Potes is a charming village in Cantabria. Located in the centre of the Liébana region, this area of northern Spain is ideal for road cycling. In this Collection, you discover the rivers Deve and Quiviesa, the confluence of the region’s four valleys, and five mountain passes.

This beautiful enclave earned the titles of one of the ‘most beautiful villages in Spain’ and was also named ‘capital of rural tourism’ in 2020. So, it’s no surprise that Potes is an ideal basecamp for adventures. You’ll find plenty of accommodation here as well as delicious food. Make sure you try regional dishes like lebaniego stew, different local cheeses and the sumptuous grass-fed beef.

The five routes in this Collection set off from Potes’ bridge and tower in the centre. You’ll discover incredible rugged rocky landscapes and endless green meadows once you reach the valleys.

Only two of the routes are circular and you should be in good shape to complete them. They’re 115 kilometres (71 mi) and 240 kilometres (149 mi) respectively, with 2,500 and 4,500 metres (8,200 and 14,770 ft) of elevation gain. The other routes are out and back and shorter. They may sound like challenging routes, but the landscapes that you’ll see from your saddle are so incredible that it’ll be worth the effort. Along the way, you come across other cyclists, climbers, hikers and mountaineers.

You can divide the two more physically demanding circulars into more stages and sleep in several of the villages you cross along the way. Don't forget that this valley is very touristy and has plenty of facilities, even in rural areas.

I recommend avoiding cycling here in winter. As you can imagine, it’s a mountainous area where snowfall is common and some high altitude areas are closed for safety. For this reason, I recommend spring and early autumn as the ideal seasons to enjoy these routes, although summer is also a viable option. The summer season, especially in August, tends to be more popular with national and international tourists. If you can only come during this time of year, make sure you book your accommodation well in advance.

The best way to get to Potes is by car. There are parking areas around the town. There’s also a direct bus from Santander, which takes two and a half hours. This is also a good option that allows you to bring your bike for an extra cost. Santander is also well connected to other parts of Spain by bus, as well as internationally by plane.