Pyrenees accommodation and driving routes to not miss?

[WakeFlakes]

Hi all,

I’m going into France for the Le Man Classic this year and then afterwards was planning to head down to the Pyrenees drive around the mountain roads.

Looking for a place to stay for around 3 to 4 nights whilst exploring the area, before heading back up to Caen to catch the ferry back home.

Any recommendations for places to stay (which secure parking for 2 cars), roads and must see bits whilst there would be much appreciated.

[hilly10]

We stayed a few nights each year for about three years in the Hotel Santa Christina Spa Canfranc very near to Somport very relaxing in Summer time, the owner at the time was educated in the UK she always made us welcome. There are many fantastic small hotels with great restaurants in the villages. Just thinking about them now stirs wonderful memories. Enjoy

[WakeFlakes]

Thanks for the reply!

I ended up booking an Airbnb in Bagnères-de-Luchon. Which looks to be on the other side, but looks to be quite a nice hero with good access into the mountains!

[smifffymoto]

From Luchon head over the hills to Bossost,then St Beat,over Col de Menthe,Col de Aspet,Col de la Core,drop down into Seix.
From there head to Ustou drive over Col de la Trappe,Col dAgnes and arrive in Tarrascon.
Turn left for Foix and enjoy the flat route back to Luchon.

[WakeFlakes]

Wow that looks like quite a route! I’ve saved it on Google maps so will 100% give it a go!

[smifffymoto]

The highlights are the view from Col de la Core and watching the buzzards by the lake on Col d’Agnes.
Ariege is a stunning area but very quiet.Poular with walkers and not many others.

[AF07]

To be honest most of the roads I encountered were great (scenery wise).

Andorra is worth a visit, you only need a few hours.

I would also recommend Laruns and Lac d'Artouste

[arfur]

I did a few runs over the Pyrenees a few years ago - great fun !

I used "bestbikingroads" website and found some routes from there (I was in a car)

I did some of this this one :

https://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/f...

and then came back and did some of this one :

https://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/s...

You can download gpz files and load them into google maps to drill down

Great fun !!

hth

Arf

[Earthdweller]

I’d echo the “best biking roads” which is now also on an app where you can see all the roads around an area

Used it last year to travel east > west across the Pyrenees

There are some really lovely empty roads and we follows some of Tour de France routes up the col de Aspin and col du solour and col de portelet

The road down from the platau de gulliers in arette onto the Spanish side was pretty special too

Some really good roads and great to drop back and forth across the border

Enjoy it’s a brilliant place to drive and some of it is top of the world for views

[WakeFlakes]

Thanks for the suggestions! Really looking forward to the trip and have downloaded the bike app!

[85Carrera]

Not answering your question re Pyrenees but can recommend this place if you need a stopover on the way to Caen. Secure covered parking and an excellent hotel that really can’t be faulted.

https://www.chaismonnethotel.com/en/

[WakeFlakes]

Hi again,

I’ve planned a route back from an attraction (Grotte de Niaux) to our accommodation. The roads look like they have the potential to be fun from google maps but obviously never driven them or in the area.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mo3G9H7eBjW7HkgMA?g_st=ic

Are D roads in the Pyrenees largely okay roads? Or would it be best to just stick to the google maps roads which whilst higher mileage are way shorter in time. Going in the McLaren so preference would be to not plan a route along dirt tracks!

[Earthdweller]

WakeFlakes said:

Hi again,

I’ve planned a route back from an attraction (Grotte de Niaux) to our accommodation. The roads look like they have the potential to be fun from google maps but obviously never driven them or in the area.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mo3G9H7eBjW7HkgMA?g_st=ic

Are D roads in the Pyrenees largely okay roads? Or would it be best to just stick to the google maps roads which whilst higher mileage are way shorter in time. Going in the McLaren so preference would be to not plan a route along dirt tracks!

I can’t see you having an issue on minor roads tbf

Went across the Pyrenees east to west last year and mainly stayed off the major routes on both sides of the border

Some of the minor roads can be a bit narrow but very little traffic on them

Almost invariably the road surface was absolutely excellent and didn’t come across any “dirt roads” I think there was just one high mountain road that had a few potholed stretches but they were repairing it whilst we were there

[smifffymoto]

That route is the reverse of what I suggested.
I drove those roads for 3 years while we owned the camping site in Le Trein D’Ustou.
They are epic,just watchout for cyclists.

Keep the speed down and enjoy the views,there are plenty.