Adventure Partners Stage Ride Vol. 11 – Picos25

Price range: 500,00 € through 2 500,00 €

When the Solvalla Alps start to feel like flatlands, it’s time to join Adventure Partners for a week-long stage ride.
The route changes every year, but the goal remains the same: to include as many iconic and lesser-known classic climbs as possible.

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Description

Our annual week-long stage ride takes place in September. The cycling adventure for 2026 will be published in November. We explored Picos de Europa in 2025.

When the Solvalla Alps start to feel like flatlands, it’s time to join Adventure Partners for a week-long stage ride.
The route changes every year, but the goal remains the same: to include as many iconic and lesser-known classic climbs as possible.

All your extra gear travels in a support vehicle, so you can focus entirely on enjoying the ride.

Each day’s stage is approximately 100 km, with the whole day available for riding after a shared breakfast. Flat sections are ridden together as a group, while uphill and downhill stretches are free pace. In the evenings, we regroup to share the day’s experiences and enjoy a well-earned dinner together, fueling up for the next stage.

Prices

The trip costs €2500 and includes:

  • Accommodations, including the stay in Potes from 5.9 to 6.9

  • Airport transfers between Bilbao airport and Potes, and from Cangas de Onís to the airport (detailed schedule to be confirmed later)

  • Meals at hotels (breakfast and dinner)

  • Support vehicle services

  • 1 Adventure Partners cycling jersey; additional jerseys €50 each

  • Bike transport €150 per bag

A deposit of €500 is paid upon registration.

For inquiries, contact: outofoffice@adventurepartners.fi


Adventure Partners Stage Ride Vol. 11 – Picos25

Adventure Partners has visited the Pyrenees twice, but until now, the legendary climbs made famous by the Vuelta have remained untouched. That’s about to change. From September 6 to September 14, 2025, we’ll explore some real gems in the Cantabrian Mountains over the course of seven incredible riding days.

This stunning mountain range lies in the northern provinces of Cantabria, Asturias, and León. We’ll begin and end our journey at the foot of the majestic Picos de Europa.

Accommodation stops along the way include:
Potes (1 night), Riaño (2 nights), Las Caldas (3 nights), and Cangas de Onís (2 nights).

The preliminary route covers 833 km with an estimated 16,788 meters of climbing.
Each day includes route options of varying lengths to suit how you’re feeling.

Stage Itinerary – Adventure Partners Stage Ride Vol. 11 – Picos25


📍 Potes | September 6–7

Potes is a small town on the southeastern edge of the Picos de Europa. The surrounding area offers plenty of great cycling roads — enough to keep you riding for several days. After assembling your bike, you can take a short test ride, perhaps up to Fuente Dé.

On the first full riding day, we head southwest toward Riaño, which sits at a higher altitude. There will be more climbing than descending. The first major ascent is Puerto de San Glorio (24 km, 5.2%). At the top, there’s an optional detour to Collada de Llesba, adding under 100 meters of extra elevation — rewarded by stunning views.

Next, we leave the main road and ride toward Posada de Valdeón, then climb to Puerto de Panderrueda (9.7 km, 5.1%).

  • Distance: 93 km

  • Elevation gain: 2,477 m

  • Easier option: Skip the Valdeón loop.


📍 Riaño | September 7–8

Riaño sits on the shore of a large reservoir. The original town was submerged when the dam was built, and the current Riaño was rebuilt nearby. We’ll only stay one night here now but return later for another stay.

Next, we ride west toward Oviedo. The first part of the stage runs along a plateau, followed by a 45 km descent. After that, we detour to climb the Colladiella–Mozqueta combo:

  • Alto de la Colladiella (8.9 km, 6.7%)

  • Alto la Mozqueta (3.7 km, 7.4%)

The day finishes with rolling terrain as we approach our spa hotel in Las Caldas, near Oviedo.

  • Distance: 147 km

  • Elevation gain: 1,931 m

  • Easier option: Skip the Colladiella–Mozqueta loop.


📍 Las Caldas | September 8–11

We’ll spend 3 nights in Las Caldas, home to a spa hotel, a golf course, and even a 500-meter-long cave.

🗓️ Day 3 – September 9

The highlight of this day is the legendary Alto de l’Angliru — a brutal climb that has featured in the Vuelta 9 times. Legend has it the Vuelta organizers were looking to outdo Monte Zoncolan — and they found it.

  • Length: 13.2 km

  • Average gradient: 9.4%

  • The first half is manageable, but then the gradient ramps up to 13–17% for several km.

Also on the route:

  • Alto de la Cobertoria (7.9 km, 8.7%)

  • El Cordal (5.5 km, 8.9%)
    Optional extra climbs:

  • Ermita del Alba (6.8 km, 11.1%)

  • Alto del Gamoniteiru (15 km, 9.7%)

  • Distance: 113 km

  • Elevation gain: 3,148 m

  • With all detours: Elevation gain exceeds 4,500 m


🗓️ Day 4 – September 10

Today’s goal is the stunning climb of Puerto de la Cubilla (27.8 km, 4.7%).
Before that, we ascend El Cordal again, but from the opposite side (14.4 km, 4.3%).

  • Distance: 137 km

  • Elevation gain: 2,446 m


🗓️ Day 5 – September 11

We return to Riaño, this time taking a slightly lower-altitude route. The key climb of the day is Puerto de San Isidro (27 km, 4.1%), followed by Puerto de las Señales (6.5 km, 5.9%).

  • Distance: 136 km

  • Elevation gain: 2,386 m


📍 Riaño | September 11–12

We now head north, along the western edge of Picos de Europa. After a flat start and a 20 km descent, we detour up a unique climb known as the local version of “Lacets de Montvernier”:

  • Casielles (4 km, 471 m elevation, 11.9% average!)

Before reaching our destination, we also climb:

  • Collada Llomena (7.7 km, 9.2%)

  • Collada Mohandi (5.8 km, 7.4%)

  • Distance: 110 km

  • Elevation gain: 1,966 m


📍 Cangas de Onís | September 12–14

Our final riding day features a Vuelta classic: the climb to Lagos de Covadonga, which has hosted 23 Vuelta stage finishes.

Before that, we’ll enjoy a scenic loop north of the Picos. The Covadonga climb begins gently after Sotos de Cangas —

  • The first 7 km are mild,

  • The next 6 km feature long stretches above 10% gradient,

  • The final stretch flattens out slightly near the lakes.

  • Distance: 103 km

  • Elevation gain: 2,434 m


📤 Departure – September 14

After breakfast and packing up our bikes, we travel to Bilbao Airport for return flights.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the trip suitable for?

The trip is suitable for everyone from cycling enthusiasts to competitive racers. Usually, there are two or more route options planned for each day, and you can often make deviations based on your own preferences.


How much training is needed?

It’s hard to specify an exact amount of training. The most important thing is to have a good base fitness level so you can ride several days in a row. If your base fitness comes from another sport rather than cycling, it’s advisable to do some longer rides (120–150 km) before the trip to get a feel for spending a full day in the saddle. If anything, focus on training quality and nutrition.


What should I pay attention to regarding equipment and gear?

The routes mostly follow paved roads, with a few exceptions. The bike choice should therefore be a regular road bike or cyclocross bike. The longest climbs are about 30 km with elevation gains just under 2000 meters. On such climbs, it’s helpful to maintain a near-normal cadence, so lighter gearing is beneficial. Many people nowadays use a 50/34 chainring in front and an 11-32 cassette in the back. At the top of the climbs, it can be quite cold. You might not feel the cold while climbing, but the descents are a different story. Long gloves, removable leg and arm warmers, and a windbreaker jacket are necessary. The weather has generally been favorable, but it’s wise not to rely on that fully, so bring rain gear as well. A more detailed equipment list will be provided well before the trip.


What does a typical day look like on the trip?

We start riding after breakfast, around 8:30–9:30 am, and arrive back at the hotel around 4:00–5:00 pm. Breaks are taken as needed. Flat sections, if any, are ridden in a group, while climbs and descents are done at your own pace. Breaks are taken as needed. After the day’s stage, pasta is usually served at the hotel if arranged with the hotels. Dinner generally starts around 7:30 pm, during which the next day’s schedule is discussed.


How do the support vehicles operate?

There are two support vehicles accompanying the trip. Both have some tools, spare tires, and other essentials. At the start, each participant receives a plastic box to pack their own supplies, clothes, and snacks. The box is then loaded into the vehicle following that participant’s route. Support vehicles stay behind during climbs and then drive ahead to wait at the top. This way, you don’t need to carry extra snacks and clothes on your bike, avoiding additional weight.


How are bikes transported to the destination?

One of the support vehicles departs from Helsinki the week before the trip. It carries a separate trailer ensuring the safe and timely arrival of your bike at the destination. We recommend packing your bike in soft transport bags. You can also bring your bike with you on the plane.


What is the best way to get to the destination?

The nearest airport is Bilbao. The trip price includes airport transfers (on 5.9, 6.9, and 14.9).

 

Etapit

Päivä Mistä Mihin Pituus Nousumetrit
1 Potes Riaño 93 2477
2 Riaño Las Caldas 147 1931
3 Las Caldas 113 3148
4 Las Caldas 137 2446
5 Las Caldas Riaño 130 2386
6 Riaño Cangas de Onis 110 1966
7 Cangas de Onis 103 2434
Yhteensä 833 16788

 

Nousut

Päivä Nimi Pituus (km) Nousua (m) Prosentit Vuelta kerrat Warren
1 Puerto de San Glorio 24,2 1261 5,2 2 7/10
1 Collada de Llesba 1,9 81 4,4
1 Puerto de Panderrueda 9,7 504 5,1
2 Alto del la Colladiella 8,9 598 6,7 5
2 Alto la Mozqueta 3,7 278 7,4
2 Alto de San Tirso 3,9 267 5
3 Alto de la Cobertoria 7,9 696 8,7 5
3 El Cordal 5,5 491 8,9 5
3 Alto de l’Angliru 13,2 1263 9,4 9 10/10
4 El Cordal 14,4 650 4,3 5
4 Puerto de la Cubilla 27,8 1346 4,7 1 7/10
5 Puerto de San Isidro 27 1111 4,1 3
5 Puerto de las Senales 6,5 384 5,9
6 Casielles 4 471 11,9
6 Collada Llomena 7,7 708 9,2 2
6 Collada Mohandi 5,8 431 7,4
7 Lagos de Covadonga 19 1110 5,4 23 8/10

 Hotellit

Paikka Aika Hotelli
Potes 5.9-7.9 HOTEL INFANTADO
Riano 7.9-8.9 ja 11.9-12.9 Hotel Presa
Las Caldas 8.9-11.9 Las Caldas Villa Termal
Cangas de Onis 12.9-14.9 Hotel Santa Cruz

 

Additional information

Time:

6.9.-14.9.2025 reservation fee, Full payment