Advice on route over Pyrenees

[Kahuna]

Hi Folks - I'll be riding back from southern Spain in September and I'm looking for an interesting route over the Pyrenees.

I'll likely stay over in Zaragosa and make the run the next day.

I came down over the Pyrenees last year (October) but the route I took was not as spectacular as I anticipated! I came from Monte de Marsan across to Pamplona. Twisties but not the scenery I expected!

Any suggestions?

 

[santrix]

Head north through Sort. Sorted.

 

[sven]

The 37 miles stretch of the N260 east of Sort is the best road I've ever ridden

A fantastic, perfectly surfaced, twisting mountain road with barely any traffic on it

 

[Kahuna]

Head north through Sort. Sorted.

OK Santix - so Sort is in the foothills of the Pyrenees (spent a lot of time nipping in and out of Andorra from Barcelona in the past). Which route from there gives the best passage across the range?

Based on AutoRoute - this route (cant attach an image) looks good:

Huesca
Sabinanigo
Escarilla
Mini d'Ossau Peak
Gabas
Argelas Gazost
Lourdes

but any other suggestions from experienced travellers in this area would be most welcome?

 

[Kahuna]

The 37 miles stretch of the N260 east of Sort is the best road I've ever ridden

A fantastic, perfectly surfaced, twisting mountain road with barely any traffic on it

I agree Bud - got that T shirt

 

[Timmo]

Crossing the Pyrenees

Did the crossing North of Sort last year. It is stunning. They were doing some road improvements last year which may increase the traffic. Loads of bikes and worth stopping at the carpark at the top for photos.

 

[Corp.Clinger!]

Hi Kahuna...

From what you just posted I take it you are ending up in Lourdes?

If you pass through Escarilla..then try coming over into France via El Formigal (great smooth curves)to Col du Pourtalet...direction Laruns...but head on up the mountain to Eaux Bonnes and Gourette heading to Col d'Aubisque and on down to Argeles Gazost via Col du Soulor... these are all my local roads....and indeed some routes are part of the Tour de France when it passes here.....

I can also give advice on routes after Lourdes depending on where you want to head to....

 

[Kahuna]

Hi Kahuna...

From what you just posted I take it you are ending up in Lourdes?

If you pass through Escarilla..then try coming over into France via El Formigal (great smooth curves)to Col du Pourtalet...direction Laruns...but head on up the mountain to Eaux Bonnes and Gourette heading to Col d'Aubisque and on down to Argeles Gazost via Col du Soulor... these are all my local roads....and indeed some routes are part of the Tour de France when it passes here.....

I can also give advice on routes after Lourdes depending on where you want to head to....

Hi Corp - thanks for that feedback.

I'm only heading to Lourdes as it seems like the next logical spot for a couple of hours stop after the mountains. I'm actually going to be doing Zaragoza to La Rochelle that day - with the previous day being 850km!

I'm taking my bike home and trying to make it to the spots SWMBO and I couldn't get to last year on the way down (cause she don't like big mile days), and including a nicer route over the Pyrenees.

Next day (if I feel I can stand another big ride day this trip...) I'll do Carnac, then on up to the Normandy area and finally Paschendale and possibly Dunkirk, then the chunnel.

Only got 5 days total so may have to skip Carnac!

Could you post a map screen-shot of that route Corp?

 

[Corp.Clinger!]

Hi Kahuna...

Going by the route coupled with the distance mentioned Lourdes would be out of your way if traveling to La Rochelle.

You have a choice when coming over the border..either via Col du Somport (the route parallel to the one shown on the map)through a 13km tunnel or via Col du Pourtalet...I prefer never using the tunnel route as it's a main route into Spain and can have a presence of lorries etc that you have to bunny hop past. For info I only use Somport in winter as Pourtalet is closed due to snowfall...

Try www.viamichelin.com and type in a route (on the home page)from El Formigal and it'll take you through Laruns,on through Pau and lead you north through the Les Landes region to where you want to go...via the N134 Route de Bordeaux....Good roads for the moto...if you're pressed for time come onto the autoroute at Junction 10 Pau and head to Bordeaux that way...

I know the road from Zaragoza right through and after Huseca you'll see the mountains getting closer and closer...you'll pass over what you would think are the mountains and that France will be along soon...nope...you get another dose of mountains right before France...a great moto route for sure IMO.

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Try also www.lachainemeteo.fr and type in the town you want to know the weather for .....you'll find the postcode for that same town if you type the name into the viamichelin site under 'Maps'




Anything else just ask...

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Great route, just loved the hotel in Lanuza!

 

[RudyT]

For stunning scenery try to ride to Baqueira-Beret on C-28.
Start in Sort on C-13 and continue north. You will like it

Cheers, Rudolf.

 

[Sarum]

Hi,
Just got back from the pyrenees on Friday, stayed at Laruns and went up to the pic du midi (highest point in the pyrenees) there is a great road from Laruns to Lourdes on the D918 if you don't mind heights. We then went from Laruns to La Rochelle stayed at a camp site and then up to Roscoff the next day.
Happy riding,
Steve

 

[turnipbmw]

I stayed at Biert and tried to find a local route down from Seix.

ended up on a dirt track that climbed to about 5000ft.

the track could be seen looping up into the clouds and was shown going to Spain.
Our Gite owner told us afterwards that there was a beautiful lake further up as well.

To me it summed up what is great about a GS.

700 miles across France then gentle 2 up offroading/exploring