Vuelta a España: the best memories

Your Bike Spain guides will pick you up from either Bilbao or Santander airport and transfer you to our hotel inPuente Viesgo. Upon arrival, you’ll meet the team, receive a warm welcome, and have your bike fitted and adjusted.

Puente Viesgo is a peaceful spa town set along the Pas River, known for its prehistoric caves, natural surroundings, and elegant Belle Époque architecture. If you wish, you can join a gentle guided walk through the village to explore its historic bridges, leafy riverbanks, and charming streets. It’s also an excellent place to unwind before the start of your cycling adventure.

In the evening, we’ll get to know each other over a delicious dinner.

As is typical in Spain, we’ll enjoy excellent road surfaces and courteous drivers, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Picos de Europa’s towering limestone peaks.

Don’t be misled by the numbers — although the gradients look manageable, the climb is long and unrelenting: 5.9 km at 6.6% to the first pass at Ozalba, followed by 5.7 km at 7.6% to the Collada de la Hoz, and finally another 17 km at 3.9% to reach the top.

Before the climb, we can visit the renowned sanctuary set within a cave — a place of great historical significance for Asturias and the namesake of the entire area.

The ascent begins just after the sanctuary: 14 km with 962 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.87%. The most demanding section comes between kilometres 7 and 9, where the slopes of La Huesera offer 800 metres of continuous ramps between 12–15%, followed by the Mirador de la Reina with pitches reaching 14–15%. This climb holds the record for the most appearances in the history of La Vuelta.

After conquering Covadonga, we’ll stop in a nearby coastal town to taste traditional cider and enjoy local Asturian dishes. We’ll then transfer you back to your hotel in the beautiful city of Oviedo.

It’s a serious challenge, but there’s no pressure: our support vehicle will always be nearby if you’d like to rest or hop on for a lift at any point. After the climb, you can ride back to the hotel and enjoy a well-earned traditional Asturian dinner.

Later, we’ll explore Segovia itself — a city filled with architectural treasures and timeless charm. Be sure not to miss its imposing medieval castle, the atmospheric old town, the magnificent cathedral, and of course the iconic Roman aqueduct, standing for more than 2,000 years and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Along the way, we’ll enjoy a visit to the historic Monastery of El Paular and stop for a coffee in one of the charming mountain villages. The final push to the Navacerrada pass is a real test, with a steep paved trail leading to the ski resort, including sections reaching 20%. It’s a climb with legendary status, where Nibali first secured his Vuelta title in 2010 after a thrilling duel with Mosquera.

Our support bus will be nearby to make the ride easier, and time permitting we’ll stop in El Barraco to explore its Cyclist Museum, celebrating the town’s top Spanish riders. The day finishes with a scenic drive into Madrid.

Arrival airport: Bilbao (BIO) or Santander (SDR)

Direct flights to Bilbao are available from Newark (EWR), as well as from many destinations within Europe.

Direct flights to Santander are available from a number of destinations within Europe.

Alternatively, both Bilbao and Santander are well-connected with Spain’s train network.

Departure airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD)

Direct flights are available from Madrid to a number of destinations worldwide.