Nice - Santander

[bulb763]

Hi chaps, a couple of mates and I are going on a biking trip in June and would like tips on the best routes to get from Nice to Santander. The trip will be in two parts, and we've given ourselves 2 days to get from Nice to Perpignan (France / Spain border east coast), where we are staying for a few days, then 2 more days to get to Santander.

We're starting the trip on the train from somewhere in Holland down to Avignon, and from here we will get to Nice via Verdon and that-there "Gorges". First thoughts for the Nice - Perpignan leg was to stay on the coast road, but I'm wary that progress might be a little slow with all the towns on the way. We'd like to get to Milau so maybe a more inland route would suit better - any suggestions? Priorities in all cases are smooth tarmac, great views and quiet roads. While we'd love to experience some twist-tastic roads, we'll be carrying our luggage so too much of that will get tiring very soon I think. This will be Monday-Tuesday, if that makes a difference to the most suitable roads.. :shrug:

Perpignan - Santander... well there is obviously virtually the whole of the Pyrenees to choose from, but no idea by looking at the map which are better than others, so your tips will be most appreciated We've pencilled in an overnight stop in or around the Lourdes area, but this is flexible.

We've waited a long time to be able to do this and are unlikely to get another chance soon, so we don't want to choose naf roads So, share your experiences, photos, thoughts, tips and warnings about roads not to miss or avoid at all costs

Edited by bulb763 on Thursday 2nd April 22:11

[ianash]

bulb763 said:

Hi chaps, a couple of mates and I are going on a biking trip in June and would like tips on the best routes to get from Nice to Santander. The trip will be in two parts, and we've given ourselves 2 days to get from Nice to Perpignan (France / Spain border east coast), where we are staying for a few days, then 2 more days to get to Santander.

We're starting the trip on the train from somewhere in Holland down to Avignon, and from here we will get to Nice via Verdon and that-there "Gorges". First thoughts for the Nice - Perpignan leg was to stay on the coast road, but I'm wary that progress might be a little slow with all the towns on the way. We'd like to get to Milau so maybe a more inland route would suit better - any suggestions? Priorities in all cases are smooth tarmac, great views and quiet roads. While we'd love to experience some twist-tastic roads, we'll be carrying our luggage so too much of that will get tiring very soon I think. This will be Monday-Tuesday, if that makes a difference to the most suitable roads..

Perpignan - Santander... well there is obviously virtually the whole of the Pyrenees to choose from, but no idea by looking at the map which are better than others, so your tips will be most appreciated We've pencilled in an overnight stop in or around the Lourdes area, but this is flexible.

We've waited a long time to be able to do this and are unlikely to get another chance soon, so we don't want to choose naf roads So, share your experiences, photos, thoughts, tips and warnings about roads not to miss or avoid at all costs

Edited by bulb763 on Thursday 2nd April 22:11

I've not done this trip, but am very jealous.

Just a thought, if all the Brit's who have either been across or are planning to cross the Millau Bridge all turned up at the same time. The traffic jam of GB stickers would stretch all the way back to Calais.

[ewenm]

I looked at this sort of route earlier this year. I decided on driving the Spanish side of the Pyrennes, so going from Carcassonne to Font Romeu and past Andorra before heading west. No idea if the roads are good but a Google Earth session suggested they might well be.

[F308 MAN]

hello,
try this:
start out from menton and "do" the col du turini (monte carlo rally) ... across to castellane for an overnight ... on to mt ventoux and due west to gorges du tarn for next stop.
twenty minutes next morning and you're at millau bridge ... south on motorway to perpignan (really twisty, mostly downhill - good fun for a motorway) ... many roads north then thro' pyrenees as you say, but we stay on eastern side and visit pau, tarbes etc.
give us a shout if you need more ....
cheers,
d