The Bear Trail works perfectly in July-August, even at 28-30 °C, because much of it runs through forest and the more than 30 tunnels act as natural air conditioning (10 °C cooler than outside). The keys are leaving early (before 10:00), carrying extra water and making the most of the stops in Proaza and Buyera. In the heat, the downhill Entrago → Buyera plan is the most comfortable version.

This guide spells out how to ride the trail in summer without suffering, with the tips we give our clients every July from Entrago.

Why you can ride it in the heat

  1. Forest: more than 60% of the route runs under canopies of beech, oak and chestnut. Almost permanent shade.
  2. Tunnels: the more than 30 tunnels of the old mining railway are about 10 °C cooler than the outside. They work as refuges.
  3. Gorges: the vertical walls of the Valdecerezales gorge create natural shade for most of the day.
  4. Trubia River alongside the trail: cool air whenever you pass close by.
  5. Downhill gradient: if you go Entrago → Buyera, you do not wear yourself out, the effort is minimal.

The key: leave early

Take the first departure, at 09:30. It is the best time when it is hot. Reasons:

  • Temperature: mid-morning is 6-8 °C cooler than at 14:00.
  • Parking: you will find a spot. By 11:00 in August the car parks fill up.
  • Molina viewpoint: the bear is more active early on (you can read how to watch bears in Somiedo to understand their schedules).
  • Total time: you finish the route around 12:00-13:00, just as it starts to get hot. Lunch in Proaza under cover.

What to bring in the heat

Essential:

  • Water: 1.5 L per adult. You can refill at the fountains in Entrago, Proaza and Buyera.
  • High sun protection (SPF 50). Reapply every 2 hours.
  • Cap or visor.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Light, breathable clothing (technical fabric or light cotton, not heavy polyester).

Recommended:

  • Insect repellent (there are flies in the damp areas).
  • Cold water spray to cool off.
  • Spare T-shirt if you sweat a lot.
  • Salty snack (nuts), which replaces the salts you lose through sweat.

The full list, summer and winter, is in what to bring to the Bear Trail.

Strategy during the route

Pace: easy. Do not push the speed. The goal is to enjoy it, not to break records.

Strategic stops:

  1. Entrance to the Valdecerezales gorge (~3 km from Entrago). Dense shade, cool rock wall.
  2. Long railway tunnel in the central section. Stop, drink, breathe the cool air.
  3. Proaza village (km 15). Café, toilet, cold water. A long stop is possible here.
  4. Buyera, the finish (km 18). Bear enclosure viewpoint to visit Molina at a relaxed pace, fountain, shaded picnic area and the river 50 metres away.

In the tunnels: slow down as you enter so your body can adapt to the change in temperature. Coming out too fast from the cool into the scorching sun causes occasional dizziness.

If you are unsure which section to choose in the heat, the shorter, shadier version is explained in the Bear Trail short route.

With children in summer

  • Take the first departure (09:30), no dawdling.
  • Stop at every tunnel (they love the cool air).
  • Ice cream or a soft drink in Proaza as motivation.
  • More water than you think: children dehydrate quickly without warning.
  • Child trailer with a sun canopy is a must to protect them from the sun.

More detail in the Bear Trail with kids guide.

With a dog in summer

Here, maximum caution on hot days:

  • Avoid the middle of the day: head out first thing, before it gets hot.
  • Extra water for the dog and frequent stops in the shade (the tunnels and the forest help).
  • Watch out for hot ground and never leave the dog waiting in the sun.

Before deciding, think about how your dog handles the heat and the effort. You have all the details in the full Bear Trail with a dog guide.

What to do if the heat gets too much

Signs of excessive heat:

  • Dizziness or a sudden headache.
  • Dry skin (you stop sweating: a bad sign).
  • Sudden confusion or irritability.
  • Cramps.

What to do:

  1. Stop immediately in the shade (a tunnel, a tree, a building).
  2. Drink water slowly, in small sips.
  3. Wet your head, the back of your neck and your wrists with cool water.
  4. If you do not improve, seek help and tell someone in your group. If you have any doubts you can call us on +34 644 199 430.

Do not:

  • Keep pedalling “to see if it passes”.
  • Drink very cold drinks all at once.
  • Lie down in full sun.

Alternative: a day of extreme heat

If the forecast announces +35 °C or a heat warning:

  1. Postpone the ride to the next day if you can. We cancel it at no cost.
  2. Or go for an indoor plan: the Teverga Prehistory Park (with air conditioning and a comfortable 1 hr 30 visit) plus the Proaza Bear House and lunch at a cider house.
  3. Or just ride a short, shady section (Proaza → Tuñón) instead of the full route, always on the first departure of the day.

Our tips

“In the heat, better to drink from the fountains than to haul litres from home.” The fountains in Entrago, Proaza, Buyera and Tuñón have fresh drinking water. Carry a 750 ml bottle and refill as you go.

“The Valdecerezales gorge is the coolest spot on the whole route.” If it gets hot, stop there for 10 minutes in the shade of the limestone wall. You will come back to life.

Book your day on the trail

With a good plan, summer is one of the best times to ride the Bear Trail: forest, cool tunnels and long days of light. Book your bike with no upfront payment and, if the day gets complicated by the heat, we will help you reorganise it.

Signed by the Bicisendadeloso team.