off touring north Spain

[paul vp uk]

Managed to get 8 days touring north spain off in to the hills etc not looking for tourest routes just the tougher mountain routes !!!!!!!!!
two of us camping Quality ATS all round so any ideas or hints would be very welcome

PS any one want to come along?????????

going around 1st or 2nd sept 2005 in disco

think maybee ferry from porstmouth or drive down from tunnel then ferry back from spain

route still optional
Paul vp uk

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Wish I could come..... anyway this might help to start with distances/maps etc http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm

I think I have 2 mag articles at home about offroading in the Picos de Europa mountains close to Bilbao, I'll have a look and copy them. I also have a couple of bike friends who have offroaded there a few years ago.

[paul vp uk]

sounds great mate
Thanks

I wonder how you got the river wye in theose bearing budd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

[ROB 110 HICAP]

I wonder how you got the river wye in theose bearing budd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Better in my CV joints/bearings than the cylinders, eh Paul!

[Ben Breese]

now now, it's not Pauls fault he thought he could drive through 2ft of water at 20mph without a snorkel :D
just kidding matey

cheers, ben

[shadyadie]

Am planning similar for next year. you can get a ferry all the way to north spain and get staight on laning. (plus tell missus ferry is a mini cruise for her)

If you have time I've been told southern spain has some very good routes and unlike here the spainish encourage use.

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Quote from my dirtbike friend who has been:

"As for the Picos well your find it hard to go off roading there now as
a lot of the lanes have been closed off! as for staying somewhere,the
one place I stayed at which has an underground car park {not 4X4} is
called Hotel Dolmar and is in the centre of Potes in the Pico's de
Europa,and look out for Bears the only place to be found on Europe!"

The dirtbike mag article I have is from1998 so not the latest info but offers a guide to actual routes, but don't know if they are still open or all manageable by 4x4. PM me your address for a photocopy gratis, I'll drop a copy round Paul.

It basically says Potes is the main town of the Picos, only 76miles from Santander ferry port (Brittany ferries from Portsmouth 24hrs). The map they suggested was 'Picos de Europa: Mapa Excursionista Con 48 Itinerarios Pedestres'. Tracks marked in white (Pista) or thin black (Camino Carretero) can be used. But dotted lines (Sendero) are footpaths with no vehicular right of way. Article also says penalties for straying offroad are severe, as its a Nationla Park with firm bur friendly park wardens in 4x4.

The other article was in Landrover Owner International sept2001 and covers the south around Malaga/Andalucia. Some village names are given but not as much detail as the dirtbike article. Recommends you look at www.andalucia.com

Enjoy!

[andyb43]

Go Portsmouth bilbo or santiander as the drive down from the tunnel goes on for ever and the extra fuel adds up. plus the extra speeding tickets :rolleyes:

[rolaro]

Hi Paul,

here a site where you can get roadbooks
http://www.pistav.com/

it is in the french language , but maybe it helps.

A nice camping with 4x4 capabilities is between Toulouse and Montpellier:
http://www.goudal.com/
it is a pitty that it is only in the dutch and french language, but I can be of any help if you want more info.
I've been there and I enjoy it !!

[paul vp uk]

well shadieaide
if you serious buddie i am up for it as well
going on over in sept this year
but going on own so taking road disco with At.s on.
would love to take Zulu my off road disco though next year
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE COULD GET MAYBEE THREE OR FOUR AS A MAX TO GO EXPLORING over here?????

in spain at moment people great really friendly.
with good planning i believe cwe would have a great time would like to take say two of each yoursand a disc so spares are kept to min sharing them anf tyres etc
CAMPING SEEMS THE WAY FORWARD TO ME WE SHHALL SEE
Any takes
are you up for ir ob we could put your bike in the back of tyour truck
You to ben !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
paul vp uk

[Spanish Bob]

Be carful in the Picos. Get caught off riding in the park itself and your wont find the agentes forestales or guardia civil to be very friendly. Elsewhere it is better. Especially the further south you go. The general rule is you should not be on a track that is less than 4metres wide. How the hell you interpret that is another question. My experience is only on two wheels, but the rules apply equally.

Still there are things you can do. Ask at the tourist office in potes or at one of the quad hire places. Also try the hotel infantado in Potes, good food, big parking, quality high and price low.

http://www.hotelinfantado.com/

I´ll be crossing the pyrenees off road (on two wheels) in august I´ll let you know how that went.