Upon leaving northern Spain’s biggest and most bustling city of Bilbao, we head towards the quiet and beautiful roads in the interior of the Basque Country. Expect forested roads, varied vegetation and undulating parcours. As we pass into the rural community of Cantabria, we will face the day’s biggest test, the Puerto de Alisas (12.6km at 4.9%), where we will ascend more than 600 metres to be greeted by a spectacular viewpoint of the surrounding hills, mountains and nearby ocean. From there we will descend towards our finish in Solares

It’s only day two but already we’re crossing a regional border yet again, this time waving goodbye to charming Cantabria and saying hello to beautiful Asturias. Before we change communities, however, we’ll be visiting the idyllic Collados del Astón, famous for its limestone rock and small forests. The main climb of the day is El Caracol (10.5km at 5.5%), perhaps an appropriately-named climb given that its translation in English is The Snail. Once we’re at the top, though, we will be presented with marvellous views looking out over the Cantabrian hills. A twisting descent will follow that will take us onto peaceful roads until our finishing village of Panes that sits at the foot of the Picos de Europa.

The magnificent Picos de Europa will dominate our day’s riding, as we first trace the northern edge of the National Park until we reach the village of Cabrales, famous for its rich, blue cheese. A small climb (6.7km at 4.1%) will warm up our legs in time for the mythical ascent of Lagos de Covadonga (13.9km at 6.9%). Frequently used in the Vuelta a España, we will ride in the wheel tracks of legends like Alberto Contador and Chris Froome all the way to the climb’s summit where two pristine lakes reflect the nearby mountains. It’s then an enjoyable descent back down the same road until the delightful and surprisingly busy town of Cangas de Onis.

An easier day is in store as we continue our journey west towards the lively city of Oviedo. The terrain is forgiving and pleasant as we pass various pretty villages, at all times surrounded by smaller hills and bigger mountains, the site of many a racing battle in the Vuelta de España. The historic cathedral and plazas of the Constitution and Fontán are well worth a visit once in Oviedo, while the extra hours of rest will permit us to try Asturias’ favourite drink, cider. 

Following four days exploring the stunning terrain of the interior, we will make a beeline towards the coast on stage five, ready to be impressed by the magnificent Cantabrian Sea. En-route towards the mar we will ride through multiple hills and forests, while once at the coast jaw-dropping cliffs, unspoiled beaches and green pastures will characterise our surroundings. Expect a succession of short, sharp ascents and thrilling descents before we end the longest day of the tour by the ocean in Navia.

We begin the day how we ended yesterday: riding alongside the wild waves of the ocean. After 27km we will cross the Rivadeo River to enter the province of Galicia where the parcours remains unchanged: small, twisting roads without much traffic. At 50km we will turn back inland and be confronted with a gradual but lengthy climb (11km at 3.4%) upon leaving the village of Mondoñedo. Our finishing town of Vilalba, famous for its marvellous 11th century castle, is just a 20km spin from the climb’s summit.

Our final day of cycling sees us take in much of the same terrain and parcours, with punchy climbs and quiet roads the order of the day. There are no serious ascents to be concerned about as we head into the world-renowned city of Santiago de Compostela and to our finishing location of its magnificent cathedral, paid for by King Alfonso II in the 8th century after he became the first pilgrim to hike what is now known as the Camino de Santiago. We will doubtlessly be surrounded by jubilant finishers of the Camino, Europe’s most-famous long-distance trek, as we enjoy our own celebration after seven wonderful days crossing from east to west across northern Spain.