Picos & Pyrenees
Motorcycle Tour
14 Days
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Pyrenees is one of the world’s great mountain ranges. Older and more varied than the Alps, the Pyrenees host imposing massifs and sheer peaks along with lush, forested valleys and waterfalls that are among the most impressive in Europe.
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For motorcyclists, not only do the Pyrenees host exhilaratingly high paved mountain passes, but also a seemingly endless network of roads to explore, making it the perfect destination for adventure biking. Combine this trip with the Picos de Europa and you have an intense dose of motorcycle heaven.
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And best of all, there traffic is negligible! No crazy caravans trying to get up the Stelvio pass, but instead the odd sheep in the road.
Join me on an adventure motorcycle tour through the north of Spain criss-crossing the Pyrenees cutting into France and back, with a dip into Andorra, and the highest paved road in the Pyrenees.
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After touching the Mediterranean sea, we will head back west again crossing peak and pass as we go, as well as the renowned Eje Pirenaico (Pyrenean Axis). This is up there in the top 10 most picturesque motorcycle routes ever.
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After all that altitude (and attitude), we head into the stunning Badlands of the Bardenas Reales with the optional opportunity to explore some gentle trails.
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We then head into the Picos de Europa for two full days of uninterrupted road joy, with maybe a trip into northern Portugal.
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Our hotels are a mixture of local lodgings to spectacular luxury Spanish Paradors, all with secure or safe parking.
If you want to make your own tracks to our nightly accommodation, you’re more than welcome, otherwise we will guide you all the way with an English speaking biker leading.
It is 99% tarmac with no planned off roading (optional Badlands route on compacted gravel). No planned motorways.
No hard riding days (max 5-6 hours saddle time). Flexible routing discussed with the team daily and guaranteed good banter.
What's included?
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Return ferry with shared cabin - Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander.
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UK guide on a bike.
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All hotel accommodation in good quality hotels or paradors.
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All hotels with secure, garaged or private parking.
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All breakfasts in hotels.
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Tour routes, gpx files and information pack.
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Tour t-shirt.
What's not included?
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Travel insurance.
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Breakdown cover.
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Hotel parking charges.
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Petrol.
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Drinks.
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Evening meals unless listed.
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Anything not listed.
Day 1-2
Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander ferry
– 0 miles.
Your tour will start at a pub in Portsmouth (good place to start) where you will have the opportunity to meet the rest of the team and your tour guide. Then we will board the ferry for the crossing over the channel and the Bay of Biscay.​ During the 30 or so hour long crossing you will have time to relax, have a few beers, go dolphin and whale watching in the Bay of Biscay, get some sleep, and chat with the group about plans and routes before reaching the Spanish coast. The ferries are convenient and easy going. Everyone will have a cabin with a shower/toilet (2 people in a 4 berth cabin). In the evening there is sometimes live music in the bar, films or sport on the big screens and several restaurants. It’ll be a great chance for everyone to get to know each other and chill. There's the option to travel from Plymouth for this holiday, give me a bell to discuss if this works better for you.
Day 3
Bilbao/Santander to Pampalona
– 200 miles.
The ferry is due to dock in the morning and after clearing customs we will head straight out for a day of riding. The plan here is to get as far east as possible, but still have an enjoyable day's riding. We will initially head up the Afro del Caracol mountain pass. This is one of the most brilliant roads, according to ABR magazine, and they're not wrong! Three national parks today, Ojo Guareña, Gorbeia and Aizkorri-Aratz. This is an easy ride with sweeping open turns and dense valleys. We are staying in the heart of Pampalona tonight, famous for it's annual Running of the Bulls event, where brave? mozos are chased by horned bulls through the streets. But this is usually in July, so free for us to ride our iron horses through.
Day 4
Pampalona to Vielha
– 200 miles.
Five famous Col's (mountain passes), plus miles of empty road. Today we climb! Our first crossing onto the French side via Col du Pourtalet. It's in our favour that no-one uses this road, as the bends are FANTASTIC! Then onto the old Tour de France Cols of Aubisque, Soulor, Tourmalet and Aspin. We're reaching nearly 7,000ft on some of these passes, along with magnificently engineered tunnel systems, just for our riding pleasure. We then head back over the mountains into Spain to our hotel on the outskirts of the mountain town of Vielha. Our usual hotel has a well stocked bar, a pool table and a fully equipped spa!
Day 5
Vielha to Figueres
– 200 miles.
We pick up the pace today continuing along the magnificent N-260. Also known as the Eje Pirenaico, the road is quite isolated and usually has virtually no traffic. This road is quite like a race track with numerous hairpins, long sweeping bends and a gradual incline. The road wraps around several mountains as it traverses through the region. The road ends at Figueres, the birthplace of the wacky artist Salvador DalÃ. Everything is 'Dali-a-fide' here with weird architectural buildings and abstract art everywhere. From here we continue to Cap Norfeu with it's epic cliffs descending into the Mediterranean.
Day 6
Figueres to Andorra
– 200 miles.
After breakfast we will head north west, following the Col route up to Andorra. This tiny principality also has the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and although there is a tunnelled road cutting through the mountain, we can take the old road up and over Port d'Envalira. More impressively, is the highest permanent motorsports circuit in the world! Although Circuit Andorra is quite a small circuit, it's famed for gokarts and motorbikes in the summer, and drift racing in the winter. But we won't stop yet, as we have the rest of the N-260 to complete. We're back in familiar territory heading back into Spain for the evening.
Day 7
Andorra to Montory
– 200 miles.
Back on the climb again but first a scenic one way valley along the Aso River. This narrow single track road follows the river twisting and winding its way for around 18 miles. The way they've cut the road into the rock is amazing. Next we're back on the Col hunt! Sitting at just under 6,000ft, Col de Pourtalet is home to a sweeping fast road across the border back into France. We're staying in a traditional French Logis tonight, where you're guaranteed a good meal and a comfortable bed.
Day 8
Montory to Jaca
– 110 miles.
Don’t let the mere 130 miles make you think it’ll be an easy day today, as the temperatures will change and there maybe camels in the road. We will leave the Ziz river and continue South towards Merzouga. After stopping for coffee overlooking the Ziz Oasis (very green area of palm trees surrounded by barren red and ochre rocks), we will pass through the military town of Erfoud. Here there are rows and rows of barracks and garrisons. Hundreds of soldiers guarding the sand from the neighbouring Algerians! There is nothing here now. A long long stretch of tarmac as we head into the deserted desert and will hopefully meet some wild camels on route. It’s like meeting wild ponies on Dartmoor or the Yorkshire Dales, but they’re huge and have got the hump. Photos taken, we will have our first glimpse of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This huge pile of sand is the film spot for countless Hollywood blockbusters as it rises an impressive 150m above the desert floor. Stretching over 28km north to south, it’s the Sahara that we’ve all seen on TV. Our accommodation for this evening will be a ‘traditional’ berber tent. Don’t fret. These tents are semi-permanent structures and are only moved when the wind shifts the dunes. They have plumbing and comfortable beds. We may need to ride to the camp. This will be down a compacted sand and stone track but is only a short ride (at a slow pace). Before it gets dark, we will take a camel ride up the dunes on our own humped steeds, where we will watch a magical sunset, before riding back down for a scrumptious traditional berber dinner. Afterwards, there maybe evening entertainment if the travelling musicians are in attendance. A campfire will be lit and the stars will be our only other company. Tonight's traditional evening meal is included in the tour. This is the stuff that memories are made of.
Day 9
Jaca to Calahorra
– 150 miles.
A change of scenery as we head southwards and down into the desert Badlands! Las Bardenas Reales is a desert just 70 kilometres from the Pyrenees and comes as a big surprise to most. Because it’s a geographical rarity and the landscape is just astonishing. This area of weird rock formations and deserted scrubland has been used in several wild western movies. Although there is a tarmac road running through the middle, there is the option for some light off-roading, to soak up the trails that criss-cross this barren wasteland, also known as the Badlands. Then a short ride to our comfortable hotel for tonight.
Day 10
Calahora to Potes
– 205 miles.
Run to the hills! Knock the sand out of your boots as we head north west towards the Picos de Europa. It's a practical route today but still through some spectacular hills and valleys. We're in the same accommodation for three nights to explore the Picos at our leisure.
Day 11-12
Picos de Europa
– 150 miles?
Picos de Europa! We have a full two days to explore the Picos. The roads are smooth and sweeping, down to twisty and tight. It's motorbike nirvana! We will ride the Potes Triangle, a spectacular route and maybe add some deviations as we all see fit. Our second full day in the Picos may include a quick run into north Portugal or we lap up the magnificent local roads. We are at the same hotel on nights 10, 11 and 12, allowing us to strip the luggage and ride light for these two days. Our Parador is at the foot of the mighty Picu_Urriellu, the main big mountain in the middle of the Picos de Europa.
Day 13
Potes to Bilbao/Santander to Portsmouth
– 100 miles.
We're not finished yet! A good morning's worth of riding through the Saja-Besaya Natural Park before heading to our departure port for an early afternoon ferry. The roads in this mountainous region are fantastic and it’s a great way to finish this epic motorbike tour.
Day 14
Portsmouth
– 0 miles.
We’re on the ferry for a single night crossing, with plenty of time to reminisce about your amazing motorcycle trip to the Picos and Pyrenees, arriving back in blighty in the evening.
Other Costs To Consider (for 2024/25/26 tours)
All accommodation, all breakfasts (excluding onboard the ferry) are included.
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Additional costs you may want to allow for:
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£250 - £300 for fuel (depends on how heavy wristed you are).
£250 - £350 for food and drinks that are not already included.
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