Picos / Pyrenees: April / May a good time to go?

[retroman]

I planning to do a week touring the Picos and Pyrennes next year ... I'd prefer to go April or May to avoid the worst of the summer heat ... any comments on this? Good or bad idea, and for what reasons?

I'd also be grateful for info on campsites in Spain ...

Thanks in anticipation .. PS anyone else up for this??

 

[TaffyScouser]

I could be up for this one. Maybe a week in the mid point of the summer term when the passes etc are guaranteed to be snow free.
I will stay in touch.


ANDY

 

[Ming]

why dont you boys come on the baltic tour in june instead?

 

[retroman]

I could be up for this one. Maybe a week in the mid point of the summer term when the passes etc are guaranteed to be snow free.
I will stay in touch.


ANDY

Excellent Andy!! I've been banned from the last weeks of the July summer term anyway by Mrs Retro ... stressful time of year for teachers ...



Ming, can't afford the baltic tour, you lot are lording it in hotels so I gather, I need to justify all the cash I spent on camping equipment! Check the irony lol!!!

 

[TaffyScouser]

OK so I have two options. HALF TERM or any week in the summer hols but we do finish early in the private sector. This year I got away on the 3 July but next year it could be a week after that date. Stuffed outside of these due to work//???? committments

 

[retroman]

Sorry Andy if I go in half term I'll be divorced on my return. Methinks it will have to be in June, hopefully the passes should be clear by then

 

[Fitzdangle]

A wee bit early me thinks

Leave it till the end of May Retro the last of the snow should be gone by then.

Did the Pyrennes Spainish and French side two years ago and some of the passes were only just cleared and that was in the middle of May.

Loads of camp sites in Spain you will pay £7- £8 a night,good site at "Sort" which has got some mind blowing tarmac in all directions.

French side camping is cheaper £3 - £4 a night every town will have a site, do both sides you can keep swoping from one side to the other.

The Picos is superb head for Potas the main town it has a good site and some superb good value restaurants / Tapas bars,you can then pick up maps to do the more remote parts of the Picos.

There you will find some top GS roads...........I did it on a VFR that was until I saw the light !

 

[(RIP) Gerry Huxtable]

I am interested in a Picos trip.

How about Guitarman's friends Guesthouse as a base.

http://www.casazalama.com/

54 Euro B&B/Night

Could be too far away tho, about 60 miles from Picos.

Just a thought.


Gerry H.

 

[Baz]

I'm at the early stages of planning a trip that way next June. will probably be leaving the 7th June.
Tues Ferry from Portsmouth - Bilboa over the Pyrenees (918 Andorra etc).
2 days in barcelona area ( She wants to do a bit of sightseeing). then hopefully follow coast to Nice, cut up to Alps, across to Central Massif.
Ferry back from Cherburg to Portsmouth.
12 or 13 days altogether. Works out about 2000ish miles + playing. All accomodation will be booked as & when we turn up somewhere.

Baz

 

[Lord Snooty]

We did the Pyrenees and Picos this year, went May 22nd form Pompey to Cherbourg and returned June 7th from Bilbao, total of 17 days. Lots of snow on the mts in Andorra but all roads clear. Went to Barcalona and along the Costas, crossing the Sierra Nevada. Got a bit warm - low to mid 30s when going through the middle towards Badajoz but cooled down to mid 20s when in the Picos so all in all reasonably bearable.

Wore the following kit though:

Hein Gericke light grey Tuareg pants with airflow zips on sides, BMW Yellow/grey Savannah jacket, open face and fingerless mountain bike gloves and walking boots rather than high biking boots. All helped to keep the body temp down.

 

[channiere]

Done lots of spain and Pyrenees always book at least one night in a Parador which keeps the wife happy. Ferry to Bilbao is coming back on yourself a bit though. Beware the road from Seo Urgell to LLeida is being widened and tunnels put on it spoiling one of the best roads in the area. San Sebastian is a great place to stay overnight head into the old town along the prom foer great food at cheap prices