Ride magazine Picos and Portugal

[Anthony Byrne]

Hi folks,

Has anyone done the ride route across Picos and Portugal. It's flagged as a relaxed 8 day trip with the best of the Picos included. I plan to camp if I can although being late March the weather may still be cold so im open to heading further south.

If you have done a picos trip in march, how did you find the weather?

If you were planning to do it again would you forfeit the picos to get to warmer weather more south or inland?

Im trying to gauge if I should plan to get further south faster.

 

[Flintlock]

With a tent & camping gear, you can afford not to book any accommodation in advance that time of the year which will leave you flexible as to what route/area you decide on
I would check the weather in the region on the run up to the date & decide what route you take to ensure the best weather possible.
You will also have the option as a back up to book a hotel/b&b/self catering at short notice for that time of the year.
A group of us went to the Picos in late September a few years ago & just booked accommodation each day when over there, loads to choose from. Guessing late March should be similar.

 

[Flappytabs]

Picos in March is likely to be chilly. I was there in May 2025 it rained very hard for a couple of days, the remainder were warm at sea level but cold at altitude, still snow on peaks.




a few years ago i did a golf trip to alicante in Feb, 2 days were snowed off.

 

[Jav]

I am booked for the ferry early april -
I have been there that time of year for the last few years and the temperatures can vary widely - but as has been said the hotels are usually very quiet so if the weather is pants and you don’t want to camp you shouldn’t have a problem getting a hotel at that time of year.

 

[MartinK]

Just driven (camper van) Breganca to Chavas. Forgotten how good this route is. Did some motorcycling here in 2022, think I'll have to return on 2 wheels

 

[Arsey]

I’ve done all those routes in last few years .
Would definitely NOT miss out the Picos as the roads around there are stunning .
But the weather can be a tad variable up there .

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Much appreciated folks, I feel I’ll take the chance on the weather and play it by day !

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Some of the nicest roads in Europe , nice big winding roads with not much traffic . Great food reasonably priced hotels and friendly locals . Love it out there

 

[MartinK]

Vid from our trip.... May give you a few ideas for routes and accommodation

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Brilliant thank you, now subscribed too

 

[Burridge01]

This was in August 2022, when the cloud came in,it was bloody cold.

 

[KMD]

I’ve done all those routes in last few years .
Would definitely NOT miss out the Picos as the roads around there are stunning .
But the weather can be a tad variable up there .

One of the reasons I’m a fan of Hotel del Oso, a few years ago a small group of us had booked rooms for a week and when we got there it was slinging it down. We rode for one day but the rain was so heavy it took the joy out of it. The owners told us heavy rain was forecast for several weeks so we decided to leave and head over to Portugal. They didn’t charge us for any of the remaining days that we had booked, and even helped by showing us where better weather was forecast.

 

[Arsey]

One of the reasons I’m a fan of Hotel del Oso, a few years ago a small group of us had booked rooms for a week and when we got there it was slinging it down. We rode for one day but the rain was so heavy it took the joy out of it. The owners told us heavy rain was forecast for several weeks so we decided to leave and head over to Portugal. They didn’t charge us for any of the remaining days that we had booked, and even helped by showing us where better weather was forecast.

The staff there are all fantastic

 

[MartinK]

Drove the N230 today in Portugal

I reckon it's one of the best roads I've ever driven.
Hopefully I'll be here on the bike sometime soon

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Drove the N230 today in Portugal
View attachment 475212
I reckon it's one of the best roads I've ever driven.
Hopefully I'll be here on the bike sometime soon

What was the temps today?

 

[MartinK]

What was the temps today?

About 10 degrees, mostly dry

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Thank you