We start this cycling route in Asturias in one of the best spots of the region, the Natural Park of Picos de Europa. In this route we will go from the top of the mountain, to the plains by the sea. An incredible experience which will show everything Asturias has to offer in just one glance.
We start at the cable car of Fuente De, you can get your bikes in them so the uphill is not that difficult and meanwhile we can enjoy the increidble landscape of the Asturian mountains.
Then we start the severe downhill around 24 km long and with a difference of nearly 1.600m of elevation between the beginning and the end of it, perfect for the adrenaline lovers, maybe you should like to check your bicycle's brakes beforehand just in case.
Once we reach the plains, we will take a lovely path that will guide us through the cute towns of Sotres, Tielve, Las Arenas, etc. until we reach to Avín, our first stop.
Once we leave Avín, we have a lovely 12 km downhill until we reach Cangas de Onís, which is in the top of a hill, but since this stage is on a very well-paved road, there is not such a big problem, also is not such steep so it is very easy to ride on. We head North in order to meet the Asturin Coast, we can make a break in the famous towns of Villanueva, Cobiella or Santianes before we reach to the end of our second stage in Ribadesella.
Then, we follow the route on roads with huge shoulders and local roads with gave us plenty space to go all together, chatting and having fun.
Then we reach to our last stage until we reach to Panes, this part of the route is specially beautiful due to the impressive landscape, is also very plain and with a big shoulder so it can even be done with young people (not chidren!) even thought you always have to take care when cars come. However, the effort is completely rewarded with such incredible landscapes.
Without a doubt, Asturias is a magnificent natural sea, mountain and country paradise with a very diverse environment. Protected on one side by the Bay of Biscay and on the other by the Picos de Europa mountain range, this region has always been isolated and protected from possible invasions and therefore has many deep-routed traditions and rituals. The typical Asturian is friendly and open, always willing to receive outsiders who wish to get to know their land. Its cuisine is based on cider, fabada (bean stew) and cheese, together with shellfish and fish.
If Asturian cuisine had to be described in few words, it could be defined as slow cooking over low heat. The Asturians do not use many spices or other condiments in their dishes which could distort the natural taste of the ingredients. The kitchens use old-style stoves which conjure up an atmosphere from another era, contrasting strongly with the stress of modern day life. Asturians delight in their stews, the "fabada" being the queen of them all.
