The Pyrenees/Northern Spain

[KungFooBob]

With the whole war in the middle east thing and the price of fly away holibobs going through the roof, I've persuaded her in doors that we should go away on the bike in July.

She's decided a ferry to Santander is needed.

Does anyone have any 'must do' roads or even just sights to see in that part of the world?

From the research so far I've come up with this trip in the mountains for one of the days...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... sp=sharing

[Trinity765]

Do it.

[Mussels]

If you are headed that way then I'd recommend the GI-682 from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Tossa de Mar.
Don't get too close following cars, I had someone throw up out of a car window in front of me.

The Dali museum in Figueres was pretty good.

[Pirahna]

The only place I've spent any time is Bilbao. For a city, I liked it, there's a Guggenheim museum.

The climate is usually milder on the north coast, but you only have to go few miles inland to get summer heat. For that reason it's popular with the Spanish heading out of the cities further south. Accomodation can get booked up early, it might be an idea to have a plan rather than try and wing it.

[KungFooBob]

The ferry has just been booked. 8th to the 16th July.

I guess I should start properly looking at routes now. I think the first night will be San Sebastián.

The Dali museum in Figueres was already at the top of her indoors list of things to see.

[KungFooBob]

...and her indoors is a tree hugging yoghurt weaver, so we have to avoid Pamplona that week.

[Trinity765]

The Potes Triangle, (Pots & Pans), Picos might be my favourite route of all time.


www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/1557439

If you want a .gpx of it from any start point, let me know.

[Sunny]

What Trinity said - the Picos are beautiful - so beautiful we went back a second year and did every road there.

As per another thread, the N260 is a great road through the Pyrenees too.

And if you aren't great with motion sickness, get some tablets to help you survive crossing the Bay of Biscay

[fdb]

Never been in the pyrennees before, will do in september and plan to include La forêt de la Massane in the trip.

Maybe a bit late, but did you think about ferry Portsmouth-Caen overnight? Much faster than sailing to Santander (but Caen-Hendaye via Autoroute seems ugly, and stressing near Bordeaux).

Anyway, Asturias is a gem if you like twisties, just be very carefull with bookings, last minute hotels near the coast is simply impossible.

Edit:
-National park of Muniellos if you like hiking, only 20 person per day permit to enter and the long hike is difficult (reserve)
- Descenso del rio Sella for hot days, if river is not dry. Easy, lot of families with kids
- Tito Bustillo cave, depending on your sensibility it can be overwhelming (reserve)

[Count Steer]

Never been in the pyrennees before, will do in september and plan to include La forêt de la Massane in the trip.

Maybe a bit late, but did you think about ferry Portsmouth-Caen overnight? Much faster than sailing to Santander (but Caen-Hendaye via Autoroute seems ugly, and stressing near Bordeaux).

Anyway, Asturias is a gem if you like twisties, just be very carefull with bookings, last minute hotels near the coast is simply impossible.

Have done Portsmouth - Caen a few times on the faster ferries and, if you wanted to take your time a bit on the way down to Hendaye there are some great roads down to Niort and from there you can avoid Bordeaux if you plan accordingly. It all depends on how fast you want to get to Hendaye I guess?

[fdb]

Have done Portsmouth - Caen a few times on the faster ferries and, if you wanted to take your time a bit on the way down to Hendaye there are some great roads down to Niort and from there you can avoid Bordeaux if you plan accordingly. It all depends on how fast you want to get to Hendaye I guess?

True, i just wanted to go home asap

[gremlin]

...and her indoors is a tree hugging yoghurt weaver, so we have to avoid Pamplona that week.

A mate lost a load of muscle in his right leg, courtesy of deciding to run in front of bulls in Pamplona, whist trying to impress his Spanish girlfriend (now wife).

I bet he wishes he'd avoided Pamplona that week, too.

[KungFooBob]

First night booked in Jaca, then I'm gonna follow the N260(a) to La Seu d'Urgell, then a ride into Andorra, just to say I've been, then on to somewhere on the coast via Figueres along the N260 again.

[KungFooBob]

...and I found this place while looking at google maps and now I want a house I can park a boat outside.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q4vhES1eSEdVAa738

[cvilla]

Ha, cycled* over the bridge 'Passera de la Muga' a few years ago on a tour, it was hot, very hot going up the hill afterwards (NE direction from Roses), so hot only stopped if there was a tree to give some shade next to the road, then got to top thought it'll be OK going down with a breeze, no the first section hot rocks next to road soaking up the heat, felt like an oven:) but did get cooler nearer the coast.

Have a great time, I'm also away the same time near Toulouse, watch out for the Tour de France around that time (8th July doing Tourmalet if interested!).

* push bike touring!!