Picos to Pyrenees

[dbaldwin4]

In May I'm off to Santander and then intend to spend up to a week in the Picos(depending on weather!) before heading off to the Pyrenees and along the spanish side to the med. What is the most interesting way of linking the picos to the pyrenees? From looking at the map the easiest way appears to be the coastal motorway etc to Pamplona. Has anyone experience of going across country, perhaps from Riano towards Burgos, Lograno and Jaca. Any other ideas?

 

[Humbug]

Has anyone experience of going across country, perhaps from Riano towards Burgos, Lograno and Jaca. Any other ideas?

That's a great route. It depends which part of the Pyrenees you are headed for. I've done a similar route about two years ago but from Logono we headed to Pamplona and on to Orreaga/Roncevalles. Keep off the motorways and stick to the N roads and you'll discover some fantastic routes. I like to use Michelin maps to pick out the scenic (green) roads.

PS Welcome to the site BTW.

 

[Ropey]

Did motorway last year from San Sebastion to the Picos... It's quick, which is what we wanted as really on connection between fantastic Picos and even better Pyrennes....!!

The N260 is a topper as is tiny town of Sort, not much there but kinda cool.

Jealous as hell buddy, enjoy!!

 

[ballistic]

perhaps from Riano towards Burgos, Lograno and Jaca. Any other ideas?

Yep.. that's definitely the way to go.. why spend a boring day on a motorway when you can have two great days on the minor roads? Jaca is a good place to stay.. great wine & tapas bars
Between Riano and Jaca, you can ride through the Sierra de la Demanda and the absolutely amazing Bardenas Reales Natural Park....

 

[dbaldwin4]

Thanks for the advice. Had wondered about the Bardena Reales- looks amazing but as we will be 2 up is it likely to be too much?

 

[ballistic]

Thanks for the advice. Had wondered about the Bardena Reales- looks amazing but as we will be 2 up is it likely to be too much?

No worries about that.. the "permitted" roads are all very good, graded gravel tracks. If you want a copy of the Bardenas Reales official map, send me a PM with your email address.. it'll show you where you can ride. This is the Military area in the centre.. where you can't take photos

 

[jackassdave]

that looks great ,how big is the area ? ,and could you wild camp there ?,is there any chance you could send me a map ,or info please

 

[ballistic]

that looks great ,how big is the area ? ,and could you wild camp there ?,is there any chance you could send me a map ,or info please

It's about 40-miles from top to bottom, but I doubt very much you’ll be able to camp inside Bardenas Reales because it’s one of their Natural Parks.. they’re very particular about where you go, how fast, where you stop etc. To my mind, this is all quite reasonable, it’s such a remarkable and delicate place that it would be sacrilege to let all and sundry rip it to pieces with 4x4s and motocross bikes etc.
The visitor centre is excellent, staffed by lovely young Spanish ladies who speak perfect English.. they will gladly answer all your questions and furnish you with free maps and, no doubt, point you in the direction of a local campsite. The Web site is…
www.bardenasreales.es Just hit the Union Flag for the English version.
I have scanned the map they gave me, which shows all the routes for cars, MTBs and pedestrians, but it is 3.13MB, so I can’t post it here. If you want me to send you a .pdf copy, PM me with your email address.
I'm going back there myself in September to do a bit more exploring.. I can't wait

 

[jackassdave]

thanks for that ,the link is great ,is this the desert ,thing in spain most people go on about ,didnt know it was a park ,think i saw a bit on here about some time ago ,maybe ,pass through it some time ,..thanks ..dave

 

[BD]

It's about 40-miles from top to bottom, but I doubt very much you’ll be able to camp inside Bardenas Reales because it’s one of their Natural Parks.. they’re very particular about where you go, how fast, where you stop etc. To my mind, this is all quite reasonable, it’s such a remarkable and delicate place that it would be sacrilege to let all and sundry rip it to pieces with 4x4s and motocross bikes etc.
The visitor centre is excellent, staffed by lovely young Spanish ladies who speak perfect English.. they will gladly answer all your questions and furnish you with free maps and, no doubt, point you in the direction of a local campsite. The Web site is…
www.bardenasreales.es Just hit the Union Flag for the English version.
I have scanned the map they gave me, which shows all the routes for cars, MTBs and pedestrians, but it is 3.13MB, so I can’t post it here. If you want me to send you a .pdf copy, PM me with your email address.
I'm going back there myself in September to do a bit more exploring.. I can't wait

hi ballistic, we are heading that way in july to visit this great looking place so if you don't mind can you send me a copy too.cheers

 

[cjdad76]

Hi Ballistic, me and 2 mates are doing a run down through France, over the Pyrenees to the Bardenas in Sept. We are aiming to squeeze as many big bike trails in as possible - part of the reason for heading to the Bardenas. Seems it might be a nice place to go, but not so much for off-roading - except for the gravel roads of course.

Perhaps worth a trip, but maybe our focus on trail riding will be best done in the Pyrenees???

 

[ballistic]

Hi Ballistic, me and 2 mates are doing a run down through France, over the Pyrenees to the Bardenas in Sept. We are aiming to squeeze as many big bike trails in as possible - part of the reason for heading to the Bardenas. Seems it might be a nice place to go, but not so much for off-roading - except for the gravel roads of course.

Perhaps worth a trip, but maybe our focus on trail riding will be best done in the Pyrenees???

I think The Bardenas is certainly worth a visit.. it’s quite unique, although the gravel roads are just like well-graded forestry tracks, therefore nothing too difficult.
I tend to seek out the single black lines on the Michelin 1:400,000 maps.. sometimes they’re challenging, sometimes not.. if you can string a few together to get you where you’re going, you’ll have a good days ride.
There are many on here who’ve been off-road in The Pyrenees.. it would be great if we could organise a repository of routes, maybe with GPS tracks etc. Or, have I missed it.. is there such a thing already?
I shall be in The Pyrenees area myself at the end of September.. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for Tossers coming the other way

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

My ride report 2 up from the Picos across the Pyrenees to the Med may give you some ideas.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274632

Our route was all on road

We stayed at Ainsa in the Pyrenees

And near Begur on the Med