Potes to Ponferrada
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 10-04-2025
Route Summary 
Share this route 
Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 10m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
343.99 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Nestled in the mountains of León lies Portilla de la Reina, a dreamy village that seems like something out of a legend. Its houses nestled against the cliffs and its clean air make this place a paradise waiting to be discovered at an altitude of 1,243 m. The village is sheltered by four rocky outcrops: Cuervo, Cuesta, Cruz, and Cincho. The Yuso River runs through the centre of the village and it is the entrance area from León to the Picos de Europa National Park. The road surface is generally good and there are several hairpin bends to negotiate.
The high peaks of Torre del Hoyo de Liordes at 2477 metres, with the slightly shorter Torre de Salinas 2447 metres to the right are in front of you dominating the skyline.
I have suggested a coffee stop in the mountain village of Posada de Valdeón, noting better than sipping your coffee in fresh mountain air surrounded by mountain peaks at over 2000m.
There are viewpoint after viewpoint and you have to decide which ones to stop at, I have highlighted a few.
The Puerto de las Señales at 1625 metres above sea level is the highest point of this route. Las Señales is one of the highest mountain passes in the Cantabrian Mountains in an environment which has a great wealth of fauna and flora , as well as natural viewpoints of great scenic beauty. From its summit, you can also observe the natural surroundings of the Cantabrian Mountains.
Then you'll be passing through the ski resort of San Isidro which has the border between Castilla y Leon and the Principality of Asturias running right through the middle of it.
The route follows river valleys, with mountain peaks and meadows on a mixture of roads but all have a reasonable surface.
I have suggested a lunch stop in the mountain village of Bárzana, there are several places to choose from but you'd be hard pushed to better Casa Jamallo which offers delicious local cuisine at affordable prices.
After lunch the route uses the AS-228 and follows the Rio Teverga to a tunnel, when you emerge from the Túnel de Valdecerca after 498 metres, you'll be in the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park. The great biological richness of Las Ubiñas - La Mesa Natural Park makes it one of the few places where you can still see the magnificent brown bear. There's thought to be only around 400 individuals roaming wild, but you're in the heart of bear country so keep a look out.
Once again, the views and scenery are spectacular and the roads have some good, fast sweeping bends and a good surface, making this route ideal for motorcycles.
As the valley tightens up, you can stop for fuel and then you will pass through the rugged Gorges de Paramo, a narrow gorge with sheer cliffs either side of you and a short rock tunnel too, another great motorcycle road.
There are viewpoints all along this section of the route and as the road is not busy, it is easy to stop to take pictures. Mirador de Ubiña gives a great view of Peña Ubiña at 2417 metres it is one of the highest peaks.
The route travels on the Puenta de Las Palomas or Pigeon Bridge that crosses over a deep ravine carved out by the River Sil. The route will follow the Sil for the next 72 kilometres all the way to the finish at Hotel Ponferrada Plaza.
Enjoy
Links 
Usage Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically. 
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Castile and León
About this region
Castile and León (UK: , US: ; Spanish: Castilla y León [kasˈtiʎa i leˈon] (listen); Leonese: Castiella y Llión [kasˈtjeʎa i ʎiˈoŋ]; Galician: Castela e León [kasˈtɛlɐ ɪ leˈoŋ]) is an autonomous community in north-western Spain.
It was created in 1983. Formed by the provinces of Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora, it is the largest autonomous community in Spain in terms of area, covering 94,222 km2. It is however sparsely populated, with a population density below 30/km2. While a capital has not been explicitly declared, the seats of the executive and legislative powers are set in Valladolid by law and for all purposes that city (also the most populated municipality) serves as de facto regional capital.
Castile and León is a landlocked region, bordered by Portugal as well as by the Spanish autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Castilla–La Mancha, the Community of Madrid and Extremadura. Chiefly comprising the northern half of the Inner Plateau, it is surrounded by mountain barriers (the Picos de Europa to the North, the Sistema Central to the South and the Sistema Ibérico to the East) and it is drained by the Douro River, flowing west toward the Atlantic Ocean.
The region contains eight World Heritage Sites. UNESCO recognizes the Cortes of León of 1188 as the cradle of worldwide parliamentarism.
Read more on Wikipedia
It was created in 1983. Formed by the provinces of Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora, it is the largest autonomous community in Spain in terms of area, covering 94,222 km2. It is however sparsely populated, with a population density below 30/km2. While a capital has not been explicitly declared, the seats of the executive and legislative powers are set in Valladolid by law and for all purposes that city (also the most populated municipality) serves as de facto regional capital.
Castile and León is a landlocked region, bordered by Portugal as well as by the Spanish autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Castilla–La Mancha, the Community of Madrid and Extremadura. Chiefly comprising the northern half of the Inner Plateau, it is surrounded by mountain barriers (the Picos de Europa to the North, the Sistema Central to the South and the Sistema Ibérico to the East) and it is drained by the Douro River, flowing west toward the Atlantic Ocean.
The region contains eight World Heritage Sites. UNESCO recognizes the Cortes of León of 1188 as the cradle of worldwide parliamentarism.
View region
Statistics 
38Amount of RX reviews (Castile and León)
13358Amount of visitors (Castile and León)
3229Amount of downloads (Castile and León)
Route Collections in this region Three tours in and around Picos de Europa Northern Spain
The Picos de Europa is a mountainous area in northern Spain, next to the Basque Country. In the middle is the village of Posada de Valdeon, which cannot be reached by motorbike from the north: you have to drive around the Picos via Potes or Sames. We stayed overnight in Posada de Valdeon in Hostal Casa Abascal. A great hotel with breakfast option. You can eat in a restaurant in the village with usually a choice of two menus.
There are all kinds of nature reserves around the Picos. These three routes take you through some of them. There are gorges to see, viewpoints, reservoirs and you can walk more than fine. If you like walking, bring your walking shoes.
But we come to ride and it's going great. Excellent roads with the occasional piece of unpaved so that you do not have to detour far for another attraction. You can eat delicious food and the people are very nice and hospitable. And because the route to Lourdes goes above the Picos, there are also pilgrimage sites and very beautiful churches and monasteries. The most beautiful thing in this area is the nature: breathtakingly beautiful with wild animals, rugged mountains and wild rivers.
All in all, you can spend at least 4 days here if you take a day of rest or go for a walk.
There are all kinds of nature reserves around the Picos. These three routes take you through some of them. There are gorges to see, viewpoints, reservoirs and you can walk more than fine. If you like walking, bring your walking shoes.
But we come to ride and it's going great. Excellent roads with the occasional piece of unpaved so that you do not have to detour far for another attraction. You can eat delicious food and the people are very nice and hospitable. And because the route to Lourdes goes above the Picos, there are also pilgrimage sites and very beautiful churches and monasteries. The most beautiful thing in this area is the nature: breathtakingly beautiful with wild animals, rugged mountains and wild rivers.
All in all, you can spend at least 4 days here if you take a day of rest or go for a walk.
View Route Collection
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection