The iconic Picos loop — every rider in the region does it. From Ojedo/Potes, take the N-621 north through the Desfiladero de La Hermida gorge — near-vertical limestone walls, road pinned to the riverbank for 20 km. Reach Panes, then loop east to Cangas de Onís. Climb the N-625 through the Desfiladero de los Beyos gorge (narrower, with tunnels and rock overhangs) up to Puerto del Pontón at 1,280 m. Descend to Riaño on the León side, then return to Potes over the Puerto de San Glorio pass at 1,604 m — the highest paved pass in the region.
From Ojedo, ride south through the lush Liébana Valley on the dead-end road to Fuente Dé, sitting under a massive rock amphitheatre at the head of the valley. The road winds through terraced hillsides, passing through Mogrovejo — one of Spain's most beautiful villages, with its medieval stone tower.
From Ojedo, ride north through La Hermida gorge to Panes, then east on the AS-114 toward Arenas de Cabrales. Take the dramatic road to Poncebos, where the famous Cares Gorge trail begins. From Poncebos, take the funicular railway up to Bulnes — one of Spain's most remote villages, reachable only by foot or this railway carved through the mountain. Continue the loop to Sotres (one of Asturias' highest villages), then the panoramic CA-1 road to Tresviso, and back via Panes.
Break out of the mountains to the wild Cantabrian coast. From Ojedo, ride north through the Hermida gorge to Panes, then northeast to the coast at Llanes. Follow the coastal road east to the surfing town of Ribadesella, then loop back inland through the Sierra del Sueve and back to Potes via Cangas de Onís. Expect ocean views, gentle sweepers along cliffs, and a totally different vibe from the high passes.
From Ojedo, take the N-621 south directly from Potes to Riaño over the Puerto de San Glorio pass at 1,604 m. This is 37 km of fully paved, generously wide road — the southern approach is open and fast, while the descent to Potes tightens progressively as the valley closes in. At the summit, a short paved spur runs to the Collado de Llesba viewpoint, one of the few places you can see the full scale of the central massif from the saddle.
This is the road that professional motorcycle tour guide Simon Weir called "just magical" — a hidden gem that most visiting riders never find. From Ojedo, ride to Riaño via San Glorio, then turn off the main road onto the P-210. This road snakes past a pair of reservoirs with hills decked in purple heather, then picks up the Ebro River. Three-quarters of the run beside the river is on broad, immaculate tarmac. Then, as the hills rise higher, pressing the river into a gorge, the road is squeezed down to a single lane past a filigree of cliffs and crystal-clear waterfalls.
| Day | Route | Distance | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Route 5 (San Glorio) + Route 6 (Ebro P-210) | ~200 km | Big alpine pass + hidden gorge gem |
| Day 2 | Route 1 (Classic Triangle) | ~250 km | The iconic Picos loop — 2 gorges + 2 passes |
| Day 3 | Route 2 (Fuente Dé) + Route 3 (Cares/Cabrales) | ~210 km | Cable car + cheese country + Bulnes funicular |