Picos - July - What is the one thing you would not want to miss?

[wessie]

Wife and I stayed at lerma last September, thought the place was just fine, we were in a car though, I think there are better places to rest your head if on bike…

aye, beautiful building and the restaurant was okay. Shame the service in the atrium was like a script written by Victoria Wood.

the old town was dead in September. Very little open, one decent bar near the Paradore but it shut very early so no post prandial beverage

nice to have ticked it off the bucket list, but not a keeper

 

[skellum]

If you do decide to stay at the Hotel del Oso, one of the rides I would recommend is to Cain Village in the Valdeón Valley, here is a route from the hotel that we used to take us down there for lunch encompassing the Deer & Bear statue on the way.

 

[Wapping]

the service in the atrium was like a script written by Victoria Wood.

My idea of a great place.

 

[Boxerboy55]

With ferries booked I’m now stripping out lots of tips.

I do intend to go east and west of the “hub” detailed above.

Thank you.

 

[wessie]

With ferries booked I’m now stripping out lots of tips.

I do intend to go east and west of the “hub” detailed above.

Thank you.

bearing in mind the time of your trip, you might want to have a contingency to go south!

 

[Ectopic]

We have stayed at many Paradors, all good except the de lerma during the festival!

We've stayed at Lerma twice, not durign the festival, but I rate the meals we had there as among the best I've ever eaten.

 

[Ectopic]

My views:

If by Picos de Europa you mean the specific confines of the national park, 10 days is pushing it. If you want to ride every day, you'll inevitably end up riding the same stretches of road repeatedly. However if you mean "the mountainous bit along the North coast of Spain" - which is what many people seem to mean when they're doing a tour - you'll be spoilt for choice.

One man's meat is another man's poison; by which I mean that everyone has a slightly different idea of what constitutes a great biking area. But the reality is that the whole area is littered with great roads, beautiful scenery and welcoming towns and villages.

It is very different from the stereotypical image of Spain, not least because it is so green. But it is green for a reason. It can be just as wet and miserable as dear old Blighty. It seems to be the norm for us that the first day's drive/ride from Bilbao or Santander involves being chilly and either drizzly or just plain wet. While it can be stunning, I'd rather head a little further south and enjoy great weather than persevere in the Picos in wet conditions. I still recall my first trip there on the bike - cold wet and foggy riding due south from Bilboa until we got close to Miranda de Ebro, when the sun came out and we didn't see a cloud for two weeks. Then the reverse on the return trip!

Potes is full of bikers. That is an indication of the attractions, but not everyone wants to be with lifestyle bikers for days on end.

We've stayed in a few Paradores in the area. Corias (Cangas del Narcea) is lovely. Limpias is handy for Santander and has a particularly good restaurant. Ribadeo (on the coast) was so-so. Cervera de Pisuerga is shut for renovations but is a beautiful location.

A bit further afield, Santo Estevo is simply brilliant. Leon is a stunning building, and a 5* Parador, but not cheap. Ditto Costa de Norte (Muxia), which in a little remote but sited above a azure bay with clean white sand. I wouldn't go back to Santiago de Compostela.

 

[Wapping]

Smartbazza and I are heading to Picos 9th July for 10 nights

If by Picos de Europa you mean the specific confines of the national park, 10 days is pushing it

It was later revealed, that he and Smartbazza are not intending to spend 10 days in the Picos at atl. In fact, it might only be a day or two:

We’re on tour for c.14 days and intend spending c.10 days between n / w Spain and Portugal then over Pyrenees into France to head north and depart eventually from Cherbourg.

 

[MartinK]

Having just returned from there in the Camper, I would now suggest that Cangas de Onis would be my preferred (over Riano and Potes) place to stay
A better choice of bars and restaurants for your evening banter - IMO of course
Last time we stayed there (2023) we stayed at the Hotel Águila Real...cheap as chips, and with underground parking for the bikes. 3 mins walk into town
very motorcycle friendly...in a flintstones kind of way

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[Wapping]

Smartbazza and I….

I’ve just noticed that you and Smartbaza have split the onerous research duties between you.

He, the weather. You, the places to go, things to see and do.

Thread 'Picos, July versus March…. Whether the weather….'

Jan 21, 2026

I’ve done all those routes in last few years .
Would definitely NOT miss out the Picos as the roads around there are stunning .
But the weather can be a tad variable up there .

Hi A, have you been there in July? Myself and another are planning to go this year.

Barry

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I have started you a fresh thread topic, with (I hope) a relevant title.

Richard

• Smartbazza
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Spain and Portugal (including the Pyrenees and Picos)

A two pronged attack, a new tactic. It’s definitely better than the usual: “Me and me six mates, we want us….” which is code for: “They can’t be arsed to do anything and neither can I”.

 

[Smartbazza]

I’ve just noticed that you and Smartbaza have split the onerous research duties between you.

He, the weather. You, the places to go, things to see and do.

Thread 'Picos, July versus March…. Whether the weather….'

Jan 21, 2026

I’ve done all those routes in last few years .
Would definitely NOT miss out the Picos as the roads around there are stunning .
But the weather can be a tad variable up there .

Hi A, have you been there in July? Myself and another are planning to go this year.

Barry

=======

I have started you a fresh thread topic, with (I hope) a relevant title.

Richard

• Smartbazza
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Spain and Portugal (including the Pyrenees and Picos)

A two pronged attack, a new tactic. It’s definitely better than the usual: “Me and me six mates, we want us….” which is code for: “They can’t be arsed to do anything and neither can I”.

Refer to the pic on post 27 - that gives you the measure of us. Plus the irony of his almost falling out with Arsey over his inability to use a ‘smart’ phone.

Barry

 

[Wapping]

Refer to the pic on post 27 - that gives you the measure of us.

Marvelous!

Have a great holiday.