La Reconquista cycling route

We set off from Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís along the N-625 road towards Arriondas/Les Arriondes, which we’ll reach after 8 km of flat riding through meadows alongside the Sella river. We pass through Arriondas/Les Arriondes and take the AS-260 road towards Alto del Fito, which we’ll reach after a climb of about 10 km and an elevation gain of around 530 m, with some steep sections. The Alto del Fito viewpoint is situated on one of the most famous passes in the Sueve mountain range, offering a superb panoramic view: kilometres of cliff-lined coastline and beaches, and just as many kilometres of mountains – the Sueve Nature Reserve, the Ponga Natural Park and the Picos de Europa National Park.

After marvelling at the views, we begin the descent and, after 4 km, turn right onto the Duyos/Playas de Caravia road. We draw closer to the coast, travelling along flat terrain through meadows and small rural hamlets, until we reach Carrales, where we turn right onto the N-632 towards Ribadesella/Ribeseya, which we reach after 15 km along the coastal plain. Ribadesella/Ribeseya is a coastal town with many points of interest, both cultural and natural.

We continue our route by taking the AS-379 towards Llanes, travelling on flat ground for 10 km until we reach Nueva, where we turn right onto the AS-340 towards Rinsena. We begin an 8 km climb to Alto del Torno. We now face a 14 km stretch of road, descending along a zigzagging route to Corao. We’ll pass through the villages of Cangues d’Onís/Cangas de Onís and Sotu Cangues until we reach the Basilica of Covadonga, right in the heart of the Picos de Europa.

From here begins the climb to the Lakes of Covadonga, which has become legendary and is one of the landmarks of international cycling. It is an extremely tough 14 km climb with a total elevation gain of over 1,000 metres. It starts at the roundabout leading to the road to the Lakes. From there, a 5-kilometre climb begins, taking you through a beautiful forest with gradients of between 7% and 10%. We’ll pass by the Mirador de los Canónigos viewpoint and leave the forest behind to begin the climb up the ‘La Huesera’ section: 1.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 12%, with peaks of 15%. Shortly after passing this tough section, we take a right-hand bend and begin a series of hairpin bends that will take us to the Mirador de la Reina, with gradients of 13% and 14%. Once we’ve conquered these, we’ll have just 3 km left to reach Lake Enol and 4 kilometres to Lake Ercina.

Now all that remains is to descend back down to Sotu Cangues and take the road to Cangues d’Onís/Cangas de Onís, 3 km from the junction.