| 1. Day 9 of our charity bike ride to the Picos de Europa Mountains in northern Spain. For more info see www.picosriders.org.uk
After a free day in the area around Potes, the next day we leave the Picos de Europa but head in a generally easterly direction, through the Cantabrian mountains. Fantastic scenery again today, so don't forget the camera!
We start by heading north on the N621, following the Rio Deva down stream, and return through the natural beauty of the Hermida Gorge.
At the small village of La Hermida, take the right turn and head east towards Linares on the CA857. Now the going gets tough as the road winds its way through the hills and valleys of the Sierra Cantabria. First there is the Collada (mountain pass) de Hoz, a 10.7k climb up to 675 Mtrs. Then after about 6k comes the Collada de Ozalba, a 6.6k climb to 548 Mtrs.
If you have not already had a stop, you should find a bar in the village of Puentenansa which nestles in the valley of the River Nansa.
Crossing over the puente (bridge) continue east on the road which now becomes the CA182.
After more winding and scenic miles you come to the next major climb, 10.8k up to the Collada de Carmona at 611 Mtrs.
Now it is nearly 5k of down hill to reach the CA180, where we go right (south) towards Valle, in the valley of the Rio Saja. Another 3k brings us to the small village of Renedo and our overnight stop at Posada (country inn) El Urogallo.
Buenas Noches! |