Picos - Sense check / ideas / suggestions, please

[er-minio]

Apologies for semi-hijacking the thread, but I'm going in the area similar days (25th to 30th via ferry)... wasn't sure if it made sense to open a separate post (Wapping - split it if you think that's best).

I have to thank Arsey and EV as I used the post from their travel in the area last year (or was it earlier) as a source for routes, lifted from Arsey's posts: drinks on me next time

I added a detour to the west, some "sea view" time.
I've been to Spain/Portugal, the Pyrenees and Bilbao multiple times but the Picos area is still unknown to me. I think I drove through it ages ago on my way to Portugal, but just crossed.

Keeping the days to around ~250/300km and 6ish hours rides or less.
I go mostly for riding, frugal lunch usually, not super keen on doing too much touristic visits in full bike gear
Wouldn't be against sticking a couple of (easier) offroad bits. I'm currently looking for those.
Keeping the Picos loop and the southern loop to the later days, with a base in Potes or just outside it in the same hotel for two nights.

As there is quite a few people that visited the area multiple times, I'm dropping my initial rough routes for a sense check. Any input/advice is appreciated

Overall trip view (each day different colour):


Day 1 - Bilbao to ~Potes


Day 2 - Towards Oviedo/Grado area


Day 3 - Loop Back along coast


Day 4 - Sanctuary visit and back to Potes


Day 5 - Loop


Day 6 - Ferry sails at 1pm. Direct route from ~Potes to Bilbao via Motorway (2.5/3 hours)

==========

I have opened you up a fresh thread, I’m sure it will be of interest to others, who might not see it in a thread about the weather in April.

Richard

 

[Arsey]

Looks good.
Try and route via the Mirador del Fitu as it’s a great climb back towards the Picos from the coast.
You may already have included it but I can’t tell.

 

[er-minio]

Thanks Arsey!
Just double checked, it's in there, end of Day 3. The track goes further going though Arriondas and on the 634 as well.
I haven't booked hotels yet, so the ends of each track are random/flexible still.

 

[Arsey]

Thanks Arsey!
Just double checked, it's in there, end of Day 3. The track goes further going though Arriondas and on the 634 as well.
I haven't booked hotels yet, so the ends of each track are random/flexible still.

Excellent . Try and get at least a night at the Hotel Del O s o up the road from Potes. It’s a must , as is their Cocina Montanes or whatever it’s called

There’s a lovely Parador in Cangas de Onis too.

You MUST stop for a coffee in Cangas if you don’t stay there. Look for this building on the corner on the way in/out

Park your bike on the green mounted bit just to the right

You can get about 4 bikes on there and I’ve done it for years with no issues .

Then head down to the fabulous cafe with great view of El Puente Romano

And it is of course obligatory to mount the pavement and take the bridge shot.

Have fun.

Can’t wait to go back in September .

 

[John Armstrong]

Then head down to the fabulous cafe with great view of El Puente Romano

Though if you're a veggie then the "vegetable" soup might have bits of ham in it. Cracking location still!

 

[Wapping]

Good thread this.

er-minio, if you do a trip report (or even if you don’t) can you share the GPX files, please.

 

[Arsey]

Though if you're a veggie then the "vegetable" soup might have bits of ham in it. Cracking location still!

That’s why it’s not a vegetable soup but a bean and meat stew

 

[Flintlock]

Here you go - I've put this up somewhere here before - no gpx route files I'm afraid (no idea how) but the routes with road names described. Might be of assistance to you.
A lovely area for sure - enjoy your trip (and food!)

Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky. - Adventure Bike Rider Forum

 

[StevieR]

Here’s a couple we did

 

[HGS]

Good thread this.

er-minio, if you do a trip report (or even if you don’t) can you share the GPX files, please.

Ive got these somewhere in basecamp. Created them last year
7 routes, including Santander to Ovjdo and back with an alternative shitty weather routes for start and finish
4 day out routes
Any use? If so, how do I get them on here?

 

[Wapping]

Any use? If so, how do I get them on here?

Create a GPX file and host it on something like DropBox. Then share the DropBox link.

 

[er-minio]

er-minio, if you do a trip report (or even if you don’t) can you share the GPX files, please.

Will do.

 

[Jav]

The paradore at Cangas is lovely but a bit outside the town - probably a couple of miles put like most paradores quite acceptable lol

 

[er-minio]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Fired an email to the Hotel del Oso for the 25th.
We booked another place outside Potes (Casona de Barò) via Booking for the 29th and 30th that seems rustic and nice.
I must be getting older since I started actually caring about where I sleep.

We'll book the rest on the day, the west part of the loop should be in places that are a bit more "sparse".

Ok, now down to plot alternative routes/shit weather routes*


*me and the friend I'm traveling with have wildly different paces. Over the years we came to the agreement that I provide detailed gpx routes of our trips so I can go ahead and wait for him here and there (sometimes I hide off the road and then tail him) and he can go at his own pace without getting lost.

I'll share those when back.

By the way, I think I cannot skip El Puente Romano.

 

[Popell]

Popping back to that area again this year albeit delayed from early June to Mid September now due to bikermate's work commitments.
Del Oso is lovely but don't dismiss Fuente de just because its at the end of along road (works brilliantly as a blast to warm up the senses for a decent days riding

 

[er-minio]

Trip report is here: https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/gpx-picos-a-trip-report.402282/

 

[Andyram]

One suggestion from me is to avoid following the lake shore of Embaise del Ebro on your first day because it really isn't very interesting. Instead take the road on the map below. It follows astonishingly beautiful and spectacular valley that'll set the scene really well for the rest of your trip.

It's a bit of a detour, but you won't regret it.

 

[Bloomers100]

Driving licence check, breathalyser and a drug wipe yesterday on the N621 around Naroba late afternoon. All clear of course but just in case you're tempted.

 

[mgpaulie]

Here’s a couple we did

Hey StevieR, thsnks for the route. Did one today and will ride the other one tomorrow

 

[Chasb]

Just checked in to the Hotel Del Oslo, met the dogs, having a couple of beers before trying the soup for dinner…