Best time to visit the Bear Trail: month-by-month guide

This is not an exaggeration: the Bear Trail in July and August is packed. Families with school-age children on summer holidays, organised groups, domestic and international tourists. On weekends the Tuñón car park fills up before 11:00 and bike rental queues can exceed 30 minutes if you haven't booked.

Tip: Book your bike several days in advance. It's the only way to skip the queue and guarantee the type of bike you want, especially e-bikes and child trailers.

From the second week of September, children go back to school and the trail changes completely. The visitor profile shifts to couples who want to avoid crowds, touring cyclists with more time and people who know that September in Asturias is still summer in everything but the calendar. The weather usually holds up well, days are long and accommodation prices drop.

Tip: If you can choose your dates, September is probably the best month to ride the Bear Trail. You'll get good weather, few people and full bike availability.

Easter is the first major peak of the year. Families take advantage of the holiday break and the weather is usually acceptable in April, though unpredictable. Bike rental demand spikes on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and parking becomes a problem again if you arrive after 11:00.

Tip: Same logic as summer applies: book ahead and leave early. Check our specific Easter guide for details.

Autumn transforms the landscape of the Trubia valley. The beech forests turn ochre and red, the light is lower and more dramatic, and the route is almost deserted on weekdays. Weekends see slightly more people, but nothing comparable to summer. October usually maintains mild temperatures; November gets cooler and the days grow shorter.

Tip: Bring layers and a lightweight rain jacket. The ground can be damp in shaded areas, but the paved trail surface holds up well.

The Bear Trail doesn't close in winter, but the reality is that days are short, it can rain for several days in a row and temperatures drop. Some bike rental services reduce their hours or close temporarily. The trail is practically deserted, which has its own appeal if you enjoy the mountains in silence.

Tip: Check rental opening hours before you go. If you bring your own bike, the trail is perfectly rideable except on days of severe weather.

March and April start quietly, with peaks on bank holiday weekends (Easter aside). May already has decent activity: temperatures are pleasant, days are long and the valley green is at its best. June is the gateway to summer with rising numbers, especially on weekends. Midweek remains calm.

Tip: May and June midweek are a fantastic option: good weather, everything open and no crowds. May bank holidays can see temporary spikes.