Advice for Spanish roadtrip

[68Jaybee]

So I’m booked in for a night in Zaragoza in August to see the eclipse and the overnight ferry home from Santander the following day. I am now looking to fill in the other 6-10 days of a road trip.

I had originally planned to drive through France and travel the N-260 through the Pyrenees. However, we’ve just spent a few days in the mountains in Gran Canaria, and Mrs J really doesn’t like narrow roads with steep drop offs on the edges. So even by my standards, a few days on the N-260 just sounds cruel. I presuming that it is steep and narrow for much of its length?

Or, if we took the ferry out to Santander as well, would the Picos be any better? I’d love to explore the NW part of Spain.

This will be our first European adventure in the DB9, so any guidance and advice on a fun route would be gratefully received.

[skyebear]

This may give you some inspiration or be entirely useless:

[TarquinMX5]

I can't comment on the N260 as indivuals will have differing views as to acceptability. I've driven across the Pyrenees, including part of that road, numerous times over the years and it's been fine.

However, if not aware, you might want to check on the new rule introduced in Spain from Jan 2026, cars must now carry a flashing amber light to place on the roof in the event of breakdown etc.

I think it's called V-16, or similar, and I've heard of tourists' cars being checked / fined.

[seefarr]

We've done bits of the N-260 a few times. It's about 450km start to finish so you get a bit of everything. The whole length is proper dual lane and I think all guard rails though so it's not like a scary Alpine pass. Google maps street view is your friend for this though and check a few different sections as they differ.

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



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!

TarquinMX5 said:

However, if not aware, you might want to check on the new rule introduced in Spain from Jan 2026, cars must now carry a flashing amber light to place on the roof in the event of breakdown etc.

I think it's called V-16, or similar, and I've heard of tourists' cars being checked / fined.

Everything I can see on this says it's only Spanish registered vehicles. Everyone else just needs the warning triangle.

[Shnozz]

seefarr said:

Everything I can see on this says it's only Spanish registered vehicles. Everyone else just needs the warning triangle.

Latest I heard on that in the Spanish press was that typically Spain had overlooked getting EU ratification for the new law so technically it couldn't be law anyway!

Not a bad thing to carry in the car anyway perhaps, albeit magnets aren't much good for my roof as 2 are canvas and the other one plastic..

[blueg33]

Picos are a must IMO

[acer12]

68Jaybee said:

Mrs J really doesn t like narrow roads with steep drop offs on the edges.

To state the obvious, it is hard to keep everyone happy on a holiday and using your scenario will lead to either one party not doing something they really want to or the other person doing something they dont want to do which can lead to a little regret when the holiday is over if you missed out on something you really wanted.

What about setting up camp in a nice hotel near some nice roads, you get up early and enjoy yourself for 6/7 hours and your wife can enjoy a day relaxing shopping / spa / pool. I always do this on holday, nice to do a bit of roaming and not worry about making sure the wife is okay with it all.

[TarquinMX5]

seefarr said:

TarquinMX5 said:

However, if not aware, you might want to check on the new rule introduced in Spain from Jan 2026, cars must now carry a flashing amber light to place on the roof in the event of breakdown etc.

I think it's called V-16, or similar, and I've heard of tourists' cars being checked / fined.

Everything I can see on this says it's only Spanish registered vehicles. Everyone else just needs the warning triangle.

I've now seen conflicting reports, so . As I'm not going across into Spain this year, I'll just wait and see how it pans out.