Picos route please

[ChubbyThumper]

Coming from Santander I will be heading for Madrid/Malaga but would like to take a scenic tarmac route through the Picos. I am new to the area so any routes/advice appreciated.

I would also appreciate any tips for my first nights accomodation near Santander. Boat gets in late afternoon...

 

[shuck raider]

You could make it to Potes from Santander in 2 hours, puts you at the gateway to the Picos. Lots of accommodation in and near Potes, do a search on here, eg the Hotel Infantado is used to bikers.

In the morning, head off along N621 to Riano. Takes you up and over with some great views. From Riano, take the CL626 to Cistierna, hang a left towards Guardo and this will take you out on to the main drag to Madrid (P227) just south of Cervera de Pisguerga

 

[drinkingparrot]

N623

You cannot get of the ferry in Santander with the intentions of heading south and miss the N623, it's a fantastic road which takes you to Burgos or not far short of it, After that I wouldn't have a clue, but you must do the N623, google it and check it out

 

[Bugbear]

Heres one you can do when you get there that we did last month

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...QA2rNJDTGM6VVEWJekiw&oq=Potes&mra=ls&t=m&z=11

 

[jbodin]

Hi, the route suggested by Bugbear is awsome, and a definate must do.

 

[ChubbyThumper]

You could make it to Potes from Santander in 2 hours, puts you at the gateway to the Picos. Lots of accommodation in and near Potes, do a search on here, eg the Hotel Infantado is used to bikers.

In the morning, head off along N621 to Riano. Takes you up and over with some great views. From Riano, take the CL626 to Cistierna, hang a left towards Guardo and this will take you out on to the main drag to Madrid (P227) just south of Cervera de Pisguerga

That looks perfect, thanks. it also ties in with some of bugbears route.

Perhaps the N623 can be ridden on the way back for the ferry from Bilbao.....


Thanks guys, its good to have the makings of a plan

 

[Bugbear]

This is part of the run down to Potes through Hermida Gorge.

Cruise it because the road can be very busy at times with oncoming vehicles coming round bends totally on your side of the road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVbRHQL1Cq0&feature=plcp

.

 

[johnnyboy]

There is a nice campsite on the Potes to Espinama road. About 5kms out of Potes on the right (2nd site you come to). Restaurant, swimming pool and great showers etc.
There is also a nice track from Espinama to Sotres,Well worth a look at if your in the area. If you zoom in on the map that bugbear posted you will see it.

 

[drinkingparrot]

Santander to Malaga

I have driven from Santander to the south of Spain on quite a number of ocassions (Motril),by car and a couple of times on my bike. the distance to Malaga are similar and the route is the same untill you get to Granada, or just north of it. I have allways driven it all in one go and the quickest I have done it on my bike is 9 hours, it usually takes about 10hours and Malaga will be another hour on, and thats with minimum stops for fuel and coffee breaks. The best route I have found, doing it all in one go is taking a route to Burgos,and there are 2 that I have tried, the N623 is the most exillerating, and the other is the A67 and then cutting across to Burgos, this route is probably the more used of the two for some reason, it's certainly the one all the wagons seem to use, and then from Burgos the A1 all the way to Madrid, on to the ring road and eventually heading south on the A4. I have allso done the trip from Gijon, a little to the west of Santander and I must say was probably the most enjoyable route which fetched you down the A66 and A6 from leon to Madrid, and then again south on the A4, but the journey is a lot longer,and the road from Leon to Madrid is not as quick and a little boreing on the outskirts of Madrid. So just so you know, if you are going to do a bit of sight seeing on the way down, you will need to factor in quite a bit of time. I have planned on a bit of sight seeing on a couple of occassions, but never been able to manage it. It's hit the ferry and head south, usually in a hurry. Just be carefull around Madrid, if your useing TomTom or the likes avoid the tolls, you dont need them.

As for a first nights stay, Burgos is a couple of hours away, and a nice little town with plenty of accomodation and bars

 

[sidestand]

Plus one for Bugbear's route

Do it every year - both ways - never get tired of it, fantastic scenery

 

[Timolgra]

There is also a nice track from Espinama to Sotres,Well worth a look at if your in the area. If you zoom in on the map that bugbear posted you will see it.

That track is just what you'll be looking for Terry

 

[johnnyboy]

That track is just what you'll be looking for Terry

How would you know?
I don't think I ever miss it out when I'm in the area now.

 

[sidestand]

The road from Sotres to Tresviso is incredible too !
Starts out as a goat track & turns into an amazing road with pristine tarmac just hanging off the side of the valley - then it's a dead end.

There's a very nice inn at Tresviso though, so it's worth the visit

 

[ChubbyThumper]

What a fantastic response guys, many thanks. Not sure about the tracks this time around,

I'm hoping to be in Burgos before 3pm. Should be a great taster for future trips though.

 

[sidestand]

Here's a taster - the road from Potes to Riano

[/IMG]

Taken last October when I went to watch the Moto Piston Rally

 

[Bugbear]

Fag-break at the lake.