MOUNTAINS: PICOS AND ASTURIAS

Due to popular demand, we are using the shorter ferry service which means you’ll start with an overnight ferry from Plymouth to Santander. An afternoon arrival means a quick 75 miles to to take us high into the Picos. Our hotel is in the small village and the bikes will be carefully guarded by the resident St Bernard’s – If they wake up! Our first full days ride is through the twists and turns of the Picos and Asturias Mountains heading for our small hotel in the hills overlooking the Sil Valley in the heart of Galicia where you can soak the miles away in the Jacuzzi or steam room.

From here you are heading to our Quinta on the banks of the River Douro in the Douro Basin. Our home for the next two nights you can either relax in the heart of the vineyard or enjoy the loop ride we have planned covering 200 miles of exquisite roads taking you into the Douro International Natural Park and returning to our hotel along the banks of the river itself. At the centre of Portugal’s most highly regarded wine producing region, our hotel has plenty to offer. We have included a wine tasting while you are here so you will know what to choose with dinner.

Heading north again now the days are packed with more great roads, sweeping and swooping and heading to the Sierra De Montesinho Natural Park en route to Pubela de Sanabria. We are starting to head home now but there is still more great riding in the Asturias and Picos Mountains with our final two nights on Spanish soil in Paradors. Even our last day in Spain still has lots of riding on offer. With an early evening  departure there are still miles of great Picos riding to be enjoyed, before you roll in to Santander tired but thrilled and ready to relax on the ferry for the cruise home.