Join us to explore the Picos de Europa in Northern Spain, home to the infamous Angliru climb, feared by riders of the Vuelta de Espana...

Visited every year by the Vuelta de Espana, the Picos de Europa is a steep, spiky mountain range in Northern Spain. With lots of narrow, winding roads, testing climbs and minimal traffic, this is a true cyclist’s playground. Over six days you’ll ride 600kms with up to 12,500m of climbing, taking in many of the roads and climbs used in the Vuelta. You’ll get the chance to test yourself on the infamous Angliru climb, as well as enjoy the stunningly beautiful and gentler Lagos de Covadonga, and Fuente Dé climbs. Our itinerary takes in the most famous climbs in the region over the course of the week. Since many of the climbs in the Picos are out and back, there is lots of flexibility to make the week harder or easier based on your personal goals and how you’re feeling on the day.

Price

£1450 based on twin occupancy; £1800 single occupancy (subject to availability).

What’s included

• Return airport transfers, including bike transfer – see below for airport details
• 7 nights half-board accommodation – bed, breakfast and evening meal
• Support vehicle throughout the trip
• Support cyclist on the road with you
• Luggage transfer between hotels
• Picnic lunches on riding days
• Full information pack and gpx files

Itinerary

Our Picos trip runs from 18 – 25 May 2025, with everyone arriving on the 18th May to stay in Potes that night. There are then six days of riding, with return airport transfers on the 25th May.

The route we’ve chosen in the Picos goes from hotel to hotel in a loop around the region. As always we reserve the right to amend the route based on the group and weather conditions, with the planned itinerary as follows:

• Day 1: Arrival, transfer to Potes, build bikes, pre-ride briefing
• Day 2: Loop from Potes 110km, 2,250m of climbing
• Day 3: Potes to Riano 95km, 2,500m of climbing
• Day 4: Riano to Pola de Lena, 130km, 1,560m of climbing
• Day 5: Loop from Pola de Lena to Langreo, 68km, 2,100m of climbing
• Day 6: Pola de Lena to Soto de Cangas, 110km, 2,200m of climbing
• Day 7: Soto de Cangas to Pechon, 96km, 2,000m of climbing
• Day 8: Return transfer to airport

Bike hire

We offer full-carbon hire bikes for an additional charge of £180 for the week if you prefer not to fly with your bike. All our hire bikes have disc brakes, come with Shimano 105 12-speed groupsets, 34/50 compact chainsets and 12/34 cassettes.

What should I expect… and am I fit enough?

The route we use covers 600km of stunning terrain, with around 12,500m of climbing. Many of the climbs are very steep and your legs will ache but we’re sure the scenery and descents will more than make up for it! Our aim is to deliver a high quality riding experience which stretches you physically, but in a fun, relaxed and sociable environment. After a good day out on the bike, there is nothing better than sharing stories over a few drinks in the evening with like-minded cyclists!

The Picos trip is a supported ride, and there will be a support vehicle and a support rider at all times on the route with you. We stop every day for a picnic lunch, and on some days an additional stop at a café may be possible for a coffee, cake etc. During the ride, the support vehicle will leapfrog the group throughout the day providing support. Every rider will have the gpx files of the route and we recommend that the group rides together for the bulk of the flat/rolling terrain. It’s more sociable and enjoyable to ride with other people, and then everyone rides at their own pace on the climbs, regrouping at the top/bottom depending on the weather and temperature. Clothing, snacks, gels etc. can be left in the support vehicle and collected as needed throughout the day.

The route is designed to be challenging but doable for an experienced cyclist. If you are a club or sportive rider and you put in the training, you will be fit enough. Stamina and determination are more important than speed because they are long days with lots of climbing, and you ride for six days consecutively. Prior experience riding in the mountains is highly recommended; you have to be a competent descender and strong enough to climb for a couple of hours at a time.

The support vehicle is also always there, and so if you’re having an off-day or there is just one climb too many, you can always climb in the van.

If you have any questions about the recommended level of fitness or would like advice on a training plan, then please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with guidance.

Flights and airport transfers

We can arrange transfers to and from Bilbao and Santander airports. Please contact us with your flight options before booking any flights so that we can ensure we can cater for the transfer times. We do our best to minimise waiting times at the airports, but some waiting cannot always be avoided.

Some photos from last year’s trip