SpainGREAT CLIMBS OF THE VUELTA
Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
SpainGreat climbs of the Vuelta
Self-Guided Cycling Tour
Length: 5 Days
Level: 
Price: from €1,140 EUR
This self-guided cycling holiday tackles some of the most challenging mountains in Spain. Riding across the region of Asturias, you will ride the most iconic and spectacular climbs of the Vuelta a España race.
Highlights on this seven night tour include the climbs to Gamoniteiro, La Cubilla, La Farrapona and the fearsome Angliru. The climbs in this region are particularly beautiful, with vibrant green scenery and dramatic rock formations, as you ride through National Parks and Natural reserves.
The route also visits the Somiedo Natural Park, the most diverse wildlife area in Western Europe, and stays in the beautiful historic city of Oviedo. There are two different route options each day to give you more flexibility, but this tour is mostly in the mountains, and so it is designed for riders who love to climb and descend! If you would like a slightly more leisurely tour in the region, you may be interested in our Picos de Europa & Asturian Coast tour.
Below you can find a detailed itinerary, and click on the tabs to see more highlights, as well as all the practical information about the holiday.
Day 1 - Oviedo
The holiday begins in the historic city of Oviedo - the capital of the Asturias region. Oviedo is one of our favourite cities in Spain, with a great food scene and a beautiful historic center to explore.
Check out our guide to Oviedo, for more details.
Depending on your arrival time, there is the opportunity to ride a scenic circular route in the vibrant green hills that surround the city.
Check out our guide to Oviedo, for more details.
Depending on your arrival time, there is the opportunity to ride a scenic circular route in the vibrant green hills that surround the city.
One of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Naranco churches in Oviedo
Day 2 - Angliru & Alto de Naranco
The first full day in the saddle beings gently, following a cycle route on an old railway line out of Oviedo. This, however, is just the calm before the storm. After an hour or so you will arrive at the foot of one of the most fearsome mountains in cycling - El Angliru.
Angliru is a regular star of the Vuelta a España; its notoriously steep slopes always cause plenty of action as riders strain every sinew to try to keep the pace.
It is a tough challenge, but one which is certainly do-able if you pace yourself well, and it's a great achievement to stand on top of the mountain having conquered it - with all of Asturias laid out in front of you.
After descending Angliru, you must ascend the modest slopes of El Cordal , before arriving at the lively town of Pola de Lena, where you can sample regional specialities such as Fabada and Asturian Cider.
The longer route option today, includes a beautiful climb to Alto de Naranco
Shorter Route: 68km (2,100m)
Longer Route: 83km (2,600m)
Angliru is a regular star of the Vuelta a España; its notoriously steep slopes always cause plenty of action as riders strain every sinew to try to keep the pace.
It is a tough challenge, but one which is certainly do-able if you pace yourself well, and it's a great achievement to stand on top of the mountain having conquered it - with all of Asturias laid out in front of you.
After descending Angliru, you must ascend the modest slopes of El Cordal , before arriving at the lively town of Pola de Lena, where you can sample regional specialities such as Fabada and Asturian Cider.
The longer route option today, includes a beautiful climb to Alto de Naranco
Cycle Routes:
Shorter Route: 68km (2,100m)
Longer Route: 83km (2,600m)
Angliru Summit
Day 3 - La Cubilla & Coto Bello
Today you will tackle what is undoubtedly one of Spain's most scenic climbs - La Cubilla. Known as the 'Asturian Galibier', La Cubilla is long and relatively gentle for the most part, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the
spectacular high mountain scenery, which stretches into the neighbouring province of León.
The Cubilla is a decent ride all by itself, but there are a couple of extension options depending on how your legs feel. The most popular is to continue to Coto Bello, a steady ascent which averages almost exactly 8% gradient for its 10km. It climbs through open green countryside, and has superb views of the high peaks surrounding it in almost all directions.
Shorter Route: 70km (1,580m)
Longer Route: 125km (2,350m)
The Cubilla is a decent ride all by itself, but there are a couple of extension options depending on how your legs feel. The most popular is to continue to Coto Bello, a steady ascent which averages almost exactly 8% gradient for its 10km. It climbs through open green countryside, and has superb views of the high peaks surrounding it in almost all directions.
Cycle Routes:
Shorter Route: 70km (1,580m)
Longer Route: 125km (2,350m)
La Cubilla
Day 4 - Gamoniteiro & Somiedo Natural Park
This is arguably the most challenging day of the holiday, not so much because of the length, but because of the challenging gradients of both climbs.
The ride begins by climbing La Cobertoria and Puerto de San Lorenzo. Both of these Vuelta regulars have steep sections that will test the legs; although the great scenery and excellent road surface still makes them a pleasure to ride.
The longer route climbs to the stunning Gamoniteiro. One of the highest climbs in the region, Gamoniteiro has long had mythical status amongst local riders. However, due to its narrow road and protected park status, it's a real newcomer to the Vuelta. But given the challenge it poses, combined with its beautiful backdrop, we are sure the race will keep coming back in the future.
The day finishes in the charming town of Pola de Somiedo - nestled in the heart of the Somiedo Natural Park.
Shorter Route: 70km (2,250m)
Medium Route: 82km (2,900m)
Longer Route: 106km (3,670m)
The ride begins by climbing La Cobertoria and Puerto de San Lorenzo. Both of these Vuelta regulars have steep sections that will test the legs; although the great scenery and excellent road surface still makes them a pleasure to ride.
The longer route climbs to the stunning Gamoniteiro. One of the highest climbs in the region, Gamoniteiro has long had mythical status amongst local riders. However, due to its narrow road and protected park status, it's a real newcomer to the Vuelta. But given the challenge it poses, combined with its beautiful backdrop, we are sure the race will keep coming back in the future.
The day finishes in the charming town of Pola de Somiedo - nestled in the heart of the Somiedo Natural Park.
Cycle Routes:
Shorter Route: 70km (2,250m)
Medium Route: 82km (2,900m)
Longer Route: 106km (3,670m)
The view from Gamoniteiro
Day 5 - La Farrapona & Puerto de Ventana
Much of today is spent in the spectacular Somiedo Natural Park. This is the most diverse and remote natural area of Western Europe, and is a beautiful area to cycle around. The Somiedo mountains are
home to golden eagles, vultures, wolves and the Cantabrian brown bear. It really is a fantastic area of natural beauty and also home to some fantastic cycling climbs.
First up is the stunning climb to La Farrapona - a Vuelta regular in recent years; most notably in 2014, when it staged a fine head-to-head battle between Chris Froome and Alberto Contador. The long and remote ascent is one of our favourite mountains in Spain.
From La Farrapona a short descent takes you into the next climb, a gentle ascent ot the Puerto de Ventana. Again, there is beautiful scenery here, with wild flowers and dramatic mountain peaks.
A long descent through a gorge takes you back to Oviedo, with the option of adding another excellent climb to Puerto Marabio.
Shorter Route: 93km (2,100m)
Longer Route: 122km (2,780m)
First up is the stunning climb to La Farrapona - a Vuelta regular in recent years; most notably in 2014, when it staged a fine head-to-head battle between Chris Froome and Alberto Contador. The long and remote ascent is one of our favourite mountains in Spain.
From La Farrapona a short descent takes you into the next climb, a gentle ascent ot the Puerto de Ventana. Again, there is beautiful scenery here, with wild flowers and dramatic mountain peaks.
A long descent through a gorge takes you back to Oviedo, with the option of adding another excellent climb to Puerto Marabio.
Cycle Route:
Shorter Route: 93km (2,100m)
Longer Route: 122km (2,780m)
Puerto de Ventana
Day 6 - Departure
After breakfast the tour comes to an end in Oviedo.
If you would like to extend your holiday in this beautiful part of the world we would be happy to arrange this for you.
Popular options include spending more time in Oviedo or Gijón, visiting some of the charming coastal villages, or doing even more hiking and cycling in the Picos de Europa mountains, or nearby Somiedo Natural Park.
To find out more information about this holiday; including practical information, prices, dates and more tour highlights; return to the top of the page and click on the various tabs.
Shorter Route: 89km (2,450m)
Longer Route: 106km (2,920m)
If you would like to extend your holiday in this beautiful part of the world we would be happy to arrange this for you.
Popular options include spending more time in Oviedo or Gijón, visiting some of the charming coastal villages, or doing even more hiking and cycling in the Picos de Europa mountains, or nearby Somiedo Natural Park.
To find out more information about this holiday; including practical information, prices, dates and more tour highlights; return to the top of the page and click on the various tabs.
Cycle Route:
Shorter Route: 89km (2,450m)
Longer Route: 106km (2,920m)
This cycling holiday takes on the best climbs of the Vuelta a España. These are the toughest, the most scenic and the most rewarding climbs in Spain. Starting with the iconic
Angliru and finishing with the beautiful Farrapona, every day on this tour offers a spectacular challenge.
Check out just a few of the tour highlights in the photo album below:
Check out just a few of the tour highlights in the photo album below:
La Cubilla
One of the longest climbs in Asturias, La Cubilla is also one of the most scenic. The gentle gradients allow you to appreciate the fine surroundings.
Asturias - Quiet Roads
Most of the roads on this tour have very little traffic. On some routes you can ride for half an hour without seeing a single car.
Gamoniteiro
The highest peak in the area is also one of the toughest climbs. The narrow road to the top is a newcomer to the Vuelta.
Fabada Asturiana
The 'national dish' of the Asturias region. Fabada is a hearty stew made with locally grown beans and loaded with various kinds of sausages. It's almost the perfect food for giving you the energy needed to cycle!
Puerto Ventana
A stunning pass situated on the southern edge of the Asturias region.
La Cueña les Cabres
This section of Angliru is one of the steepest featured in professional cycling races.
La Farrapona
A beautiful climb in the Someido Natural Park, La Farrapona has become a regular feature in recent editions of the Vuelta.
Naranco Church
This UNESCO World Heritage listed church is a stunning example of late Visigothic architecture. In Medieval times, the Christian Kingdom of Asturias was engaged in a centuries long power struggle with the Muslim calpihate of Andalucia for control of Spain.
Angliru
This dizzying view from Angliru is the reward for tackling the toughest climb in the region.
Cachopo
Another of the traditional dishes of the region. Cachopo consists of a breaded steak, stuffed with different kinds of ham, cheese, mushrooms, peppers and more. It's certainly not an everyday kind of food, but is worth trying at least once!
Flowers in León
Typically colourful scenery of the León region.
La Cobertoria
Climbing above some early morning clouds is always a magical experience.
Angliru Summit
Reaching here is an achievement for any cyclist.
Included
- ✔ 5 Nights Accommodation (see the Hotels section for more details)
- ✔ Continental breakfast each day
- ✔ Luggage transferred between hotels
- ✔ GPS routes and mobile app to easily follow the routes
- ✔ Detailed information pack about the routes, restaurants and everything to see along the rides
Not Included:
- ❌ Bicycle Hire (Optional extra €200 EUR - see below)
- ❌ Flights
- ❌ Tour Extensions
- ❌ Travel Insurance
Bicycles
Bicycle hire is an optional extra for this tour, as we know that some of you may prefer to bring your own.
Because of the length of the rides, we strongly recommend road bikes for this tour. Our road bikes are lightweight full carbon and have disc brakes, compact chainsets and large cassettes so that you can climb easily at your own pace.
More details about our bikes can be found on our bicycles page. We provide either these or similar models. The exact model depends on availability, so please get in touch if you would like more information.
All of our bikes come with helmets and handlebar bags if required, as well as a Cycle Fiesta water bottle.
Because of the length of the rides, we strongly recommend road bikes for this tour. Our road bikes are lightweight full carbon and have disc brakes, compact chainsets and large cassettes so that you can climb easily at your own pace.
More details about our bikes can be found on our bicycles page. We provide either these or similar models. The exact model depends on availability, so please get in touch if you would like more information.
All of our bikes come with helmets and handlebar bags if required, as well as a Cycle Fiesta water bottle.
Difficulty Level & Roads
This is a demanding tour and is rated as challenging-hard. The routes are long and there is significant climbing each day, even on the shorter routes. To get the most out of this holiday it is advisable to have
done significant preparation, and to be comfortable doing four or five hour hilly rides on consecutive days.
If you are worried about the distances, we would recommend our Picos de Europa holiday instead. On this tour you can still ride climbs like Lagos de Covadonga and Angliru, but the overall rides are easier and accessible to riders of different levels.
The routes are all on paved roads and the surfaces in Asturias are in excellent condition. There is also very little traffic, making it a pleasure to ride.
Find out more about our tour difficulty levels here.
If you are worried about the distances, we would recommend our Picos de Europa holiday instead. On this tour you can still ride climbs like Lagos de Covadonga and Angliru, but the overall rides are easier and accessible to riders of different levels.
The routes are all on paved roads and the surfaces in Asturias are in excellent condition. There is also very little traffic, making it a pleasure to ride.
Find out more about our tour difficulty levels here.
Arrival and Departure
The arrival and departure point for the tour is Oviedo. We stay in a hotel in the center of Oviedo that is a short walk from the bus and train station.
Asturias Airport is the closest to Oviedo and has a few international flights as well as regular connections to Madrid and Barcelona. Oviedo train station is also well served, with daily departures to Madrid.
If you have trouble finding a good connection to and from Oviedo/Asutrias Airport, please contact us, and we can make alternative arrangements.
We can also arrange for transfers to and from Asturias Airport on request.
Asturias Airport is the closest to Oviedo and has a few international flights as well as regular connections to Madrid and Barcelona. Oviedo train station is also well served, with daily departures to Madrid.
If you have trouble finding a good connection to and from Oviedo/Asutrias Airport, please contact us, and we can make alternative arrangements.
We can also arrange for transfers to and from Asturias Airport on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please browse through some of the frequently asked questions about this cycling tour. If you have any further questions, or would like any more information, please contact us and we will answer by email.
When can I do this tour?
We run this tour between May and October each year, as we believe that these are the best months for cycling in the region.
The tour can start on any day of the week from May to October. If you would be interested in doing the tour at different times of the year, please contact us and we can let you know if there
is availability.
What is the weather like?
From May to October the weather in the Picos de Europa is usually very good for cycling. It is warm, but without the searing temperatures that are common in much of Spain throughout the summer months. Typical day time temperatures range from
20-25°C (68-77°F).
Asturias is one of the wetter parts of Spain, due to its proximity to the Atlantic, and there are a few rainy days each month - even during the summer - so be prepared for this possibility.
But it's all relative; this is still Spain! And it is common to have dry, sunny days throughout the holiday.
Can I personalize or change aspects of this tour?
Absolutely! We have designed a tour that we feel strikes a great balance between cycling routes, accommodation and interesting towns. However, if, for example, you would like to do the tour
for a different number of days, stay in a different level of accommodation, or extend the route to a different location, we would be happy to discuss the options with you.
What is your cancellation policy?
The full cancellation policy can be found in out terms and conditions.
Why book with us?
We are a small and independent company who are locally based, which offers several advantages:
- We have a lot personal experience of all of our tours, which have been refined over many years. We believe we are genuine experts in the regions where we run tours, and we are also close at hand to offer support and a personalized service.
- We are flexible and can tailor our itineraries to suit your requirements.
- We have low overheads. We don't spend money on advertising and don't use third party agents. We only sell our tours through this website.
By cutting out the middle man, you can be sure that more of what you pay is
being spent on the important things: like hotels, equipment and other services.
- We are a registered and fully bonded tour operator in accordance with EU regulations.
Which famous mountains will I climb?
The following are some of the most famous and spectacular mountains that you can climb on the holiday:
Angliru
Alto de Naranco
El Cordal
La Cubilla
Coto Bello
Gamoniteiro
La Cobertoria
Puerto de San Lorenzo
La Farrapona
Puerto de Somiedo
Puerto de Ventana
Puerto Marabio
Gran Hotel España
A very comfortable 4-star hotel in the beautiful historic center of Oviedo. It is situated just metres from the cathedral and museums, and a short walk to Gascona street - famous throughout Spain for its tapas bars, Asturian cider houses and bodegas. You will spend the first and last nights of the tour here.
Hotel Ruta de la Plata
You spend two nights in this family run 3-star hotel in the town of Pola de Lena. It is centrally located and has comfortable and quiet rooms, which makes it great for both relaxing and for exploring the town.
Hotel Castillo de Alba
This 3-star hotel is located in the charming village of Pola de Somiedo. It has comfortable rooms in the heart of the mountains, and has a great restaurant.
To find out more about how we select our hotels, please see our accommodation page.
| Starting Date | Price (per person)¹ | Single Supplement | Bike Hire | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May, June, Sept & Oct | €1,140 EUR | €450 EUR | €200 EUR | |
| July & August | €1,450 | €500EUR | €200 EUR |
¹Price is based on two people sharing a double or twin room. If you would prefer to stay in a single room, the single supplement is applicable.
To reserve a place on the tour, click the button above and complete the reservation form. We will then get back to you within 24 hours to confirm the reservation, and to arrange for payment of the deposit.
For more details on the booking process, please check out our Reservations page.
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