Ferry from UK to Bilbao (Pyrenees) - a better way?
 

Next May we plan to do 7-10 days in the Pyranees.

The route is not yet planned (but it seems well travelled so I can't see getting some GPS routes will be tricky) and we don't have bikes yet :D ! But will pick up a CRF250l (for her) and an XT660 for me (probably) over the winter.

It seems the one thing I should sort sooner rather than later is ferry tickets as I hear they sell out.....so before I do....

Based in Reading so Portsmouth is only a few hours away taking it slow......Bilbao seems pretty close to the mountains.....am I missing anything when I assume the ferry is going to be the one part of this trip that's a no brainier?

Riding down through France looks a waste - the ferry is 24 hrs - Whats not to like?

Totally agree, especially when you add in overnight hotel(s). I'll send you a ferry discount code.

Thanks Tim!!!!

Is late May the earliest I’d want to go? I don’t want to hit snow up high!

And I assume the vibraction Road book is a good idea for routes?

Pyrennees
 

Be aware some of the coll will not be open until early June if we get a hard winter . You can get info on Internet.

So should I just book ferry for early June instead - to be safe? Or is there plenty of alternative options if I arrive late May and stuff is still closed?

Very few roads or trap,s will be snowed in by mid-late May unless there'a freak storm and then it will thaw within 24 hours.

Despite appearances Santander is not much further west than Bilbao so factor that in re, costs and more importantly timing.

And take a look at the Spain section the TET trail.

Regs

Simon

I've used both the ferries to Santander and Bilbao - they're great. I shall try to find the GPX to the little offload bit I used from Bilbao over to the Pyrenees later.

Rachel