The Pedales de León route is part of the Pedales del Mundo network: pedalesdelmundo.com (in Spanish). It takes you through the Cantabrian Mountains, which are steeped in history.

This mountain range in Northern Spain, which includes the imposing Picos de Europa peaks, will test your bike handling skills. Endless trails wind through beech forests, low scrub peaks and meadows. Challenging mountain passes will reward you with spectacular views from their summits. The small, ancient and well-kept villages are wonderful places to stop en route and try local delicacies to replenish your energy.

This route is designed for MTB. You can do it in bikepacking mode with your bags or ride your gravel bike, so long as it has wide tyres and a suitable frame. However, a full-suspension mountain bike will ensure you get the most out of the route. This way, you’ll be able to fully enjoy climbing the intricate trails and have a great time on the technical descents. This adventure is also suitable for e-bikes as you can easily plan where to recharge.

I’ve divided the trip into four stages, which is the most common way to tackle it. At the end of each day, you’ll find everything you need to spend a comfortable night. I recommend booking accommodation in advance to be on the safe side. If you prefer, you can make the trip harder or easier by adding or subtracting days. It’s easy to tailor the route to your requirements as you pass through so many villages en route.

The best time to explore this region is late spring and late summer when temperatures are mild. Summer is also a good time to visit the area, provided there aren’t any heatwaves. Winter is more complicated as the weather can be quite extreme in some places. No matter when you undertake this adventure, remember to pack enough layers to cope with rain or unexpected temperature changes.

The route begins and ends in the town of Cistierna, which has a railway station and is well-connected by bus to the city of León.

Enjoy this spectacular and beautiful ride through the mountains!