Hi everyone, i am going from Bilbao across the Pyrenees area heading to st tropez, route napolean, into the alps and back across the euro tunnel, from st tropez I know the route we are taking, but has anyone got experience of a great route from Bilbao , top of Spain , Pyrenees area that would be a good ride and a nice place, or area to stay? i think we get into Bilbao at lunch time! cheers andy
We go to the Pyrenees every year usually from just up the road at Santander. There are only 2 sensible choices really in terms of making decent time to the Pyrenees. 1. Hit the Toll road out of Bilbao to Vitoria and then Dual Carriage way to Pamplona (a1). The toll road is easy to find yourself on even if you never intended to as you leave Bilbao. 2. The more scenic and interesting route. Leave Bilbao via the N2420 to Vittoria but don't go into the town center as it's horrendous to get out. Take the A1 just before the town for about 2 exits and then follow the A132 to Estella. That road intially starts a bit straight but soon turns in a lovely quiet and interesting road. From Estella pick up the a132 again to Tafalla and from Taffalla head to Sanguesa which is on the edge of the Pyrenees. A132 has plenty of petrol stops and Tafalla and Estella are good for lunch/coffee. Road is quiet and has some nice twisty sweeping sections. Jaca would be a good stop in the Pyrenees and take about 5 hours from Santander so i guess a bit less from Bilbao. If you can make it to Broto even better (Hotel Pradas is excellent value). Hotel Real is quite good value in Jaca with secure parking and a pool but 5 mins from town center. Hotel Ramiro more central but more expensive and no pool but has secure parking if you ask the mad French owner. THe N260 across the Pyrenees is to die for for the most part and a bit of Via Ferrata is a giggle in Broto in you want a change of scene for a few hours. In the Autumn much of the valleys can be in shade till well into the day as the sun doesn't get as high so don't be suprised to find damp areas in trees and chilly temps in the shaded areas.
Thanks for that! Will take the road to Pamplona , then I think we will stay in Biescas? Looks like a good starting point to go over to Carcassone the next day!
Never actually stayed in Biescas but it looks ok riding through when en route to Broto. Do bear in mind that progress can be quite slow in the Pyrenees as you spend lots of time snaking about and not going that far. Carcassone from Biescas going across largely on the N260 is do able but i would expect a full on days riding. We rode up to near foix this year for a rest day and the increase in traffic was noticeable on the French side after leaving the Pyrenees and if you take in Andorra, Encamp can be a traffic jam. The N260 is so much fun in general it's a shame to not take it all in.
It is but tight and can be dodgy in the wet. The main highlight is the Col De Aubisque which is the first section from Laruns but you can link on to the Col De Tourmalet as well which is almost as good. This is taken from the top of the Aubisque
That's again! Great shot, we're heading to carcassone, if we don't make it, it dosent matter! The day after we are going to la mole near st tropez, so it will be a rather easier journey!
Just back from the Pyrenees frrom our annual trip.If you want to get to Carcassonne quickly from Biescas you can use the Bielsa Tunnell.Drive into Ainsa on N260 (great place to stay by the way hotel Dos Rios) and turn left at crossroads.Nice road up to tunnel, which is long and then nice roads as you enter France. No toll on tunnel
