A 13 Day Tour of the Picos, Northern Spain and Portugal is a stunning mix of superb tarmac, twisty roads, amazing scenery and not forgetting the fantastic food.
BEST TIME TO GO : APRIL TO OCTOBER
After leaving Plymouth the previous day you dock in the town of Santander. Once disembarked it’s get straight into the action, leaving the port behind you head south through the Cantabria region before turning west with a coffee stop in the heart of the Sierras del Cordel National Park. After well earnt refreshments, you head towards your first overnight stop via the fabulous Picos de Europa.
The next day you head further west through the quiet Spanish towns and villages of the Asturias region, known for its rugged coastline, mountains and medieval architecture. Due to its lush vegetation it’s part of “Green Spain” which is very different to what most of us come to expect from Spain. You travel via more sweeping bends and smooth tarmac and up to your second night on tour.
You continue across the lush Asturias region the following day, past Puerto del Palo and on into the autonomous region of Galicia and onto your final destination of Santiago de Compostela. Which is the reputed burial place of the biblical apostle Saint James the Great which makes it a very popular pilgrimage destination. You will often see pilgrims on your route along the Camino way some of who will have walked many miles to reach their final destination of Santiago de Compostela. This is a stunning city steeped in history and of course with many a tapas bar within the narrow streets it’s a fantastic place to try the local cuisine, be it the vast range of different seafood that’s available or locally produced meats. It really is a foody destination not to be missed.
Day 5 and there is a choice of a ride out planned around the Costa Del Mort or Coast of Death so called due to the huge number of ships that have sunk in the treacherous seas off this Northwestern corner of Spain. Alternatively, you can have a day off the bike in Santiago de Compostela, visit the cathedral or many of the other sights the city has to offer.
Following your second night’s stay in Santiago de Compostela you head south towards Portugal, heading down between the Serra do Candán and Serra do Cando National Parks in Southern Galicia and then crossing the border into Portugal via the Braga region. Finally, onto your next overnight stop in a medieval town which was once the capital of Portugal, where we stay in a wonderful Pousadas de Portugal Mosteiro (monastery).
On your 6th day the route takes you down to the banks of the Douro River region which is one of Portugal’s most famous wine growing areas, the road follows the curving path of the river and the scenery is just amazing. Heading further south after lunch through the Viseu District with many curving roads you arrive at your next two-night stop in the Serra da Estrela National Park, site of the disused NATO radar station used during the Cold War and the highest point in mainland Portugal.
Following either a rest day or an optional ride out around the Serra da Estrela which offers some of the quietest and best riding roads in Europe. You head north rejoining the Douro River again and the surrounding rolling hills before crossing back into Spain via the Montesinho Natural Park, to your hotel on the edge of Sierras Segundera National Park.
Your next day’s ride leads you back towards the Golden Triangle of the Picos du Europa and the wonderful roads of the area. You have 2 nights in the Picos and on your last full day you search out the Bear and Deer statues on your ride out and travel the famous N621 also known as the Pots & Pans Road.
You spend your last day riding more of the stunning roads of the Picos de Europa which is a fitting finale to a fantastic tour, full of great roads, stunning scenery and wonderful food. Before arriving back at Santander for the overnight ferry by to the UK.
