We are driving down to Spain in September,
We are driving through France on the west side till we get near Pyrénées then turning left to the east and trying to go all the way along the Pyrénées, people have said stay on the French side,does anybody no what the Spanish side of the border is like ,or the best route to take all information welcome
Thanks Keith
P.s going for about a month
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The two sides of the Pyrenees are very different - the French side more forested because of a wetter climate, the Spanish side with very different scenery because it is drier. Most tourists don't explore the Spanish side and so they miss the stunning landscapes in the Ordesa National Park. Try and get some good guide books to help you explore.
The Spanish side has some great places ... the Ordesa is a fantastic walking area ... and loads of others ... a string of ski resorts offer good chair/cabin lifts to take you high ... and some really good white water runs if you fancy rafting. ... and there's duty free Andorra along the way ...
A great trip would be to do the loop of both sides ...
Going in from the west via Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, possibly via Pau ... you can do a quick visit to Pamplona, then choose your valleys are you progress eastwards.
One April I went St Jean de Luz, along the coast to the A15, to Pamploma, then along via Jaca and the Cirque de Gavarnie. We camped 2 nights in Spain, the first place I can't remember where, it was snowing all that day, but maybe near Jaca. Then the sun came out and we camped a second night at Broto or Oto. We then had to head back to France so went via the Tunnel de Bielsa. The whole trip was a great adventure and I'd love to repeat it, but without the blizzards!
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Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 14/2/2018
One April I went St Jean de Luz, along the coast to the A15, to Pamploma, then along via Jaca and the Cirque de Gavarnie. We camped 2 nights in Spain, the first place I can't remember where, it was snowing all that day, but maybe near Jaca. Then the sun came out and we camped a second night at Broto or Oto. We then had to head back to France so went via the Tunnel de Bielsa. The whole trip was a great adventure and I'd love to repeat it, but without the blizzards!
We're intending to do something similar, but in reverse, east to west, probably in June, to see our friends in Bidart but spending some time zigging and zagging backwards and forwards across the Pyrenees.
Spanish side for me everytime. As said, French side is greener, Spanish is more rugged. The Ordesa National Park is a great area, Broto has waterfalls, Valley de Anisclo is a stunning drive and all are in the same central Pyrenees area, around Ainsa.
When we have been there in June, temperatures are always in the twenties, but there are often still areas near ski resorts of Panticosa and Formigal where snow can be found (but no enough to ski)
Also, if you like seeing birds of prey at close hand, there are many in this area.
If you go to Riglos, there is an rock formation that looks the same colour as Eyres Rock, and you will find the rock faces are riddled with nesting vultures.
We haven’t tried the Spanish side of the Pyrenees but can recommend a lovely site on the French side. Pyrenees Natura above Angeles Gazost is a lovely site and just a few km below Lac d’ Estaing which is well worth the visit and I think you may be able to use your motor home there. Couple of pictures of when we were there in June 2013. Can’t guarantee you will get the snow capped mountains we had as I believe it was very unusual for that time of year. Nevertheless it is a beautiful area and not far from Lourdes.
John
Another recommendation for La Natura site. However, the second time we went there in August, it rained solidly fo five days, we couldn't see the mountain tops and it was about 12 degrees.! That said, we would go back and hope for sunshine and now we are not in a wet tent, would just move on if the weather was as bad. The fist time we went, the views were stunning.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Pyrénées
