I am thinking of planning a trip in July 2010 to the Pyrenees. It would be much appreciated if those of you have experience of the area could suggest some good mountain routes. We will be using hotels and camping, so will not be based in one place. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
Routes around the Pyrenees
- Thread starter Peter
- Start date
sven
Registered user
DavidJames
Registered user
Get a long drink and do a search, there are quite a few threads on the subject, but as already mentioned, most will mention the N260
My experience of the area was excellent and the best bit was that it was completely unplanned
My experience of the area was excellent and the best bit was that it was completely unplanned
Here's a start Peter, put the kettle on and read this - http://www.ebbo.org/pyrenees2006-01.php
Coll del Canto on the stretch of road Sven mentions, it did seem to bring about a little madnessI much preferred the Spanish side of the Pyrenee - this 37 mile section of the N260 is the best road I've ridden PERIOD
N42.37512 E1.20625
Many thanks for the replies so far. Very helpful. I am working on the trip and considering going further south.
santrix
Registered user
Anything between El Pont de Suert, Puente de Montanana, Tremp, Coll de Nargo, Ribera d'Urgellet and Sort.... North of Sort you have Rialp and Llavorsi.
Spent 3 days around this area doing the HUMM in 08. Fantastic roads and scenery.
Lots of trails too.
Spent 3 days around this area doing the HUMM in 08. Fantastic roads and scenery.
Lots of trails too.
Again thank you for the ideas. Much appreciated to all above. Keep them coming.
Deleted account 210609001
Registered user
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2003
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 7
Hi Peter
I'd stick to the SPanish side, too. I've ridden a couple of times in the area and the roads just seem to be better.
One brief warning - last summer (2008) I went in a group of three bikes. The other two both got stopped by the Spanish police, with two on-the-spot fines handed out. They seemed to be focussing in bikes in and around towns and villages.
Some of the best GS-suited roads I've ever ridden are in Catalunya. The mountain roads are well worht a trip. If you want some examples, let me know and I'll try to dig out the routes. In reality, just pick a wriggly road and enjoy! We rode in the area roughly bounded by Barcelona, Lerida/Lleida and Tortosa. We stayed three or four nights in Tortosa Parc Hotel, very reasonable hotel, big garage - here's a link: Hotel Tortosa Parc . Tortosa seemed to have a few decent hotels, though.
Slightly further south is a mountainous area called Maestrazgo. Look for a place called Cantavieja, and all around there is unbelievably good. It is very remote though (allgedly the least developed part of Spain) and while some of the roads are a little bumpy and patched, a GS floats over them while the less-enlightened riders strugglew on their sportsbikes - always excellent fun! In other places, the roads are simply amazing. Sort of triangle between Teruel, Morella and Castellon de la Plana.
If you're undecided on accommodation, and depending on your budget, think about Paradores. They're very good, you can stuff enough breakfast to see you through until dinner, and they frequently do deals where if you book several nights you get a reduction. You can join the loyalty scheme, Amigos de Paradores, which entitles you to more special deals. Not cheap, but all special. Here's a link: Paradores.
I'd stick to the SPanish side, too. I've ridden a couple of times in the area and the roads just seem to be better.
One brief warning - last summer (2008) I went in a group of three bikes. The other two both got stopped by the Spanish police, with two on-the-spot fines handed out. They seemed to be focussing in bikes in and around towns and villages.
Some of the best GS-suited roads I've ever ridden are in Catalunya. The mountain roads are well worht a trip. If you want some examples, let me know and I'll try to dig out the routes. In reality, just pick a wriggly road and enjoy! We rode in the area roughly bounded by Barcelona, Lerida/Lleida and Tortosa. We stayed three or four nights in Tortosa Parc Hotel, very reasonable hotel, big garage - here's a link: Hotel Tortosa Parc . Tortosa seemed to have a few decent hotels, though.
Slightly further south is a mountainous area called Maestrazgo. Look for a place called Cantavieja, and all around there is unbelievably good. It is very remote though (allgedly the least developed part of Spain) and while some of the roads are a little bumpy and patched, a GS floats over them while the less-enlightened riders strugglew on their sportsbikes - always excellent fun! In other places, the roads are simply amazing. Sort of triangle between Teruel, Morella and Castellon de la Plana.
If you're undecided on accommodation, and depending on your budget, think about Paradores. They're very good, you can stuff enough breakfast to see you through until dinner, and they frequently do deals where if you book several nights you get a reduction. You can join the loyalty scheme, Amigos de Paradores, which entitles you to more special deals. Not cheap, but all special. Here's a link: Paradores.
I much preferred the Spanish side of the Pyrenee - this 37 mile section of the N260 is the best road I've ridden PERIOD
Another vote for this stretch of the N260
The road North through Rialp and Lavorsi over the Cole de la Bonaigua to Vielha is also good.
You can check out our 2007 trip report here:
www.bbot.co.uk
casperfelix
Registered user
Going on your own?
I'm intending to do a similar trip to include a bit of France in Summer. Am currently closely following http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211140 where Farrow730 is organising an open invite trip to France and the Pyrenees which, although he has a route in mind, is I guess open to negotiation as time wears on.
I'm intending to do a similar trip to include a bit of France in Summer. Am currently closely following http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211140 where Farrow730 is organising an open invite trip to France and the Pyrenees which, although he has a route in mind, is I guess open to negotiation as time wears on.
bsogri
Registered user
Pyrenees hoteland good base
We stayed in Broto which is about 250 miles south east of Santander or 100 miles east of Pamplona on some great biking roads, ride past deserted villages, turqoise lakes on the way.
Great small town to make a base or a couple of nights out,
Right amongst some great roads gorges and passes, with loads bars/restaurants etc,
we stayed in the Hotel Sorrosal, the ownner has one of those bmw 450 trail bikes and he runs a landrover tour company which goes trail riding up to 9000 feet if you dare let anybody else do the driving,
We stayed in Broto which is about 250 miles south east of Santander or 100 miles east of Pamplona on some great biking roads, ride past deserted villages, turqoise lakes on the way.
Great small town to make a base or a couple of nights out,
Right amongst some great roads gorges and passes, with loads bars/restaurants etc,
we stayed in the Hotel Sorrosal, the ownner has one of those bmw 450 trail bikes and he runs a landrover tour company which goes trail riding up to 9000 feet if you dare let anybody else do the driving,
Again thank you for all the replies and ideas. I have booked my ferries already and am working out various routes using the advice offered by you all. Love this forum!!
fuddy
Registered user
I much preferred the Spanish side of the Pyrenee - this 37 mile section of the N260 is the best road I've ridden PERIOD
Yes thats the best section of the n260,one of my favorites.
Pyrenees - the Hard Way Across
This is what started my obsession with the Pyrenees
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/ANTenPETER/fietsen/pyreneeen/pyreneeenE.html
. . . but not on a bicycle
Gives a different slant on what to see
paul
This is what started my obsession with the Pyrenees
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/ANTenPETER/fietsen/pyreneeen/pyreneeenE.html
. . . but not on a bicycle
Gives a different slant on what to see
paul
LiquidLAN
Registered user
Get a long drink and do a search, there are quite a few threads on the subject, but as already mentioned, most will mention the N260
My experience of the area was excellent and the best bit was that it was completely unplanned
I rode it last yeah in heavy rain and thick fog, so thick I couldnt see the screen on my GSA never mind the road, but it was well worth it and the roads down from Sort are amazing too!
Don't worry if you dont have a great time around there though as you get further into Spain the roads are just truely amazing! N111 is well worth a ride!
Just dont forget your docs in Spain and play by the rules - First day in Spain for us cost 720 Euros in fines and we were lucky to keep the bikes.
Riders Rest
Registered user
Have you decided whether to ride down through France or take the ferry to Santander or Bilbao ? N-260 and N-230 
...
...
Similar threads
