Cycling tourism in Comarca de la Sidra: pedaling among apple trees and cider presses

Among the most outstanding routes for cycle tourists are those that run along the coast, linking Villaviciosa with Ribadesella/Ribeseya, to the right, and with Gijón/Xixón, to the left. Of considerable difficulty, pedalling while enjoying the views of the Bay of Biscay makes the challenging slopes of these routes more bearable.
The coastal route in this section runs along asphalted roads that lead to towns of great beauty such as Villaviciosa, where it is worth stopping and taking some time to stroll around its historic centre and visit the church of Santa María de la Oliva, in Romanesque style and declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
In Seloriu, heritage enthusiasts can admire the church of Santa Eulalia, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, and in Valdediós, its Monumental Site, made up of the church of San Salvador de Valdediós, a landmark of pre-Romanesque or Asturian Art, and the Cistercian monastery of Santa María la Real de Valdediós.

Among the natural treasures of the Comarca de la Sidra are the Rodiles beach and the Villaviciosa estuary, a Partial Nature Reserve of great ecological value, renowned for its impressive landscape and its importance for birdwatching.

Mountain bikers will find a demanding route in the Comarca de la Sidra with the ascent to Les Praeres, with an average gradient of 12.9%, as the main challenge. The summit invites a stop to admire the views of the Sierra de Peñamayor before starting the descent along a gravel track.
The great coastal route can be linked to the inland route by cycling through this region along several routes that run along local roads without much traffic. On the route from Villaviciosa to Nava, it is worth stopping to visit the churches of San Juan de Camoca and San Juan de Amandi.
When you reach Nava you should set aside time to explore its Cider Museum and learn more about one of the most representative traditions of Asturias.

Another cycle tourism route in the Comarca de la Sidra starts in Colunga, with its palatial houses and modernist mansions. Its Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA) or the extensive beach of La Griega, where dinosaur footprints can be seen along the coastline, will delight lovers of history and palaeontology.
This route heads towards Arriondas/Les Arriondes, bordering the Sierra del Sueve. The Sierra del Sueve Interpretation Centre in Gobiendes, where you can also hire bicycles, is well worth a stop along the route. In the same town is the church of Santiago, a fine example of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture.
The interior of the region offers several itineraries for cycling through apple orchards, green pastures and small charming villages such as Ceceda/Cecea, on the mountain route that leads from Oviedo/Uviéu to Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís.

Gravel cyclists will enjoy options such as the Vuelta a Sariego or the Vuelta a Cabranes, both of moderate difficulty and with a mixed route between road and dirt tracks, perfect for cyclists looking for adventures off the asphalt. A more accessible route for gravel cyclists enters Bimenes from Llangréu/Langreo. Along the way, cyclists will find small towns and villages surrounded by green meadows.
In the Comarca de la Sidra cycle touring experience, the rural tradition can be felt in every corner. Its landscapes, with impressive forests, mountains and rivers, offer the cyclist a unique spectacle, especially in spring, when the apple trees blossom.
A stop at one of the small cider houses and restaurants where you can sample some of the typical dishes of Asturian gastronomy, accompanied by a bottle of cider, will be the ideal way to complete a trip to this region where the apple is a fundamental part of its life, festivals and traditions.