular route an unbeatable plan. This route, specially designed for mountain biking and of considerable difficulty, combines the thrill of cycling with the opportunity to admire the wonders of Asturian Pre-Romanesque Art at close quarters.
The beautiful Romanesque façade of the Church of San Juan de Priorio, the pre-Romanesque church of San Pedro de Nora and the impressive San Miguel de Lillo and Santa María del Naranco, both pre-Romanesque monuments declared World Heritage Sites, will make cyclists put their feet on the ground and stop to admire these well-preserved vestiges of a crucial stage in the cultural and architectural evolution of the region, which took place between the 8th and 10th centuries.
Peak highlights for experienced cyclists
Trubia is the starting point and destination for one of the most fascinating gravel routes in the central region of Asturias, which climbs up to Banduxu and Cuevallagar, in the Camín Real de la Mesa region. The toughness of the route is compensated by the tranquillity and charm of the rural landscapes that are crossed and the view of one of the most beautiful villages in Asturias.
However, it is undoubtedly the ascent of the Angliru that is the challenge in capital letters for mountain biking enthusiasts. The Asturias cycling network could not fail to include a route with this emblematic and fearsome mountain pass as the absolute protagonist.
From Trubia we also set off towards this peak, in Riosa (Central Mountains), which, due to its extreme hardness, requires an excellent physical condition. The ascent, with constant ramps of over 20%, is a guarantee of adrenaline and excitement, as well as offering breathtaking views as you overcome each stretch.
Affordable greenways in Oviedo
Not all routes in the Oviedo region are extremely tough. On the other side is the Fuso greenway on the section that runs along the old railway branch and continues along the asphalted track to Trubia. The landscape changes and the city is left behind to enter an environment where the green of the forests and the grey of the limestone cliffs, surrounded by birdsong and the murmur of the river, take over. This cycling route with children can be a great family plan.
Another itinerary allows you to cycle along the Fuso greenway and link it with the Senda del Oso. On the way, do not miss the opportunity to admire the bear enclosures or the Bear Viewpoint, already in the Camín Real de la Mesa region, enjoying the intense green of the forest and the murmur of the river, which will accompany cyclists along the route.
With this wide range of routes for all levels, the Oviedo region is, without a doubt, an easily accessible and essential destination for any cycle tourist in search of a complete experience in the centre of Asturias.
