Along the Northern Coast: Galicia to Asturias and the Picos
This stretch of the journey covers some of the most varied and spectacular terrain in northern Spain. Leaving Betanzos, we ride east along the Galician and Asturian coastline, where jagged cliffs drop into the Atlantic and fishing villages cling to rocky coves. Villanueva offers a peaceful overnight stop surrounded by green pastures and cider orchards. Then it is on to Gijon, a lively port city on the Asturian coast with wide sandy beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and a proud working-class culture that gives it a character quite unlike the tourist resorts further south.
From the coast, the road turns inland and climbs sharply into the Picos de Europa — one of the most dramatic mountain ranges in all of Europe. The limestone peaks rise like jagged teeth above deep gorges carpeted in oak and beech forest. Our destination is Potes, a charming mountain village that serves as the gateway to the Picos. The town sits in the Liebana valley surrounded by towering peaks on every side, and its cobbled streets are lined with stone houses, tapas bars, and shops selling the local orujo liqueur. After days of coastal riding, the sudden immersion into high mountain scenery is breathtaking.
Route Highlights
- Riding the spectacular Asturian coastal road with Atlantic ocean views
- Gijon’s vibrant waterfront, Cimadevilla old quarter, and fresh seafood markets
- Climbing into the Picos de Europa — towering limestone peaks and deep gorges
- Potes’ atmospheric cobbled streets and mountain-village charm
- Asturian cider culture — poured from height in traditional sidrerias
Travel Tips
In Gijon, do not miss the Cimadevilla district — the old fishermen’s quarter perched on a headland with views in every direction. For cider, visit a traditional sidreria where the waiter pours it from above their head to aerate it. In Potes, try the cocido liebanes, a hearty chickpea stew that is the valley’s signature dish, and pick up a bottle of orujo as a souvenir. The road from the coast into the Picos via the Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge is narrow and winding — take your time and enjoy the scenery rather than rushing. Fuel up before entering the mountains, as petrol stations are scarce in the Picos.
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