The Pyrenees
 

i want to leave berlin on the 9th of july and head to pau in france via frankfurt. from there i want to do some exploring of the Pyrenees. I cary a tent and will build it up every evening somewhere else.

After that head back via cote d'azur/provence (grand canyon de verdun) and over the italian alps (dolomites been there a few times already).

i have a total time budget of 21 days. i guess i loose max 3 days getting there without using motorways (aprox 1800km)

i guess high temperatures could be an issue but well...

i am riding a road bike and wont go offroad.

Can anyone give advice on which side to prefer, the spanish or the french side.

How time intense are the tracks etc?

Are there any must see´s?

any hints are welcome!

i am not the fastets rider but very sustained and not unexperienced in riding.

if anyone´s around i dont mind sharing a beer in the evening bier

Thnx!

Good luck

'Bike on a Hike'. Available at WWW.Amazon.com

I have limited experience of the Pyrenees - we had three days making our way West to East across them last year, riding both sides as we meandered across. You appear to have more than enough time to potter around both the French and the Spanish sides. The French side, from my limited experience, contains the lumpy bits (mountainous roads) while the Spanish side is undulating. I preferred the French side as the scenery was more to my taste - more lush, less arid, and lumpier. However, the Spanish roads were more flowing and encourage more... Spirited progress.

As I said, though, my experience is limited, and is only on road with no green lanes or dirt/gravel tracks.

Our third night was in the village of Lles de Cerdanya, from where we travelled to Lorgues using the autoroutes so that we could head up to Switzerland via the Alps. It wasn't the most enjoyable route but we were short of time. If I were to do it again I'd allow more time and detour through the area East of Millau (Gorge du Tarn etc.).

The Pyrenees
 

Really enjoyed this route. I liked both sides, actually quite different. France has the famous tour de france cols which are great but a bit busier. Spain was lovely and generally quiet.

Pyrenees alternative route - N260 & D618, alt
https://goo.gl/maps/8yvZmY2WKR92

I don't think you'll go too far wrong. Enjoy!

Cheers
Andy

Ps ignore the Toulouse detour, had to fly home for a day mid trip for a client's Board meeting.

The section of the N260 from Biescas to Fiscal had been freshly resurfaced when we went last September and was racetrack smooth (no, I didn't treat it like a racetrack) and most enjoyable to ride.

roads
 

i have read the spain side would have better roads.. i want do do both sides so i can give information back after i return :)

I've done a lot of where you are going. But used F1 hotels. At Pua there's a nice one here.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/...8ae313!6m1!1e1


Advantage is on your first night it's get in head down. Breakfast and an early start. The problem you will have is that the road's cross the Pyrenees, Not run along it. So you will be riding down one side crossing over. Then the same down the other side. Crossing back. A good set of maps and a think ink marker. Then at the end of the day mark the road's you have been on. Then pick another way the next day. A map case with the new route in, is good. For the day ride and the evening map marker.


Take a camera. Quick photos of road sign's. Will give you an idea of where you have been. Nothing like can't remember which road you took last time. 21 Day's you say. More than enough time. To see most thing's.


Try the road from Pamplona up to the coast. It's the N121a, meet's up with the AP8/A63. Look it up on goggle map's. If as you say you are a slow rider, there is a lot to see. If you are thinking of going to Andorra, there's not much to see. It's a place built on shopping, and coach travel. They asked for pass ports on your way out both Spain side and France. So if you've not got one. You need to get one. As they will let you in, but getting out is another story. Could be all changed now, was a few year's back.


Any way enjoy your self.
John933

Again, in my limited experience, that's a fair assessment, depending on your criteria for better roads. Last year was a taster for us and we fully intend to return (as we intend to return to the Picos). I'd appreciate a complete assessment of the roads by your good self.. :-D

bike and roads
 

I ride a road bike, I am fine as long as it is roads and not gravel... I only have minimum to no experience on gravel and don't want to make them riding alone with a packed bike...

I will post my route when planning is done...

weaving up and down the little roads on the Spanish side of the pyrenees is very enjoyable if you not on a tight timetable ( and you should never be on one of those).

I worked it from west to east but it doesn't matter.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...lOz_14fUkPoYRg

So thats the rough idea.. there i a mistake @Port de Larrau... does anbod know is that road still closed?

I'm heading that way, leaving the UK on the 8th July. I'm planning on spending a few days in the Pyrenees as well.

I'm not camping though......


Perhaps we can hook up and ride for a couple of days, before drinking some beer....beer


John

Sure we could... may be find a place where they have a rooom and a campground so there are no issues like driving to the sleeping space after the beer :)

Hi,

Message from a "Insider". The route you marked seems to me 99% optimal. IMO I would change the last part from Puigcerdà to Perpinyà by Puigcerdà, Ribes de Fresser, Molló.

Additionally, if your are not planning to buy anything in Andorra, the roads overthere are crazy crowded, almost always 50km/h limited and doesn't make sense.

Bit he NEEDS to stock up on the whisky.I can completely understand. :D