Full-day ride — For cyclists with ambition
Oviedo - Senda del Oso
Thirty kilometres that transform a city departure into an adventure through the river valleys of Asturias. From the streets of Oviedo to the green heart of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail), passing through the industrial corridor of the Trubia and villages that tourism has yet to discover. A route for cyclists who want something more than a greenway.
Practical details
The route kilometre by kilometre
From the streets of Oviedo to the gateway of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail) at Tunon, every section has its own character. A gradual transition from urban to wild that is, in itself, the very essence of this route.
Leaving Oviedo — Urban cycle lanes
The start is urban and honest: no mountain postcards here, just the reality of a city that is doing its best to be bike-friendly. From the centre of Oviedo — whether you set off from La Foncalada, the university quarter or the train station — you pick up the cycle lanes that snake southwards. Quality varies: some are dedicated and well signposted, others are shared with traffic and demand your attention. It is not the prettiest section of the route, but it earns its place: few cycling routes in Asturias let you pedal out from the heart of the capital. As you leave the buildings behind, the traffic lights grow further apart and the air begins to smell different. It is a promise of what lies ahead.
Connecting section — Trubia Valley
This is where the transformation begins. The urban fringe dissolves and the landscape opens up to the valley of the River Trubia, a tributary of the Nalon. Quiet secondary roads and stretches of cycle path carry you through a landscape in transition: the last industrial units rub shoulders with the first meadows, apartment blocks give way to village houses. It is a section that many cyclists underestimate, but it has a quiet beauty: the meanders of the river, the stone bridges, the family orchards with apple trees whose branches bend to the ground in autumn. Your rhythm settles, your legs find their cadence and the city is definitively behind you. If you are carrying GPS, this is the stretch where you will need it most: signposting is not always clear.
Industrial-rural corridor
The section with character. The route passes through the corridor that for decades was the industrial heartland of the Trubia basin: arms factories now repurposed, warehouses turned artisan workshops, chimneys that no longer smoke. This is the Asturias that the tourist brochures do not show, and that is precisely what makes it fascinating. Between the old factory buildings, the rural landscape pushes through with stubborn determination: cattle grazing beside brick walls, maize fields next to disused railway sidings. The River Trubia becomes your constant companion, always visible, always audible. Villages with traditional architecture begin to appear — horreos (raised granaries), paneras (larger granaries), stone manor houses — and there is more green between the buildings with every pedal stroke. It is the prelude to the transformation that is about to come.
Approaching La Senda del Oso
This is the section that justifies the entire ride. Almost theatrically, the landscape transforms completely. The mountains, which until now had been a distant backdrop, close in on both sides of the valley and advance with authority. The river narrows and gains force. Riverside woodland — alder, ash, hazel — forms a green tunnel above the path. You start to see the first signs for La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail) and the excitement builds: you have pedalled over 20 km from the city and this metamorphosis of the landscape is your reward. The air is cooler, the dominant sounds are water and birdsong, and civilisation feels like a distant memory. If you have ridden from Oviedo, this moment of transition — from city to wild valley — is something no car can ever give you.
Joining La Senda del Oso at Tunon
Arriving at Tunon is the point where everything shifts gear. This village marks the official start of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail) proper, and you will notice it immediately: the greenway appears perfectly signposted, the surface becomes immaculate and the cycling infrastructure — bike parking, drinking fountains, information boards, rental points — confirms that you have arrived. From Tunon you have several options to continue: press on to Proaza (another 11 km along the main branch, where the brown bears live) or take the fork towards Teverga and the spectacular descent to Entrago. You can also simply stop here, celebrate the 30+ km you have in your legs and organise your return to Oviedo. You have done something the vast majority of visitors to La Senda del Oso will never do: arrived by pedal power from the capital.
Practical tips
Choosing your bike
The e-bike is our top recommendation for this route. It turns 30+ km of sustained effort into a long but perfectly manageable ride, and lets you arrive at Tunon with energy to keep pedalling along the Bear Trail. If you prefer a non-electric bike, go for an MTB or trekking model: wide tyres absorb the compacted gravel sections far better. Avoid road bikes. Check your brakes and carry puncture repair supplies.
Navigation
This route is NOT always well signposted, especially on the section leaving Oviedo and through the Trubia valley linking section. Carry the GPS track loaded on your phone or a cycling computer. Apps such as Komoot or Wikiloc have routes verified by other cyclists. Charge your phone to 100% before setting off and, if you can, bring a power bank. Getting lost in the first few kilometres is frustrating and wastes both time and energy.
Food and water
Plan your refuelling stops. Within Oviedo you have everything you need, but once you leave the urban area, services become considerably scarcer. There are a few bars in the villages along the Trubia valley, but do not count on finding one open at all times. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person and enough food for a proper lunch. You will find services again in Tunon. Leave with a full tank: there is nothing worse than running out of water 20 km from anywhere.
Fitness level
Thirty kilometres is no trivial distance. Although the profile is gentle — no steep climbs — the accumulated kilometres take their toll if you are not used to cycling. Plan the full day: set off early, schedule stops every hour and do not rush. With an e-bike, the physical demand drops dramatically, but the time in the saddle remains the same. Wear padded cycling shorts or comfortable trousers with a chamois if you want to arrive in one piece.
Combined plan
The most rewarding strategy: cycle from Oviedo to Tunon (30 km) and, on arrival, ride a short section of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail) proper. The Tunon-Proaza stretch (11 km) is flat and easy, and lets you see the brown bear enclosure before turning back. This way you combine the adventure of the urban connection with the best of the greenway. Day total: around 40-50 km. Ambitious but unforgettable.
Return logistics
This is the critical point of your planning. Options: (1) ALSA bus from Tunon or Proaza to Oviedo (check timetables and bike availability). (2) Leave a second car at Tunon before you set off. (3) Ask someone to collect you. (4) Arrange a shuttle with a local bike rental company. What we do NOT recommend: improvising your return once you arrive. Sort this out before you take your first pedal stroke.
FAQ
Is this route suitable for beginners?
It depends. The 30+ km distance makes it a demanding ride for anyone who does not cycle regularly. That said, the terrain is not technical: most of the route is flat or gently undulating. If you have reasonable fitness and take the day at a relaxed pace, it is perfectly doable. The game-changer is the e-bike: with electric assistance, distance stops being an issue and the route becomes accessible to a much wider range of cyclists. What does not change is the need for planning: water, food, navigation and a return plan.
Can it be done as a round trip in a single day?
Technically yes, but we do not recommend it unless you are an experienced cyclist in good shape. A round trip means over 60 km, which requires a steady pace and very few stops. Most cyclists who ride this route plan it as one-way only, combining it with return transport by bus (ALSA runs a service from Oviedo to Tunon and Proaza), taxi, or by leaving a second car at the destination. If you are on an e-bike, make sure the battery has enough range for the full 60+ km, and carry a charger just in case.
What type of bicycle is best for this route?
The e-bike is our number one recommendation for this route. It turns a gruelling day into a long but manageable ride. If you prefer a non-electric bike, an MTB or trekking bike is your best bet: wide tyres handle the gravel sections well and provide comfort over hours of pedalling. A road bike is not recommended because there are sections of compacted gravel where thin tyres struggle. Whatever bike you choose, essentials include: brakes in good working order, a spare inner tube or puncture repair kit, and a pump.
How do I get back to Oviedo afterwards?
You have several options. The simplest: the ALSA bus connecting Tunon and Proaza with Oviedo. The journey takes about 45 minutes and most buses allow bicycles on board (check timetables on the ALSA website, as they vary by season). Second option: leave a car at Tunon and drive back to Oviedo. Third: arrange a pick-up with one of the local bike rental companies, many of which offer a shuttle service. Fourth (the most adventurous): ask someone to collect you. Plan your return BEFORE you set off, not after.
Can I ride just part of this route?
Absolutely. In fact, it is a very smart strategy. If you are driving, you can park in one of the intermediate villages in the Trubia valley and cycle only the second half of the route (the final 15-18 km to Tunon), which is the most scenic and wild section. Another option: drive to Tunon and ride the classic stretch of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail) from Tunon to Proaza or Tunon to Buyera, skipping the urban connection from Oviedo altogether. This route is modular: adapt it to your time and fitness level.
Explore other Bear Trail routes
Each section of La Senda del Oso has its own character. Find the one that fits your plans.
Entrago - Buyera
18 km · Downhill · The star route
The ultimate descent: 18 km downhill through the green heart of the trail, with tunnels and viaducts.
Tunon - Proaza
11 km · Flat · Family-friendly
The most family-friendly section, with a stop at the bear enclosure and shaded picnic areas.
Proaza - Valdemurio
10 km · Gentle climb · Peaceful
The quiet branch few people know: chestnut groves, mountain hamlets and the Valdemurio reservoir without the crowds.
Ready for the full adventure?
From Oviedo to the heart of La Senda del Oso (Bear Trail). 30+ km that turn an ordinary day into a story worth telling. Choose your bike, plan your return and start pedalling.