REMOTE SPAIN 2026: an epic 1100k, two week ride from Bilbao in the north to Seville in the south, 3-16 October 2026
A ride designed to bring out the best of remote Spain, offering a heady mix of small roads, lonely villages and spectacular old cities
Starting in Bilbao, this self-supported ride follows quiet country roads through the Picos, then across the plains and the hills of north and western Spain, to pass through and stay in the great medieval cities of Burgos, Tordesillas, Salamanca and Trujillo, finishing in mighty Seville. Daily distances average around 56 miles/90k, with only one day at 70 miles/112k, and so will suit almost all reasonably fit club riders who are looking for a exciting but sociable challenge. With all meals included (breakfast, picnic lunches and dinner) and using a mixture of small hotels in the country and bigger ones in the cities, and led throughout by an experienced guide, this will be a real adventure for the maximum of 10 riders. More details and prices are in the section below.
Details of Remote Spain 2026
Getting to Bilbao: The ride dovetails with the arrival of ferry from Portsmouth on 3 October. However, flying to Bilbao is straightforward, with several flights daily from UK. I am always ready to advise on any of these options.
Saturday 3 October: Arrive Bilbao, for dinner and overnight (included).
Sunday 4 October: 55m/88k from Bilbao for a relatively easy ride to the village of Ona.
Monday 5 October: 62m/100k, leaving the foothills and across the plains to the medieval city of Burgos.
Tuesday 6 October: 63m/101k across the rolling wheat fields to the charming town of Palencia
Wednesday 7 October: 58m/94k to the walled city of Tordesillas, via lovely Ampudia.
Thursday 8 October: 57m/92k to spectacular Salamanca, arriving late afternoon to enjoy the golden city.
Friday 9 October: 62m/99k into the hills to the hamlet of Las Mestas, via the hill town of La Alberca.
Saturday 10 October: 61m/98k up and down cherry growing hills to the city of Plasencia.
Sunday 11 October: 56m/90k through the Parque Natural de Montrague to the medieval town of Trujillo.
Monday 12 October: 68m/110k (mostly flat!) via the Roman city of Merida to the modern town of Almendralejo.
Tuesday 13 October: 56m/90k with some steep hills to the hamlet of Segura de Leon.
Wednesday 14 October: 62m/100k up and down glorious country to the sleepy town of Castilblanco
Thursday 15 October: 25m/40k easy run into Seville, staying right in the old centre, with lots of time before
Friday 16 October: … return to UK
Options for return:
Fly from Seville, currently 6 direct flights to London scheduled for 16 October.
All you will need is a bike bag, carried with you, weight under one kilo and sits in the bottom of the pannier
(shown, bike ready to go home from Seville earlier this year). Alternatively, Decathlon in Seville do offer cardboard bike boxes for 15-20 euros. Seville airport is very good at handling bikes and we had no problems. The cheapest and fastest option!
2. Train. This is possible but it isn’t easy, due to Spanish, French and Eurostar restrictions, and it will require a bike bag and some dismantling (pedals, wheels, handlebars). I have researched most routes and am ready to advise.
3. Car/van and ferry. You could hire a one-way hire a car or van for the bikes and drive to Bilbao or Santander (a little over 500 miles, so about 10 hours). This will connect well with the Bilbao-Portsmouth ferry departing 1300 Saturday 17 October, the Santander-Portsmouth ferry departing 1400 Sunday 18 October or Santander-Plymouth departing 1815 Monday 19 October This option will appeal to those with electric bikes but also to anyone who prefers not to fly.
Prices:
£1949 per person, sharing accommodation £2549 per person, single accommodation
Prices include: all bed and breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners, and a tour leader throughout
The only things you have to pay for in addition are booze, drinks in cafes, and travel to and from Spain.
