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Spain

Asturian Coastal Ride

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£1,395 P.P.

Save on Self-Guided Holidays

Book your summer cycling escape before the 30 April and save £75 or get half-price bike hire, including e-bikes. Applies to departures until 31 August 2024.

Spain

Asturian Coastal Ride

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£1,395 P.P.

Save on Self-Guided Holidays

Book your summer cycling escape before the 30 April and save £75 or get half-price bike hire, including e-bikes. Applies to departures until 31 August 2024.

BOOK NOW
The Asturian coast of the ‘Costa Cantabrica’ is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets.  While the rest of Spain is being baked in the sweltering summer heat, this north Atlantic coastline known as the ‘Costa Verde’ has the perfect climate for an active family holiday. Think Great British summers with water warm enough to have a good swim in, pristine fine-sand beaches, deserted coves, cliffs and rock pools full of interesting sea creatures for the kids to explore, backed by Europe’s only true maritime mountain range, the majestic Picos de Europa.
This spectacular coastline is broken up by pretty, traditional fishing villages and towns where folk still look towards the crashing Atlantic for their living. The bustling bars serve up an exciting array of the daily catch with lashings of Asturian culinary tradition, swilled down with local dry cider (or plonk if you prefer). Remember the Spanish do everything with their children, and so yours will be welcome in bars and restaurants, making for a social and enjoyable trip for all.
There's also a chance for the family to take a surf lesson with a professional instructor in the Atlantic breakers and a canoeing session along the Rio Sella - all included in the holiday cost.
For those with tired afternoon legs, the FEVE tourist railway links all of the villages along the coast, allowing for great flexibility if you want to cut any ride short and head back to your hotel. This fantastic trip will give you a true flavour of this authentic Spanish region.
There may be some slight changes to the itinerary in 2023. 
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Holiday Highlights

  • Cycling near fantastic beaches, coves and rock pools
  • Hunting for dinosaur footprints on the cliffs at Ribadesella
  • Canoeing the breath taking Rio Sella
  • Surfing with a qualified instructor
  • Experiencing the sheer power of the Bufones (blow holes) de Pria
  • Riding the FEVE train

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We would have struggled to organise this ourselves from the UK and are grateful to you for introducing us to this beautiful area!

Anne, Leeds

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Santander/Asturias - Transfer Llanes

You will be collected from either Santander or Asturias airport on arrival and transferred to your first night’s accommodation to the port town of Llanes, known for it’s rugged coastline, framed by the Sierra del Cuera.

Your welcome meeting today will give your local representative a chance to fit your bikes and chat through the week ahead, and it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the riding to come. After this, you’ll be free to venture out for your first taste of Asturian cuisine!

Llanes has a lovely old town, and if time allows a visit to Paseo San Pedro is recommended, a 1 km coastal walk with cracking coastal views, and an aperetivo at Play de Toro beach.

Day 2
FEVE Train from Llanes to Pendueles – Cycle from Pendueles back to Llanes
9 Miles / 15 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

After a relaxing breakfast you will take a ride on the FEVE narrow gauge railway that winds it´s way from village to village along the dramatic Asturian coastline. Jumping off at the village of Buelna, your route will follow coastal trails and lanes back to the port town of Llanes, passing inviting coves, dramatic beaches and picturesque hamlets.

Shortly after the inviting Playa de Vidiago, you will arrive at the Bufones de Arenillas. These dramatic sea geysers, when the sea is rough, shoot water through limestone cavities over 10m into the air! The village of Andrin is a lovely village for a spot of lunch before heading to see the incredible views of the coastline from the Mirador de La Boriza. It’s all downhill back to Llanes passing the beautiful playas of Ballota and Cue and the interesting rock formations at the Playa de Toro.

Day 3
Ride Llanes to Naves
10 Miles / 15 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today you head west along the Paseo de San Pedro walkway. Picking up a back lane you’ll arrive at the deep, tidal inlet of Playa de Poo, a great spot for a swim. From here you’ll hug the coastline, taking in many a cove and the Island of Almenada as it undulates along. The route heads south and you’ll climb into the Llera hills and with just a little work you’ll be rewarded by one of the most spectacular views along the coast.

After lunch it’s back in the saddle, and you’ll follow the FEVE railway line until Naves, your home for the evening.

Day 4
Surf Lesson / Optional Ride
12 Miles / 19 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Your base for today proves the perfect spot to stay another day. Naves is a great base to explore Asturias and a visit to Playa Gulpiyuri should be on the cards. A unique beach, the smallest in Spain, is set back from the coast, and is a great tucked-away spot to discover!

If you’d prefer to get some more miles in your legs, we have a lovely loop ride to get your tyres into. And if you’d prefer to give your legs a rest but still want to be active, there are a multitude of exciting activities nearby.

After lunch (weather dependent) we’ve organised a surf lesson with a qualified instructor. A great opportunity to can catch your first wave!

Day 5
Ride Naves to Ribadesella
14 Miles / 22 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

The first kilometres of the day will take you past Playa Gulpiyuri, and as you head west you will catch glimpses of the incredibly narrow bay of Villahormes, which points like a finger inland. This picturesque section of the route meanders through tiny villages, where cows rule the lanes. You’ll drop back down to sea level to the unforgettable Playa de Cuevas del Mar (Beach of the Sea Caves); a jewel among the many fantastic Asturian beaches!

Before you know it you’ll be at the Garana picnic area, a perfect place to stop for lunch. Fuelled up, you’ll cycle onto the clifftop viewpoint overlooking the small fishing town of Ribadesella, your home for the next two nights.

Day 6
Canoeing on the Rio Sella
Non-Riding Day
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Based from Ribadesella, today is yours to spend at leisure. The fishing port town is a great base offering its visitors a lovely mix of medieval and modern. We recommend riding the short way or walking out towards Terenes to hunt down the dinosaur footprints in the cliffs!

We’ve also organised a canoeing trip for you today, to take in the breathtaking Rio Sella.

Day 7
Transfer to Santander/Asturias
  • Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, flight time permitting, there may be time to head to the beach for a swim before we pick you up to transfer you to the airport.

If you would like to extend your trip, then an afternoon spent canoeing down the River Sella, one of Europe’s most southern salmon rivers, to Ribadesella is always a hit! If you are interested in this extension, then please contact us for more details.

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The Cycling

Terrain

This trip mainly takes you along purpose-built cycleways, backlanes and country roads and tracks. Half of the route will be shared with vehicle traffic, but the roads are generally quiet. The route follows well-surfaced, gravel trails and meanders and undulates offering inspiring views of the coast. The coastal trails are hilly and can be loose in some places. Day 2 will pose the biggest challenge, with lots of short, steep climbs to take on, but pushing is always an option! The route however, has been designed with families in mind, so the terrain is mostly fun and forgiving. The route is well signposted and easy to follow, you’ll see signs every km or so, and at most junctions so you won’t need to make any guesses. We recommend mountain bikes for this tour.

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2 - 3: Gentle/ Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Each cycle was interesting and different on beautiful coastline with great beaches.

Judith, West Lothian

Dates & Prices

SPRING SAVINGS! Save on Self-Guided Holidays

Book your summer cycling escape before the 30 April and save £75 or get half-price bike hire, including e-bikes. Applies to departures until 31 August 2024. Apply the promo code SKEDADDLE24 when you book.

Daily departures available. The season prices below are per person and applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.

2024

Season 1 – £1395 11 Apr – 30 Apr / 08 May – 30 Jun / 18 Sep – 16 Oct

Season 2 – £1795 01 May – 07 May / 01 Jul – 17 Sep

We are able to offer a discount of 35% for all children (under the age of 18), when travelling with two fully-paying passengers. Subject to availability. Please chat to our team!

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £200 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
7 days
Price
£1,395.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 2 * and 3* hotels and guesthouses

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) English-speaking local representative (with welcome meeting)

D) Detailed route notes and maps

E) Access to an app for holiday information and navigation

F) Luggage transfers

G) 1 x surfing lesson

H) 1 x canoeing session

H) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Santander airport (SDR)

I) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Santander airport (SDR)

J) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike hire (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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The Essentials

Travel Options

This tour starts in Llanes and finishes in Ribadesella.

Airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. Please aim to arrive between 10.00 and 17.00 and depart after 11.00.

For this tour we ask that you fly into and back from Santander airport (SDR) or Asturias airport (OVD). Ryanair offer direct flights from London Stansted (STN) and Manchester (MAN).

Please check with Skedaddle before making any travel arrangements.

Please note – If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the above time windows there may be an additional charge for your transfers.

Accommodation

Accommodation (shared twin, double or family rooms) will usually be ensuite in 2 and 3 star hotels or guesthouses (with one night spent in a traditional pilgrim’s hostel). Family run, personable, charming, comfortable and homely are boxes we tick when looking for places to stay. With unique touches and welcoming hosts, they‘re all a million miles away from chain-style hotels.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike, or would prefer to avoid bringing your own, we have bikes available to hire.

These bikes are typically MMR Kuma (or equivalent), a very good mountain bike featuring front suspension, disc brakes and good-quality components. These bikes come with flat pedals but feel free to bring your own pedals and shoes if you prefer to clip in. We also have children’s bikes (typically a Specialized Hotrock or similar) available to hire.

If you do decide to hire a bike we will include all necessary spares for the trip. We are also able to provide helmets on request; please let us know if you would like to hire a helmet at the time of booking.

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News, Reviews & Stories

Reviews

3

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