Picos in mid-late April

[lmg]

I posted an earlier optimistic thread about visiting northern Spain in January. I have now locked in my trip in April (17th-30th) so am now trying to work out what the Picos and Pyrenees will most likely be like during that period.

I have the option of *not* stopping in the Picos/Pyrenese and heading south to my gaff south of Alicante, however, I would prefer (if the weather is likely to be ok) to muck around the Picos and Pyrenese.

Any experienced views on this?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I posted an earlier optimistic thread about visiting northern Spain in January. I have now locked in my trip in April (17th-30th) so am now trying to work out what the Picos and Pyrenees will most likely be like during that period.

I have the option of *not* stopping in the Picos/Pyrenese and heading south to my gaff south of Alicante, however, I would prefer (if the weather is likely to be ok) to muck around the Picos and Pyrenese.

Any experienced views on this?

Well

It will probably be fairly quiet but other than that its in the hands of the weather gods as it could be glorious and warm or at that time of year in the mountains it could be freezing cold and snow bound

I have never been in April but september and October and it can go from 5 degrees on the top to 30 degrees in the valleys as it did for me last year

So as long as you are prepared to take the rough with the smooth it will be fine

 

[Wapping]

I have the option of *not* stopping in the Picos/Pyrenese and heading south to my gaff south of Alicante, however, I would prefer (if the weather is likely to be ok) to muck around the Picos and Pyrenese.

Then do that. If it’s nice, dawdle there. If it’s not, press on. I read it that you are not on any strict timetable. What difference does it make if someone says: “When I went in April it was great”, when the next fellow says, “When I went it was freezing”.

 

[lmg]

Then do that. If it’s nice, dawdle there. If it’s not, press on. I read it that you are not on any strict timetable. What difference does it make if someone says: “When I went in April it was great”, when the next fellow says, “When I went it was freezing”.

I was simply seeing if anyone had any experience of the area around that time because if it was most likely to be good weather, I can start looking for good places to stay - and if not likely to be much good, I can either play it by ear or just head south.

I often wonder why people reply with such comments when all I was after was some insight to the areas weather.

 

[Wapping]

OK

Assume that it’ll be good, three months out. Look at some places to stay and review as you get near there.

To give you an idea, we went to Istanbul at Easter. Riding across France, we were very lucky. Coming in right behind us was a cold weather front, which brought with it snow which brought the motorway to complete closure; lorries jackknifed, the whole nine yards. A day later on our departure and we’d have been stuck in Dijon (picking our bikes up) not drinking beer in Milan.

 

[EVskiy]

I was simply seeing if anyone had any experience of the area around that time because if it was most likely to be good weather, I can start looking for good places to stay - and if not likely to be much good, I can either play it by ear or just head south.

I often wonder why people reply with such comments when all I was after was some insight to the areas weather.

Source one: Average April weather in Potes.
Source two: Potes weather in April.

Potes being a go to destination for most biker mates who wish to play in Picos. It is also one of the places to come through, if you wish to go south towards Leon and beyond, or do a loop of Picos via Riano --> Cangas De Onis. --> Panes and back in Potes, if staying in the area.

One thing to note, (I am sure no education is needed) from personal experience, mountains create their own weather. Forecast might say one thing, but turn a corner and you might or worse will get soaked. So be prepared.

 

[wessie]

I was simply seeing if anyone had any experience of the area around that time because if it was most likely to be good weather, I can start looking for good places to stay - and if not likely to be much good, I can either play it by ear or just head south.

I often wonder why people reply with such comments when all I was after was some insight to the areas weather.

he has given you the most helpful answer

nobody can give you an accurate prediction about weather in an area where the peaks exceed 2000m

my experience of the Picos is that it has lots of micro-climates as already said

you should have flexible travel plans as Wapping advised

 

[longjohn]

We go on the 17th first night at Potes then follow the weather.

 

[lmg]

We go on the 17th first night at Potes then follow the weather.

Seems sensible since I dock at 1315hrs. Cheers.

 

[Wapping]

Fingers crossed, it’ll be seasonably nice on the 17th April from the ferry gates, then up to and into Potes.

 

[Arsey]

Fingers crossed, it’ll be seasonably nice on the 17th April from the ferry gates, then up to and into Potes.

Looks like rain on 17th April from mid afternoon but then nice on 18 and 19th


Sent from my Nokia 3310 using Twatatalk

 

[EVskiy]

he has given you the most helpful answer

nobody can give you an accurate prediction about weather in an area where the peaks exceed 2000m

my experience of the Picos is that it has lots of micro-climates as already said

you should have flexible travel plans as Wapping advised

From my experience, May can be horribly unpredictable, let alone April and in the mountain range....... One can have all four seasons in one day. If miracle was to happen, could happen twice over.

I was twice to Santander, both times it had bucketed big time. One minute dry and grey, next minute, you are trying to look through a wet shower curtain.

When Wife and I were looking to go to Antibes last October, I checked a simple destination mean average weather for the month of October, I even found information for the daily mean average. It gave me a rough idea as to what to expect, I simply couldn't do any better. I doubt that even the almighty him self knew what he would fancy to have that day. We were lucky that the weather was much much better than the information I had on hand some 6-7 months before hand.

 

[EVskiy]

Does anybody know what the weather going to be this coming Christmas?

 

[siddo]

Don't book any accommodation in advance. If the weather is bad, just head further south. You can head back into the mountains if it changes.
IME, Nothing worse than chasing bookings. Adapt as you go.

 

[ATT]

Mountains...All bet`s are off. Having lived in them for the last couple of years, I now know that the climate can change massively in a few short KM and height. Once you get to know an area, you cant go to where it is what you like the most, in just a few minutes!

If I lived just 6 or 7KM to the West of where I do live, over the highest mountains where I live, I would not be a happy bunny...Far too wet and cold for me.

Enjoy whatever you get in the way of weather...It always changes I went out for a ride in torrential rain yesterday, as it was warm and I had not ridden in rain for over 2 years.

 

[force4fun]

I’ve been the Picos and Pyrenees a few times in late April. Been fine however if you go high enough it gets cold quickly and you could hit snow if you attempt the passes.

Generally temperatures have been about 20 to 25 degrees but at 1000 metres it can be 2 degrees.

Traffic is light and roads are fantastic! Quite of few bikers touring at that time.

Hope that helps.

 

[lmg]

It does, thank you and thanks to all. I’m booked on the Santander ferry for April 17th and have 2 weeks. I’m going to explore the area and down in to Portugal as well.

 

[Wapping]

Have fun.

 

[MartinK]

Let us know. Just checked, I thought we went in April in 2022, but it was 4th may....

We went 21st April in 2023 and all the passes we tried were open except the transfargarasan

 

[EVskiy]

We went 21st April in 2023 and all the passes we tried were open except the transfargarasan

So did you go to Spain and Picos or Romania then? Which one?
Bods traveling to Picos must give transfargarasan a go . Jeremy Clarkson rated it best roads in Europe.