Oriente de Asturias
- Amieva, Cabrales, Cangas de Onís, Caravia, Llanes, Onís, Parres, Peñamellera Alta, Peñamellera Baja, Piloña, Ponga, Ribadedeva, Ribadesella Oriente de Asturias
The coastline of Oriente de Asturias, just over an hour's drive from Oviedo/Uviéu, is a spectacle for the senses. There is nothing better than following the great coastal route along some of its stretches to enjoy the sea and cycle touring in Oriente de Asturias.
Routes such as the one that links Bustio, in Ribadedeva, with Ribadesella/Ribeseya, of low difficulty, or the section from Ribadesella/Ribeseya to Villaviciosa, -in Comarca de la Sidra-, somewhat more demanding, allow you to discover places of great beauty such as the bufones de Pría, spectacular on days of high tides, when the sea seeps through the rocky cavities and causes a spout or geyser effect of salt water; the cliffs of Tereñes, in Ribadesella/Ribeseya, with their dinosaur footprints; the beautiful beaches of Vega, La Espasa or La Griega and the historic centre of charming villages such as Colombres or Llanes.
A very special route, starting and finishing in Ribadesella/Ribeseya, runs along the northern route of the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is an easy section that invites you to stop and admire the scenery of the coastline.
The Gulpiyuri beach and the Acantilados del Infierno viewpoint will undoubtedly leave a deep impression on cyclists. The possibility of savouring the seafood cuisine of the area, with good seafood and fresh fish, will make this route a complete experience for the senses.
For the more experienced cyclists, the route from Ribadesella/Ribeseya to Villaviciosa (Comarca de la Sidra) has a variant of greater difficulty. The variant from Colombres to Ribadesella/Ribeseya also offers a challenge for those who prefer gravel tracks. It is advisable to take a break to dose your energy and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the cliffs from the Andrín viewpoint.
Going deep into the mountains of Oriente de Asturias
The charms of inland Oriente de Asturias can be explored on several cycle touring routes. One option of moderate difficulty is the section that links Nueva, in Llanes, with Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís, with two climbs along the way, to Alto del Torno and Collado de Igena. For the more daring, we recommend following the route from Colunga (in Comarca de la Sidra) to Arriondas/Les Arriondes, bordering the Sierra del Sueve and crowning a tough climb to the Alto del Fito to enjoy the magnificent views of the Picos de Europa from its viewpoint.
Inland, cyclists will find very attractive routes such as the one that links Oviedo/Uviéu with Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís, an excellent option that winds through meadows and small villages before entering the Picos de Europa.
The routes from Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís to the colonial village of Colombres offer majestic views of the Sierra del Cuera and the chance to visit World Heritage Sites such as the Pindal Cave; on the route from Rusecu/Rioseco, in the Nalón Valley, to Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís you can choose to run parallel to the valley of the river Piloña or head towards Tarna to tackle the climb to the Pontón pass. With an accumulated difference in altitude of more than 2000m, this section requires an excellent physical and technical condition.
When you reach Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís, you should set aside some time to take a well-deserved rest and admire the bridge over the river Sella, from whose central arch hangs the Victoria Cross, the church of Santa María de Cangas, the burial mound of the hermitage of Santa Cruz, dating from 4,000 BC, or Casa Dago, an emblematic example of the stately architecture of the mountains.
Lagos de Covadonga and other challenges
Oriente de Asturias holds treasures for the most intrepid cyclists, such as the ascent to the Lagos de Covadonga, a mythical climb and, together with the Angliru, a benchmark in international cycling. Those who dare to emulate the champions of the Vuelta a España will have to face a very tough ascent of 14 km and more than 1000 m of accumulated height gain. On reaching the summit, they will be rewarded by the impressive views of two natural jewels nestled in the heart of the Picos de Europa: Lake Enol and Lake Ercina. Of glacial origin, they offer a unique alpine landscape, with crystal-clear waters that reflect the snow-capped peaks and a tranquillity that invites you to disconnect.
The ascent to Casielles, with twenty-three hairpin bends, will delight lovers of zigzagging in the heart of the Ponga Nature Reserve, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Another way to enjoy cycle touring in Oriente de Asturias is on the route that links Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís with Sobrefoz, which is divided into two stages, one of which has an accumulated gradient of more than 1,500 metres. And gravel bike or mountain bike lovers can immerse themselves in the depths of the Ponga Natural Park in a challenging challenge that starts in Santiyán, in Amieva, and climbs up to the viewpoint of Les Bedules. From this point you will enjoy an exceptional view of the Picos de Europa, home to the highest mountains in the Cantabrian range, and the entire Ponga mountain range.
On routes as tough as these, food is essential and also the perfect excuse to sample the rich inland gastronomy of this region with its artisan cheeses, such as Cabrales, Los Beyos and Gamonéu, and its stews, ideal for warming up on cold days.
Cycle touring in Oriente de Asturias offers endless possibilities to enjoy two wheels in a privileged natural environment, with dizzying altitudes very close to the deep blue of the Bay of Biscay. A complete and unforgettable adventure for those who enjoy combining sport with nature, history and culture.
