This day calls for strong legs and patience. It is a long stage, and the hills give you little chance to rest. The steepest climb is a tough one: over 400 metres up within 5 kilometres. Pace yourself, because there is still a long way to go afterwards.
It stays up and down through hilly countryside. Your knees will feel the descents most of all. Gijón announces itself with more traffic and more asphalt, until suddenly you find yourself in a proper seaside city. After all that climbing, the sea air feels like a small reward. Walk at your own steady pace, eat well along the way and give yourself time. You’ll get there.