Santander , Spain and french Pyrenees

[Harlequin]

Hi there

Planning a trip over next year, and was considering mid June?

Any advice on best time of year to go would be great, thanks.

After looking at pics and posts of recent rtips there, it does look awesome! and quiet!

Cheers.

 

[Wapping]

Best time in June 2011?

Three PM.

Definitely not before noon and no later than six PM.

Enjoy your holiday!

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Personally (and if you have a choice) I'd leave it until July. The very highest passes generally open by May, but if there is a late spring that might stretch into June.

Even if the roads are cleared, it isn't always nice to go haring round a corner and finding a meltwater river churning across the road in front of you.

I've been to the pyrenees three times - once in September, once in June and one in July. In June, there was lots of snow around still on the higher peaks, in September it was lovely and warm but some tremendous thunderstorms and torrential rain rattling around, and even in July there was one road that saw us pelted with hailstones that were reluctant to melt. Plus 10 yard visibility fog. As with any mountains, the weather can be highly unpredictable, but the chances of getting consistent bad weather probably recede if you leave it a little later in the year.

Have a great time, though - the weather isn't really that bad.

 

[Rasher]

We went in mid september 2008 and as we rolled off the ferry at Santander had a huge storm, all the way down to where we were staying, then a few wet days, it had been over 30c for the previous three weeks with vurtually no rain.

More info and recomendations from me here

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249113

Was on sportsbike so can't help on any off-road routes, hope to return one day and do some trails.

 

[markie_wales]

Was on sportsbike so can't help on any off-road routes, hope to return one day and do some trails.

Oh there's LOADS of trails in the Pyrenees - mostly on the Spanish side. Done three years down there and only done a few trails twice ('cos they are good ) - going back next year to do some more.

Did a "sort of" off road trans Pyrenees run from the Atlantic end to around Andorra this year - it really is that easy to do with a map.

cheers

Markie

 

[Harlequin]

Best time in June 2011?

Three PM.

Definitely not before noon and no later than six PM.

Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks!

 

[Harlequin]

Thanks all! (even Wapping........)

 

[Wapping]

Thanks!

That's OK

I was bored, waiting in a hospital outpatients queue

If it helps. I posted a thread about a jaunt the area a while ago. In the report I described how the weather changed from day to day.... One day it was down to 10 meters or less, the next blazing sunshine. On one day we crossed in hot sun from Spain, over the top (almost around a bend) and into France, it was thick cloud all over the roads, very cold and very wet; clouds of course being nothing more rain that is too lazy to fall to the ground.

I also did the same area in July. Good weather, mixed in with occasional torrential downpours of 30 minutes each.

Went in early spring, snowed.

There is an old saying: Never stay in the mountains. It is not far wrong

 

[Oliwoof]

Hi There,

Mid June would be good, you might find a pass closed for repairs but everything should normally be open by then. Traffic will be lighter than July-August, less camper vans and cyclists, somewhat cooler and longer days than say
September. Plus you won't have so long to wait!

Cheers Phil

http://www.pyreneesmotorcycletours.com

 

[cookie]

campsites nearly all wait until july to open, if that's important.

it was really nice and quiet when we went this june, and the only passes closed were off road. mid 20s temps

 

[Canuck]

I went down mid august and it was hot and dry. There is a great road (I'll find my maps) heading directly west from Olot... literally 200miles of smooth road and twisties... After 150 miles of it I was getting bored and it was continually turning... mind you the next day I wanted to go back. Also some great offroading/trail riding in the area as well. If you want the gps tracks let me know you email and I'll send them over.

 

[olivarsmith]

I went down mid august and it was hot and dry. There is a great road (I'll find my maps) heading directly west from Olot... literally 200miles of smooth road and twisties... After 150 miles of it I was getting bored and it was continually turning... mind you the next day I wanted to go back. Also some great offroading/trail riding in the area as well. If you want the gps tracks let me know you email and I'll send them over.

Thanks for this information.This information helps me during my travel.

_________________________________________________________________
For more details click ferienhaus in lloret de mar and ferienhaus in tossa de mar

 

[Gipsy]

Just one other factor to bear in mind especially on the French side of the pyrenees, is that the Tour de France will be in the area some time in July. If you like that sort of thing it's really worth checking out, but otherwise it can cause the area to become quite congested, with consequent accommodation issues, also and full of cyclists doing the passes.

 

[Harlequin]

Right then, so basically pick a time from June to September, and be prepared for some weather!!

Thanks alot all, great info.

 

[Harlequin]

That's OK

I was bored, waiting in a hospital outpatients queue

If it helps. I posted a thread about a jaunt the area a while ago. In the report I described how the weather changed from day to day.... One day it was down to 10 meters or less, the next blazing sunshine. On one day we crossed in hot sun from Spain, over the top (almost around a bend) and into France, it was thick cloud all over the roads, very cold and very wet; clouds of course being nothing more rain that is too lazy to fall to the ground.

I also did the same area in July. Good weather, mixed in with occasional torrential downpours of 30 minutes each.

Went in early spring, snowed.

There is an old saying: Never stay in the mountains. It is not far wrong

Cheers! so basically, head toward Morocco! Really fancy the roads on the pyrenees, so maybe we would be better heading doing the santander, pyrenees then across to the med, up to route napoleon etc etc........? Nice decision to have......

I was thinking dont book anything and see what turns up. Reckon this will be okay?

 

[Riders Rest]

Sounds like you are sorted, July is probably better than August though as said June ans September are good too.

August can be a bit bogged down with Camping vans

 

[Wapping]

so maybe we would be better heading doing the santander, pyrenees then across to the med, up to route napoleon etc etc........? Nice decision to have......

I have done near enough just that.

Took the Speedcat to Caen.

Rode to Saumur, then down the green Bis routes (see Michelin touring map) via Poiiers, Limoges to St Jean Pied de Port. From there I simply rode along the tops of the Pyrenees, coming out in Perpignan.

Then Mazamet, Albi, Millau, Nimes, Apt (to see my parents). Then Sisteron, Briancon, Annecy, Roanne, Autun, Saulieu, Tonmerre, Troyes, Chatteau Thierry, Soissons, Calais.

A good ride, near enough around the 'hexagon' of France. The nice thing about it is that the scenery gradually changes each day.

 

[Balders1450]

I've always done Spain in Sept as it's cooler, the Picos Europa is breathtaking.

The mountains north of Madrid well worth a blast, if you're in that area, Parc de Pyrenees, then across to Cevennes Nat Park in France which is awesome to ride through!

 

[Marshyboy]

Brittany Ferries has now taken ovr the Portsmouth-Bilbao route, so you can do a triangle from Portmsouth - down to Bilbao on the Cap Finistere, along into the Picos, back over to Portsmouth on the Pont Aven. Simples!

I'm involved with a charity, ORCA, that has wildlife officers on both routes this summer, out on deck pointing out whales and dolphins. Best trip for these is the Friday evening sailing from Portsmouth - you get the whole of the Saturday in the very best area for wildlife spotting.

 

[Gipsy]

Really pleased to know the research is still going on. We always enjoyed the lectures on the Pride of Bilbao.