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**leighandlou** · #1 31 Dec 2009

Hi all,
A good friend and myself are planning to do our first Euro motorcycle trip in the last 2 weeks of May 2010 and could do with a little advise.

We are intending to ride down to the pyrenees from St Malo in a one ( BMW1150 GSA and KTM950ADV ) then set up at a good biker friendly campsite somewhere in the french side of Pyrenees around the north or west of Andora hopefully in an area rich in greenlanes and good scenery.

While in the region we would like to do as much greenlaning on the bikes as possible. This is a 2 week trip and if time permits we may venture off up to the west Alps to have a play on the return trip back to UK.

1. Can anyone suggest a good area for Greenlaning in the region??

2. And can we have suggestions for good biker friendly Campsites in the area ( must have showers and a local Bar ) ??

Many thanks
Leigh

**palace15** · #2 31 Dec 2009

I don't know much about campsites on the French side of the Pyrenees, but have used the campsite at Llavorsi (Spain) which has onsite Bar/food and is very good, used it for the first Pyreknees-up and it is the basecamp for the 2010 event also good facilities, we even detoured to camp there over the last couple of years.

To find the site, it is right beside the Hotel Riberies, so google the hotel and your there, also some good rafting close by.

**Steve Pickford** · #3 31 Dec 2009

Might be wrong but I think you'll find a better selection of trails on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. The Llavorsi area is great, we used the campsite in Sort for the AdvRider Rallies in 2007 & 2008, a few miles down the road from Llavorsi.

Link to the '08 event below, note that there was plenty of snow even in late May which led to deeper rivers when it melted.

4th European Advrider Rally in the Pyrenees - ADVrider

Heading back down the trail from Andorra to Tor:

[IMG]http://possu.smugmug.com/photos/305071576_HVokc-M.jpg[/IMG]

De-watering a KTM after an unplanned swim:

[IMG]http://blackbert.smugmug.com/photos/...13_DqycK-M.jpg[/IMG]

**Caminando** · #4 31 Dec 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by leighandlou

Hi all,
A good friend and myself are planning to do our first Euro motorcycle trip in the last 2 weeks of May 2010 and could do with a little advise.

We are intending to ride down to the pyrenees from St Malo in a one ( BMW1150 GSA and KTM950ADV ) then set up at a good biker friendly campsite somewhere in the french side of Pyrenees around the north or west of Andora hopefully in an area rich in greenlanes and good scenery.

While in the region we would like to do as much greenlaning on the bikes as possible. This is a 2 week trip and if time permits we may venture off up to the west Alps to have a play on the return trip back to UK.

1. Can anyone suggest a good area for Greenlaning in the region??

2. And can we have suggestions for good biker friendly Campsites in the area ( must have showers and a local Bar ) ??

Many thanks
Leigh

Greenlaning is an English concept and doesnt exist on the continent.

**leighandlou** · #5 31 Dec 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caminando

Greenlaning is an English concept and doesnt exist on the continent.

whats the french for green laning then???

**chris b** · #6 31 Dec 2009

Hi Leigh,

I don't know where you will find trails in the Pyrenees but can tell you that
nearly all french campsites are biker friendly. I use sites throughout the
year with both bike & van & have never had a bad reception. Have fun,

Chris.

**Caminando** · #7 1 Jan 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by leighandlou

whats the french for green laning then???

Read the post - it's about concept not language.

**leighandlou** · #8 1 Jan 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caminando

Read the post - it's about concept not language.

ok thanks, so generally speaking are the french against such activities or is just something they are not really interested in?

**palace15** · #9 1 Jan 2010

I think that what you will find is that the Spanish are far more tolerant to off road riding than the French, check out the ADV links already posted, I have yet to see them

but I know people that have been on those events and they have ridden the same trails as the Pyreknees-up event that I do. Believe me you will not be disappointed with the Spanish side especially around the Llavorsi area.

**leighandlou** · #10 1 Jan 2010

thanks ill have a look into this area

**leighandlou** · #11 1 Jan 2010

ok having a rethink- now looking into the spanish side and a few have recommended the Llavorsi region.

Is there a good source of information relating to the where and wherenot you can ride legally? is it similar to france that roads over 4m wide are more than likely legal to use?

what about camping? any recomendations for biker friendly/popular sites to use?

thanks chaps

**palace15** · #12 1 Jan 2010

You can ride virtually any track or trail with the obvious exception of any land marked as 'private', pay attention and replace the electrified wire often across trails that stop livestock escaping, some of the wires across the track only have an old wind tattered carrier bag as warning on the wire!!.
This appears to be the campsite at Llavorsi, but I found the GPS point when cut/pasted into google earth to be a little way off?Camping RIBERIES ¤ Llavorsí (Lleida, Spain) - Camping
This is the link for the 'flash' Riberies hotel, find this and you find the campsite as you pass the site on the way up to the hotel .RIBERIES **** Hotel Restaurant, Llavorsí, Lleida, Pallars Sobira, estacion de esquí, Portaine, Espot Esquí, Tavascan, Vaqueira Beret
And this is the map series that we all used in the 'pyreknees-up',You can either purchase from Stanfords' Maps, Travel Books, Guides and Travel Information or I believe you can purchase locally, if I can find the exact map Number that you require I will repost. Spain: 50K Catalan Topographic Survey: Institut CartogrÃ*fic de Catalunya (Catalonia Survey) from Stanfords Hope this helps, You will not be disappointed with this area.

**Dazzerrtw** · #13 2 Jan 2010

leighandlou, I understand what you mean when you say you want to go green laning in Pyrenees,
But That maybe because I'm not a Twit that like's to be pedantic

I have a lot of map's that cover this area all are marked up with a good mix of trail's.
if your going to any of the UK meet's drop me a pm and I will bring them with me for you to copy.

Stay safe

Dazzer

**leighandlou** · #14 2 Jan 2010

Thanks for your help guys its much appreciated.

I will more than likely take you up on your offer dazzer.

This is our first trip abroad and its still 5 months away yet we are already planning the next trip for 2011.

**hugues** · #15 23 Jan 2017

Hi, I am reviving this thread as I am also looking at doing trails in the Pyrenees. Can anyone share details, GPX files, ride reports, other sources? I am especially interested in the central area near El Pont de Suert / Bagneres de Luchon. Thanks