Andorra, worth a visit or avoid?

[Bumpkin]

Off on a ride along the Pyrenees and then up though France in just over a week. Routes are planned but I have been thinking about possible alternatives over the last few days and am wondering if Andorra is really worth including just to tick it of the list of placed visited. Looks like, in terms of riding, there are better options.

The day as planned is 235 miles which is the longest of the tour ignoring the last day ride to Le Havre. Quite a distance for mountain roads, there's only two of us and we can press on when the need arises as well as get up early to make the most of the day. Here's the route as planned.

In consideration of the higher mileage we could do Andorra but shorten the last bit of the route like so.

Or we could avoid Andorra all together and do this. The roads look great judging them from Google Street View. What do those that have been to Andorra and this region think?

Accommodation is booked so start and end points are fixed.

I know it's something of a subjective thing; we prefer to ride rather than sight-see and will have done plenty of mountains and passes West of Andorra, no desire to go shopping in Andorra la Vella.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

It's a sh1t hole and you'll just sit in traffic as it is really busy, the roads all around are excellent just avoid Andorra La Vella

 

[2 wheel humvee]

It's a sh1t hole and you'll just sit in traffic as it is really busy, the roads all around are excellent just avoid Andorra La Vella

Agreed

 

[JPR]

Only if you really fancy shopping.!

 

[stolzy]

Agree with all of the above.
Couple of good cigar shops though

 

[thornley]

Shit hole x 3

 

[donnie]

And another makes 4. Avoid.

 

[Bumpkin]

Well, I think that's unanimous then. Thank you all who responded so quickly

I'll press my touring buddy to agree with my proposed alternate route.

 

[Gossy]

Well, I think that's unanimous then. Thank you all who responded so quickly

I'll press my touring buddy to agree with my proposed alternate route.

Even after this don't be tempted its a shit hole - sampled priced a couple of cameras and they were cheaper in Argos, although from memory we were buying really cheap Gin - but when you leave youre actually exporting back into spain - its a shit hole.

 

[stolzy]

Even after this don't be tempted its a shit hole - sampled priced a couple of cameras and they were cheaper in Argos, although from memory we were buying really cheap Gin - but when you leave youre actually exporting back into spain - its a shit hole.

Booze is cheap in Spain too and no issues ofer VAT/duty

 

[donnie]

Good route. That first squiggler is a tiny road, but the main one from ceret into the hills is sublime. All that route is good. Have fun.

 

[Bumpkin]

Good route. That first squiggler is a tiny road, but the main one from ceret into the hills is sublime. All that route is good. Have fun.

Had me confused for a moment there, not hard some would say... We're coming from the other direction, West to East generally. That 'tiny road' is another reason to shorten the day, don't want to be too knackered for that as it's practically the last road to that night's stop. It's 30 miles of minor, twisty, mostly single track. Not too awful on a VFR but my mate is on his 996... his touring bike of choice

We did similar in the Vosges a couple of years ago, not quite so long though. We'll take our time and have a stop or two.

 

[donnie]

Had me confused for a moment there, not hard some would say... We're coming from the other direction, West to East generally. That 'tiny road' is another reason to shorten the day, don't want to be too knackered for that as it's practically the last road to that night's stop. It's 30 miles of minor, twisty, mostly single track. Not too awful on a VFR but my mate is on his 996... his touring bike of choice

We did similar in the Vosges a couple of years ago, not quite so long though. We'll take our time and have a stop or two.

Sorry, hadn't noted the direction

Did some of that a few years back and went through Andorra. Regretted every second. Planning on returning next year and doing much the same for that day. Excellent, excellent roads. N260 is a blast. You'll have a lot of fun. Austria and Dolomites for me in a fortnight. Shame my front shock started leaking today. £400!!

 

[snelly]

Fuckin dump, it was like a huge construction site when we passed , or should I say crawled through , a few years ago. Nose to tail all the way through La ,Vella. Things may have improved since , but after reading this thread,perhaps not.

 

[Mr K]

Some great trail riding, but as said, the city is always congested and the fumes make your throat sore.

 

[sidestand]

Andorra is a proper shithole - agreed

On your route - I'd go over the top on the N260 to the Cerdagne to Puigcerda then down the N116 - epic road down the Tet valley

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Only worth going to to get a bragging sticker for your bike. A tiny tiny place with congested roads which are often log jammed.

 

[Adamj79]

Have to say I agree with the views above. Ended up passing through Andorra whilst on a trip around the Pyrenees last year. It wasn't on the initial route but one of our planned passes was closed due to flooding so we were forced to make a detour.

The initial scenery and views of the resort are canny but you sharp scratch the surface and see it for the dump that it really is. The only positive was a cheap tank of petrol. I wouldn't rush back thats for sure.

Have a good trip

 

[JPR]

Some great trail riding, but as said, the city is always congested and the fumes make your throat sore.

Hes right .
All of the posts so far are relating to Andorra La Vella the capital city.
Yes it is a shithole,but its such a shithole its worth having a look at !

 

[Baz]

Been through a couple of times, every other shop seems to sell the same stuff. Not on our places to return to list, however, we have to visit again in a couple of weeks as one of the guys we are going with hasnt been before and wants to tick it off. Overnighting at the Pas de las Casa.