Potes 3-6 June
Centre of Potes
You can immediately see why so many riders are drawn to the Picos de Europa. One of its great attractions is its proximity to Santander. The mountains are little more than a couple of hours ride from the ferry port. That is, of course, unless you decide, as I often do, to ignore the direct route and head south on the quieter rural roads, where both the time and distance can easily double. However, on this occasion I intended to arrive early, drop the luggage off at the hotel and explore the region.
The 25-mile stretch from the A8 to Potes is simply sublime. The road surface has been extensively reconstructed and is maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Roads of this quality are usually associated with Germany, Austria or Switzerland rather than northern Spain. In places, resurfacing work was still underway, but that is a small price to pay for keeping these roads in such excellent condition. Despite a few stop-go traffic controls, progress remained smooth and effortless.
The route passes through a succession of charming villages before entering a spectacular narrow gorge. Emerging from the rock walls, the landscape suddenly opens into a broad valley, providing a dramatic introduction to Potes.
Nestled in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park, Potes is a delightful medieval town that serves as a perfect base for outdoor adventure, historical exploration and relaxed dining. The town is packed with independently run restaurants, cafés and bars, all offering excellent value. Food enthusiasts looking for a wide selection of dining experience may be left wanting, although there are a handful of international options, including Mexican and Italian restaurants.
Picos de Europe Mountain Range at Fuente Dé
Among the area's highlights are the Fuente Dé Cable Car, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the historic Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. For motorcyclists, however, the roads are the real attraction, with countless routes beginning and ending in Potes.
Centre of Potes
The town is immensely popular with the biking community. From here, riders can continue south west towards Portugal or spend days exploring the countless mountain roads that criss-cross the region. My first impression on arrival was simple: bikes everywhere. My hotel was full of riders from all corners of Europe, all drawn here by the same magnificent roads and scenery.
Having settled in, I found a small local bar and ordered a Café con leche a generous slice of tortilla de patatas, and a platter of local queso y salchicha. It was the perfect introduction to the town and an opportunity to sit back and watch the world go by.
Fuente De
One thing you certainly do not need in Potes is a dinner reservation. There is an abundance of restaurants and bars to choose from. As is often the case in Spain, many restaurants do not open their doors until after 8.00 pm. The restaurant I had intended to visit was still firmly locked up when I arrived, so I crossed the street and found myself in a Mexican restaurant instead. After two courses and a couple of beers later, the bill came to just €43. Given the quality of food, it felt like excellent value for money.