You can ride the Bear Trail perfectly well in winter. The surface rarely holds snow at the low altitudes it runs through, and the old railway’s 30-plus tunnels shelter you from the wind, so at 5-10 °C it is an easy ride. What you do need to keep in mind: fewer daylight hours (it starts to get dark by 17:30), the odd patch of ice first thing, and the bear Molina coming out less because she is in partial dormancy. In exchange you get the route without tourists, huge scenery and real silence. This is the summary we give anyone who calls us in January wondering whether to come.

This guide explains how to enjoy the route in the quietest season of the year, with the practical details that really matter when the temperature drops.

What the trail is like in winter

The surface is usually dry or slightly damp. There can be the odd patch of ice on the coldest mornings, especially on shaded stretches, and after heavy snow it may be impassable for a day or two until it is cleared. The rest of the time, it rolls well.

The temperature averages around 5-10 °C. On clear mornings it reads 0-3 °C until mid-morning, and inside the tunnels it stays more stable, around 8-10 °C.

Footfall is minimal. On weekdays it is easy to have the route to yourself, and the car parks are half empty even on public holidays.

Daylight hours drive the planning: the sun rises around 08:30-09:00 and by 17:30-18:00 it is nearly dark. The comfortable window runs from 09:00 to 17:00, about eight hours.

What to bring in winter

Essential:

  • A warm waterproof jacket, in case rain or snow appears.
  • Warm or technical long trousers.
  • Thin or winter cycling gloves.
  • A buff or neck gaiter.
  • Shoes with a good non-slip sole.
  • A front light on the bike if you set off after 15:00.

Recommended: a mid-layer fleece, thick socks, a wool hat if you feel the cold, and a flask with hot coffee or tea.

You do not need: crampons or an ice axe (this is not the high mountains), thick ski gloves or a mountaineering jacket. A down jacket or a softshell is plenty. The full list, summer and winter, is in what to bring to the Bear Trail.

The best plan for a winter day

  • 09:30, arrive in Entrago. A hot coffee at the bar and we set the bike up without rushing.
  • 10:00, set off. An easy pace: in the cold the body takes a while to warm up and within twenty minutes you will be shedding a layer.
  • 11:00-14:00, the route. Entrago to Buyera, 18 km at a relaxed pace, with a stop to eat indoors in Proaza around 13:00-14:00.
  • 14:30, Buyera and the return transfer. You call us on +34 644 199 430 and we take you back to Entrago, with the whole afternoon ahead.

If you would rather not push your luck with the light, a good option is to take it slowly and do just half a day, staying on the lower part of the route; the transfer still leaves from Buyera. You will find the breakdown of the sections in the Bear Trail guide.

Why we love winter

For the solitude: the trail to yourself, with no groups or school trips. For the scenery: low mist between the gorges, bare trees that reveal the limestone walls better, snow in the distance on the Aramo or Ubiña ranges, and the gorge waterfalls running fuller. For the wildlife: with fewer people you see more birds of prey on the wing, and the river Trubia runs livelier. And for the silence: the winter silence inside the tunnels, with a clean echo and no noise from groups, is hard to find at any other time.

What winter does worst

The bear Molina is in partial dormancy and comes out less; the enclosure viewpoint is still worth a visit, but the chance of seeing her is lower. The timing forces you to plan: with eight hours of light, setting off at 13:00 means finishing in the dark. Some services are reduced, with bars in Proaza that close earlier or only open at weekends and the seasonal bar in Buyera possibly shut. And the weather changes fast, so it is worth checking the AEMET forecast the night before.

What to do if it snows

With an orange snow warning, the best thing is to postpone the ride; since you book with no advance payment, cancelling costs nothing. A light snowfall that does not settle can be done with care, because the tunnels are kept clear. With 10 cm or more building up on the surface there is a slip risk and it is not advisable. If the snow catches you already on the route, take shelter in the nearest tunnel or in the bar in Proaza, cut it short and finish in Buyera, which is where the return transfer leaves from.

With children in winter

Better a shorter route than the full one, a child trailer with a cover and a blanket, and the baby seat only if it is above 8 °C (colder than that, leave it). Pack a hot snack in a flask and set off mid-morning, once the temperature has risen a little.

Our tips

“In winter the magic hours are 11:00 to 14:00.” The sun is higher, the temperature has climbed and the light is good. Outside that window the cold bites more.

“If there is thick mist, you will love it.” The gorges with low mist are a spectacle, picture-postcard Asturias.

With a good forecast, winter is one of the best times to ride the Bear Trail. Book your bike with no advance payment and, if the day turns bad, we reschedule it. If you want to compare it with the rest of the year, see the best time of year for the Bear Trail or what it is like in the rain.