Canyons to Coast Adventure in Northern Spain

From the communication and pick up in Bilbao to the last day canyoning we have had an absolute ball. A different activity everyday-kayaking, caving, stand up paddleboard, hiking, e-bikes, no pressure, great guides (thank you Darius), great breakfast-everything you could ask for, filling lunches - so much so we didn’t eat out on most nights. Hotel was clean and staff incredibly helpful even. We all tried new activities, mixed with people from all over the world and sampled delicious food from the Asturias region . Will definitely join another trip soon!

My expectations were exceeded with this trip. I’ve been on several other adventure trips with different companies and they don’t compare. Asturias is a hidden gem, with the perfect mix of mountains, beaches, caves, and any other natural wonders you can imagine. The group was wonderful.

The thing that really made this trip exceptional, though, was our local guide, Carlos. I can’t rave about him enough - his expertise in all of our activities, knowledge of the caves, curiosity about the people in our group, logistical organization, planning, kindness, and humor made all the difference. I would book other trips specifically for him.

Llanes is such a charming town, with friendly people. It’s the perfect home base for this trip. I completely forgot about work and was blown away by the adventure and fun I had in nature.

I’ll be back.

This was our first time going with MBA and actually doing a group tour. Usually we plan everything ourselves and do it by ourselves at our schedule. So we were a bit worried how will this whole group dynamic will work and organized the trip will be. All the worries were for nothing as the group jelled really well, no one would wait for anyone, and the comradery was established right from the start. The guides (Carlos and Clara) where truly amazing making sure that everything runs super smooth and everyone is enjoying things. When possible they gave slightly different (easier / harder) options for people to choose from to make sure everyone is comfortable. Having different activities everyday was great as well and each one was better than the prior one. It was just like in the description. And most things you would not be able to do without a local guide no matter how much you plan it yourself. Coming back to a very nice 4 star hotel after a long day adventure was fantastic as well. The hotel was great, with great breakfast and easy 20 min walk to town along a river in a park - even after hard days of hiking and biking that was not a problem. We'll definitely consider doing future trips with MBA.

This was a great trip. The activities were great, well organised, well planned , well executed with attention to detail and yet flexibility to accommodate the needs of the group. Great place , great accommodation, great food . Guide (Carlos and Claris) were enthusiastic , knowledgeable and very hardworking. They quietly kept us safe without obviously imposing endless rules . The equipment was good quality and well maintained. The group was amazing making this trip extra special. They were from diverse parts of the world and a wide age range (26-61) but gelled really well in a common interest of outdoor activities and adventure.

Excellent trip very well organised and enjoyed by a wide variety of people . The guides Carlos and Claris were extremely helpful and friendly, The activities were very exciting and variable . Highly recommend it .

The trip was so well organised and our guides Carlos and Clara were amazing the entire time. The group was great too, Asturias and the surrounding area are perfect for all the activities! The week rushed by.

If you’re craving an adventure that blends rugged natural beauty, heart-pumping activities, and authentic local culture, look no further. This trip is, quite simply, a masterpiece of outdoor exploration and cultural immersion.

From the moment we arrived, the energy was contagious. Every day brought a new thrill — from kayaking through crystal-clear rivers and abseiling down waterfalls, to hiking along the panoramic Cares Gorge. The landscapes were jaw-dropping: lush green valleys, dramatic limestone peaks, and the shimmering ocean stretching endlessly into the horizon.

But what truly made this trip exceptional were the local guides. Passionate, knowledgeable, and full of character, they didn’t just lead the way — they brought Northern Spain to life. Whether sharing stories of the region’s history, introducing us to delicious Asturian cider and cheeses, or cheering us on during an epic descent, they felt more like friends than guides. Their love for the land was infectious, and their attention to detail made everything feel seamless and safe.

Highlights? Too many to count. Jumping into pristine canyon pools and sliding down waterfalls, dining on the local dishes after a day of hiking, kayaking along surging river, biking up to beautiful viewpoints— this trip had it all.

It’s the perfect balance of adrenaline and relaxation, nature and culture, solitude and camaraderie. If you’re even thinking about booking this trip — do it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We loved this trip. The guides were excellent, the activities were fun and well-organised, the food was authentic and plentiful. The accommodation was very comfortable and we appreciated being in the same hotel all week. This is a really beautiful part of Spain with stunning landscapes. We also got lucky with a great blend of fellow travellers and good weather. Highly recommended.

Meine Reise durch die weniger bekannten Provinzen Asturien und Kantabrien war einfach ein Traum! Von der ersten bis zur letzten Aktivität – Wandern, Mountainbiken, Stand-Up-Paddling und Kajakfahren – war alles perfekt organisiert und hat mir die unglaubliche Vielfalt dieser Region gezeigt.

Obwohl ich eigentlich etwas Höhenangst habe, war die Wanderung wirklich gut machbar. Die Route war sicher und wurde auf mein Tempo abgestimmt, sodass ich mich jederzeit wohl gefühlt habe. Die Ausblicke über die grünen Hügel und die wilden Küstenabschnitte waren einfach spektakulär! Ein weiteres Highlight war das Stand-Up-Paddling in ruhigen Buchten – das Gefühl von Freiheit auf dem Wasser war unvergleichlich.

Ich kann diesen Trip jedem empfehlen, der eine Mischung aus Abenteuer und atemberaubender Natur sucht, ohne auf Komfort oder Sicherheit verzichten zu müssen. Ein echtes Paradies für Outdoor-Fans, abseits des Massentourismus. Ich freue mich schon darauf, eines Tages zurückzukommen!

I originally picked this trip because I wanted to hike the spectacular Cares Gorge, and that was my highlight. Or on second thoughts maybe it was the kayaking as we spun down the rapids (apparently I'm not very good at steering), or possibly the beautiful stalagmites in the cave. All the activities were so different, it is impossible to decide, but throughout our guides Carlos and Txetxu shared their love for the beautiful Asturia land, kept us laughing and encouraged us to stetch ourselves. I even found myself volunteering for the harder mountain biking route, and that is not something that I ever thought I would say. Great company, great week, I wouldn't change a thing.

While the activities were blast and the scenery amazing, the guides truly made this an unforgettable experience. They were knowledgeable about the region, fun to chat with, and took wonderful care of our group. From adjusting the schedule to pick the best adventures based on the weather that day to recommending great eats, offering options to make the days more or less active and prioritizing our safety and comfort, they were some of the best I’ve experienced.

We had a fantastic time! Really fun activities, lovely team members, a nice hotel and the best guides! Thanks for an amazing holiday, Carlos and Txetxu and thanks for having us, Asturias!

Amazing trip! We loved the food, the activities, the group, the guides, the hotel …

From start to finish this trip was super well organised with two of the best guides I've had Carlos & txetxu , and I've been on a few adventures. The attention to detail and meticulous care made the trip extra special. They really went above and beyond . The activities were fun and varied and just enough to push you . The food was high quality and super tasty and the hotel clean and comfortable. Highly recommend

A brilliant trip from start to finish, with guides that really enjoyed their job, and made sure that everybody in the group was having a good time. The activities are a great mix, with each of us on the trip seeming to have their own personal highlight. For me it was the e-biking, and that's despite having only ridden a bike once in over 20 years. I would highly recommend this holiday to anyone who wants a trip with a bit of everything. My one recommendation is to learn at least some basic Spanish before you go, as I knew none and needed to rely on my fellow travellers at times.

I had a great time. Instructor team all were friendly and keen to ensure everything went well. I was a solo traveller and the other random people, from all around the globe, gelled together quickly, which added to the success of the trip. The Picos are stunning. I’d highly recommend this trip.

Really enjoyed this trip! It has a good mix of different activities, good food, enough downtime to relax at the end of the day and great guides supporting with each activity. I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a fun week away in a beautiful part of Northern Spain. A good sense of adventure is required and the activities are challenging enough for someone with reasonable fitness levels, without being too difficult to enjoy. The guides are really knowledgeable and make everything fun. A great introduction to group activity holidays!

This was my first MBA trip; what an experience! Great mix of activities in amazing surroundings. Very comfortable hotel and great food. Carlos, Dario and Txetxu are fantastic guides, very professional and great fun. They made this trip memorable. I would do this trip again. Thank you!

WE travelled at the end of August and had an amazing week with our group and with guides Alex and Carlos. The itinerary was varied including walking, paddle boarding, biking and canyoning. We saw some beautiful Asturian countryside and had fun!

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience – an unforgettable week that exceeded all our expectations. Every activity was well-planned, and our guides, Carlos and Txetxu, were exceptional throughout – accommodating, knowledgeable, and full of enthusiasm. The food was another highlight, especially the beans and greens on Day 5 – absolutely delicious! The itinerary was perfectly organised, and we really appreciated how flexible the guides were in adapting to the group’s needs.

We met some fantastic like-minded people, ranging from their early 20s to early 40s, and the group dynamic was brilliant. It feels like Much Better Adventures attract exactly the right kind of travellers for us.

The accommodation was excellent – clean, comfortable, with really friendly staff. The buffet breakfast each morning was substantial and gave us plenty of energy for the day’s activities. The hotel’s location was ideal too, just a scenic 20-minute walk along a beautiful river path.

The week started perfectly with a serene kayaking trip on the River Deva. After a long day of travelling, it was the ideal way to ease into the week’s adventures – peaceful, scenic, and not too strenuous.

Caving, which I initially wasn’t as excited about, turned out to be an incredible experience. Exploring the fascinating cave formations in the wild caverns was captivating, and Txetxu’s passion and knowledge of caving really shone through, keeping us fully engaged. At one point, we turned off our headlamps, experiencing total darkness, which was surreal and unforgettable.

The hike in the Picos de Europa was spectacular. It wasn’t too challenging on the way up, and we had the option to either walk back (around 2.5 hours) or take a minibus. Most of us chose to walk back, which added a rewarding level of challenge for those of us keen to extend the adventure.

By the time we got to the e-biking along the Camino de Santiago, our legs were grateful for the assist! The high-quality e-bikes were brilliant, especially for tackling the uphills with ease. Some of the downhill sections were quite challenging, but Carlos and Txetxu were great at advising anyone who preferred to walk those parts. I went for it, though!

Some of the highlights for me were paddleboarding in the warm Spanish waters and the canyoning – an absolutely thrilling experience. Carlos and Txetxu really went the extra mile to make it unforgettable.

I honestly couldn’t recommend this trip enough. It’s perfect for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and a sense of adventure!

Our recent multi-activity adventure in Asturias was nothing short of spectacular, and it wouldn’t have been the same without our incredible guides, Carlos and Txetxu. From the moment we began, they were not only knowledgeable and professional but also made the entire experience fun, safe, and absolutely memorable.

And to top it all off, we were treated to some of the most amazing Asturian food experiences. Carlos and Txetxu knew all the best spots, introducing us to authentic, mouth-watering local dishes – from traditional fabada to delicious meat dishes, and of course, the famous cider!

Their enthusiasm, expertise, and local knowledge made this trip unforgettable. If you’re looking for a true Asturian adventure filled with a variety of activities and led by two of the best guides out there, Carlos and Txetxu are your guys! Gracias por todo!

This is my 3rd MBA trip and I can’t say a bad word about any of them! My go-to travel company! Such a great week filled with a mix of activities with an even better group. This was my first trip as a solo and I felt so comfortable and had the best time. The mix of activities made it so interesting, and even the E biking which I was a little apprehensive about, as I haven’t ridden a bike in 10years, turned out to be great! The highlight of the trip for me was the stunning hike through the Picos de europa, there was a 12km and 24km option which was great for all abilities.

The guides were fun and did their best to accommodate everyone.

Things to note about this part of Spain:

Dinner in restaurants doesn’t start until 8-8:30, and even this is early for the locals. So be prepared for late nights

This area eats lots of red meats, fish and fried food, we did find option for alternatives like Mexican and Italian but check to menus before going to ensure you find something you like at restaurants with local food. Any allergies or dietary requirements were catered for. Lunch and dinner on the last day was amazing too! Great local spot.

Honestly, I had not considered this ‘my kind of trip’ and so it was approached with a little trepidation… but that was misplaced. All the sports were pitched just right; genuinely challenging, without reaching utterly terrifying or unsafe, and all in spectacular surroundings. Txetxu was an outstanding guide whose passion made the trip; he was a joy to share it with. We are all sad to be leaving Spain, but we are taking memories made with family, and a genuinely unexpected love of adventure experiences. This one will not be the last. Ginny & Simon

Great range of activities for the week stay, great balance of fun and adventure - Txetxu was a brilliant guide throughout!

Fabulous location and great activities with wonderful guides. I would thoroughly recommend this trip.

100% recommend booking! Lots of different activities to do, the guides were great, food was good (definitely won’t go hungry), only 20 minute walk from the city centre which had so many restaurants, not a touristy area either which was also great! Particularly loved the e-biking activity and the weather was superb too

First class locations, guiding and experiences shared with a lovely bunch of people. I had high expectations for this holiday, it totally exceeded them.

What a holiday! Absolutely beautiful place. Such a variety of activities. Everyday was different so always excited to try something new, had the best time met some amazing people. Thank you to Carlos and Txetxu always going above and beyond to make our trip amazing, couldn’t fault them. Highly recommend this trip. Certainly a week to remember, can’t wait for the next one.

Wow wow wow. What a holiday! Booked this trip with little clue what it would be like, worried about meeting new people and if this sort of holiday would be ideal for me..

What a brilliant decision it was. I had literally the BEST time. Every activity was planned perfect and was so much fun, you are really looked after and cared for and you are not pushed beyond your limits! Hotel was beautiful and close to the town with a short walk. Honestly just an amazing holiday. Would really recommend and will 100% be doing another! Thankyou to Carlos & Txetxu, really looked after us all and became a friend by the time we went home. Never felt so sad to leave a holiday!

This was an amazing trip with amazing people. It was nice to have a variety of activities to do/try. Carlos and Darios were amazing guides. They made sure everyone was safe and comfortable and provided different options for those of us who wanted to do more without making those that wanted to do less feel pushed too hard. Beautiful scenery. Not overly difficult, but you should be in decent shape.