Picos - couple of questions

[Berin]

I believe the Panes-Potes route is now full open, but is the alternative CA182 and CA 281 a nicer route.

And, is the Espinama-Sotres route open? I saw it was closed last year but there was some through that was temporary.

Thanks!

 

[wessie]

Sotres route is permanently closed to traffic

182/281 is a very scenic route if you have the extra time it takes

it is worth going a couple of km past the turning for the CA184 to Potes to this viewpoint that looks across a valley to the main range in the Picos. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LaaYXYxUQVLpXeWBA

 

[er-minio]

And, is the Espinama-Sotres route open? I saw it was closed last year but there was some through that was temporary.

Closed.
I managed to go through on the few last days it was still opened, back in April.

Couple of days before, while stopped and having lunch around the area, we met and had a chat with the Guardia Forestal and I asked them if the track was open/legal to ride as I was planning to do it. At the time they told me yes, but I now understand the initial reaction one of them had when I asked, as it was probably "on the limit".

 

[Berin]

Yes, er minio, I looked at your report from last year where you made it through, but it seems you were one of the last!

Thanks Wessie, we have all day to get to Fuente De from Santander. At least that’s that current plan, so the 182/281 looks like a good route.

 

[grantmac]

is this route OK? Same as @Arsey did earleir this year and what I am planning in Setpember

 

[er-minio]

Yes, that route is ok. All open.

@grantmac if you search my "report" from two years ago there are a few GPX attached. At the time we took it super easy and toured the area over a week. There is courses for each day. If it could be of use.
All of it based on Arsey's original suggestions (as always, thanks).

but it seems you were one of the last!

Yep, pretty lucky.
It's a shame, it's a very nice route.
I met a few bikes traveling in the other direction and everyone was being very considerate (it was bad weather too, to be fair).

Hopefully they will reopen it in the future, when threat to wildlife (I think there was an issue with nesting birds) will be less severe.

 

[wessie]

Hopefully they will reopen it in the future, when threat to wildlife (I think there was an issue with nesting birds) will be less severe.

I read that there was an unhealthy rise in visitors to the area after drone footage of vultures on social media went viral

 

[GTMorgan]

The Espinama-Sotres route is officially closed on the TET map, however there are no signs, barriers or warnings on the actual road, vehicles are still using it and work was being done repairing some of the road when I went through about 9 weeks ago.

 

[Arsey]

The Espinama-Sotres route is officially closed on the TET map, however there are no signs, barriers or warnings on the actual road, vehicles are still using it and work was being done repairing some of the road when I went through about 9 weeks ago.

Why did you go through if you knew it was closed ?

 

[er-minio]

unhealthy rise in visitors

I get that. But between what people say and reality there can be a difference.
What I've heard was mostly an issue with people operating drones.

Again, when I did it in April weather wasn't great, but the place was almost deserted and peaceful.

(Enjoy my sweet sweet Italian accent )

By comparison, when I went across Via del Sale in Piemonte (last summer) there is at least 10 times the motorised traffic. In that case access is regulated (and paid for). And it's another extremely beautiful gravel ride.

By the way: I have no issues with gravel tracks being closed for a period to look after environment/wildlife. I just suspect it might reopen later on.

 

[er-minio]

Why did you go through if you knew it was closed ?

To be fair, I am not 200% sure it wasn't closed already when I did it. But I wasn't aware of any closures until I came back.
My only clue is the reaction from the Guardia Forestal I mentioned above, when I asked them while chatting. And again, I only understood that when I came back in the UK and read (over here) about the closures.

Gates open, by habit I generally stop and look for any signs or notices when entering tracks, but nothing was posted.

Met a farmer on the way, waved at him and he waved back. From experience... fairly sure you get told off when you are where you are not supposed to.

 

[GTMorgan]

Why did you go through if you knew it was closed ?

Because I could, if there was a sign, barrier or warning I would have turned back but there wasn't. What looked like council officials were alongside the road workers, locals on foot, bikes, cars and vans, nobody raised an eyebrow.

 

[Arsey]

Because I could, if there was a sign, barrier or warning I would have turned back but there wasn't. What looked like council officials were alongside the road workers, locals on foot, bikes, cars and vans, nobody raised an eyebrow.

No wonder the TET is slowly disappearing. Well done

 

[Berin]

Generally if tracks are closed in Spain, there’s plenty of signage and enforcement by park rangers or police.
Most of the tracks and trails I used to ride up in Andorra and the Pyrenees are now gone, and the signs are all there so there’s no doubt.

It could be that it’s been removed from the TET on a precautionary basis and isn’t officially closed.