Etapa cicloturista Vuelta a Asturias. Cangas de Onís a Colombres

We leave Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís heading east along the Avenida Covadonga, over the bridge that crosses the river Güeña. After the river we continue a few metres until we reach the subway under the AS-114 road, and continue along the road to Cuadonga/Covadonga until we reach Cardés, where we start to gain altitude. We continue ascending along a road with little vehicle traffic, cycling between pastures and small rural villages until we reach the Río Chico.

We continue in a short descent to climb again until we reach the Zarzón pass. The route zigzags along the slopes of the mountains, enjoying the spectacular scenery in its wake. The highest point is the Collado de Igena, from where we start to descend towards Rinsena in a stretch of steep bends until we reach the valley of the same name. We shall pass through Mestas, Ricaliente and finally La Puentenueva, where we shall take the AS-15 towards Meré, along the valley of the river Las Cabras.

Shortly after Torrevega, at the crossroads of the Picu Salgar restaurant, we take the LLN-7 road and begin the 9 km climb towards El Mazuco and the Alto de La Tornería, ascending parallel to the valley of the Valcabrero stream. From here we can already make out the Cantabrian Sea in the distance. From the Alto, the route does not have any significant slopes.

We begin this pleasant descent to San Roque L'Acebal, where we continue along the old N-634 road until we take the turning onto the AS-343 towards La Borbolla. We climb up the valley of the river Purón, and pass near the rock art site of the Ídolo de Peña Tú.

We continue along the route and near the end, we can make a stop to see the Torre de Noriega, a medieval tower declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, although it is in a poor state of conservation. We continue on to Villanueva, where we take the AS-344 road to Colombres.

This beautiful town between the Cantabrian Sea and the Sierra del Cuera mountain range has sites recognised as World Heritage Sites, such as the Pindal Caves, a cave sanctuary located in the village of Pimiango. In addition, a visit to the Archivo de Indianos is a must, perhaps the most important Indiano mansion in Asturias, both for its size, the beauty of its construction and the stately enclosure and gardens it houses.