21 replies to this topic

[AliG]

Hi all,
Ferry is already full on 6th June so date moved to 23rd May 2015. More details below.
I am in the very early stages of planning a trip to the Picos next June and the first decision is whether to take the ferry both ways or to go down on the ferry and ride back through France. The trip will be 9 days long leaving Friday evening, back the following Sunday evening.
Has anyone here done the trip who can offer advice and also a possible interesting route back through France?
Thanks
Ali

Edited by AliG, 02 March 2015 - 10:19 pm.

[sidestand]

We always take the ferry down to Santander, then come back up through France 

it seems dear on the face of it, but when you take off a thousand miles riding, hotel, tyre wear, petrol, autoroute tolls etc, it works out pretty much the same.

 

A good itinerary is - Ferry, 2 nights & a day in the Picos, 

Then head over to the Pyrenees on the Spanish side over towards Pamplona - midway overnight stop in or near Jaca.

Then take the N260 under Andorra (go there if you like, but it's a shithole) up onto the Cerdagne - head for Puigcerda - then overnight in St.Louis or Font Romeu.

Next day, head for Carcassone via Axat & Quillan ( I could give you dozens of fantastic roads around here, but time will be against you)

Then head North towards Albi - catch the Tarn & go up the gorges to Millau (Take pics under the bridge)

From Millau, head East &  take the Ardeche Gorges - into the Cevennes

Then carry on East into Provence & on to the Gorge de Verdon.

Bit further East to Grasse, then up the Route Napoleon to Grenoble (if you've made good time, then a detour into the Maritime Alps.

If you're short on time - head North for an overnighter in Reims, then home.

 

If you fancy it, I can give you a few hotels & places to stop - but it won't be for a couple of weeks

 

Am on the Santander ferry myself on Tuesday night 

[dandywarhol]

A short detour to Riano in the Picos is well worth it - get there from Potes

 

https://www.google.c...c362a8823ae022d

[AliG]

Sounds

 

We always take the ferry down to Santander, then come back up through France 

it seems dear on the face of it, but when you take off a thousand miles riding, hotel, tyre wear, petrol, autoroute tolls etc, it works out pretty much the same.

 

A good itinerary is - Ferry, 2 nights & a day in the Picos, 

Then head over to the Pyrenees on the Spanish side over towards Pamplona - midway overnight stop in or near Jaca.

Then take the N260 under Andorra (go there if you like, but it's a shithole) up onto the Cerdagne - head for Puigcerda - then overnight in St.Louis or Font Romeu.

Next day, head for Carcassone via Axat & Quillan ( I could give you dozens of fantastic roads around here, but time will be against you)

Then head North towards Albi - catch the Tarn & go up the gorges to Millau (Take pics under the bridge)

From Millau, head East &  take the Ardeche Gorges - into the Cevennes

Then carry on East into Provence & on to the Gorge de Verdon.

Bit further East to Grasse, then up the Route Napoleon to Grenoble (if you've made good time, then a detour into the Maritime Alps.

If you're short on time - head North for an overnighter in Reims, then home.

 

If you fancy it, I can give you a few hotels & places to stop - but it won't be for a couple of weeks

 

Am on the Santander ferry myself on Tuesday night 

Thanks for the info, Sidestand but it would change a trip from the Picos into one including the Pyreness and half of Southern France. I would have thought that there is enough in the Picos for what is after all only an 8 day trip. I intend to do France and the Millau Bridge another time.

Ali

A short detour to Riano in the Picos is well worth it - get there from Potes

 

https://www.google.c...c362a8823ae022d

 

Thanks Dandy. Someone else told me I should do that. All suggestions appreciated.

Ali

[Studley Ramrod]

Some info here Ali  http://www.carpe-tdm...=21804&hl=picos

 

Search for picos in Hyde park as I'm sure there's more.

[Limbo]

The Pyrenees have enough beautiful roads for motorcycle riders for a week.

If the paths there are not sufficient you you go to West direction Oviedo.

I can write to even 2-3 Hotels in the Pyrenees.

Andorra is not very dirty, a town like other places.

Andorra is a tax free zone. It's cheap to refuel.

 

Limbo

 

[dandywarhol]

Sounds
 
Thanks for the info, Sidestand but it would change a trip from the Picos into one including the Pyreness and half of Southern France. I would have thought that there is enough in the Picos for what is after all only an 8 day trip. I intend to do France and the Millau Bridge another time.
Ali

 
Thanks Dandy. Someone else told me I should do that. All suggestions appreciated.
Ali

.................and here's why Riano is so special......

[AliG]

.................and here's why Riano is so special......

Wow. That is impressive. Got to go on the list.
Ali

[sidestand]

Riano IS impressive - I'll be there on Thursday 

But you can do a cracking 260 mile loop from Potes to Riano, then down to Cangas de Onis, then Panes, & back to Potes in a day .

After that route, the Picos is mainly side roads, but  if you want to satay there all week, then I could give you a few more to do.

 

I thought from your original post, you wanted to know if a route back up through France was worth it, that's why I posted up one I've done.

 

As for views - Do you recognise this reprobate at the top of the cable car at Fuente De ?

 

 

 

Another 'must do' in the Picos - and an absolute peach of a road up from Potes 

Edited by sidestand, 15 September 2014 - 08:01 pm.

[Hombre]

RiDE magazine did a Guide to Spain earlier this year.  It has 2 Picos tours: 4-day and 8-day.  Both are west of Santander.  A list in order of all places mentioned;

 

Santander, Reinosa, Puentenansa, Panes, Lastres, Salas, Laredo, Granadas de Salime, Arzua, Santiago de Campostela, Campo Lameiro, A Canzia, Ourense, A Rua, Viga Aspinareda, Leon, Riano, San Vincent de la Barquera, Santander.

 

The N621  Panes > Riano got a particular mention as did 'the roads around Ourense'.

[AliG]

OK. As the revised header says, I have moved the date to Saturday 23rd May. The plan is Brittany Ferries down , 3 or 4 days in Spain, maybe a night in the Pyrenees and ride back through France. No details are fixed at the moment but I will source a selection of hotels as I speak Spanish.
I would like to get a group of about 6. The June ferry I had originally intended is already fully booked so it would be nice to firm up a few places before this one gets booked out.
Any questions, just ask.
Ali

[sidestand]

Just been there again  done that 

All roads pretty good  - Panes to Potes  ( La Hermida) just been re-surfaced  

 

They don't mention Panes to Cangas De Onis, which is superb.

 

Can also give you a route from Cabezon de la Sol to La Hermeda which is out of this world .

 

And cracking hotels in the Picos & near Ourense

[Saga Lout]

Ali, May is better for me than June so I'm interested in this, lettuce know ferry details for booking. I also know a couple of others who may be interested, one of them you met last May so I can ask them too if you like?

[AliG]

Just been speaking to Brittany Ferries and there are spaces available but they expect it to fill up soon. I can book 6 places and 2 4 berth cabins. Total cost -£734. Only need £35 deposit to book. As soon as Chris confirms I am happy to book. I am open to whoever else wants to come.
Ali

[AliG]

Ferry now booked for the 23rd May. I've got a Group of 6 which is a nice number. Something to Look forward to.
Ali

[AliG]

We have another in the group. Seven of us going now.
Ali

[AliG]

As expected, the sailing on Saturday 23rd May is now full. If anyone is still interested, there are sailings on the Friday afternoon and 2 on the Sunday. I am sure we could sort something out to meet up. Hotels shouldn't be a problem.

Alistair

[lparker]

Ali don't know if this helps you for a route from Millau back to calais but it's my route and involves autoroute from Paris back to tunnel as the best roads are south of Paris which on the route are all non motorway and toll apart from the Millau viaduct which has a view point on top so worth paying for! I alsouhave a route from Millau down to ripoll in the pyrenees when I can find it!. The road from ripoll across to santander the n260 is one of the best roads around there in my opinion and you can come off it and back on as you please.
This link will work on computers only not mobiles etc. . .

https://www.motogolo.../map?route=1783

Cheers lee.
Also anyone booking ferry after reading this the motorcycle live show were giving 10% discount on bookings using code 610921 on
www.brittanyferries.com/showoffer

[AliG]

Unfortunately, 1 of the group has had to drop out, so if anyone else is interested, then drop me a line. Will check on the actual cost of the ferry, as there will be an administrative charge for the change of name.
Ali

[AliG]

Just been there again  done that 
All roads pretty good  - Panes to Potes  ( La Hermida) just been re-surfaced  
 
They don't mention Panes to Cangas De Onis, which is superb.
 
Can also give you a route from Cabezon de la Sol to La Hermeda which is out of this world .
 
And cracking hotels in the Picos & near Ourense

Hi Sidestand,
It is getting closer, so now starting to think seriously about the trip. Would be really interested in the route from Cabezon de la Sal to La Hermeda and any hotels in the Picos.
Thanks
Ali