Northern Spain, Maybe Portugal, Maybe France?
Discussion
Afternoon all - am looking for some advice/suggestions
Planning a trip for 5 cars in early July starting and finishing in Bilbao. There seems to be lots to drive towards the west (Picos de Europa, Douro Valley) and lots to the east (N260 in the Pyrenees etc), but not much in between to connect the trip. So, heres my questions and would love your suggestions
1> Go west and keep west and drive XYZ
2> Go east and stay east and drive XYZ
3> Hold up, here's a tasty route connecting the West and East which is XYZ
Not afraid of 7-8 hour driving days....we're there to drive...but not massively keen on long motorway stretches if possible
Thank you!
Planning a trip for 5 cars in early July starting and finishing in Bilbao. There seems to be lots to drive towards the west (Picos de Europa, Douro Valley) and lots to the east (N260 in the Pyrenees etc), but not much in between to connect the trip. So, heres my questions and would love your suggestions
1> Go west and keep west and drive XYZ
2> Go east and stay east and drive XYZ
3> Hold up, here's a tasty route connecting the West and East which is XYZ
Not afraid of 7-8 hour driving days....we're there to drive...but not massively keen on long motorway stretches if possible
Thank you!
Depends on how fast you drive ;-)
Yep it's a lot of ground to cover hence trying to narrow it down. Last year we averaged 300 miles a day in the alps/germany, hoping to cut it to say 250 or so a day. Will keep looking through the site but TBH there's not much covering NW Spain - mostly Pyrenees...so perhaps there's a reason for that
Yep it's a lot of ground to cover hence trying to narrow it down. Last year we averaged 300 miles a day in the alps/germany, hoping to cut it to say 250 or so a day. Will keep looking through the site but TBH there's not much covering NW Spain - mostly Pyrenees...so perhaps there's a reason for that
alexwoodford said:
Good insight thank you. Due to sailing dates and people's availability we've got to go through Bilbao, arriving 1245 in the afternoon. Thoughts welcome!
12.45 arrival.Well this is a good route.
I'd head South from Bilbao and get the boring bit .... well compared to the rest of the roads in that part of the world out the way.
Take the AP-68/N-622 to Vitoria, then east on the A-1 to Exarri -Aranatz, then south on the fab Na-120 to Abarzuza then east on the NA-730 to the A-12. Follow the A-12 east from here until Legardeta, then head east on the NA-132 bypassing Pamplona, carry on this road until you reach Tafalla, then head north on the NA-8607 Pueyo then east on the NA-5110, then NA-132 to Sanguesa. Lovely lovely roads.
From there take the NA-127 to the A-21 and head east for Jaca. I wouldnt go any further east than Jaca on your first night, you should be there by mid to late evening.
In Jaca. There is a good hotel 15 minutes walk from the centre of town, the Reina Felicia Spa which is very nice and has secure underground parking.
Fram Jaca, the world is your oyster. The N260 is a fab road (though there are lots just as good) and if you take the route from Biescas to the N-230 and then head north for Vielha, Vielha is an excellent base to explore the Pyrenees. Sort (via Vielha) along the C-28 is a fantastic road and also a great place to base yourself.
Enjoy your trip. I do not know if you#ve been before but if not, have a good hard look at your map. The minor minor roads are usually just as good if not better than the major ones, and mostly just as good tarmac.
alexwoodford said:
Depends on how fast you drive ;-)
Yep it's a lot of ground to cover hence trying to narrow it down. Last year we averaged 300 miles a day in the alps/germany, hoping to cut it to say 250 or so a day. Will keep looking through the site but TBH there's not much covering NW Spain - mostly Pyrenees...so perhaps there's a reason for that
Fairly fast.Yep it's a lot of ground to cover hence trying to narrow it down. Last year we averaged 300 miles a day in the alps/germany, hoping to cut it to say 250 or so a day. Will keep looking through the site but TBH there's not much covering NW Spain - mostly Pyrenees...so perhaps there's a reason for that
CarbonXKR said:
Planning something like this for May 2018 (I know a long way off!) but want to get it right. Was thinking of going as far West as La Coruna, but the Pyrenees has that magnetism that I don't think I can drive away from...... 
I did that area last year and tbh didn't find the roads that great.But maybe I wasn't on the right ones. There is an area southwest of Cangas de Narcea which has some fantastic roads though.I may put up a couple of posts when I'm out there next month.
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