Driving Tour Northern Spain
Discussion
Considering a driving tour of Northern Spain in June. Would get the Ferry to Bilbao or Santander then do 10 - 14 day tour in my Lotus Elise 111R, before taking the ferry back.
Anyone done this before and have a recommended route or must see locations. Would want to limit the driving to 3 - 4 hours per day and probably stay in each location for a couple of days.
I did something similar in Northern Italy in an MX5 back in 2011, on that trip did not book the hotels just used booking.com every couple of days to get the next location. Is that doable in Northern Spain or would I be wise to book ahead.
Looking forward to it, the wife has been told that we will have to travel very light, commando it is
Anyone done this before and have a recommended route or must see locations. Would want to limit the driving to 3 - 4 hours per day and probably stay in each location for a couple of days.
I did something similar in Northern Italy in an MX5 back in 2011, on that trip did not book the hotels just used booking.com every couple of days to get the next location. Is that doable in Northern Spain or would I be wise to book ahead.
Looking forward to it, the wife has been told that we will have to travel very light, commando it is
It depends whether you're only looking for driving routes, or you want to do general tourism and sight seeing. I can't give specifics as I didn't record my route, didn't stick to northern Spain, and tend to go at the end of summer (late september/October) but you'll be very close to the Pyrennees which are much quieter than the Alps and although not as epic in terms of scenery, might offer better driving roads. Although when I was crossing into Spain from France, they were holding a bicycle race and I got help up at the summit. But definitely spend a couple of days in the Pyrennees.
Then you could head towards Zaragoza, Logrono and Burgos before heading towards the Parque Nacional de los Picos which is spectacular and has some amazing driving roads. Then you couls head west towards La Coruna and Santiago de Compostela. San Sebastian is also very popular with PHers, but when I was passing it was absolutely bucketing it down and I didn't want to get out of the car. And I think most of the interesting parts of the town are car-free. Maybe I'll give that another try some time.
I hid from the rain at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao which is great if you're into art. When I go at the end of summer, Spanish back roads are deserted and I found very few cameras - they seem to prefer to do their roads policing with actual police in cars which I'm all in favour of.
And definitely check out the tapas. The spaniards know how to eat and northern Spain has some of the best seafood if you are into that.
Then you could head towards Zaragoza, Logrono and Burgos before heading towards the Parque Nacional de los Picos which is spectacular and has some amazing driving roads. Then you couls head west towards La Coruna and Santiago de Compostela. San Sebastian is also very popular with PHers, but when I was passing it was absolutely bucketing it down and I didn't want to get out of the car. And I think most of the interesting parts of the town are car-free. Maybe I'll give that another try some time.
I hid from the rain at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao which is great if you're into art. When I go at the end of summer, Spanish back roads are deserted and I found very few cameras - they seem to prefer to do their roads policing with actual police in cars which I'm all in favour of.
And definitely check out the tapas. The spaniards know how to eat and northern Spain has some of the best seafood if you are into that.
Depending on your schedule and timing, the Haro wine festival on late June is worth a visit imo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haro_Wine_Festival
If you feel brave, join the wine battle (bring a white outfit) or do a tapas crawl (there's a street just filled with little tapas bar with each serving different but amazing tapas!), or just chill at a bar on the town square to watch the stage shows. Great little festival mixed with great wine and food!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haro_Wine_Festival
If you feel brave, join the wine battle (bring a white outfit) or do a tapas crawl (there's a street just filled with little tapas bar with each serving different but amazing tapas!), or just chill at a bar on the town square to watch the stage shows. Great little festival mixed with great wine and food!
chip* said:
Depending on your schedule and timing, the Haro wine festival on late June is worth a visit imo.
Oh good grief! We stayed at Haro last June and knew nowt about this. We could have easily changed our dates to coincide with the festival!OP - we went in the MX-5 into Bilbao and stayed 3 nights in Potes, 5 nights in Haro, 1 night in Hondaribbia and then drove up through France. Worked well for us, some fabulous roads, scenery and towns to visit. Brilliant holiday - we want to revisit some bits that we missed, mainly in the Pyrenees which were off-limits due to a huge, recurring storm which claimed the lives of 3 holidaymakers that week.
Let me know if you want details of our stops/route etc.
Pasted from another Spain thread:
We've always gone at mid to end of October as that's when by birthday is and there has been no chance of snow. I can confirm all the various bits of the N260 are amazing.
We've done three proper road trips from the UK that have taken in Northern Spain and we love it! It's driving nirvana with glorious empty roads and the food and wine are our favourites in the world.
If you want to see the best roads in the region, I think the Pyrenees has more to offer than the Picos (which are also amazing!). Jaca is a great base to hit some of the best roads. My favourite is this route up the pass to France:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ArvgJ76Qu7HxmdaW7
Between the coast and Logrono (you should stay in Logrono or the Rioja more generally!), there's a mesa thing with a couple of delicious roads (NA-718 & NA-7130), although latest says they are favourites of local cyclists / bikers so can be busy and policed especially on weekends:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5BnH2dPJ3d6EgTR8
I've done up trip reports with maps if you're interested:
Latest in the Aston:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Cayman was Picos down to Portugal:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
R8 a few years ago:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
We're back there again this year - can't wait!
Another thread I will post to bookmark.
I did the Portsmouth>Santander ferry Boxing Day last year and toured some great roads. Left my Exige down in Spain for the remainder of Winter to then do a reverse trip in April to repatriate the car so ticked off some good cities and great roads. Always good to get more recommendations for future trips as likely to go each winter and so want to explore more and more areas as we do so.
I did the Portsmouth>Santander ferry Boxing Day last year and toured some great roads. Left my Exige down in Spain for the remainder of Winter to then do a reverse trip in April to repatriate the car so ticked off some good cities and great roads. Always good to get more recommendations for future trips as likely to go each winter and so want to explore more and more areas as we do so.
DB4DM said:
Parador at Fuente De is a good stop, with a long cable car further up the Picos if that's your thing. If using Paradors they'll book ahead for you at each move
Out of season, northern Spain is not really busy until the Madrilenos leave their city for the countryside/beach
Alternatively, stay in Cangas de Onis which has all the bars and restaurants and close to Picos de Europa, hence a nice base for any visit to PdE.Out of season, northern Spain is not really busy until the Madrilenos leave their city for the countryside/beach
Just slightly out of town is the parador with lots of parking space if you fancy a quieter spot. I can't vouch for the room as I didn't stay there (they look decent enough), but did try out the restaurant which was outstanding.
https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-cangas-de-onis
Edited by chip* on Wednesday 25th February 14:16
I have spent a bit of time in that area over the years and love it. The Picos de Europa is a fantastic area with high passes and great scenery; I'd like to spend a couple of days in Sotres for the scenery and cowbells. The coast along to Llanes/Gijon is lovely and rugged, check out Cudillero just past there for a busy little seaside town. Over the hills to Oviedo for cider, then Leon is a great little town for tapas. Plaza St Martin is a hotspot there. Burgos for the Morcilla and Neanderthal museum, and Haro for Rioja. There are so many places to see you'll have a great time.
I've done northern Spain the last 2 years & am going back with friends in June.
I'd avoid Bilbao - it's grubby.
Santander is great & the roads south are wonderful - head to Vega de Pas & the surrounding roads. Hotel Chiqui is great with ample parking.
The Mercado de Este is awesome for food & drink.
The Picos are fantastic & we stayed in Potes - avoid getting there on the main route in N621), as there are major roadworks. The big Picos loop is fantastic, follow the N621 south to Riano & head north on the N625. Be sure to stop off at Mirador del Corzo.
If you want to head west then Gijon or Oviedo are good places - the AS-117 from Riano, past Tarna & onto Oviedo is epic.
Superb roads & wonderfully friendly people.
Good luck.
kyri
I'd avoid Bilbao - it's grubby.
Santander is great & the roads south are wonderful - head to Vega de Pas & the surrounding roads. Hotel Chiqui is great with ample parking.
The Mercado de Este is awesome for food & drink.
The Picos are fantastic & we stayed in Potes - avoid getting there on the main route in N621), as there are major roadworks. The big Picos loop is fantastic, follow the N621 south to Riano & head north on the N625. Be sure to stop off at Mirador del Corzo.
If you want to head west then Gijon or Oviedo are good places - the AS-117 from Riano, past Tarna & onto Oviedo is epic.
Superb roads & wonderfully friendly people.
Good luck.
kyri
If your budget permit, there's the Hotel Marques de Riscal at Elciego / the famous Guggenheim designed hotel with Michelin rated restaurant. If you have my budget, just book the wine tour from Marques de Riscal which was pretty good too. 
On all my visits, I flew into Astaurias airport with easyJet, but they have since killed off that route, but I believe Vueling fly direct from Gatwick. Worth a consideration flying into Astaurias airport and book a rental (rental car are the faster ) if you wish to explore the west side.
On all my visits, I flew into Astaurias airport with easyJet, but they have since killed off that route, but I believe Vueling fly direct from Gatwick. Worth a consideration flying into Astaurias airport and book a rental (rental car are the faster
) if you wish to explore the west side.Edited by chip* on Wednesday 25th February 17:07
Visit my mum’s village La Arbolada near trapagaran and the hanging bridge world heritage site . The road up the mountain from trapagaran to Arbolada is epic and I truly mean that. As a boy they would have a hill climb up that road at fiesta time , the sound and smell and the cars it was fantastic. Also a great fish restaurant in the village and a plethora of bars . You have to go down the same road to leave it also has a funicular as well .
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
littleredrooster said:
chip* said:
Depending on your schedule and timing, the Haro wine festival on late June is worth a visit imo.
Oh good grief! We stayed at Haro last June and knew nowt about this. We could have easily changed our dates to coincide with the festival!OP - we went in the MX-5 into Bilbao and stayed 3 nights in Potes, 5 nights in Haro, 1 night in Hondaribbia and then drove up through France. Worked well for us, some fabulous roads, scenery and towns to visit. Brilliant holiday - we want to revisit some bits that we missed, mainly in the Pyrenees which were off-limits due to a huge, recurring storm which claimed the lives of 3 holidaymakers that week.
Let me know if you want details of our stops/route etc.
If you're going in June then there's also the festival of San Bernabe in Logrono around the 11th June. Personally, I'm 50/50 as to whether you want to coincide or not. Logrono is loads of fun even without the festival, but the festival takes it to another level. The major downside is that you can't access the underground car park at the Áurea Palacio de Correos whilst the festival is on.
happy fish said:
Visit my mum s village La Arbolada near trapagaran and the hanging bridge world heritage site . The road up the mountain from trapagaran to Arbolada is epic and I truly mean that. As a boy they would have a hill climb up that road at fiesta time , the sound and smell and the cars it was fantastic. Also a great fish restaurant in the village and a plethora of bars . You have to go down the same road to leave it also has a funicular as well .
Enjoy.
Any more info on this mate as I can’t seem to locate anything using google maps?Enjoy.
La Arboleda is one of the old mining villages in the hills about 10 minutes from the Bilbao ferry port; the hanging bridge is called the Purnte Colgante/Puente Vizcaya.
There's amazing driving within 45 minutes or less in every direction out of Bilbao; as a previous poster said;head for Ramales/Vega De Paz and take any of the roads from there - most will bring you over passes of 1500m.......pretty much all are lightly trafficked bar the weekends when there are plenty of cyclists and motorbikes out. most of the villages in the area are worth stopping in to have a look or a bite to eat.......
There's amazing driving within 45 minutes or less in every direction out of Bilbao; as a previous poster said;head for Ramales/Vega De Paz and take any of the roads from there - most will bring you over passes of 1500m.......pretty much all are lightly trafficked bar the weekends when there are plenty of cyclists and motorbikes out. most of the villages in the area are worth stopping in to have a look or a bite to eat.......
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