Road trip to Spain via Millau
Discussion
This is a trip report from my recent trip to Spain. I have ageing Mercedes SL which I like to keep in tip top condition and to use as I feel its manufacturer intended: for covering long distances in style and at speed. It's got 184k on the clock now and still sits happily at 120mph all day long!
Last week I took it from my home in north Northumberland to southern Spain and back.
I went by way of the Millau Viaduct (worth a big detour for sure) then along the Mediterranean coast to Valencia, inland to an 8th century castle in Alarcon and then south through the Sierra Nevada to the southern coast of Spain. While there I had a side trip to the most southerly point in Europe, Tarifa. From there Africa is within swimming distance and certainly within sight. I was tempted to hop on the car ferry to Tangiers and spin down to Marrakech but I had not insured the car for Africa and didn't have much time anyway. I settled for a bit of British soil at Gibralta, paying in pounds for my tax-free petrol while I was at it.
On the return leg I blasted north through Madrid to Burgos and then San Sebastian where I paused long enough only for a glass of Rioja and some meat. My overnight was the French resort town of Biarritz before heading north again to Normandy and finally home.
Some of the roads were amazing. The A75 from Clemont Ferrand to Beziers is an astounding feat of civil engineering. Not only does it feature the Millau Viaduct but also the descent (or ascent if you happen to be northbound) down the Gorges du Herault, the road going through about 750m height in 10km in a sinuous cliff-face course. This is a 3 lane motorway with an entirely necessary 50kmh speed limit. Likewise the Desfiladero de Despenaperros at the entrance to Andalusia. Amazingly the Spanish are building a second, high-level motorway to supplement the mountain pass motorway.
There is obviously no shortage of Euro-cash for Spanish infrastructure. The new A44 between Granada and Motril through the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada is like something out of an Alpine fantasy, as is the new AP1 between Vitoria Gasteiz and San Sebastian. It is all super smooth, super wide, curvacious, ascending and descending, viaduct across valley then tunnel through mountain. And best of all, these toll roads are traffic free: one can use the whole road to carry speed.
No record breaking as I was motoring by myself and did not want to lose the car. However, on Saturday I was able to leave our holiday house very near to Comares in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 7.15am and arrive in San Sebastian by 2.45pm with at least 45minutes off for fuel and lunch: a very little under 1,000km (625miles) in 7h30, only 6h45 on the road.
I undoubtedly drove the finest miles of my motoring life on one particular Spanish route. Heading north from junction 142 of the A7, the A377 to Gaucin then the A369 to Ronda, then the A397 back down to Marbella made an amazing route. Barely any traffic. Eating and drinking opportunities at the delightful towns of Gaucin, Algatocin and Ronda. And just perfect tarmac. You must drive this route before you die!
My round trip mileage was 4,046. I have no idea how much petrol I used: a lot, although on the outbound leg I was getting 26mpg.
I hope this wasn't too boring for you all.
The usual pictures follow below.
The Viaduct at Millau:
The descent of the Gorges de Herault:
My 8th century hotel in Alarcon:
Desfiladero de Despenaperros:
The A-class hire car, an ideal supplementary vehicle for when 2 seats are insufficient:
A meat wagon, ha ha ha:
Africa:
Mountain roads, Gibralta in the background in the first:
Heading home, dawn over the Sierra Nevada:
Last week I took it from my home in north Northumberland to southern Spain and back.
I went by way of the Millau Viaduct (worth a big detour for sure) then along the Mediterranean coast to Valencia, inland to an 8th century castle in Alarcon and then south through the Sierra Nevada to the southern coast of Spain. While there I had a side trip to the most southerly point in Europe, Tarifa. From there Africa is within swimming distance and certainly within sight. I was tempted to hop on the car ferry to Tangiers and spin down to Marrakech but I had not insured the car for Africa and didn't have much time anyway. I settled for a bit of British soil at Gibralta, paying in pounds for my tax-free petrol while I was at it.
On the return leg I blasted north through Madrid to Burgos and then San Sebastian where I paused long enough only for a glass of Rioja and some meat. My overnight was the French resort town of Biarritz before heading north again to Normandy and finally home.
Some of the roads were amazing. The A75 from Clemont Ferrand to Beziers is an astounding feat of civil engineering. Not only does it feature the Millau Viaduct but also the descent (or ascent if you happen to be northbound) down the Gorges du Herault, the road going through about 750m height in 10km in a sinuous cliff-face course. This is a 3 lane motorway with an entirely necessary 50kmh speed limit. Likewise the Desfiladero de Despenaperros at the entrance to Andalusia. Amazingly the Spanish are building a second, high-level motorway to supplement the mountain pass motorway.
There is obviously no shortage of Euro-cash for Spanish infrastructure. The new A44 between Granada and Motril through the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada is like something out of an Alpine fantasy, as is the new AP1 between Vitoria Gasteiz and San Sebastian. It is all super smooth, super wide, curvacious, ascending and descending, viaduct across valley then tunnel through mountain. And best of all, these toll roads are traffic free: one can use the whole road to carry speed.
No record breaking as I was motoring by myself and did not want to lose the car. However, on Saturday I was able to leave our holiday house very near to Comares in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 7.15am and arrive in San Sebastian by 2.45pm with at least 45minutes off for fuel and lunch: a very little under 1,000km (625miles) in 7h30, only 6h45 on the road.
I undoubtedly drove the finest miles of my motoring life on one particular Spanish route. Heading north from junction 142 of the A7, the A377 to Gaucin then the A369 to Ronda, then the A397 back down to Marbella made an amazing route. Barely any traffic. Eating and drinking opportunities at the delightful towns of Gaucin, Algatocin and Ronda. And just perfect tarmac. You must drive this route before you die!
My round trip mileage was 4,046. I have no idea how much petrol I used: a lot, although on the outbound leg I was getting 26mpg.
I hope this wasn't too boring for you all.
The usual pictures follow below.
The Viaduct at Millau:
The descent of the Gorges de Herault:
My 8th century hotel in Alarcon:
Desfiladero de Despenaperros:
The A-class hire car, an ideal supplementary vehicle for when 2 seats are insufficient:
A meat wagon, ha ha ha:
Africa:
Mountain roads, Gibralta in the background in the first:
Heading home, dawn over the Sierra Nevada:
Edited by r129sl on Thursday 15th October 12:14
Yep, thanks for the photos 
Done a few trips around the south of France/Italy/Switzerland, etc, but never been so far as to go down to Spain.
Always thought that it was just too far to get to the south of Spain and might take the edge of the driving experience.
No trouble with the plod travelling down there at speed ?
Done a few trips around the south of France/Italy/Switzerland, etc, but never been so far as to go down to Spain.
Always thought that it was just too far to get to the south of Spain and might take the edge of the driving experience.
No trouble with the plod travelling down there at speed ?
No trouble with plod in France or Spain. Obviously in France a solo motorist faces disaster if nabbed over 180kph, so I kept it to 160. In Spain I don't think they care. I overtook several police cars at about 85mph (limit is 75mph) and ran at 240kph (150mph) for 18 minutes on cruise control: no problems.
Did a very similar thing at the end of April this year, we went down to Millau and onto Barcelona then got the ferry to Palma Majorca, and ended up having 4 days in Magaulf 
Only difference was I was on my HARLEY 
We had sunshine almost all the way there, then on the return rain and snow!!! most of the way home
Took me about 2 weeks to clean the bike
Only difference was I was on my HARLEY We had sunshine almost all the way there, then on the return rain and snow!!! most of the way home
Took me about 2 weeks to clean the bike JCW said:
Have you tried the road up past Vinuela to Alhama de Granada? Worth it for the ovetaking opportunities and bends next to Maroma. I take it they've finally finished the bridges from Motril to Granada from your description?
I didn't get the chance to do Vinuela to Alhama de Granada although it looks like a fantastic road from the Michelin map. A shame, because I was staying very near there, just north of Comares. Another road which I wanted to do but didn't get the chance was the road from Antequera to Alora and then up to the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes: that looks like a great route, too.The new motorway from Granada to Motril is all finished and utterly amazing, although the old road did't look none too bad!
I think you mean the road through El Torcal (to Alora), in which case its fun if its raining for some RWD entertainment if a bit lethal in summer with dust on the road and dopey grockles. Near you, there's also the 'big block' as I call it; come out of Comares towards Colmenar but instead of turning right down to the dam continue on to Montes de Malaga and eventually turn right to Colmenar and back. A good loop.
There are plenty of other good roads I can recommend if ever wanted between Madrid and Comares, if you ever need them. Thanks for the write up.
There are plenty of other good roads I can recommend if ever wanted between Madrid and Comares, if you ever need them. Thanks for the write up.
JCW said:
Near you, there's also the 'big block' as I call it; come out of Comares towards Colmenar but instead of turning right down to the dam continue on to Montes de Malaga and eventually turn right to Colmenar and back. A good loop.
I managed to cover most of those roads. The old road from Malaga to Colmenar (much of which is on your 'big block') is pretty spectacular and includes a double helter-skelter section.We drove to Spain in august, fantastic smooth roads all the way through France and Spain, they really put our roads to shame
Did it in an E46 M3, had hood down all the way...missed most of the roads the OP mentions but went over that long sweeping bridge. Will never forget the sound going through a long tunnel in Barca side by side with a Harley at full speed
Same again next year for sure but different machinery, M6 or Mustang
Did it in an E46 M3, had hood down all the way...missed most of the roads the OP mentions but went over that long sweeping bridge. Will never forget the sound going through a long tunnel in Barca side by side with a Harley at full speed
Same again next year for sure but different machinery, M6 or Mustang
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