Routes for mountain biking in the province of Asturias

Rutas para salir en bicicleta de montaña en la provincia de Asturias

Asturias is synonymous with wild nature, and above all, mountains. It is a true paradise for those who love cycling, whether on mountain bikes or road bikes. The region offers challenging and technical MTB routes, surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, but also legendary passes that every road cyclist dreams of conquering at least once in their life.

If mountain biking is your thing, Asturias is a top-level cycling destination. You'll find routes for all levels, from forest trails to technical descents along high mountain tracks. The Picos de Europa, the mining basin, or the nature reserves of Ubiñas and Somiedo —home to the brown bear— offer unique environments to enjoy on two wheels.

But there is also room for asphalt. Road bikes find here some of the most spectacular settings in northern Spain. Climbs like El Angliru or Los Lagos de Covadonga have become legendary in professional cycling, and riding these routes means cycling on the very stage of La Vuelta a España.

Oviedo, Gijón, the Asturian coast, and its fishing villages are ideal for alternating more relaxed days, both on mountain and road bikes, with equally spectacular landscapes but with less elevation gain. Asturias not only allows you to train or explore: it gives you every kilometer with unforgettable experiences.

Vía Verde Senda del Oso

A long but easy route with departure and arrival in the small village of Tuñón, just 25 km southwest of Oviedo. The route follows the valley of the Trubia River, along the greenway of the Senda del Oso, passing by the famous Xanas gorge and heading gently uphill to the town of Caranga de Abajo, already in the heart of the Cantabrian mountains, on the edge of the Ubiñas natural park. In Tuñón there is the Senda del Oso MTB center, where it is possible to rent a mountain bike to do the route, as well as get directions about the route or be provided with the track GPS to guide you via your mobile phone. A route to enjoy for a whole morning and delight in the green landscapes of Asturias' interior, without great physical exertion.

Cangas de Onís MTB Route

Cangas de Onís is considered by many the heart of Asturias. You can't leave Asturias without visiting this beautiful town, which in medieval times was the capital of the kingdom of the same name. We suggest a circular route that runs northwest of the town, where you can also visit Villanueva or Arriondas, where the famous descent of the Sella River begins. After Arriondas, you'll have to tackle the climb to Pico Moru. This ascent starts on a concrete track and finishes on a rather rocky dirt track, although it doesn't pose great technical difficulty. The route alternates between trail sections, forest tracks, and road, although there are not many kilometers of road and these are just connecting stretches.

Luarca - Las Brañas

The western coast of Asturias stands out for its green landscapes, cliffs, and beautiful beaches. From Luarca, we take on a demanding MTB route that is part of the Desafío BTT las Brañas y Mar de Luarca event, with five consecutive climbs. To do this, you have to head inland to the southeast after crossing the A-8 and reach Paredes, then return from the mountains to the coast via Canéu, Tourán beach, and the beaches of Salinas and Luarca, already on the coast. This is a route that combines the typical landscape of the Asturian coast with the inland mountains. The route mostly follows forest tracks that are not very technical, although it is a continuous up and down with steep ramps in some sections.

Redes Natural Park

The Redes Natural Park is located in the south of the region, between the councils or municipalities of Caso and Sobrescobio. Perhaps its mountains are not as high or spectacular as those of the Picos de Europa, but they contain beech and oak forests that are a true natural treasure. Through them, as well as their beautiful valleys, runs this mountain bike route for experienced riders, especially physically. In 53 kilometers, you overcome more than 1,700 meters of positive elevation gain, although the effort is well worth it for the trails among beech and oak groves. It is especially recommended to do the route in autumn, when the forests reach their full splendor with different shades of foliage.

  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Type: XC / Trail
  • Distance: 53 kilometers
  • Elevation gain: 1,786 meters
  • Route type: Circular
  • Start/finish: Rioseco (Sobrescobio)
  • See the track of the route on Wikiloc