Spanish Picos and Portugal Motorcycle Tour

Plymouth to Santander
Meeting point – Brittany Ferries main terminal We take the overnight mini cruise from Plymouth to Santander on-board the Pont-Aven, which is Brittany Ferries flagship cruise ferry.

The ship boasts a swimming pool, a la carte restaurant, cocktail piano bar and a two storey lounge bar/entertainment area. We book inside 2 berth club cabin on all crossings. If you would like a different cabin then we are happy to try and accommodate but there will be a charge.

We dock in Santander mid afternoon.

We ride the coast road west out of Santander before heading south down to Panes and our first view of the Pico's mountains. From here we ride the fantastic AS-114 towards Cangas De Onis, reaching our hotel hight in the mountains, where you can enjoy a dip in the pool or a couple of beers on the terrace taking in the stunning views of the mountains and beautiful green countryside that surrounds the hotel.

After a restful night we head west leaving Cantabria, heading through Asturias following the Rio Narcea, over the El Picu Panllon Mountain down to the Rio Navia Dan and lake for a stunning lunch stop. After lunch we ride the insanely brilliant LU-530, one of the best roads in Europe. Finishing the day riding in Ourense following the Rio Minho.

Its due south all day today, down into Portugal to ride through the Mata Da Albergaria, a well preserved oak forest within the Peneda-Geraas National Park. Then onto the beautiful vineyards of the Douro Valley and a dip in the pool on the banks of the river Douro.

After a 5-star breakfast we follow the Douro River east for 40 miles switching from one bank to the other through the vineyards. Stopping at the Valeria Dam which forms the border line between the districts of Viseu and Braganca. There may just be a river cruiser going through the lock. We then head north to Murca and Mirandela on some fantastic smooth sweeping tarmac. We finish the day in the Northern town of Chaves staying in the old fort in the centre of town. Make sure to make use of the Hotel bars and swimming pool.

Its a 3.5 hour ride out towards Braga today. Some of the best roads you will ride all year. The views, road surface and sweeping turns will have you smiling from ear to ear. Back to the hotel for lunch and a dip in the pool or walk around the old town. Great Day.

We start the day heading east to Braganca on the unbelievably good N103. What a start to the day. Back into Spain and up and over the Meruelas Moutains (2020m) dropping into Pon Ferrada for refreshments before heading off to Leon for the night to enjoy the wonderful old town full of bars and restaurants.

First stop of the day is at the south dam of Embalse De Juan Benet, we then follow the east shore of the lake up to the ski resort of Puerto de San Isidro for a coffee stop. Next we make our way down through the Parque Natural Redes to Embalse de Riano for lunch. From Riano its the N621 past the famous stag and up the Pots n Pans Route to Panes and onto our hotel in the mountains for our last night in Spain.

Today it is back down into the Picos for 5 hrs of play time before heading back up to Santander to catch our late afternoon ferry home. Great last days ride to finish the tour off.