Hotel Presa

The rider-friendly base right on the edge of Spain’s most spectacular reservoir. Perched directly on the water’s edge in the centre of rebuilt Riaño, Hotel Presa enjoys one of the best views in the entire Picos de Europa: the vast, fjord-like turquoise reservoir on one side and the wild limestone peaks on the other. It’s the kind of spot you park the bike, open the balcony door and just stare – exactly what most riders are looking for after a long day in the mountains.

⦿Why riders love it:
* Huge free on-site parking with wide, easy-access bays and plenty of secure space for motorcycles and gear.
* Prime location for the eastern Picos classics:
→ Puerto de San Glorio – 25 min
→ Puerto de Pontón – 15 min
→ Puerto de Pandetrave – 35 min
→ Desfiladero del Cares & Caín – 40 min
* Roll straight out the door onto epic roads – no boring warm-up kilometres
 
⦿Rooms
Comfortable and cosy with traditional mountain décor, central heating, flat-screen TV, private bathroom and – in many cases – a private balcony looking straight over the reservoir and the peaks. Simple, spotlessly clean and quiet.
 
⦿Food & drink
The rustic, wood-panelled restaurant is a local favourite and serves some of the best chuletón in León, plus typical dishes from Castilla y León and fresh seafood from the Cantabrian coast. The adjoining bar is perfect for a quick bocadillo or a cold beer when you get back.
 
⦿Extra info
The surrounding area is excellent for hiking, hunting and water sports on the reservoir (kayak/SUP rentals available in summer). In winter the roads are usually clear and the nearby passes become a playground for riders who love crisp air and empty hairpins. In short: quiet, comfortable, perfectly placed and genuinely welcoming to motorcyclists – Hotel Presa has rapidly become the go-to base for anyone exploring the eastern Picos by bike.

There are also 14 two-bedroom apartments available with bathroom, living room and kitchen or kitchen-living room. They are located in a newly built building, a few meters from the hotel, with elevator, central heating and comfortably furnished.

• Private parking
• Free WiFi
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Family rooms
• 24-hour front desk
• Air conditioning/Heating
• Non-smoking rooms

• Hotel Presa → Puerto del Pontón (1,290m) – 15km. Leave Riaño east on the N-625. Immediate climb out of the reservoir with sweeping bends and the fjord-like lake in your mirrors. The road stacks up tight hairpins under limestone walls – perfect warm-up.
• Pontón → Posada de Valdeón → Puerto de Pandetrave (1,452m) – 28km. Drop into the stunning Valdeón valley (watch for horses on the road), then climb again to Pandetrave. High alpine plateau at the top with 360° views of the central Picos massifs – cows, vultures and total silence.
• Pandetrave → Portilla de la Reina → Puerto de San Glorio (1,609m) – 35km. Fast, flowing ridge riding at 1,500–1,600 m, then the legendary San Glorio climb/descent. Coming from this direction you get the full 30+ hairpin staircase dropping into Liébana with the peaks exploding in front of you. Stop at the famous mirador 4km before the pass summit – obligatory photo.
• San Glorio descent → Potes (lunch) – 30km. One of the greatest 25km descents in Spain: perfect tarmac, endless switchbacks, zero guardrails, huge views. Roll into medieval Potes grinning. Park anywhere in the square and eat: Mesón del Oso (cocido lebaniego or monster chuletón), or just a quick bocadillo and coffee under the Torre del Infantado.
• Potes → Collado de la Hoz → Boca de Huérgano – 32km. Leave Potes north on the N-621, then immediately right onto the narrow LE-271 through the dramatic Collado de la Hoz gorge (rock walls 300 m high, road sometimes only 3 m wide – pure theatre). Emerges into wide open high plateau – feels like riding on the roof of Spain.
• Boca de Huérgano → Riaño → Hotel Presa – 15km. Easy cruise along the reservoir edge with the water on your left and the peaks you’ve just ridden around on your right. Roll straight back into Presa’s parking, boots off, beer on the balcony overlooking the lake in under 5 minutes.

 
Why this loop is perfect from Hotel Presa.

 
Do this ride once and you’ll understand why riders who stay at Hotel Presa keep extending their trips. It’s 155km of pure Picos magic with your bed, a hot shower and possibly the best steak in León waiting at the end. Enjoy every bend – there are hundreds of them.
 
Book Accommodation:
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Directions:
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