The Trip
I (Peter) will start my cycle from Santander to Porto in June '22. Leaving Santander airport , the trip will see me cycling Along the North Spanish Coast towards Porto. The trip will bring me through Asturia, Cantabria, Galicia crossing into Minho in Portugal. A misconception is that a coastal road is most of the time flat. Not in Northern Spain. The trip will see me covering a distance of 1310km with a total ascent of 16,329m. Along the way, I will find the time to swim in the crystal clear waters along my route, hike Picos de Europe and even take a trip to Illa de Ons which is part of the Atlantic islands of Galicia National Park.
Plan is to cover on average 130 to 150km per day with on average 1700 meters of climbing.
Plan is to cover on average 130 to 150km per day with on average 1700 meters of climbing.
The Stages
Day# 1 (8 Jun '22): santander Airport to Santillana Del Mar (29.07 km - 399m elevation gain)
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Day# 1 is arrival day in Santander. I have started a cycling tour before from Santander (Santander to Malaga) which took me through inland Spain, this time round I will be cycling a coastal route.
This will be my first adventure since covid started, so i am really excited about getting back on the bike. I have decided to take my first trip on the "easy" side to get back used to the daily distance. With more adventures planned later in the year, this is almost seen as a training. That being said, i also want to spend time off the bike to hike the Picos de Europa, go snorkelling/ swimming in the crystal waters of the Atlantic and sample the great Galician food on offer. And food will be important, where my last trip resulted in a daily 10000 calories being burned, replenishing calories was important. Still, within those 9 days of cycling, i lost 5kg (nothing to worry there, i had plenty off extra padding). As my plane arrives around 3pm and i need to prep my bike, first day is kept short. First destination is the medieval town of Santillana Del Mar. |
Day# 2 (9 Jun '22): Santanilla Del Mar to Lastres (127km - 1341m elevation gain)
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On day# 2, I will leave Santanilla Del Mar behind me and visit the famous Caves of Altamira.
After the morning visit, I will follow a coastal route along the foothills of Picos De Europa. Where i cycled through the Picos De Europa during my last trip, this time i will stay along the coast where i will visited the many fishing villages like Comillas, Llanes, Ribadesella,... Along the route, I will visit El Capricho De Gaudi and visit many other famous landmarks. End destination for the day is the beautiful seaside town of Lastres. |
Day# 3 (10th Jun '22): Lastres - Cudillero (117 km - 1460m elevation gain)
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Day# 3 will bring me from Lastres to the beautiful seaside town of Cudillero. The day will start off with a visit to Spain's most beautiful town " Tazones".
Heading towards Gijon, I will visit the botanical gardens ( botanical gardens ) in Gijon. These gardens have approx 30000 species with the Atlantic ocean as a common thread. Leaving Gijon behind, i will head towards my end destination for the day, Cudillero. Cudillero is an idyllic fishing village with colourful cliff-top houses which are located around the central plaza de la Marina. (Cudillera) |
Day# 4 (11th Jun '22): Cudillera to Rinlo (116 km - 1360m elevation gain)
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Saying goodbye to Cudillera, I will be heading along the coastline towards Rinlo.
Taking a coastal route, I will be visiting the coastal towns of Puerto de Vega and Ortigueira. Another visit will be Celtic Castro de Coana, an excavated iron age settlement dating from the 4th century BC. Many of the houses were circular. ( more info) Next interesting stop will be Playa de Las catedrales (more info) where I will stay in the small seaside village of Rinlo. |
Day# 5 (12th Jun '22): Rinlo to Ortigueira (106 km - 1338 m elevation gain)
Day# 6 (13th Jun '22): Ortigueira to A Coruna (124 km - 2086m elevation gain)
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Day 6 is going to be a long day in the saddle. Starting off, the cycle will see me cycling through the awe -inspiring landscape around Sierra de La Capeleda , which with its 640meter high cliffs, wild horses and windmills will bring some exciting cycling (and climbing).
A visit to San Andres de Teixido , a spectacular set cliff-top chapel. From there, it is down towards the naval port of Ferrol and onwards towards A Coruna. I have stayed nearby A Coruna before, and I am looking forward visiting the impressive Torre de Hercules. |
Day# 7 (14th Jun '22): A Coruna to Muxia (110 km - 1676m elevation gain)
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Day 7 is a coastal route again. Along the route, beautiful seaside towns, but also the spectacular Praia Dos Cristais, a beach nearby the town of Laxe made of glass.
During the evening, I will stay nearby the town of Muxia where I will visit Virxe da Barca Sanctuary which featured in the movie " The Way" with Martin Sheen. |
Day# 8 (15th Jun '22): Muxia to Muros (101 km - 1429m elevation gain)
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A spectacular cycle which will bring me to Faro de Fisterra. Along the route, I will visit Fervenza do Ezaro , a spectacular waterfall. Nearby this waterfall is also a crazy steep road (30%) which has been used for the tour of Spain. You never know, i might give it a go.
Next stop is Horreo de Carnota, a 34.76 meter long grain store built in 1768 (More info). Passing many beautiful beaches, one of them being the breath-taking Praia de Area Maior. Next stop is the fishing village of Muros where i will stay for the night and enjoy a well=deserved meal. |
Day# 9 (16th Jun '22): Muros to Portonova (153km - 1278m elevation gain)
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Day# 8 will take me along more dramatic coastlines.
From the crystal clear Atlantic to the fabulous beaches, I am hopeful the weather will be sunny on this day. Stops will include Castro de Barona and Dunas de Corrubedo. Nearby Illa de Arousa, i will cross the bridge to Illa de San Sadurnino. Final destination is Portonova. |
Day# 10 (17th Jun '22): Portonova (0km - 0m elevation gain)
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On this day, i will stay for another day in Portonova. It will be a restday, but the real reason is that i want to take the ferry to Illa de ons of the Galician coast. Illa de Ons are since 2002 part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Marine - Terrestial Nation Park. Where I have already been on Cies island which are spectacular, I am really looking forward discovering Illa de Ons. (Illa de Ons) |
Day# 11 (18th Jun '22): Portonova to A Guarda (107.17km - 1794m elevation)
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Day 10 will see me cycle from Portonova to A Guarda. I have been in this area before on a holiday in Cangas, so no suprises here with exception of the end destination.
First stop will be Pontevedra, a nice city which boasts one of the most elegant historic quarters in any city in Galicia. (Pontevedra) Other stops will be the city of Vigo and the town of Baiona. Worth a visit is the old town and Castelo de Monterreal, a castle that sits on the edge of the town. End destination is A guarda for which I am really excited. My parents have been multiple times in A guarda and just love the place. They rave about the seafood restaurants, the people and the town. So excited about my overnight stay. A guarda is also home to Castro de Santa Trega, a celtic hillfort and village (more info). I have been here before, but the mist was so dense i couldn't see anything, so hopefully i will get some clear views this time. |
Day# 12 (19th Jun '22): A Guarda to Porto (118.8km -1401m elevation)
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Starting off the day, i will take the ferry to Caminha and leave Spain behind me. Caminha is a beautiful fortified bordertown where I have been before approx 18 years ago. (more info)
Viana do castelo is one of my first stops. It is one of the nicest towns in North Portugal (more info) The town is rich in palaces, chrurches and monasteries. Leaving Viana behind, Porto is my final destination. |
